BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK 2011

Starting in the 1980s when Pakistani couture was still evolving, Neelo Allawala has been one of the pioneers of high fashion clothing in Karachi. Designing elegant, heavily embellished outfits, she focuses mostly on hand-embroidered formal wear with unique designs that are tailored according to each client’s needs.

The eclectic collection that Neelo exhibited here today is a tribute to the sub-continent’s rich cultural and geographic heritage.

It began with a collection of chiffon and silk prints depicting scenes inspired by Mughal miniature art of the 17th and 18th centuries. Following the Mughal prints was an evening wear collection in a ubiquitous black lace, a necessity for every woman’s wardrobe. We were then transported into a world of exquisite jamawars, silks and laces with crisp snowy whites and soft hues of ivory blended with the stark brown. Nearing the end, Neelo brought in a luscious palate intermingled with the arid browns of the Cholistan and Thar deserts to create a magnificent finale

BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK 2011

stylish shoes

Every women loves to wear high heels. Nowadays in Pakistan high heels are big time in Fashion. High heels makes women personality more stunning and confident. High heels makes legs look even more longer and thinner. High heeled shoes comes in different designs and shapes some with straps which provide better support while walking. Strap and wedge sandals are considered safer option as well. Some high heels comes in a court shoe designs which never goes out of fashion and every women no matter which part of the world she lives, likes to wear them with formal and casuals dresses. Recently fashion stance has been changed and bright red shoes has came in fashion. No matter if Red high heeled shoes matching with your dress or not just wear any cool and stylish red high heel shoe and everyone will goes Ga Ga for you. Best of luck with high heels girls but yeah be careful never wear poor fitted high heeled shoes it can cause tightening of muscles. 

stylish shoes

F@bolous Mehndi DEsigns 2011

Mehndi or Henna is a art of body painting. The material (mehndi) used for painting skin only lasts for couple of days. Mehndi gained popularity from South Asia and North Africa. In south Asia (India, Pakistan) application of Mehndi is a priminent part of all weddings and eid celebrations.

Henna was used to decorate bride's hands and palms, however now a days this art has become more popular in teenagers and children. They also wear mehndi on eid and wedding celebrations

F@bolous Mehndi DEsigns 2011

Is Black Henna Dangerous for Skin?

Not all Black Henna labeled products are actually made from the henna or mehndi plant! Several products marked as Black Hennah and are very dangerous.

In the 1800s when synthetic dye was not invented, indigo and Henna were used to dye hair. At that time there were several variations of henna. Neutral Henna was made from twigs and leaves of the henna plant. Red Henna was extracted from Henna leaf buds, and Black Henna made from indigo plant. If you see a product advertised as black henna in some eastern country or an Indian store then mostly it is indigo elsewhere it is PPD (Para-phenylenediamine), but do read the instructions on the cover in any case. Safe way to darken henna is to add essential oils like Tee Tree oil, but do remember these strains are near black not perfectly black.

In early 90s henna artists in India and Africa started using PPD (Para-phenylenediamine). PPD is a black hair dye. They used to apply it as temporary body painting, just like the traditional henna or the black henna. Contrary to indigo, application of PPD on skin can cause serious allergic reactions, for example permanent scarring, intense itching and blistering. Henna itself does not cause these injuries, however when mixed with PPD it can be hazardous.
In most of the western countries application of PPD on skin is strictly prohibited. In hair dyes its proportion should be less than 6%. Despite of this low concentration one should wear gloves while applying the dye. The dye should not touch your scalp as well.
Black Henna (containing Para-phenylenediamine) is mostly popular in tourist spots. The chemical’s allergic reactions appear after 3 days, by that time the tourists have moved to another spot and hence it becomes difficult to take action against the artists responsible. The artists on the other hand are mostly unaware of this issue and keeps on decorating other tourists with the poisonous chemical. Low cost of black henna (with PPD) also boosts their profit margin.

How do I know if it is harmful Black Henna or PPD?

Tracing PPD is not difficult at all, do keep a watch for these symptoms and consult a doctor immediately for suitable treatement.

• The paste strains skin black in less than 30 minutes
• Peroxide is wiped over the tattoo to bring out the color
• And last but not the least, blistering and itching reaction.

To conclude this article please do read application instruction on back of the dye you purchase, and preferably buy the product that has been certified as safe by your regional health body or organization.  Happy tattooing!

Arabic Mehndi Designs

Arabic Mehndi Designs

Compared with the complex Indian mehndi designs, Arabic designs are much simpler. Arabic designs mostly consist of leaves, veins, flowers etc. These designs are perfect candidate if you want to extend the design from hand to arm or from foot to leg.

Another distinguishing feature of Arabic designs is that the shapes are not filled, they are just outlines. These designs also partially cover your hands or feet. These designs consume less amount of mehndi and are easily dried which means that you don’t have to wait!

Is Black Henna Dangerous for Skin?

Not all Black Henna labeled products are actually made from the henna or mehndi plant! Several products marked as Black Hennah and are very dangerous.
In the 1800s when synthetic dye was not invented, indigo and Henna were used to dye hair. At that time there were several variations of henna. Neutral Henna was made from twigs and leaves of the henna plant. Red Henna was extracted from Henna leaf buds, and Black Henna made from indigo plant. If you see a product advertised as black henna in some eastern country or an Indian store then mostly it is indigo elsewhere it is PPD (Para-phenylenediamine), but do read the instructions on the cover in any case. Safe way to darken henna is to add essential oils like Tee Tree oil, but do remember these strains are near black not perfectly black.

In early 90s henna artists in India and Africa started using PPD (Para-phenylenediamine). PPD is a black hair dye. They used to apply it as temporary body painting, just like the traditional henna or the black henna. Contrary to indigo, application of PPD on skin can cause serious allergic reactions, for example permanent scarring, intense itching and blistering. Henna itself does not cause these injuries, however when mixed with PPD it can be hazardous.
In most of the western countries application of PPD on skin is strictly prohibited. In hair dyes its proportion should be less than 6%. Despite of this low concentration one should wear gloves while applying the dye. The dye should not touch your scalp as well.
Black Henna (containing Para-phenylenediamine) is mostly popular in tourist spots. The chemical’s allergic reactions appear after 3 days, by that time the tourists have moved to another spot and hence it becomes difficult to take action against the artists responsible. The artists on the other hand are mostly unaware of this issue and keeps on decorating other tourists with the poisonous chemical. Low cost of black henna (with PPD) also boosts their profit margin.

How do I know if it is harmful Black Henna or PPD?

Tracing PPD is not difficult at all, do keep a watch for these symptoms and consult a doctor immediately for suitable treatement.

• The paste strains skin black in less than 30 minutes
• Peroxide is wiped over the tattoo to bring out the color
• And last but not the least, blistering and itching reaction.

To conclude this article please do read application instruction on back of the dye you purchase, and preferably buy the product that has been certified as safe by your regional health body or organization.  Happy tattooing!