One of the world’s biggest fashion fairs will have a twist of something sweet and desi this year. The Germans have invited the big wigs of the Pakistani fashion industry to grace the event with their talent and skills. Big players such as Karma, Asifa, Nikki of Nikki and Nina, Naila H Maqbool, Ammar Belal, Maria B and others are expected to participate in the fair. Towards the end of July, Dusseldorf will serve as a platform for our leading designers to parade their creations to represent the true culture of Pakistan. It seems that the world is eager to see our hot couture and we think it’s quite amazing. So, all we can say is… Way to go people!

The next best things are not some secondary alternatives to the real things. These are the real things! They are the next generation of superstars. Perhaps the term “generation” would not be applicable here since the world of showbiz seems to lie in another dimension where time moves a lot quicker and a “generation” often passes in a matter of seconds. After all, as everyone knows, fame is fickle! Not so with this talented bunch. Though they might not be household names yet, each and member of this chosen elite has what it takes to make it in the big bad world of showbiz. Their staying power is exemplified by their accomplishments so far - accomplishments which might not have been vast in scale, but were definitely ample in quality. We predict great things for them, and don’t hesitate to tell you that they will soon graduate from being the next best things, to the best of the best.

Ammar Belal is the charming young guy behind the stylish ABCD, the label that has injected new life into the stodgy old Sarah’s retail empire. That’s quite an achievement for someone who majored in management, and whose only qualification in fashion is a short stint as an intern at Selfridges in London. But what Ammar lacks in professional training, he makes up for with his natural talent, intelligence, enthusiasm, and inherent love of clothes. These have helped ABCD become one of the most sought-after casualwear labels around. Walk into his outlet and check out the clothes: whether it’s the cut, the fit, or the styling, we dare you to not convert to ABCD-ism!