Spunk and bold moves. That’s the new mantra of the Pakistani ramp. Models from Lahore and Karachi are wooing the world of international fashion.

Meet Neha Ahmed. At 23, she’s already catwalked in Paris and Dubai. Next month, she’ll do a show in London for designer Hasan Sheriyar. “We’re getting a lot more international exposure now. I’m listed with agents in Paris and Dubai and keep going for shows there,” says Ahmed. But entry into modelling wasn’t easy. “My father, an armyman, was furious. But that was then. Now, he’s cool about it.”

Sunita Marshall, having done ramp shows in London, Sri Lanka, India, Singapore and Dubai, is one of the most sought-after models on the Pakistani ramp. “Though modeling is seen as a short-term profession in Pakistan, there’s a lot happening in the industry: we’re looked upon with respect and the money is amazing,” says Marshall, set to make her acting debut in the play Sukhay Patay, which has been shot in Canada and co-stars Suresh Oberoi.

A large number of people accompanied by their children visited a folk Mela, “Mount Fuji ta Mai Kulachi”, that was inaugurated at The Danishgah, here on Friday evening.

Sindh Finance Minister Syed Sardar Ahmad, who had come on behalf of Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, inaugurated the festival organized by the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association. On the occasion, a visiting Japanase ceramist, Eiko Oto, gave demonstration on how to make clay decoration pieces etc.

The technique was almost similar to that used by local artisan, the only difference being the fast-moving electric wheel on which Mr Oto moulded the clay giving it different shapes. The local artists used their hand to rotate the wheel.

“This movie is a thing of beauty, with the substance to match its style.”

Hollywood — and America’s — fascination with all things Asian continues in Edward Zwick’s “The Last Samurai,” a movie that successfully merges a Western with a samurai movie. Zwick triumphantly pulls off what sounds like the height of arrogance: a Yank directing a samurai movie and, worse, Tom Cruise playing the title role. Hewing close to historical accuracy, though, the film does a reasonable job of situating Cruise, playing an Indian fighter and Civil War veteran, in Japan during the 1876-77 Samurai Revolt to catch the final moments of samurai culture and its spirit of Bushido.

PARIS, July 7 – Once again, Yohji Yamamoto chose to show his Ready-to-Wear line during Couture, a full two months ahead of the usual schedule. This Spring collection, he said, was an exercise in “doing something graphic.” That meant working squares of fabric, linked Paco Rabanne–style with metal rings, into many variations of bodices, which came attached to long, flowing skirts. The surprise was the sense of body that came through—literally. Though he stayed almost entirely with his habitual black, cutting pinafore dresses and overalls suspended from complex straps and ties, the torso beneath was naked, save for body paint, applied in chalky blocks by Shiseido.