Syrian activists call for release of detainees

BEIRUT: The Syrian opposition is calling for demonstrations in support of thousands of detainees they say are still in prison, despite a general amnesty declared this week.

President Bashar Assad issued the amnesty on Sunday for “crimes” committed during the 10-month uprising against his rule, but his regime did not say how many prisoners were covered by it.

Assad’s government blames the violence in Syria on terrorists and armed gangs that it claims are part of a foreign conspiracy to destabilize the country.

The opposition says there are thousands of Syrian detainees still in prisons and other detention centers.

Friday’s protests were called in the name of “the detainees of the revolution.” The opposition called for their immediate release. AGENCIES

Sunsilk Fashion Week 2010

The inspiration behind this collection comes for the art of Pakistan’s pre-eminent artist Saeed Akhtar. His latest work centers around tribal women, who he has given the most captivating aura in his paintings…I was able to design a whole collection based on their strangely beautiful faces and the energy in their form and movement. Quite simply, I can vividly imagine these gazelle like females gliding across the desert or reclining on the branch of a tree wearing one of the outfits from Élans PFW collection and being one with their surroundings. The collection is what I absorbed from his paintings primarily and then built upon by researching sub-continental tribal and desert landscape and culture.”

Khadijah Shah’s bring her brand Élan to fashion week with a complete collection of both Eastern Prêt a Porter and Haute Couture inspired by the artist Saeed Akhtar and his latest works. The Élan collection colour palette consists of olives, ochre’s, burgundies, crimson, deep hues of pink, burnt oranges and the essential black and gold. Indeed to the designer, these colours represent those of the sand, trees, sun, the evening desert sky and the colours in which tribal women are most often found. Expect ethnic embellishment with an emphasis on glass, maroori, zardozi and sitara work and fabrics including hand loom silks and chiffons.

Élan is a relatively young fashion label having been launched six years ago by Khadijah Shah. She is respected for her combination of intricate embellishments, flattering silhouettes and attention to detail in the construction of each outfit. Indeed each collection is conceived with glamour, elegance and versatility in mind. Khadijah Shah inherited her design aesthetic from her mother Aneela Shah, who had a small atelier and a loyal clientele for years before Élan was formerly launched. In a short span of six years, Khadijah has formalised and expanded this atelier and created an effective and influential place for her label in the Fashion Industry.

Fashion Show Of J’Adore Dior’s

Looking like a haute couture version of “Alice in Wonderland,” Christian Dior showed everyone at Paris Fashion Week — and hopefully Helena Bonham Carter  — what they should be wearing next season.