Mehreen Syed launches IFAP
By Rizwan Khatik - Wed Nov 23, 7:09 am
Model and entrepreneur Mehreen Syed and her team of panel members proudly launched the International Fashion Academy Pakistan (IFAP).
Their first branch is now open in Lahore and will open it’s doors in Karachi and Islamabad soon. A multi-dimensional academy and among the first of its kind in Pakistan, IFAPs aim is to provide a platform for the next generation of the fashion industry to come forward and enhance themselves to their fullest. People between the ages of 14 to 40 can join whichever course they feel drawn towards.
The courses include the grooming academy, the photography academy, the makeup academy and the modelling academy. Courses at IFAP span between a series of weeks and months. After a successful completion of a course at IFAP, students will have a formal diploma and participate in their own fashion challenge, preparing them to confidently meet with real life trials they are likely to face as members of the fashion community.
The eventual aim is to establish one go-to fashion academy that will guide, equip, train and give the technical know-how and exposure to students to be able to pursue a viable career.
Speaking at the launch of IFAP, CEO and member of the board of directors Mehreen Syed said she has had a long standing relationship with the industry and has felt at many points of her own career how helpful it would have been to have had proper professional training and grooming.
Mehreen was first discovered through the visionary lens of the dynamic stylists and photographers Ather and Shahzad, which led to her transformation from a girl next door to one of Pakistans biggest supermodels. Eastern Eye magazine rated her #14 in their Asia’s 50 Sexiest Models list. In 2005, Mehreen Syed won the ‘International Model of the Year Award‘ in a competition contested by models from different countries including India, Germany, Greece, Cyprus, Hungry, Philippines, Romania, Italy, Australia, Belgium, South Africa, Kenya and Bulgaria.
She also won the “Indigo-Sunday face of the year “award in 2007. She has got an award of “Glamorous Entrepreneur of the year 2010,” by PTV. She says she owes her success to him and prior to that she didn’t know anything and is not ashamed to admit it. Mehreen has had a difficult life, facing immense pressure from her family not to get into modelling.
Canadian based entrepreneur Uzi Zaidi who has a seasoned history in establishing educational and training institutes within fashion industry, abroad is also involved in IFAP. He brings to IFAP his international experience with Goldstein Modelling Agency and Academy.
With industry stalwarts such as Shahzad Raza as the Head of Faculty and Hassan Shehryar Yasin(HSY) as the Head of visiting faculty, the academy has garnered a diversity of permanent and visiting faculty consisting of leading names from the fashion, media and entertainment industries.
The panel of fashion gurus today included Mehdi, Nael Ahmed, Shammal Qureshi, Redah Misbah, Iffat Umar, Kamiar Rokni, Shahzad Raza, Uzi Zaidi, Hamza Tarar, Nickie Nina, Asmaa Mumtaz , Emaad Irfani and Yasir Nisar. Those who couldn’t be there included Umar Sayeed, Deepak Perwani, Nomi Ansari, Iman Ali, Saba Ansari, Nadia Husain, Juggan Kazim, Sabina Pasha and Dr. Haroon Nabi; allowing students the chance to learn from their expertise, exposure and guidance. IFAPs interior has been designed by Hamza Tarar of Casa Hamza.
Model Natasha (Natty) said that when she goes abroad for shows she finds that Pakistanis and Indians living abroad are enthralled by the way fashion shows are pulled together. The makeup artists, models, designers are all one big team. The fashion industry of Pakistan has really taken Pakistan a step forward and it’s nice to see the stars giving so much back. IFAP is now open for admissions and open to all.
dailytimes.com.pk
