October 19, 2003

‘Decade of Dedication,’ recently celebrated by a well-known airport ground handling concern, was a hallmark event in every sense of the word. The well-attended dark-suit affair was marked by a touch of class and guests from all over the country and abroad. Federal ministers for Communication and Privatization Rehmat Ali and Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, respectively, duly lavished generous praise on the hosts for their superlative work. A cake-cutting ceremony followed, which lent the strictly formal event an air of casual relief.

The speakers cast light on the workings of the concern at airports and their passenger services, a fact which was quite vividly portrayed in the fashion show that followed, an extravaganza put together by Sohail Malik, who also lent narration to the event.

The catwalk, which was set up like a runway, started on an interesting note, with PNCA dancers dressed as airport ground handling crew facilitating make-believe passengers — models in this case — back and forth from the departure lounge. The backdrop, interestingly done with tail-fins, waiting lounges, etc, lent an added air of authenticity. The designer wear by Shaiyanne Malik, was aptly paraded by the likes of Gia Ali, Iraj, Vinnie, Salma, Seemi Pasha, Sunita Marshall, etc. Make-up artist Saima, whose radical new look for models comprised of spray-painting the eyes with vibrant eye colour, also deserves kudos for a brave attempt.

The fashion segment was punctuated with performances by a number of artists, the most prominent being Nighat Chowdry, whose fusionistic number left spectators spellbound as she whirled and pirouetted on stage, even though she seems to have gained a couple of pounds. The other performance, by newcomer Shama, was just as enchanting, culminating in a grand finale where a rather filmi performance by the latter and her group made many in the audience bite their lower lips.

All said and done, a ‘Decade of Dedication,’ hosted by Gerrys, was a trendsetter for those who have deen affiliated with aviation and tourist-related services for the past number of years.

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