Ayesha Gilani – Miss Pakistan World 2009
By Sohaib Shah • Jul 28th, 2009 • Category: News

Aysha Gilani interview Ayesha Gilani Miss Pakistan World 2009

1. How does it feel winning Miss Pakistan World?

Winning Miss Pakistan World has already turned out to be an amazing experience, as new as it is. It’s so surreal. The runners up were beautiful, intelligent women, and honestly, I believe it was by a hair that I won. I am truly blessed to be given this opportunity to represent strong, independent, intelligent Pakistani women on a global level, and be the role model that Pakistani women need. I am so excited about the upcoming year, and hope to represent the past and future generations of Pakistani people worldwide exceedingly well.

2. Tell us a bit about yourself.

My family has lived and flourished in the culturally rich Lahore, Pakistan for 700 years. In 1971, my family migrated to the States, where I was born. We frequently take trips back home to visit Pakistan, and they are never long enough. Currently residing in the Washington, DC area, I run a successful business of makeup artists called Limelight Beauty Artistes, focusing on weddings and the fashion industry. My English Studies background has fueled my beauty columns in magazines such as Sapna Magazine, and Divanee Magazine. I’ve also come out from behind the scenes and started modeling myself. I love what I do because I adore meeting new people every day. Each day brings new personalities, new stories.

3. What is your educational background?

I am currently studying at the George Mason University, majoring in English Studies, with a minor in Business Administration. I have also trained with celebrity makeup artist Debra Macki, have taken and continue to take makeup artistry classes to expand upon my expertise.

In between my schooling, I have worked for the Washington Redskins (a National Football League franchise) Charitable Foundation, organizing events to benefit the less fortunate, and working with high profile clients to keep the Foundation running successfully. Previously, I was employed at a certified government contracting agency as Proposal Assistant and Editor. It was a big step to leave a stable day job to pursue my then part time makeup artistry business as a full time endeavor, but I have never looked back since, and am blessed to be able to do what I love as a career.

4. What interested you in taking part in Miss Pakistan World?

Ever since I was a little girl, people have always told me I don’t look Pakistani, and I don’t act Pakistani. How does one “act” Pakistani? Apparently, people expect Pakistani women to be quiet, introverted, shy, oppressed women. Au contraire! I have always been a confident, outspoken female standing up for her beliefs. Pakistani women do look like me, do “act” like me, I thought. And now is my chance to educate the world on exactly how driven and headstrong we are. As a child, my role model was my older sister. She spoke up for herself always; she was beautiful; she was highly intellectual. She was the complete package. I have two young nieces now who I only hope to be a role model for. There are millions of young Pakistani girls worldwide who need the same guidance. I can only hope to be just that.

I also aim to use this platform for yet another purpose. With several cases of disabled children right here in my own extended family, my Achilles heel is the less fortunate. Be it children suffering from Down’s Syndrome, or those displaced from their homes in Swat Valley, I will do everything I can to aid in their relief.

5. How has your family reacted to your being crowned?

My family has been rooting for me to win from the get go. They claimed they “knew” I would win all along, and were so proud of me when I won. They literally jumped for joy and cried tears of happiness. It’s funny and embarrassing at the same time that they introduce me to everyone we know as Miss Pakistan World, but I cherish the love and support they have always given me.

6. Do you have family in Lahore, Pakistan; if so, how have they reacted?

Much of my family resides in Lahore. Pakistan is still fairly new in the field of pageantry and some understand and some don’t. I am not ashamed of who I am, what I wear, what I speak, so I see no reason for being a hypocrite and preaching one thing yet doing another. I am a spiritual person at heart, but I firmly believe it is God and only God who can judge me.

7. What are your plans besides the company plans for your current year?

Aside from the many exciting duties the Miss Pakistan World title will bring my way this year, I remain involved in many activities. I continue to study at my university, as well as staying actively involved in the fashion industry in Washington, DC. As a member of the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce, I work with fellow “profashionals” to further the DC fashion industry and bring it up to par with its New York and Paris counterparts. Also keeping me inundated is running my business, which I eat, sleep and breathe. I aim to open a premier independent institution dedicated to providing Limelight’s services within the next two years. I also dedicate my time to modeling, writing my beauty column “Steal the Limelight,” and, winding down with friends and family, which includes my two cats, Tony Montana and Mr. Meowgi, and two doves named Heer and Ranjha.

8. After your tough experience in Toronto for almost 10 days, has anything changed you as a person?

Indeed, out of every difficult experience emerges a stronger person. After six months of intense studying, working out, and other preparations, women from all over the world convened for a common goal, to become the next Miss Pakistan World. Ten days of hard work, essay writing, pop quizzes, working out, photo shoots, minimal sleep, hardly any time to eat, all while looking picture perfect will discipline any person. I pushed myself to the limit and beyond, and realized I am much stronger and more capable than I ever imagined. On the day of the pageant, while doing my makeup, I all of a sudden was hit as though with a ton of bricks with a high fever. My head started spinning, my voice started to change due to congestion, I was sneezing up a storm, and my eyelids became heavy with exhaustion. I said to myself, I’ll be darned if I let my body get the best of me on a day like today, downed some over the counter medications, had an energy drink, and focused on the bigger picture. Ten minutes later I was good as new and a few hours later, I was donning the crown and sash. As taught to us by successful image consultant and motivational speaker, Nyla Hasan, it’s ultimately mind over matter. If you put your heart into anything, you can achieve it. As Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you are right.”

9. What’s your advice to the people who have misconceptions about Pakistan in beauty pageants?

Our great nation, the land of purity, or Pakistan, was formed by Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the principles of Islam. What people often misconstrue is that Islam, and Jinnah spoke of this often in his addresses to the people, preaches acceptance of all creeds and equality for all. All types of people live in Pakistan, different religions, races, and schools of thought. While there are people who may be opposed to Pakistan’s involvement in beauty pageants, there are those with more open minds who support the advancement of Pakistan, and her involvement in the world’s arenas. People must learn to be civil and agree to disagree, respecting each other’s opinions. This lesson is one that can be applied to all humanity; live and let live, as preached by Jinnah himself.

Did you know that when you are on a diet, if you eat something and no one sees you - it doesn’t contain any calories! Of course that's not true...but it is how many of us think! Learn how to beat the hunger pains between meals.

Are you a secret snacker? Do you eat when you are bored, upset, angry? Does every day mean a chocolate bar for you? Snacking…the secret sins of most people wanting to lose weight.

snack on fruitAs a weight loss coach I find that people are often feeling so guilty about snacking they are embarrassed to talk about it openly. Women in particular laugh nervously when I ask them what happens to their food consumption around 4pm. This often is the time of the day when the “Snack Monster” rises up and takes control of them! Often these women berate themselves with ideas about being weak and out of control. They either eventually give up on their diet altogether or develop counter thoughts so they don’t feel so bad. “It didn’t really matter - it is fat free”. Or, “if no one notices, the calories don’t count”.

Your diet does not have to be like this!

You can lose weight without being hungry. You can learn to take control of the “Snack Monster” and your diet program can be one to set you up for success, not failure.

An important key is to learn how to recognize what your body requires, the signals it gives you, and learn how to respond to those signals appropriately – diet and guilt are two words that do not belong together.

Hunger is the body’s way of telling us we need to replenish depleted nutrients. Unfortunately our body can’t say “I need more vitamin D”. That would make things so easy! Many of us interpret hunger pains as our body saying “I need more fat”, “I need more sugar”.

The keys to healthy snacking while on a diet (and all other times!) are:

1. Know what foods to avoid, and
2. Planning – get yourself organized.

What is a healthy snack? One that contains little or no sugar, little or no salt (sodium), no white flour and no saturated fat. Check the food labels to see what is inside. Many foods are now labelled ‘fat free’ but are laden with sugars and will still cause an influx of calories which are diabolical when you are on a diet. Do not assume that ‘fat free’ means healthy! Western societies are eating more and more fat free foods, and yet obesity levels are rising faster than ever.

Healthy Snack Ideas For Diets
Organize Yourself to Stay on Track

Raw vegetables, such as celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, green pepper, green beans, cucumbers, mushrooms or zucchini may be served with a low fat dip.

Plan to have a small snack mid morning and mid afternoon. It is much better to curb your hunger than to starve yourself.

Fresh fruit in season.

Plan your snacks as part of your overall daily food plan.

Low fat quick breads and muffins, such as pumpkin, zucchini, banana or bran.

Organize your week – especially if you work outside the home.

Non-sugared cereals, snack mixes made with popcorn and whole grain cereal.

Write a list of snacks for the entire week and make sure you shop ahead. Buy enough to last the whole week.

Low fat yogurt with fresh, frozen or canned fruit.

Buy a variety of healthy snacks so you don’t get bored.

Protein shakes with low fat milk or yogurt and fruit.

Studies show that people who have a healthy intake of food in four of five episodes throughout the day are less prone to obesity than those who eat three or less times during the day.

Snacking CAN be good for you...especially on a diet!

One of the most common fitness questions this time of year is “How can I tone my stomach for swimsuit season”? Typically, people believe that the guaranteed quick route to obtaining a rock-solid six-pack is a path packed with hundreds of sit-ups or abdominal crunches. Wrong!



The reality is that even if you do crunches every day you aren’t guaranteed to get the stomach you desire. Getting those highly sought after, toned abs requires more work than just abdominal exercises. Plus, as far as stomach exercises go, sit-ups or crunches alone are not the solution.



We won’t go into detail about the muscles that make up the abdominal wall, but it’s good to know the basic information. At a high-level the abdominal/trunk area consists of 5 major muscles. It’s necessary that all of these muscles be exercised. It’s also important to utilize different types of training techniques like concentric, eccentric and isometric.



In addition to training those muscles, it is imperative that you also reduce the fat in your stomach area. If you don’t decrease the fat in this area, then you’ll never see well-defined abdominal muscles not matter how long and hard you train them.



The key to reducing body fat is a comprehensive workout program that consists of cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility exercises. Plus, don’t forget a healthy diet. Good examples of cardio exercises are: walking, swimming, aerobics, and jogging. Strength training can be done with dumbbells, resistance bands and even just your own body weight. Flexibility can be as simple as a few stretches held in place for about 20 seconds.



Now, back to the specifics of abdominal training. Traditional crunches can be a part of your abdominal training, but should be limited and certainly shouldn’t be the only part. To most effectively work your stomach area, it’s necessary to include about 80% rotational work. Rotational exercises are those that include twisting-type methods. Simple crunches do not fall into the rotational category because you simply lift your body straight up and down.



To most effectively train your abs, incorporate a lot of variety, including different positions and equipment. This will allow your muscles to continually be challenged, which is what will help make them stronger and more defined. Remember that you don’t have to lie on your back in the supine position to work your stomach area. There are hundreds of different ways to work them, including exercises in a standing position, on your side, raised on a ball, hanging from a bar, etc.



Don’t forget the importance of form. If you don’t use correct form when performing abdominal exercises, you’ll severely limit the effectiveness not to mention possibly cause an injury. Tips for correct form include:

*Don’t ever pull on your neck or head
*Don’t allow your legs to move, they should remain still -- let your abs do all the work
*Try to keep your belly button pulled in toward the floor throughout the entire move.

To get you started, below are a few sample exercises* with instructions. Start working out today, and you can show-off your toned abs in time for summer.



Basic Crunch: Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place your hands lightly behind your head for support. Using your abdominal muscles lift your shoulders a few inches off the ground, pause briefly and return to start position. Complete at least one set of 10-12 reps.



Standing Towel Circle: Stand tall and hold a small towel (or resistance band) taut overhead. Contract abs and slowly draw a large, wide circle over your head and around your torso with your hands. Keep towel pulled taut throughout. Return to beginning position and reverse the circular direction. Complete at least one set of 8-10 reps in each direction.



Oblique Twist With Ball: Begin by sitting on the ball. Walk feet forward until ball is resting under your back -- body is now parallel to the floor. Place hands lightly behind head for support. Using your abdominal muscles slowly crunch up lifting your shoulder blades off of the ball and rotate left shoulder toward right hip. Return to starting parallel position and repeat then switch sides.

First lady Michelle Obama chose to wear a gleaming silver-sequined, cream-colored gown Tuesday night to the first state dinner held by her husband's administration. She was tending to her hostess duties in a strapless silhouette with the beads forming an abstract floral pattern that was custom-made by Naeem Khan.

She wore a matching wrap, a stack of bangle bracelets on her wrist and dangling earrings.

The guests of honor at the dinner were Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife, Gursharan Kaur, making Mrs. Obama's choice of the Indian-born, U.S.-based designer seem very appropriate.

Earlier today for a preview of the event, Mrs. Obama wore a skirt by Rachel Roy, also an Indian-American. "That gave us a preview that she was going to use clothes to convey a meaning," said Mary Tomer, author of the new book "Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy."

"They were really thoughtful choices," she said.

"The nice thing about it is the Jackie Kennedy sort of appropriateness. Most people wouldn't know one way or another about Naeem's background, but if one sentence gets mentioned to the prime minister, then her subtleness would pay off," added Hal Rubenstein, fashion director for InStyle magazine.

Khan told CNN's Larry King that his goals were to dress the first lady in something "Indian, chic, simple but very glamorous."

Rubenstein said he was impressed that Mrs. Obama used her fashion knowledge to choose a sophisticated and regal style that paid homage to India without wearing a traditional sari-style dress, which could have come off as a costume next to India's first lady.

"I think she looks fabulous," said Tomer. "She walked out in something that's figure-flattering and chic. Naeem's work is known for glamour and embellishment and this dress seems to embody that. She's sparkling and radiant."

Designer Khan is no stranger to helping women make a grand entrance; he has become a fixture on the Hollywood red-carpet circuit, dressing Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, Katherine Heigl and even Queen Noor of Jordan. Mrs. Obama's gown took three weeks at the designer's family workshop in India — with 40 people working on it — to complete, Khan said.

Of Mrs. Obama, Rubenstein said: "She looks like she's worth her weight in solid gold. What I love about her is that it's a pleasure to watch a woman of size and stature not apologize for her height and know how to stand tall."

President Barack Obama also drew Rubenstein's praise in his classic-style tuxedo. "I often feel Obama's suits are too big on him, but I think he got a new tux."

GREENWICH, Connecticut – Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger's luxury estate in Connecticut has sold for $20 million, about $8 million below its original asking price.

Sotheby's International Realty says the 20,000-square-foot (1,860-sq. meter) Greenwich mansion is being purchased by a family who toured it in September.

The mansion has eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms. It also features a 2,000-bottle wine cellar, indoor basketball court, sauna, massage room with a waterfall and home theater.

Hilfiger purchased the home in 2005 for $18 million. It had been on the market since February 2008.

The designer has moved to New York City.

The mansion is located on Connecticut's Gold Coast, a bastion of suburban perfection that's home to Martha Stewart and is considered the inspiration for the Stepford Wives.

LONDON (Reuters Life!) – Luxury goods group Burberry said its Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey has won the 2009 Designer of the Year prize at the British Fashion Awards.

Burberry also won Brand of the Year at the ceremony held at The Royal Courts of Justice in London on Wednesday night.

Bailey said the 153-year-old British maker of raincoats, fashionable clothes and accessories will continue to show its Burberry Prorsum womenswear show during London Fashion Week.

Burberry, which runs 122 retail outlets, 255 concessions, 90 franchise stores and an e-commerce business in over 25 countries reported better than expected second-quarter revenue forecasts last month, helped by demand for handbags, leather goods and snoods.

It said it expected to open about 15 mainline stores over the full year, at the top end of its previous guidance.

Bailey has previously been recognized at the British Fashion Awards with the Menswear Designer of the Year award in 2008 and 2007 and with the Designer of the Year award in 2005.

He is responsible for the design of all Burberry collections and products, as well as all advertising, corporate art direction, architectural design, multi-media content and overall brand image for Burberry.

Best Dressed Of The Week, If you were planning to hit the red carpet in Best Dressed Of The WeekNew York, Los Angeles or London this week, a white dress was the only option to wear, with no fewer than four starlets to choose a Whiter Shade Of Pale. Diane Kruger and Ginnifer Goodwin chose colorless Narciso Rodriguez dress and 1 OAK, respectively, in New York, while Camilla Belle was a dream of Marchesa feathered in LA and Lily Allen went one way black and white, in London .

Meanwhile in Hollywood Awards in Los Angeles, Julianne Moore opted for a palette of citrus in RM by Roland Mouret and style icon in the making of Carey Mulligan chose a strapless creation by new celebrity favorite Prabal Gurung .

Victoria s Secret Fashion Show, Heidi Klum and her baby’s body later led the fashion parade at the annual Victoria’s Secret, who returned to New York with some new faces, after four years on the road.

The lingerie retailer admitted five women to his “Angel” Ranks – a designation reserved for top models – in front of a packed house Thursday night at the Lexington Avenue Armory. Are Emanuela de Paula, Chanel Iman, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lindsay Ellingson and Candice Swanepoel.

But Klum, who gave birth to a daughter five weeks ago, was the crowd favorite in purple corset covered with a tunica media with poufs of tulle. He left the huge set, a castle of applause.

Musical guest Black Eyed Peas – especially Fergie, the only female member, dressed in black, costume jewelry – was another crowd-pleasing. Fergie came out later in a corset dress green.

Ranbir Kapoor has been nominated as the ‘sexiest man alive’ by the People magazine and to everyone’s surprise, he was standing tall and handsome in two day beard and ripped jeans with the issue of the magazine that has declared him the sexiest man alive. This honor to him definitely would further infuse competition among male stars where there are already established hunks are ruling the scene like Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan.

After flops like Karzz and Radio, Himesh is back with another movie. Check out the first look of Pooja Bhatt’s Kajraare starring Himesh Reshammiya and Pakistani actress Monalaizza. Do you think this will be a hit?

Audiences were amazed, how 60+ Amitabh Bachchan transformed into 13 year old Auro. Check out how special make-up artists made Big B into small Auro. Amazing.!

Director of Ghajini, AR Murugadoss is ready to make another Telugu remake Kick, this time kicking Salman Khan will be kicking for the director. The leading lady opposite Sallu will be leggy lass Deepika Padukone.

Sajid Naidadwala who is producing the flick says, “Murugadoss I’ve met and Deepika of course is already my leading lady in Houseful. I loved Murugadoss’s work in Ghajini and so did Salman. We were very clear about not getting the original Telugu director as I don’t believe in letting the South Indian directors do the Hindi remakes.”

“I don’t want Kick to look like Wanted 2. We’ll be shooting the action scenes in Tokyo.”

Hmmm..Salman with Deepika, wouldn’t there be a height problem?

Emraan Hashmi was always criticized for his extra flab, but now for his next flick Once Upon a Time in Mumbai he has toned his body.

Emraan says, “My role in Once Upon A Time In Mumbai demanded it. It’s not just about six-pack abs; my character had to look physically tough. That was one of the key requirements of the script.”

Director Luthria says, “Emraan has always been the underdog and his character is that of a rebel, a dark horse…styled on the lines of James Dean. I wanted to break his ‘Serial-Kisser’ image and add shock value to the film. I chose Emraan and them styled him this way as it was extremely difficult to find a youngster who, in levels of intensity, could be equal and the same time opposite to that of Ajay Devgn’s character”

Emraan trained under Praveen Tokas Angular training method to achieve the lean mean look.

Like Emraan’s new look?

SRK always carries his witty jokes and liners with himself even to Arindam Chaudhari’s book launch. Arindam Chaudhari’s latest book Discover The Diamond, is inspired by the success of Big B, SRK and Rocky(Sylvester Stallone).

So when SRK came on stage, he said, “I was inspired by Rocky too. I wanted to be a porn star! (Sylvester started his acting career as a porn star).I’m going to work very hard, positively, and with clarity, to be a porn star.Main bhi Discover The Diamond in You padhoonga. Next time you hear about me, I’ll be the world’s biggest porn star.”

Then on a serious not SRK said, I believe success is a wonderful experience, but not always one from which we acquire wisdom or knowledge… which is why success, whether deserving or not, can be enjoyed, but not passed on.Success is never final, just like failure is never fatal!”

Thanks for the advice SRK.