IPPA 2nd International Pakistan Prestige Awards 2018

  • 29 Sep - 05 Oct, 2018
  • Mag The Weekly
  • Awards

When the most accomplished and admirable people from the Pakistani media and fashion fraternity all come together in one place then we know something exciting is on the way.

International Pakistan Prestige Award (IPPA) were nothing less than that. Set in one of the most popular places in London, IPPA brought a different energy to Indigo at O2.

The hustle bustle of British Pakistanis at the venue was a sight to capture – all bursting with pride and zeal to celebrate the achievements of the entertainment industry.

Guests in stunning attires made heads turned, leaving everyone in awe. From Ayesha Omar's sequin off-shoulder to Urwa Hocane’s white gown, all were mesmerised by the plethora of fashion statements made by models, actors, directors and even the guests who showcased their best Pakistani attire.

Whistles accompanied the entrance of the ever young Jawed Sheikh who was jokingly asked during the show from a member of the audience about the secret of his young looks.

Kick-starting with a boost of patriotism, our national anthem was sung loudly and proudly by the finest of Pakistan's industry followed by an opening from Mikaal Zulfiqar who shone like the star in his perfectly tailored suit.

The Indigo had a very audience friendly seating, as the balcony allowed an aerial view while the screens in the corner allowed guests to see the show from different angles.

A jewellery show by Damas showcased a blend of culture and heritage using gold, silver and stone-work jewels, which were created in the celebration of the international brand in Pakistan. Starry eyed Ahsan Khan and gorgeous Sharmeen Asim striked great chemistry as the faces of Damas and when asked why Ahsan Khan was the face of a jewellery brand, he responded by regarding himself as the dulha for every bride of the jewellery brand.

Moving forward, the audience were entertained by the hilarious opening by Adnan Siddiqui and Yasir Hussain who spared no one, not even themselves. They did a fabulous job in pulling everyone's leg and letting laughter echo in the hall. Dressed similarly in round glasses, side parted hair, and suits, they made an ideal pair as openers!

Ali Kazmi and Ainy Jaffri were the second hosts of the evening, who kick-started the series of awards by first awarding the best British Pakistani and Pakistani International Brand.

Ainy Jaffri took a break from gowns and traditional wear by gracing the stage with a champagne coloured embellished suit creating a perfect balance with Ali's tux.

Awards for most stylish TV presenter male and female were also given and Sarwat Gilani made an appearance in an exquisite sari, as she kept the audience hooked with her charm and well-versed phrases. She mentioned the idea of Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 3 to Nadeem Baig leaving the audience intrigued and excited about another film from the franchise.

Ayesha Omar used her winning speech for best presenter female as an opportunity to talk about mental health; something that has never been done on such a platform and for which she garnered a huge round of applause. She encouraged everyone to talk about it, support each other and look after each other since the Pakistani media and fashion industry is a family in itself.

The first dance performance was by celebrity couple Syra and Shehroz. Syra stunned in a patch-work lehnga and mirror-worked choli while Shehroz complemented her in his red and black jacket. Showing us their hip hop dance moves, this pair brought some much-needed energy back to the hall.

Other performances included a trip down to the classical era by Sana Fakhar who, with her ghungoroos and patiala shalwar, kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Urwa and Farhan restored our faith in fairytales by not only giving a stellar performance but also with their strong chemistry. Sonya Hussyn in her graceful peshwas showed a different side, making it clear that she can pull off any act and attire.

Hira Shah, Model of the Year, also talked about the perception people have about certain things in the industry like punctuality and discipline, and her being the epitome of these felt proud and celebrated with this award.

The audience were also left entranced by Farhan Saeed and Shiraz Uppal’s soul moving voices – Farhan sang a few words from his famous show Suno Chanda’s title song while Shiraz sang a song from Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 celebrating the ground-breaking success of the movie.

Hosts for the night including stars like Azfar Rehman, Ayesha Omar, and Sarwat Gilani also did a great job.

To give out the honorary lifetime achievement award, stars like Jawed Sheikh and Humayun Saeed were gathered on the stage to honour Sultana Siddiqui.

A night to remember and one that will stay with Londoners for a long time, the second annual IPPA awards in Britain’s capital were a great celebration of the Pakistani industry with the people of UK; a way of celebrating the success of Pakistani media in London and showing respect and love by making them feel like a part of it.

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