Vol. 1, Issue 1 `100
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IS NOT BAD
Editorial Wing
Chief Consulting Editor
Dr. Neha Miglani
Fashion Editor
Dr. Prabhdip Brar
Designing Dream Catchers Creatives
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Make-Up & Rabia Grewal Hair Style Advisor
Chief Photographer Lovely Hundal
Senior-Sub Editor Neha Joshi
Sub-Editor Urvi Sharma Fashion Correspondent Sudeeksha
edition
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Creative Direction Third Eye Media
Felicitations…
he quotes of this lustrous fashion and lifestyle magazine, allude to image quotation and reference, which are part and parcel of any creative act but are vital to the world of manner. The team work exhibits a desire to explore the medium’s generous flexibility. The positively protean nature of their work will earn them both commercial success and art-world kudos. In the following pagesthere is a visible incorporation of partnerships with artsy artists, architects, graphic designers, ace stylists, even budding student designers. A special emphasis has been laid to the visuals and key influences and references were a part of this edition (courtesy our extremely talented creative and visual team). The versatility of the magazine makes it different from another run-of-the-mill magazine. Indeed style is wistful and is based on a ‘string of reminiscences’. Dr. Prabhdip Brar, Fashion Editor
Dewan (Mumbai)
Feature Writers Namrata Gill,
Bhanupriya Kaushal,
Arshdeep Kaur Tanghi,
Siddhar th Sriram, Surbhi
Sehgal, Anisha Dhiman,
Simrat Kaur, Gurleen,
Manpreet Kaur
Fashion Stylist Manpreet Walia Editorial Advisors, Features (Media Industry) Jaspreet, Features Incharge (Chd), The Times of India Jagmeeta Thind Joy, Assistant Editor (Features), The Indian Express Editorial Advisors (International) Francesca Musiani, Asst. Research Professor, Institute for Communication Sciences, CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research), Paris, FRANCE
Alkesh Sharma, Business Editor, The Gulf Time, U.A.E.
Cover Page Protagonists Model - Sameeksha Singh, Fashion Photography - Sandeep Sehdev, Make Up & Hair Styling - Rabia Grewal, Senior Fashion Stylist - Shruti Singla, Photoshoot Assistant Ravinder Singh, Wardrobe - Shruti S8, Jewellery - Saumya’s Silver & Fine Jewellery Administr ative, Publishing & Marketing Wing Chief Executive Officer Umesh Ghai TLJ Corporate Office Third Eye Media: S.C.O. 1116-17 (FF), Sector 22-B Picadilly Hotel Row, Chandigarh-160022 (India) Printed, Published and Owned by Ankur Vadhera. Editor-Ankur Vadhera. For subscription, advertisment & sales queries call: 0172-4651458 sales@temgroup.co
We are alive & kicking! Catch us on the web and social media Like us on facebook w w w.facebook.com/thelifestylejournalist Visit our website w w w.thelifestylejournalist.com
London address: 12 Harrier close, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, Her t fordshire, U.K. HP30FW
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usa address: PO Box 5202 Fresno CA 97755
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Copyright: The Lifestyle Journalist@2016 All Rights Reserved Disclaimer *Views and opinions of the writers are personal and are not representative in any manner of the magazine’s viewpoint *The Lifestyle Journalist magazine takes no responsibility for any unsolicited photographs or material included herein. All disputes are subject to Chandigarh jurisdiction only. * The magazine reserve the rights to use information/ photographs published herein in any manner whatsoever. * No par t of this publication can be reproduced without writ ten permission of the publisher. * All photographs/visuals are for illustrative purpose only
editor’s letter I
am thrilled to present this special launch edition of The Lifestyle Journalist, which is preceded by weeks of toils and months of research into its making. Preeminently a youth-based fashion magazine, the readers of TLJwould be served with a pleasant blend of lifestyle and fashion trends in the current and forthcoming editions. Creating, heading and running this publication has been among the most enjoyable experiences of my journalism years. On the onset I thank the immensely creative crew- our contributors from Mumbai, Delhi and other cities, fashion writers, talented stylists, a dynamic designing, publishing and marketing team and to top it all, an extremely imaginative photography team. My remarkable friends from the media industry and distinguished experts in the field of communication from France, UK and UAE who have rendered their advice and inputs to sketch out the vision of this project are deeply thanked. Creativity, they say, is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. TLJ is a platform is to bring together creative and talented people and letting go off all fears to err! The ultimate creativity cannot be born in pressure and deadlines of journalism and therefore the birth of this magazine. This edition includes an assortment of features from people’s lifestyle to interiors and design items. Some exclusive and select interviews of noted architects are a delight to read, campus tinkle is another interesting section to watch out and read. Fashion tips and reviews from fashion experts and laudable fashion technology student is a remarkable effort. Myths and trends in the areas of fashion are covered by fashion writers. From celebrated artists to trendy cafés in the city to emerging film stars, we are glad to serve you all on one platter! Read on… Dr. Neha Miglani | Chief Consulting Editor
mailbox Your Ideas Mean a Lot! Send in your feedback, ideas and suggestions at news@temgroup.co
Quality freelance writers, sub-editors, fashion stylists, fashion designers and professional photographers are invited to join the bandwagon of creative people at TLJ! Contact us at editor@temgroup.co with the latest copy of your resume.
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Congratulation Notes
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Gurdas Mann, Legendary singer (Punjabi)
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diti has been a weekly columnist for the Indian Express newspaper besides being regularly quoted in Readers Digest, Femina, The Hindu among others. She has accomplished nutrition and health education workshops for parents, women groups, corporate executives and senior citizens. She is on the panel of ICICI bank’s online newsletter as a Nutrition expert and is based in New Delhi. She has a rich experience with the prominent fitness clinic, VLCC as Research Associate and Technical head, R&D department. She was the Chief Wellness Consultant at Myra Mabyn wellness centre in Ghaziabad in her recent project.
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Kulraj Randhawa, Television actor (Kareena Kareen fame)
CONTRIBUTORS
Aditi Mehrotra, Nutrition Expert
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any good wishes to the team of this magazine and to this novel initiative. It is promising to be a mix bag of fun, movies, celebs, fashion and style.”
Bhanushree Mehra, Punjab born-South Indian Actress
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Rishabh D. Singh, Astrolger & Vaastu Expert
e is a champion at astrological predictions and is an ace Vaastu Shastra expert. From intuitive personal shopping, to selecting colour in clothes for an important occasion, to zodiac themed festivities, fashion surely has a strong affair with astrology. Rishabh amalgamates fashion, style and astrology beautifully for us.
Atika Dhandia, Image Consultant and Jewellery Designer She is a phenomenally multitasking professional and chooses to celebrate the diversity in her beautiful self. A qualified jewellery designer, she dons the role of a fantastic image consultant, a soft skills trainer and a life coach based in New Delhi. Read on the ‘Ef Word’ column by her to get an insight into films, friends, fitness, fun and much more!
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wish to congratulate the whole team for its creative ideas and initiative. Good wishes and prayers for its success, now and always.
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big congratulations to a great initiative. I am glad the magazine has a futuristic approach and can take the print media segment in the region way forward. I hope this project makes creates a new milestone taking North India to eventually an international level.”
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FIND
INSIDE 26
76 POLITICALLY CORRECT
GREAT CHEF
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CINEMA WITH SUBSTANCE
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57 PHULKARI
FROM MISS INDIA TO AMBARSARIYA
90 CAMPUS FASHION
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HEALTHY LIVING
12 HIDDEN HEAVENS
Accessorize it
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74 LIKE FATHER LIKE SON
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fashion They say that the only way to enter a man’s heart is ‘food’ and the way to a woman’s world is through ‘fashion’. So what happens when we combine the two? Samreen Kaur explores more about food fashion, the term which describes the fusion of two pleasures…’food’ and ‘fashion’!
The Playful
Food Fashion
“Food may be as old as the world but it must remain as modern as fashion.” - Phileas Gilbert
Photo courtesy: http://www.reykjavikboulevard.com
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Spaghetti Dress With Meatball Necklace As part of his 2006 fall collection, cleverly titled “Food Flight”, American designer Jeremy Scott
Food Fashion has been the harpoon for designers to shatter the prolonged stereotype that models do not eat. Such is the food-fashion fad that a young lady’s wedding dress was craftily designed out of 1500 cream puffs.
Cream Puff Wedding Dress Wedding is usually deemed as the most important day in a person’s life. On such occasion, one wants to look the best but for a few, it is just another day to be different and unique. One such young lady named Valenty Shtefano, Ukranian pastry chef, did the job. Valentyn designed the young lady’s wedding
Bedtime Bread Slippers Keep your toes toasty with these fully edible and wearable - bread slippers! Designed by European designers R&E Praspaliauskas, they can be yours for not too much dough-€ 22 (winks) . And they are a convenient midnight snack!
(known for his wacky themes) playfully paired a spaghetti dress with a meatball necklace. The combination looked beautiful and awfully tempting at the same time. PETA’s Lettuce Leaf Gown To help PETA promote meatless meals, 82year-old Cloris Leachman donned a gown made entirely of leafy green lettuce and red
dress out of 1500 cream puffs. Now that is what one calls an ideal way to have and wear your croquembouche. German Chocolate Bubble Dress Do any of you wonder what a woman’s best friend is? Well, the answer was put up by German Bakery Group Lambertz in 2010 at Zurich when they unveiled a dress made out of 100% edible chocolate. The dress was as beautiful and as delicious as it could have been, making us wonder how come nobody ate it already!
cabbage .The gown was mainly in a purple colour(from the red cabbage) and a continuous strip of green flowing from the base of the dress to the neckline which extended to the back of the head on one side giving it a very regal look .
Beef Jerky Chanel Bag If a food item was to be given celebrity status in India, it would have to be beef. Beef has been a controversial subject in India but to some of the creatively gifted, it is seen as a perfect material for tribute to the classic Chanel bag. Made of 100% beef jerky, this take on the classic Chanel bag was created by hand sewing of the air-dried meat.
Elegant Artichoke Heart Gown
In the name of art, this model stood for six hours as designers Daniels Feld and Wesley Nault (of Project Runway fame) sewed together each individual artichoke leaf covering her body while photographer Ted Sabarese captured the drama and glamour on film.
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Chris March’s Slimming Salad Dress Chris March, finalist on the reality contest ‘Project Runway’(Season-Four), created this amazing dress made out of just 50$ worth of lettuce. And to top it up, it was personally requested by WISH BONE to promote its line of spray bottle salad dressings. Carbo-Holic’s Dream Dress Created by Ami Goodheart of SOTU productions, this bready dress is part of a series titled “Hunger Pains” in which models wore clothes depicting their personal cravings. Someone out there likes carbs! Let us face it! None of us actually eat all our food. There is evidently some portion of our platter that is destined to head out to the garbage. But what if we change that for good? Food is something that should not go waste. Let each of us help make the world a better place and use food as our tool to go creative by turning it into such timeless artpieces. Whatever we create, we can use it as a fundraiser for feeding people that cannot afford square meals a day.
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ashion’s fixation with food runs far deeper than alliterative appeal. They feed off each other. Think of Dolce & Gabbana’s feature print of spring/summer ‘11/’12 (the ingredients of a vegetable soup strewn as liberally as the traditional floral print)! Food Fashion has also been the harpoon for designers to shatter the prolonged stereotype that models do not eat.
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travel
Sarlat-la-Caneda, France
Suitcases piled on the sidewalk again? Tired of the usual London and New York holiday? Check out these new hidden exotic destinations, which are offbeat and give a taste of ecstasy. Surbhi Sehgal brings you a guide of hidden heavens across the world… Phawngpui, Mizoram
Wullinggyuan, China
HIDDEN
HEAVENS 1. Sarlat-la-Caneda, France
Sarlat-la-Caneda is not just a travel experience or a tourist destination but something beyond the ordinary concept. It is like stepping out of a time machine. This tiny town of 9,500 people has remained unchanged for hundreds of years. This is what people mean when they talk of “old world charm”. A place for people who are nostalgic and enthusiastic of the charm of the past!
2. Saba, Caribbean
Where do you find cliffs, hills, valleys and ocean altogether? Well this is the topography of Saba in a nutshell. Located in the Leeward Antilles group of islands in the Caribbean, Saba is often called the Caribbean’s “Unspoiled Queen”.
3. Wullinggyuan, China
The natural stone towers of Wulingyan are the basis of the “floating mountains” in James Cameroon’s Avatar. A hike through the area does not feel different from walking through an alien landscape cutting you off from any monotony of the hills you already know about.
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4. Tromso, Norway
Only two words are required- Northern Lights! This pretty town of 72,000 lies just 200 miles from the Arctic Circle. Besides the forts, art, history and relaxed rural Norwegian life, it is also one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in winter.
5. Corumbau, Brazil
It is a tiny fishing village with a population of just 400 located on Brazil’s east coast. It is gorgaeous without being crowded – the perfect place to get away from the world.
Hidden Heavens of India 1. Kasol, Himachal Pradesh
One of the less frequented holiday places of Himachal Pradesh, Kasol, is the place to be for an authentic hillside experience. The snow capped Himalayas, the Parvati river, the hippie tourists together make for a trip worth remembering. October to May is the best time to visit this flawless hill town. If you enjoy a winter vibe and would like to explore the town while it is chilly, go to Kasol in January or February.
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2. Varkala, Kerala
A little paradise in Kerala, Varkala is replete with clear, pristine beaches, hills, shrines, lighthouses, et al. The must visit places in this heavenly abode are the Papanasam Beach, the Varkala Beach, the Kappil Lake and lighthouses in the area. One can treat oneself to a number of adventure sports like paragliding and parasailing in Varkala.
3. Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
Snow capped hills, wild flowers, walking among the clouds – Is there any other formula for a better holiday? We think not! Enjoy the feel of being in one of the most relaxed and beautiful, yet unexplored tourist places of India. Valley of Flowers is a must do offbeat place! July to September are the only months when trekking in Valley of Flowers is allowed. It is said that for one week in July, the hills look splashed with three different colors, owing to the spread of flowers on the valley. Mesmerising, don’t you think?
4. Phawngpui, Mizoram
Corumbau, Brazil
Varkala, Kerala
Saba, Caribbean
Kasol, Himachal Pradesh 4. Tromso, Norway
Daringbadi, Odisha
5. Daringbadi, Odisha
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Quite frankly, Mizoram does not get the credit it deserves when it comes to tourism. Once you visit the state, you will realize the abundant varieties of flora and fauna that can be found there. Phawngpui Peak is the highest one in Mizoram and it offers an amazing view of the Myanmar border and the hills and valleys below.
Considering summers are pretty hot in Odisha with temperatures going well above 50°C in many places, it is quite surprising that the state also has a place like Daringbadi, which is known to receive snowfall in winter. This little hill station is surrounded by thick rain forests with an abundance of wild animals. Packing already? The world is your oyster, travelling in which, gets fascinating with every experience. So pack your bags and go for that trip you had always been dreaming about because well, ‘not all those who wander are lost’.
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Ask him a question on engines and he is faster and precise than Google! People who know him well vouch for his understanding and knowledge about bikes and machines better than anybody alive. He has been designing, modifying and redesigning bikes for three decades now. Scores of engineering colleges and universities have been participating and winning prestigious events on automobile designing with his aid. Meet the man behind the modified cruise bikes and a brilliant geek- Ranjit Singh Randhawa, grandson of the legend MS Randhawa, who is often called the God of Machines by biking enthusiasts.
QUICK TAKES Personal favourite Japanese motorcycles are the best Message to youth Refrain from indulging in fast and dangerous riding on roads. It may appear thrill to youngsters, but it can turn ugly. Safety is first and a must. Hobbies Cooking, Farming, Machines One is awestruck to see the diverse range of modified cruise bikes at his work station inside his ancestral Kharar farmhouse. His latest work is designing a machine for a Punjabi movie- a jail inmate who flees from the jail by creating a two-wheeler out of parts of a jeep. He has been designing, modifying and redesigning bikes for three decades now. Scores of engineering colleges and universities have been participating and winning in prestigious events on automobile designing with his aid.
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not to send it for repair to a mechanic. If he mocked me for opening it without having known how to fix it, it would have got embarrassing,” laughs Ranjit. There was no looking back. Since then the world of engines and automobiles found a new tyrant! One is not surprised if the best brand car showroom engineers in the city give him a call to ask problems about their own engines which they fail to understand. The influence of his family on his independent thought process was immense. Born to a German mother and a mechanical engineer father, Ranjit was always encouraged by his parents to be himself. “I was never under pressure to be someone else. I used to see my father easily fix machines at home,” he recalls. But the modification and designing workshop set up at his Kharar farmhouse is a self-created playfield. Entering his farmhouse is on invitation only, so say his friends. “Any routine redesigning project
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is humility will make you introspect your own perspective about life. His only weakness is that he loves machines possibly more than human beings! This St-John High School, Chandigarh pass-out has designed and modified countless motorcycles and cars. Despite being the face behind scores of gorgeous looking and strikingly practical bikes, he likes to work behind the scene. His designs and machines are better known for practical application and utility more than for ornamental purposes. What makes Ranjit Singh Randhawa’s story even more exceptional is his genetic code! He is the grandson of MS Randhawa, to whom the city of Chandigarh owes its origin- a legendary art historian, an ace civil servant and a commendable Vice Chancellor. “I was 16-year old when I first opened the engine of my bike. It was sheer ego
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He is the man to create the first selfstarter two-cylinder motorcycle, 10 years before the company actually introduced this technology. may or may not interest him,” adds his friend Amrinder Singh, who accompanied TLJ team to his farmhouse. “I give myself freedom to work on what I feel like doing. It is during the leftover time of the day that I design and play with machines,” cites a modest Ranjit. With no formal education in engineering or on machines, his knowledge on anything high-tech leaves one completely zapped. “I used to design motorcycles out of interest and hobby. Some of the best models were instantly bought by my friends,” he recalls. He designed a 700 cc single cylinder super charger bike which a friend from Mumbai eventually bought for four lac rupees. “The frame was completely designed by me. The engine modifications made the vehicle very powerful. That vehicle was completely an in-house product,” he says. What else interests him? He is an excellent cook and a wonderful farmer too! He does not shy away from doing smallest of work at the farmhouse, which infact it is a significant part of his routine. An ideal country life one can define. “I plough the fields and take care of the crops on my own. I have not employed anybody to take care of our agricultural land,” he adds. The support from his wife and two daughters is unconditional, he opines. His wife Namrata, a Carmel Convent School passout from Chandigarh, is a proud wife. “There are certain universities and colleges who give him credit for designing formula cars and machines
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for their students. However there are some who keep his contribution anonymous,” says Namrata. So does he offer to take her out for a bike ride on a newly created model? “Well, motorcycles are best enjoyed on a solo ride,” laughs Ranjit. The romance shared by this couple has buying ‘spare parts of machines’ as a key component! “While I drive down to and fro Chandigarh, I am not surprised if he calls me to the get some spare part of a motorcycle or whatever he requires in his workshop,” smiles Namrata, who is teaching at a leading school in Chandigarh. Ask his friends to define this ‘machine scientist’ Ranjit Singh Randhawa in a line… “An extraordinarily amazing human being with no parallels,” they say.
men’s fashion Men, you are grown-up now! It is time to put down puerile things. Your PlayStation is no longer the most prized possession. Air Jordan’s have moved from everyday attire to casual wear. Sudeeksha Dewan writes how a man’schic and trendy clothing can be spiced up with a dash of tiny yet graceful fashion accompaniments.
ACCESSORIES EVERY MAN SHOULD OWN
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ever underestimate the influential power that lies behind those petite and seemingly trivial vogue elements. Some men might find it difficult to choose the right accessories after they have gone through the ordeal of finding the modish outfit but once you learn to wear and enjoy your accessories, you would never want to go back to your old self again. Here’s a rundown of six accessories a man should own.
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THE REVERSIBLE BLACK/ BROWN BELT
colours A good quality can easily reversible belt solves dual team up purpose, by virtue of with almost its suitability to match OM any outfit in REC almost any outfit.For : ENDED a n y colour ranging S instance, the brown M er, AND c R n from navy blue to grey to green to e B side of your twop & S , Ted s k burgundy. faced belt will work Mar o Boss lph well with a smartHug ker, Ra nt Ba en, Mo CLASSIC casual white polo shirt r Lau lanc. and leather brogues, SUNGLASSES B while the black side will perfectly Sunglasses are an important summer/ finish off spring accessory that add a sense of mystery any all-black look, and sophistication to your dressing tone and including make your looks all the more appealing. a However, choosing the right pair of sunglasses can be a task. But here is a general rule of thumb OM to make it easy REC for you. Those MENDEDS: a, rer with square BRAND Car arc , n black and heart face ba dM Ray ord an suit paired with shapes should go F s. Tom Jacob black patent leather shoes. for curvy styled You will find that both aviators to soften
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their strong features, while the ones with oval and round face will benefit from sunglasses with strong brow lines such as wayfarers and clubmasters. In terms of colour, stick to classic black or brown if opting for clubmasters. But if you are an aviator kind of a guy, go for silver or gold rimmed versions.
A
WALLET
make you feel cool in extra hot summers while spicing up your look in a stylish manner.
A WATCH
A timepiece worn on the wrist is still a classic accessory despite all the speculations doing round of it having become antiquated because of the abundance of electronic gadgets. If a man enjoys wearing a watch, he should have at least two in M his wardrobe –one for sport O REC and another for more formal MENDEDS: r y, occasions. The general rule rber d BRAND u B is- the more simple the watch, n hill, on a the more versatile and formal Dun s Vuitt er. i Lou ed Bak it is! Watches are the single T most important accessories worth investing in, to suit the travelling personalized sense of style. for work or pleasure – there is no excuse not to invest in one.When it comes to colour, stick to neutral By heeding the above advice, hues of black, brown or tan for ultimate you can acquire these trendy accessories which versatility. will last you a lifetime! Some accessories FEDORA HATS may be pricier than Just like sunglasses, hats form a part of others, but it is worth the basic necessities kit for the spring and it to spend for the summer seasons. Men’s hats come in a large collection ofthese variety of designs symbolizing classiness and timeless classics. But maturity. Select a colour which is bright and do keep the general is in contrast with your clothing. Wearing tips in mind and on top a hat will give a boost of confidence and of everything, always trust courage to your personality while making your own sense of style. you look all the more elegant and stylish. Moreover they will MREC CO E OM R save your skin MENDED : ENDED S M from UV rays. B , R s Gue ANDS ther BRAND So do not forget : Bro er r y, s R k ado ss, Role b o to have a fedora , Ta Bro tti, Bur and x a rt and g He , hat on your Bug l Stewa nes. Ar m uer, ani. head to Pau iana Jo Ind
When it comes to purchasing, you will never go wrong with a high quality leather wallet in black or brown.As a rule, your wallet should be able to fit into your front pocket, inside breast pocket, hip pocket or back trouser pocket without altering the shape of the clothes. If it cannot, then it is not the one for you! And if it has a coin pocket which saves you from having to walk around with loose change jingling about in your pockets, it is OM C E R like cherry on top MENDEDS: c, of a sundae. lan BRAND nt B aker, o M B S, M& ill, Ted and A LEATHER d h n n Du er Isla ein. WEEKENDER l v i K R in Calv A quality leather weekender is arguably the only bag you will ever need. Stylish, practical, versatile, durable and what not! A weekend bag makes it an ideal alternate to a suitcase or backpack whether you are
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people
from
Politics to Naturopathy
Born on 14th July, 1940 at Fatehjung, this grand old man of Chandigarh politics has energy levels that may surprise many. Starting his day at 6.30am, he sets the pace for his daily routine.
Educational background and the connecting link to naturopathy A botanist by training, he did his M.Sc. (Hons) in Botany in the year 1965 from Panjab University, Chandīgarh. Dhawan joined a project, “The Cytological studies of the economic plants of the north-west Himalayas”, allocated to Department of Botany, PU in the year 1965 and funded by the United States government under the PL4 80. During this period when he worked as a research scholar for five years, he traversed the entire Himalayas from Kashmir to Western Nepal and collected hundred of herbs and shrubs with medicinal value conducting chromosomal studies in the laboratory. He had been researching on nutritional approaches to prevent and reverse life style diseases for many years. “One day, I was sitting in my office and while surfing internet, I came across an article called ‘Prevention
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rom being a politician to a naturopathy expert, Dhawan has displayed terrific versatility. Prior to starting his clinic, he had been researching on nutritional approaches to prevent and reverse life style diseases for many years.
the ranges. My doctor then stopped all the medications and from the last six years, I am not taking any medication,” he shares. Ever since, Dhawan decided to play role of a transformer in people’s lives through naturopathy.
and Reversal of Lifestyle diseases’. After reading it carefully, I carried out the research on myself for one year. After analysing and recording the impact of various foods on the rise of glucose level in the blood for one year, I identified various foods which raise the glucose level in the blood within the acceptable ranges. I started on this regimen and after six weeks when the laboratory tests were carried out; my blood sugar, blood pressure and lipid profile came within
What is naturopathy? Naturopathy treats the cause of the disease rather than the symptoms. The industrially produced synthetic drugs do “control” the symptoms but not the cause of it. They rather suppress disease and you have to live a diseased life with the help of these synthetic drugs. Naturopathy is the practice of assessing, preventing and treating the condition of the human body. It believes in the healing power of nature and also the conviction that the body has an innate amazing ability to heal itself. Educating the patient is the most important part of naturopathy.
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woman
Tell-a-tale! At the end of a long career, umpteen personal and professional experiences, one reflects on the journey as having worth lived. Here is a ‘special piece’ from the diary of a cherished and celebrated educationist…
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t the fag end of my career, nearing my retirement, I think of my life as a professor in one of the renowned colleges in North India as a whole panorama of memories and experiences before me. The journey from young lecturer to the head of the same department has been interesting and fulfilling. The beautifully laid-out campus with its open grounds, rows of tall trees almost touching the blue sky, the well maintained lawns with colourful flowers, the potted plants in every nook and corner, the gardeners working quietly at all hours, the hustle and bustle, the noise of students and the ringing of bell has always had a special pull on me. What I cherish the most in the journey of life, which gives meaning to my life and defines me as a person, are my students who have woven magic into my life over the years. I have realized that nothing is more satisfying than seeing the youngsters joining college and passing-out after three years as charming individuals, successful not only in academics but also equipped with
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incumbent skill-set to succeed in life. Batch after batch, the process is repeated but the wonder and the amazement at seeing how they touch your life consciously and at times, unconsciously remains the same. From a minder and a disciplinarian to a Guru and a friend, my journey as a teacher vis-à-vis my students is a fascinating tale of evolution where I have to keep an open mind to the dynamic process of learning. The trajectory of growth and development is moving at a fast pace. I realize that what student needs at this particular point of time is not what was required a few years ago and eventually the discussions I have had with them in the spare time have also undergone a huge transformation with time. Having a daughter of my own, my natural emotional bonding and maternal instincts have kept me closely linked to the changing needs and preferences of the new age youngsters. It is through my own parallel journey of discovering, understanding and finding myself that I’ve become an interesting, dependable, trustworthy companion who not only guide students but also learn from
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them, constructing and deconstructing my beliefs and ethics according to the need of time. I thank all the people who have touched my life and made me what I am today.
My journey from young lecturer to the head of the department and mentoring scores of youngsters has been interesting and fulfilling (Dr. Alka Kansra, is a senior faculty member at the renowned M.C.M. DAV College in Chandigarh. She narrates her journey as a woman, a daughter, a wife, a mother, a learner and most importantly as a teacher focusing on her transformation as an individual through the whole experience)
movie masala
Indian film industry:
hot gossips & more... Salman Khan will get married on November 18
Two hours is all it took for Kabali’s ticket to be sold out in US
Superstar Rajinikanth’s Kabali has already been making the news. Some times because of the box office predictions, sometimes because an entire plane has been painted to promote the movie. One more record set by it is that according to The Indian Express, within two hours of pre-booking opening in the US all the tickets were sold out!
“I’m pregnant, not a corpse.” retorts Kareena
At a time when it is raining babies in Bollywood, actor Saif Ali Khan also confirmed his wife, Kareena Kapoor Khan’s pregnancy. Soon the news became a trend on social media. Kareena, however, was not very pleased to know about the media speculation regarding her pregnancy and what it bodes for her career. “I’m pregnant, not a corpse. And what maternity break? It’s the most normal thing on earth to produce a child. It is high time the media back off, and stop treating me any different than I ever was.
August 2016 | www.thelifestylejournalist.com |
Anybody who is bothered shouldn’t work with me… but my work goes on as is, like always. Stop making it a national casualty,”
Deepika Padukone releases first teaser of her action thriller
D e e p i k a Padukone r e c e n t l y wrapped up shooting for her Hollywood debut, the D.J Carusodirected action thriller xXx: Return Of Xander Cage, in which she co-stars alongside Vin Diesel. While fans have been following her every move on social media about the project slated for a January 2017 release, Padukone unveiled the first teaser featuring her, on her Instagram page. Looking sultry in a black outfit, the actress is seen busting out some lightning-fast action moves. Cut to Vin Diesel — supposedly the movie’s star — looking on and saying, “Damn, it feels good to be back.”
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At the launch of Sania Mirza’s autobiography, Ace Against Odds, Sania herself asked Salman, ‘Everyone wants to know when are you getting married? It is the most important question. While a slightly embarrassed Salman paused to think of an appropriate answer, the emcee of the event suggested, “18th November.” For the dilettante, November 18 is the date when his father Salim Khan married his mother Salma and kid sister Arpita Khan too tied the knot two years back on the same date. Salman added, “Yes, 18th November. Yeh 18th November, yeh kuch bees pachees November se chal raha hai. Lekin pata nahi kaunse saal main hoga. Lekin hoga.”
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fashion
Accessorize It! Accessories! One of the best ways to doll yourselves up and give your outfit the complete look. No matter what you wear, you can always give it an edge by just accessorizing a tad bit. Be it for a party or lunch date or casually for just going to college, accessorizing right will always make heads turn. Namrata Gill enlists such accessories to spice up your monotonous life!
1. Sunglasses:
We have the classics for sure when it comes t o the aviators that suit almost all! T h e rounds, squares and cat eyes- there is an ocean out there just waiting to be explored when it comes to eyewear.
2. Bags
When it comes to bags, you have a wide range to choose from. Beautiful svorovski studded clutches, blingy clutches, or embroidered clutches can be carried with any formal outfit, be it Indian or western. Messenger bags, commonly termed as “sling bags�, are ideal and convenient to carry almost anywhere with any outfit. The totes are another must have in your wardrobe.
3. Jewellery
Well it does not just end with bags and sunglasses. Girls always have an upper hand with accessories than boys.
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Ladies, glamorize yourself by experimenting with bold statement neckpieces or earrings. A plain black dress with a bold neckpiece is all that is needed to create a beautiful look! A summer dress or a cocktail dress can be easily teamed up with a pair of earrings that can make you look stunning. When comes to fashion statement through bold earrings, who can pull it off better than Sonam Kapoor!
4. Headbands
Headbands can be worn the classic way to pull back your hair. You can experiment with your headbands by wearing it in the bohemian style
B
e it for a party or lunch date or casually for just going to college, accessorizing right will always make heads turn.
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lamorize yourself by experimenting with bold statement neckpieces or earrings!
around the forehead like a tiara. Crystals or florals, beaded or just colourful bands they can all be worn. However, always remember to never over-do it. If you wear a bold set of earrings, say a complete no to the neckpiece and vice-versa. You can look extremely chic and cool by experimenting innovatively with the unlimited stock of accessories. Finally, keep it simple yet trendy!
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If you wear a bold set of earrings, say a complete no to the neckpiece and vice-versa. You can look extremely chic and cool by experimenting innovatively with the unlimited stock of accessories.
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films
Beautiful, vivacious and confident, the 23-year old Navneet Kaur Dhillon is the winner of Pond’s 50th edition of Femina Miss World India 2013. In a ‘straight-from-the-heart’ conversation with Anisha Dhiman, she talks about her real life heroes, inspiration and her movie, Ambarsariya.
from
Miss Indiato
Ambarsariya!
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the enthusiasm of a ‘live audience’ makes it enjoyable.
What are your hobbies?
I love swimming, horse-riding,photography and reading books in my free time.
Though travelling consistently is tiring, yet the enthusiasm of a ‘live audience’ makes it enjoyable. Who inspired you to choose modelling as a profession?
You have already worked in Bollywood and Pollywood, do you intend to expand your horizons to Hollywood as well?
Definitely! If one gets good work,why not? The only difference is one gets to work with peoplewith different languages and cultures.I work in the entertainment industry and all I wish to do is to entertain people with my talent.
How active are you on social media?
I am quite active, but I do not post every now and then.
Back in 1994 when Aishwarya and Sushmita won the titles of Miss India and Miss Universe, my mother was awestruck and wanted to see me at the same place. She always used to tell me that ‘my little girl is going to be Miss India someday. Ever since, her dream became my dream! So, I think she is source of my inspiration.
Who are your real life heroes?
My parents are undoubtedly my real life heroes since they always support me for everything.
Back in 1994 when Aishwarya and Sushmita won the titles of Miss India and Miss Universe, my mother was awestruck and wanted to see me at the same place.
You are from an army background. Does that reflect in your professional life?
Definitely, that reflects a lot in my personality. Iam disciplined due to mybackground. Be it in terms of punctuality at sets or taking responsibility for my own actions.
What was the most challenging aspect of shooting Ambarsariya?
Do you find promoting movies a challenging and tiring task? On the contrary, the promotions are very interesting. One gets to meet so many people and interacting with them is fun. Though travelling consistently is tiring, yet
What inspires you the most?
I did a lot of short movies and advertisements before actually realizing that I can work in this industry as well. Besides, I always had consistent support and inspiration of my teachers and parents.
What is your beauty secret?
Well to be very honest, I do not really take care of my skin a lot(laughs). I do feel I need to take extra care of it regularly since makeup is on so often.
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The shoot for Ambarsariyawas a real fun. However, while shooting forthe dance sequence of Pul Kanjari Da next to Wagah border in Amritsar, we had quite a challenging time because of the excessive gravels and stones.
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fashion
Go
Black!
“Black for the wedding? Isn’t it an inauspicious colour?” “Black in summers? Isn’t it hot?” “Your wardrobe is full of black tees and black dresses and black denims and black kurtas and black what-not! Do not you get bored of everything in black?” Are you one of the people who get to hear such queries often?
W
ell! Such is the elegance of Black colour that it can be pulled off by anyone, anywhere at any time. There are no restrictions at all when it comes to the colour black. You can never have too much of it in your wardrobe and you can absolutely never go wrong with the colour black. ANYONE When I say, “Anyone”; I mean just anybody can pull this colour without trying too hard. It is such a bold yet comfortable colour that any body type can easily adapt to it. If you are really skinnyblack will work for you. If you are on the heavier side-black will make you appear slimmer. If you have those curves- black will do nothing but enhance them beautifully. Yes ladies, never think before buying anything in colour black. You will always look lovely in it. ANYWHERE
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Well, Yes! Anywhere. You can count on black for any occasion you have to go to. A late night party? The little black dress is your perfect outfit for the night. A black cocktail dress can be worn anywhere at any party later in the evening. An Indian function? There can be nothing as a sexy as a black saree. A formal meeting? A plain black suit or just a tailored black coat with a pencil skirt is perfect for an office meeting or any formal occasion. To top it up, a black blazer (keep in mind- it must be well tailored according to your size) can be worn even with casual jeans and a t-shirt giving you the edge you deserve ANYTIME Black can be worn anytime. I feel its very cliché` when we say black is for the night. It most definitely isn’t! It can be worn at anytime of the day. It all depends on how confidently you carry it. Be it your early morning gym, later in the office, an evening out for coffee, or a late night dinner; you can always rely on the colour black. (By Deeksha Gumber)
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health He is a rare combination of expertise on allopathy and homeopathy. Meet city-based Dr. Vivek Mohan, who has been practicing medicine since the year 1990. Having done his MF Homeopathy from the leading Royal Homeopathic Hospital in London, he went on to practice as an honorary physician to the Governor of Haryana and is among the leading homeopaths today. Namrata Gill strikes a conversation with him to have a deeper look into healthy living.
HEALTHY
LIVING W
People these days go on diets and want to follow all these actors in magazines and on television. In all the interviews or articles given by celebrities, they clearly say a strict no-no to crash dieting. They maintain themselves to look like the way they do! Health is a holistic thing. If you are healthy, you will never be overweight. There is a difference in being healthy and being shaped to follow strict diet plans.
Do you handle patients with complaint of depression with no real cause?
Patients come to me usually with anxiety
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Photo Credit: Aashish
hat will you suggest to the people who go for dieting to reduce the extra kilos?
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aggravated because of exam phobia, interview phobia, social-phobia. I once had a patient who was quite successful but was depressed. He complained that after completing his work, he doesnot understand what to do. I think we live in a very fast moving world and to tackle that pressure, we need to maintain a certain discipline to strive for a better living.
Discipline and time for family are very important. If you have these two, you have enough time for progress. When it comes to food, what matters is the portion of food you consume. Whatever is fresh and local is healthy if eaten in the right quantity.
Tell us a little about homeopathic treatment. Do they have any drawbacks?
Homeopathy is very ‘person specific’ and it is a tailored treatment for your disease, meaning the treatment is moulded to fit your needs perfectly.All treatments have their limitations and there is no quick fix to anything. None of us have a magic wand! Be happy, look out for others, keep time for yourself and remember life is a marathon where nobody should be able to guess your age. So, Always keep yourself healthy!
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Certain amount of discipline in life and quality time for family are two very important aspects.
When it comes to food, what matters is the portion of food you consume. Whatever is fresh and local is healthy if eaten in the right quantity
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What according to you is the perfect life for people today in terms of health, exercise, food?
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UNCONVENTIONAL
Is there a conflict between style and spirituality? Is it necessary for a spiritually inclined person to necessarily stay simply dressed and so on? Here is a candid conversation with a celebrity spiritual instructor Sangeeta Jani from Mumbai.
when
STYLE meets SPIRITUALITY Can a spiritual person be stylish? The quality of the spirit is the same. Everyone on this earth is spiritual. There is only one element which is unchanging and that is the spirit. So everything we wear is only a wrapping paper. It is like wrapping a diamond. Regardless of the wrapping paper, we are the eternal soul. Everyone is speaking the ultimate joy. Be it in terms of money, relationships, power or fame. One ultimately finds lasting and unshakable joy in the self. Is it right for a spiritual person to indulge in fashion? Does affinity for good jewellery, clothes, shoes, etc a hindrance on the spiritual path? Enjoying everything that life offers is alright but being feverish about it brings misery. It is not the object which takes one away from spirituality but the hankering or feverishness
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to acquire it. Trying to seek joy out of it would be a mistake. How tough is it for people in the media, entertainment and glamour industry to cope up with pressures of the job? I know many people in the fashion and movie industry who religiously follow their practices. It is an inevitable truth that environment, food and company does have a significant impact on our state of mind. If you feel you are surrounded by such company then do some breathing techniques and meditation. That will help you stay centered. The power of some techniques is more than effect of external influences on mind. Do people tend to loose personal sense of ethics in fashion and film industry? One must be true to oneself. In business there is always some amount of adjustment.
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Certain adjustments become inevitable. But that adjustment is like salt in the food (not the food itself!) and that must not touch the inside of the person. Stick your values as much as you can. What is your opinion about wearing expensive brands? For me personally, I wear what I am comfortable in. I do not think wearing any brand gives me any value. By wearing that brand, I are giving value to it. What is the definition of true beauty for you? True beauty according to me is one which radiates from within. When one is experiencing peace, contentment and joy, then one radiates beauty. True inner beauty is a result of being established in a state of being. When one is centered and feels complete in oneself, that contentment is radiated.
Jani, who was born in United States of America and brought up in Mumbai, is identified as a perfect amalgamation of spirituality and beauty. She has been introducing people to meditation and breathing techniques through Art of Living Programs from last 25 years.
Her student base ranges from ace actors, producers, directors in the Indian Film Industry to corporate honchos.
Famous people who follow spiritual practices ardently
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How important is appreciation? When one is dependent on approval of others for praises, it brings weakness and weakness is not attractive. For instance the description of Krishna was short, skinny and dark which by no measure of conventional beauty is attractive. But the numerous tales of Gopis being attracted to Krishna speak volumes of how inner beauty and confidence radiates. What is your take on cosmetics? Skin is the biggest organ and whatever is applied gets absorbed. It is said that whatever one cannot consume, must not be applied on skin. Does wearing white have a real connection to spirituality White has all colours! That is all!
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w Mark Zuckerberg, the popular CEO of Facebook, is an extremely spiritual person. In an event at the Facebook headquarters in California, where Indian Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi and Mark met to discuss the role of internet and technology in India, Zuckerberg got emotional while narrating the spiritual trip he took to India on the recommendation of late Apple CEO Steve Jobs which helped him clear his mind and reaffirmed Facebook’s mission to connect billions of people around the world. w The famous singer, Demi Lovato takes on spirituality saying, “I think over the past few years it’s been less about religion to me, but more about my own personal relationship with God.” The famous English rockband, Beatles, came t o Rishikesh in 1968 to seek the lessons on Transcendental meditation at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram and one finds their memories and traces in the holy city including a restaurant named after the band. w The gorgeous actor, Dia Mirza is a very spiritual person and has once said “ Sangeeta Jani’s voice, her kindness, her gentle yet firm guidance helped me embrace this path of spirituality thereby changing my life forever.” w The stunning actress Lara Dutta, married to tennis superstar Mahesh Bhupathi, not only ardently practices spiritual discourse but has in fact turned instructor herself.
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profile Make-up artists! A word that not many were familiar with until a few years ago but recently, make up artists has completely revolutionized the world of fashion. Namrata Soni, Mickey Contractor are some well known names in India when it comes to the makeup world. With the makeup craze hitting the tricity; Namrata Gill interviews Rabia Grewal and Zareen Bala, the two impressively emerging makeup artists who have started their career with a bang.
WAKEUP &
MAKEUP
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RABIA GREWAL
What is your take on makeup? To me, makeup emphasizes and enhances one’s natural beauty. I truly believe that we look our best when we are confident. Nowadays we have products to conceal, highlight, mattify and illuminate skin and I take the “less is more” approach. So if the right amount of product using the right shades is applied, I reckon it would make a very pretty-you.
Donot match your eyeshadow to the colour of your outfit. Blend your makeup! - Rabia
What according to you is a very common mistake people make when it comes to makeup? A lot of people (in India to be specific) prefer looking a shade or two or even 3 lighter than their own skin colour. So they choose a very light foundation. However, applying a lighter foundation does not make one look fairer! It only gives a grey uneven undertone. Always use a foundation that matches your skin tone. You can try this by testing the colour along your jawline. Then highlight and contour areas to enhance your features. What is your ‘must have’ makeup product? Tough decision but I will have to admit I cannot do without tarte eyeliner and
urban decay mascara. What makeup trends are in and most demanded this season? Can you give us a few DIYs? Skincare is very important. The more hydrated your skin is, the easier it is for makeup to sit in! As the summer has set in pretty early this year, we are likely to get tanned. Using bleach to get rid of tan works instantly but it dries out your skin in the long run. Using lemon and honey or Apple cider Vinegar works as a natural bleaching agent and can be applied threefour times per week. Wavy hair, coral blusher, a black liner on the lids, brown on the waterline and a tiny hint of foundation can help you achieve a radiant look. The Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation is very light and aqua based, perfectly suited for the summers. What is the difference in your client’s demands here than when you’re working abroad? Each client to me is different because everyone has their own style and taste. However, clients overseas mostly go in for a very natural and radiant look with shades of nudes on the eyes, lots of Mascara and bronzers whereas in India, we do end up using a lot more colour on the cheeks or lips, heavy coal on the eyes to compliment the skin tone, jewellery and attire. What is the best makeup advice you can give to all the ladies out there? Do not match your eyeshadow to the colour of your outfit. Blend your makeup! What are the brands you always look out for when you go makeup shopping? The list is never-ending! With stores like Sephora, Mecca Maxima, Myer that offer multiple makeup brands under one roof, the choices are getting difficult yet very exciting. Hourglass, Smashbox, by Terry, Nars are few of my favourites because they always have something new to offer. What is your definition of beauty? To me, being confident about yourself regardless of any makeup is what makes one stand out. No matter how good one may look with makeup, the confidence will not come across until you do not believe in your sense of style.
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abia, is always talked about and appreciated for the wonders she does on her clients. After having finished her schooling from The Lawrence School in Sanawar, she went to study at William Angliss Institute of Tafe in Melbourne, Australia followed by a course in Salon Management from Headmasters Advanced Academy.She has been a part of the makeup artists’ team for the Commonwealth Games 2010held at New Delhi. A long list of her merits would still not be enough! She has worked at Fashion shows with Zara and Vero Moda. She was also the lifestyle senior makeup artist for designers like Paulina and Malinali, Pino Covalent for their first Fashion show in India hosted by the Mexican Embassy. To polish and upgrade her Makeup skills further, she continues to take short courses and Workshops hosted by International Makeup brands like Nars, Stila, Bobbi Brown, Hourglass. Her tremendous experience in the makeup industry makes her a perfectionist at a young age.
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Zareen Bala
What inspired you to choose this profession? Since my college days, I always had a fascination for makeup. I would watch YouTube videos and try to recreate the looks and get similar products and read blogs for more knowledge on different products and skin types and soon was inclined to take it up as a profession. I then took makeup lessons from a makeup artist to learn some basic techniques from a professional so that I can practice as well as to be sure that
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Photo Credit: sandeep sahdev
Z
areen Bala, a professional makeup artist, has recently been on every bride’s wedding to-do list. At the age of 23, she really has left us awestruck at how one’s passion in something can take one to great heights. After completing her course in makeup from Makeup Forever Academy Singapore, she came back to her hometown showing us all how she works her magic and very artistically transforms her clients into what she calls ‘flawless’. She has been travelling all over Punjab as well as to other states dealing and coping with the expectations of her clients who want nothing but perfection on the D-day. Already having carved her niche in the business, Zareen is taking it all too well with her highly-maintained standards. Having spoken to her, we we got to learn a little bit about her and a lot about makeup.
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What do you love the most about makeup? I like how one can experiment with different looks with makeup, depending on one’s mood /occasion etc. You can go from a subtle soft dewy look with light pastels for a brunch to an all-out dramatic chirpy look for a night out. Makeup is a mood up-lifter for me! On days that I am not feeling so confident/good about how I am looking, there’s nothing better than a sharp winged liner with a bright lip-colour. It makes me feel more confident about myself. I love how one can enhance the features and make the face look more defined. What kind of look would you suggest for the coming spring? For the spring, I would suggest the use of a light weight foundation that gives a dewy look to the skin making it look fresh and healthy (e.g. Make Up For Ever - face & body foundation) paired with a pink/peach lip shade, a soft pink blusher and some frost pastel shades for the eye with little to no liner and generous amount of mascara.
A caked up look never looks very flattering but if you have a subtle look with the right amount of makeup, it’ll take you a long way.” – Zareen Bala
Can you suggest lipstick shades depending on different skin tones? For fair skin, lip shades that have a cool (blue) undertone are best suited. e.g. berry tinted reds; pastel or candy pinks; peachy nudes; honey browns ; deep plums(for a dramatic lip). For medium/wheatish skin tones, lip shades with a warm (yellow) undertone are best suited. e.g. orange-based reds; bright pinks etc. Finally bright shades like oranges and fuchsia pinks to deep plums and ruby reds except pastel and chalky colors compliment dark skin tones well.
amount of makeup, it’ll take you a long way. So one should always begin with a small amount of product and then keep adding if required accordingly to the look you are going for rather than applying a lot of product in the first go. What are some common makeup mistakes that women make? According to me, the most common mistake during make-up is picking the wrong shade of foundation. One must always choose a colour similar to the natural skin colour or if you wish to look fairer, then one shade lighter to your natural colour. As looking fairer is considered a notion of beauty in our nation, a number of people opt for shades that are way lighter than their natural skin color, which in turn results in their skin giving a grey tone after a while of the makeup application. Many people also forget to apply foundation on other visible areas like the neck / arms / back / hands thereby making the contrast among the color of the face and the other areas prominent. With the sudden awareness of contouring among women, can you suggest the right way to contour different face cuts? The technique of contouring has had a great impact in the makeup industry. Once done correctly, it gives the features more definition as well as adds a sliming effect to the face. Areas to contour according to face shapes: w Square - temples, cheekbones and the sides of the jawline w Rectangle - forehead, jaw and chin w Round - cheekbones, jawline, forehead and temples w Heart - forehead, temples and cheekbones By contouring one’s cheekbones, one adds a sliming effect to the face. You can also do the same by contouring your nose to make it look more defined and thin if needed.
What will be the ultimate makeup tip you would like to give? Though it sounds very cliché but the ultimate makeup tip I would give is that ‘less is more’. Be it filling in your brows, doing your eye makeup, your foundation routine or anything especially if you are a beginner. A caked up look never looks very flattering but if you have a subtle look with the right
August 2016 | www.thelifestylejournalist.com |
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this is what I wanted to take on as a career. After that, there was no looking back and my interest in this field kept growing. After I completed my education I went for my makeup course thereafter beginning my career as a professional makeup artist. It has been the best decision I have made.
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social media With the advent of social technologies and social media, celebrities now have a new set of powerful tools to participate and engage with their audience. Pooja Gosain explains the intricate process of how social media provides celebrities a platform to connect to their fans.
Seal the
deal! W
ith the advent of social technologies and social media, celebrities now have a new set of powerful tools to participate and engage with their audience. Pooja Gosain explains the intricate process of how social media provides celebrities a platform to connect to their fans. Celebrities often present themselves like brands when it comes to promotion and marketing. What you see is usually an illusion! A wrap! With the rise and power of social media, any individual can become his or her own news producer. Publicity and social connectivity is crucial, particularly for celebrities because they are constantly in the spotlight with media watching their every move. Celebrities can now bypass traditional news media and tailor messages the way they please through the medium of social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. Not only does this give celebrities the opportunity to portray their own voice and choice they want to disclose, but it also speeds up the process of releasing news and allows them to connect with their audience on a deeper level. Celebrities can use social media websites making their fans feel like they actually ‘know’ them through their tweets and Facebook
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updates, and they feel more connected and significant to their favorite celebrities. When a celebrity makes his or her fans feel significant, the celebrity becomes more likable and down to earth. This is how social media marketing can help celebrites in increasing their fame: Treating fans like friends One of the biggest ways celebrities can use social media to build their brand is by getting closer to their fans. Using Twitter or Instagram gives a star the chance to talk to his or her fans in a relatively safe environment. Since people love talking to their favorite stars, this endears celebrities to their adoring hoards even more. A re-tweet from someone you love is cause for celebration and it makes you think the stars you love really are just like you. Of course, not every interaction is positive. Some stars engage in Twitter fights with haters
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or more vocal fans. Most don’t go this route but those who do are possibly craftier than people think. All publicity is good publicity, after all, a feud with a fan or any funny remark is sure to get people talking. One of the latest example is of Alia Bhat whose infamous episode of Koffee With Karan from 2014 has ensured Alia’s permanent trollworthiness after she named Prithiviraj Chauhan as the President of India. The general knowledge-deficient Alia has since spawned countless memes and jokes and anybody displaying similar or comparable ignorance is instantly dismissed as having an ‘Alia Bhatt moment’.
Dealing in self-promotion Social media is ideal for selfpromotion, and it does not take a lot. Daily tweets, status updates, or photos keep celebrities in the public eye. A lot of them can make use several platforms, all at once, to their fans updated. They can share their activities, their plans, and information about upcoming projects to keep people in the know. Lady Gaga is particularly good at this. She tweets hints, teasers, and riddles about upcoming albums, tours, and videos to keep her fans guessing.
mind On a simila r note, many celebrities find social media beneficial in rebuilding their brand. It does not a l w a y s work but celebrities who have committed some sort of faux pas in the public eye will often take to their social media accounts to apologize, explain themselves, or otherwise atone for their actions. It doesn’t always work but when it does, it works well. As in the case of Salman Khan following a furore, Salman Khan retracted his controversial tweets over the death sentence of 1993 Mumbai blasts accused, Yakub Memon and ‘apologised unconditionally’. Salman tweeted out his apology and deleted his previous tweets on the issue. He was, however, condemned by those who called his tweets ‘anti-religious’ but he maintained that he respected all faiths and religions. Fans are very forgiving of stars they view
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Few tips and tricks to enhance your social media profile w Have a high quality profile picture, preferable with only you in it, and no “duck face selfie” in case you wish to be taken seriously. w Nobody wants to die just because they did not forward a chain message. w ‘if u typ lik dis’, you look dumb. Not kidding, ask around if you want to. Typing full words make you look smart. w Do not tag people if they are not in the picture. It is very annoying. w Change your privacy settings to make sure that your posts and pictures are visible only to your friends. Do not accept friend requests from unknown persons. as humble. As a result, they’re more likely to buy albums, see movies, and read books by those humble stars who are ready to admit that they have feet of clay. Reese Witherspoon is a wonderful example of this; after her recent run-in with the law, a heartfelt apology got her right back on top. Promoting their own interests Celebrities are brands in themselves. Priyanka Chopra is a brand; Farhan Akhtar is a brand and so is Chetan Bhagat. Whether they make music, star in movies and television shows, or write books, celebrities we see are not just individuals. Many celebrities also send out sponsored tweets and Facebook posts. Occasionally, the posts they write on any subject earn them money—sometimes a surprisingly huge amount. Hiring smart ‘Social Media’ managers Not all celebrities share social media updates themselves. Some choose to crosspost and so what goes up on Twitter shows up on other platforms. Others stick mostly to Twitter or Facebook and hire a social media manager to update their other profiles with news about their daily lives and careers. This has several benefits! With a manager on duty, a celebrity is far less likely to engage in any feuds or say something he or she might regret later. They also benefit from constant updates even if they’re busy in the studio or on the set of a movie. This keeps their fans happy, because they receive fresh content every day. So it is all but impossible for the celebrity in question to fall out of favor.
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She shares information about the creation process, offers photos peeking at her inside life, and keeps her fans on the edges of their seats. The result, of course, is that she is a huge mega-star and her concert’s tickets get sold-out the moment tickets go on sale. She is not just Mother Monster! She makes instant music news when she tweets or posts a photo. Moulding the public’s
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cover story
Dressing up for a
destination wedding! The monotonous big fat weddings are a passĂŠ! Gone are the days when wedding ceremonies were held in a temple or a wedding hall and guests decked up the occasion in their traditional dresses writes Sudeeksha Dewan.
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R
eceiving an invitation to attend a destination wedding can get you toing and fro-ing about the dress code you might have to follow! Every place has its own p’s and q’s that should be kept in mind while choosing the right outfit for the occasion. Dressing up for a destination wedding can be quite tricky, if you do not follow a few ground rules. So if you have just opened an invitation for a theme-based destination wedding and you are still wondering what to wear, here is a quick guide on how you should be dressing for some of the most typical kind of destination weddings! BEACH WEDDINGS: Beach weddings are one of the most popular non-traditional choices that people make for their big day. While the beauty of a beach can add volumes to the idea of a dream wedding, holding on to
Gone are the days when wedding ceremonies were held in a temple or a wedding hall, destination weddings are the cutting-edge to break the monotony
the traditional glory can be a task. And an afflicting one! The weather at the beach is quite sticky and humid thereby making highly embellished attire like anarkali or lehnga a big no-no! Go for chiffon, georgette, linen or organza! Colours like teal, aqua, peach, yellow, pink are the perfect choices for the occasion. As for the footwear, you have no choice other than the flats. ROYAL AND EXTRAVAGANT WEDDINGS: Royal and extravagant weddings set up a grand stage for splurge and extravaganza. What if you receive an invitation for one such luxurious wedding? You will certainly end up fretting about your attire! After all, who would not like to keep up with the class and panache of a high-profile wedding? It takes you back to the iconic Mughal Era which symbolizes exoticness. Going by the theme, here you can don a heavily embellished look with glitzy attire and lots of jewels. Lehengas, anarkali suits and elegant trouser suits are the perfect
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choices for such weddings. You can go for fabrics like Raw Silk, Velvet, Brocade, Zari and Jamawar. For that proper royal look, play around with your jewelry by choosing chokers, matha-pattis and hath phools. For colours, you have a wide variety to choose from. Bright colours like red, pink, orange and royal blue will look absolutely stunning at a royal destination wedding! If you want to opt for a classier look, go for burgundy, peach and whites. CRUISE WEDDINGS: Consider yourself lucky if you have been invited to this unusual wedding affair! Cruise weddings are one of the most special kinds
of weddings you can ever attend in your life. However, they are also the trickiest to handle. So long gowns and subtle lehengas are the right choices for you. Keep your makeup minimal and add bling to your outfit with those swarovskis and pearls. Remember here, “Less is more”. Contemporary weddings are all about having different themes, global food and exotic locations.The process of deciding what outfit is to be worn at which ceremony and the additional prerequisite of matching the earrings, necklace, handbag, hair-do and winged liner is cumbersome. The preparation for wedding begins atleast a year before,not only by the would-be grooms or would-be brides or their families but the prospective guests too. Yes, that is the level of competition here! A splendid Indian wedding is made up of lavish clothes, exotic jewellery, shimmering handbags, gossip-mongers, crazy dance-forms and of course, delicious food. Here, we bring you a list of how you can glam up for the various functions at an Indian wedding with an event-wise guide. EVENING COCKTAIL PARTY: A cocktail party during an Indian wedding calls for a dress that is classy, comfortable and stylish without being too over the top. Some sheer and shimmer will work perfectly on a starlit night. Do not shy away from wearing black. Simply accessorize it with a lot of bling to break the monotony. If you want to make a slightly bolder statement, go for a champagne or a gold outfit to add that oomph factor! WEDDING CEREMONY: For the wedding ceremony, give the usual sarees and lehengas a miss and go in for elegant pre-draped sarees that are hot this season. Pre-draped sarees are not just easy to wear, but they are also extremely comfortable. What’s more, they are designed to flatter your curves! If you ask me, I would suggest you go for a gorgeous pink, neon green or a royal blue saree for the wedding ceremony. All you need to do is to simply pair it with some elegant accessories. POST-WEDDING PARTY: If you are attending a post-wedding day party, then go in for a flowy gown paired with some classy footwear, be it flats or heels and a string of pearls. For an occasion like this, choose a full length gown in aqua accents like blue or sea green. Indian destination weddings are amazing occasions to flaunt your stylesavvy avatar and put your best fashionable foot forward! (With inputs from Komalpreet)
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Image: The Wedding Guide
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LIFESTYLE TRENDS
BAND
BARAAT Often remembered by their ‘happily married’ clients as one of the sought-after wedding planners, Isha Kakaria & Jaskaran Singh run their own event & wedding services firm called “TANUSIYAA”. Here is a piece from their diary…
Image: Christophe Photos
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We do not de-corate weddings! We fun-decorate them!� says Isha Karkaria
All you need to do is to glow on your D-day as the wedding planners take care of everything else.
industry experts! With latest trends to offer on the platter, the wedding planners like us, get it started. To hire or not may turn out to be hot potato for you. But if somebody with an expertise, without costing you an arm and a leg comes to your rescue- the question is WHY NOT?! Often amusingly termed as the real life Band Baja Baraat duo, we are enjoying our bread and butter and the jam through glittering up the most important days of your life. Jam is, of course, the fact that we get to work together. It all began from turning our own wedding more into a whole lot fun event! Ever since, we are known for being versatile and we do not take all the credit. The clientele ideas hold a lot of significance in the making. After all, it takes two to tango! Whether you picture a pool side intimate family gathering or a lavish wedding up to hundreds of guests with a totally customised tiered wedding cake, our expertise can come to your rescue. There are events where Punjabi Sangeet meets Vintage Wedding. For such, a lot goes into making the occasions look and feel different from each other, making it absolutely unforgettable and most fun wedding of the season! We do not decorate your wedding! We fun-decorate them! While you pick the latest styles hot off the runway and decide on your regal threads for your lehanga or your sherwani, we make a choice from a number of alternatives and go crazy bringing your guests the glittering arrival drinks and flashy centrepieces. On time, we settle on your pre-wedding photo ideas to hottest honeymoon destinations to the extravagant sangeet entertainment to a vibrant mehndi incorporated with colourful bangles, little trinkets and oodles of pretty things as favours. From the quaint affair of Chooda at your nicely highlighted home to in-vogue wedding reception, from fancying your entry to packing your trousseau- we’re geared up the moment we meet and congratulate you for your big day! If the Punjabi brides drip swag, the other brides ooze pure charm! We live in all the worlds. Spice up your ceremonies with itineraries leaving the taste buds craving for more and breathtaking themes making the hearts race.
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W
edding, whether you dream it as an epitome of elegance or a pomp of celebration, has definitely rose in levels of standards and grandeur! And why not? After all, it is the biggest party of your life and you want to do it all in style! The moment you get hooked, it becomes the latest hashtag on your timelines. And soon the realization of all the plans, budget, colours, themes, looks, guest lists, invitations, photographs and attires dawn over you! And just then, there is a spotlight that shines bringing the best of both the worlds. The wedding
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theatre
CINEMA WITH SUBSTANCE Her looks may deceive you- simple and uncomplicated. She is three movies old and has already won the 62nd National Film Award for the Haryanvi movie ‘Pagdi’ as the best supporting actress. Meet Baljinder Kaur, an alumna of Panjab University who is unperturbed by the glittery world of cinema. Namrata Gill strikes a conversation..
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What influenced you to take up acting as a career? Ever since I was a child, I loved to be on stage doing small skits, reading out poems. Later in college, I actively took part in dramas and it was there that my talent was appreciated. It was under the guidance of one my teachers that I got to know about the Indian theatre and finally got into it. In your opinion what are the qualities of a good actor? As an actor, I feel you should be very observant, sensitive and reflective. Further, you must learn intricate details about the character you are playing so you can adapt to it when performing that role. You should be committed towards your work and once you make a commitment, you must fulfill it. As an actor; discipline, punctuality, regularity, passion and hard work play a very important role. We worked on a production without budget called “Kahaniyo Ka Rang Manch’. I want to teach my students that even if you are unable to find sponsors it must not become a hindrance. You should have passion and work hard as an
be able to play a character, understand it and adapt to it. Experience adds to it.
Panjab University alumnus Baljinder Kaur bagged the best supporting actress award in the 62nd National Film Awards for her role in Haryanvi movie ‘Pagdi-The Honor’
‘Be ambitious but never overambitious’ says Baljinder who famously rejected a role in the Amir Khan starrer “PK”.
It is believed that you had turned down the offer to work in PK, a Bollywood hit. What was the reason of denial? Well, yes! I got an offer for the Bollywood movie-PK. I just felt that the role of character offered was not tailored for me. I thought I have a very simple and mature looks and that role was too glamorous. Do you feel people do not value theatre as much as the film industry because of the obvious glamour? No, this is not true. The trend is changing and people are now inclined towards art movies like ‘Shahid’ and ‘Pagdi’. I have also done another movie by Raju Hirani called ‘Saala Khadoos’. Several people liked it while some not have appreciated it. So there is a mixed audience. Your future plans I wish to serve my alma mater now. I want to concentrate on giving my best to this university since it has provided me an opportunity to work. How did you react to the fame you got after the National Award? Who does not want an award? Of course, it was a great honor! I consider myself very lucky to get this level of respect and fame so early in my life. People wait a lifetime for it. However I do not let this affect me as a person. I feel one cannot be a good actor unless he or she is a good human being.
actor. You are known for spontaneously and naturally enacting scenes (sometimes even on the spot!). How do you pull that off ? As an actor, it is an internal process to
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One advice you would give youngsters My advice to everybody is that one must be ambitious but not over ambitious. It is when one is over ambitious that one is likely to get exploited in this field. Be patient, careful and never compromise with ethics. Always, be alert and think before every step!
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How was the journey of evolution from being a students at Panjab University campus to joining the Indian theatre and finally Indian cinema? After completing my master’s degree from Panjab University, I went to the National School of Drama and later, worked in the NSD Repertory Company as an A-grade artist. I later moved to Haryana and while working in “Take one” group of theatre, I got my first offer for a movie. I never dreamed of working in the movies and theatre was my only passion. My first movie was ‘Shahid’, directed by Hansal Mehta. My next movie was ‘Pagdi-The Honor’ for which I have recently won the National Award for best supporting Actress. I am glad that I am back to my alma mater, this time to serve as an assistant professor in the department where I began my journey from.
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style
Correct the
Catwalk Fashion is not only about dreams and illusions, it is also about how you carry yourself. Whether you are in anhaute couture assemble or vogue-ing in a living room, Surbhi Sehgal brings you few tips to get you on the ramp and explore your inner diva‌
So this time; stand up, put on your heels and conquer the world. Facial expressions Do not hang or droop your head- act like you have the invisible string attached at the top of your head holding you up. Because you will be above the audience on the catwalk, keeping your chin facing slightly down will let the audience see more of your face. Keeping your chin slightly tilted down will add angle to your face and will help lend you a little bit of attitude. Stay Natural You do not want to distract the glare of audience, from the clothes you are wearing, with a smile. Look in the mirror and try to hold your mouth
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naturally to see how it looks and feels. Stand up straight Think tall! While walking, stand up straight leaning slightly back so your legs can go first. Keep your toes pointed forward, so they are not turned out. Then walk with one foot in front of the other as if walking on a tightrope.As you strut forward, try to project confidence with your walk. Keep your hands relaxed Let your arms swing naturally. However, take care they are not too stiff. The clothing you have will help you decide what to do with your hands, you may need to hold something or stick one hand or both inside pocket.
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Attitude Be confident! This will make you fun for the audience. If you can put a rhythm and attitude in your step, your walk will come to life and exude a fantastic supermodel energy. Do not exaggerate Most people think you need to do a lot of hip swaying. Your hips will move naturally, so exaggeration is not necessary. Posing When you reach the end of the runway, pause and lean on one hip to exhibit your confident attitude.
T
he reason why models do not smile is because they do not want to distract the glare of audience from the clothes they are wearing.
I
f you can put a rhythm and attitude in your step, your walk will come to life and exude a fantastic supermodel energy.
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SUCCESS STORY He has a humble beginning and his story can inspire millions to invest in hard work! Prem Pal Gandhi, who was born and brought up in Nawashar, Punjab is now a renowned name in the city circles, a successful business tycoon in the field of hotels and education. After clearing his IMA exam, he began his journey of setting up businesses in 1982 starting with real estate followed by the foundation of various education institutions and hotel chains eventually, writes
Gurleen.
Dream Big Work Hard H
ow would you express your life time journey in one word? I cannot explain my life time journey in one word because itwas neitherso simple nor that hard to be defined in one word. My life time success journey is a mixture of big dreams, hard work and faith in almighty.To be honest, I never thought of owning hotels and educational institutes, but I was always aspired to do something great in life. With the faith in almighty, I started my business in hotel industry on a very small scale with just Rs.1000 in my pocket. It was through hard work and step-by-step inching towards my dream
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that I started walking on the path and my dreams got fulfilled. What is the recipe for success according to you? Of course,one should dream big to ignite a fire to achieve big in life and then complement it with hard work.t Do you feel that modern technology has positively affected businesses and work today? Technology has played a great role in enhancing my business. With the helping of e-networking, our business is booming day by day by getting popular amongst masses and not only remaining confined to a particular area.
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How do you manage to balance your personal life and your professional life? Well, I have some principles in my life and accordingly I have maintained an equal distribution of attention between my professional and family life. Secondly, it is all about managing skills and mutual understanding between me and my family. I manage my family as family not with mind but with heart and I manage my work as work, with mind. With this philosophy, I never find it hard to manage my life. How did you initiate your business and how are you planning to expand
One should dream big to ignite a fire to achieve big in life and then complement it with hard work.
father.The forthcoming years will lay the foundation of three more hotels in Ludhiana, Kasauli and Jalandhar. Your message for the young generation and aspiring businessmen? I would suggest that youngsters are smart enough to use the available
resources in an efficient manner but one must work hard to keep oneself yourself updated. Dream big to achieve big, have faith in God and one must inculcate the quality of maintaining a proper balance in your relations and work.
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it in upcoming years? I started work as a property consultant initially and got some big deals which laid the foundation of my hotel- Holiday Inn. After its success, I consequently entered into the field of education with KC group of colleges, named after my
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DESIGNERS IN MAKING Their creations are par excellence, the inspiration is unconventional and the end products are fabulous. Here is a peep into the ‘Shears and Ruban’ story from the buzzing Panjab University campus…
‘Shear’ Fashion! O
ne may conveniently call it an amalgamation of originality, creativity, competitiveness and astounding creations. A group of budding fashion designers are nourished and provided a chance to showcase their talent each year at the University Institute of Fashion Technology, Panjab University. The annual design collection titled ‘Shears and Ruban’, is scheduled in April each year and students pursuing masters’ degree in fashion technology are graded on their creativity and the outfits that they design. Meet these two young designers who chose to get inspired with the unconventional…
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The Shiva’s Abode
A
nupriya Kalia, a budding fashion designer who displayed her work at April 2016 edition of Shears and Ruban, has taken her inspiration from the physical appearance of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Divine souls Ardhnarishwar is how she chooses to define her collection. It is a composite androgynous form of the Hindu god Shiva and his consort Parvati. Combining Shiva’s strong features and Parvati’s feminine energy, Anupriya has attempted to create garments that promise to create a stir and will not run out of trend anytime soon. The colours used in the drapes represent the body colour of the two dieties. Shibori a Japanese tie-dying technique has been used in the lowers, the designer has also tried using a variety of techniques in different shapes to make different patterns. Shibori and other textile arts, such as tsutsugaki, are seen in this beautiful collection by Anupriya. The Blessed Wardrobe Destination weddings are a fad and these young designers did not miss on the mood of the market. Swati, another young designer from the same batch feels that ‘The story of happily ever after begins with a perfect wedding and the fairy-tale weddings are synonymous with destination weddings these days.’ The theme may be an over-the-top bollywood-style wedding or an intimate ceremony inspired by the royal palaces, honouring culture and celebrating new traditions or outdoor spaces and beachscapes. Swati has incorporated clinking kangans, shining bindis, artistically created henna coupled with heaps of effort into designing this collection of elegant yet stylish dresses for the ultimate beach ‘mehendi function’.
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fashion
Fashion
Woes “I do not do fashion. I am fashion.” – Coco Chanel Sometimes fashion tends to overshadow one’s own individuality by reducing people as mere imitators. It is evidently visible in the course of history where the fatal practices of wearing wet muslin clothes, the pressure of fitting yourself in the hourglass shaped dresses in fact led ultimately to adverse effects. With changing times, many people have begun to feel the need of stopping to imitate blindly whatever is in and to wear whatever they want to or what they feel comfortable in. Here, we take a look at all the fashion practices that actually lead to harmful effects on our physical well being.
Heels: Reliable research and latest studies confirm that high heels in fact destabilize and weaken your ankle muscles. Do’s: Prefer platform heels, try to swing to varying sizes inspite of locking down to one, switch your heels up and try alternate heels with cushioned shoes. Don’ts: Do not wear heels for the entire day, do not walk for long periods of time wearing heels, and do not wear heels every day.
Tight Clothing The trendy tight-fitting outfits might look alluring but is the reason for cause of various skin infections. Do’s: Prefer a light fabric, fitted in hips and waist and flared below the hips or loose fit from the bust down and take proper care of your size while purchasing clothes. Don’ts: Do not wear synthetic satin clothes for long duration, your night clothes should not be tight so that your skin gets enough space to breathe, do not buy a cloth which is below the number of your size.
Cosmetics
The cancerous effects of cosmetics are nothing new to be revealed.
Do’s: Check the ingredients of cosmetics before purchasing to ensure it has no cancerous ingredient, always wash your make up before you sleep at night, use organic products with natural ingredients. Don’ts: Do not put on heavy make up every day, do not use emollient concealers below your eyeline, do not glob on lip gloss, do not over-moisturize around your eyes.
What one needs to understand is that fashion is more than just a designer’s label. Fashion is a way to express one’s own self. Being fashion conscious does not imply that one blindly follows the trends. The priority must be the level of comfort derived from wearing what one likes and is trendy too. (With inputs from Visha Choudhary, Shristi and Gursharanjit Kaur)
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tradition It is the mainstay of Punjabi traditional fashion and a panache adopted by generations without fail...The one thing that remains an indispensable part of Punjab clothing is Phuklari. An embroidered textile of Punjab, phulkari is sometimes seen in the avtar of a wrap or an odhini, while on other occasions as an important home décor … Dr. Anu H. Gupta, an expert on Phulkari and Indian Textiles,gives a clue on how to blend phulkari with modernity…
Blending Wedding
Phulkari with Modernity
Phulkari is a part of rituals and traditional ceremonies associated with festivals and therefore one can find creative ways of using it at such ceremonies. Try phulkari as backdrops in wedding theme or use a phulkari sheet to escort the bride to the stage…Phulkari is synonymously used for “shagun” in Punjabi culture
colour and style any boring costume!
Home décor
Do not miss using Phulkari as cushion covers, table covers, tablemats in your dream home. It was lend the interiors a beautiful traditional look
Trousseau
Modern Use
Changing trends have given way to varied usage of Phulkariviz stoles, shawls, lightweight dupattas to heavy work
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Use Phulkari on Jackets, kurtis, gents kurtas, skirts, sarees, capes. It can add
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Blending Phulkari with modern compositions..it can be gracefully carried in the form of products of daily utility such as bags, folders, etc.
Souvenir
A typical souvenir taken by tourists visiting Punjab is a Phulkari. One finds several tourists awestruck by the style, bright colors and feel of Phulkari.
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Try a plain cotton or silk salwar-kameeze with a Phulkari dupatta…it forms an important part of trousseau. Base fabric varies from heavy weight khaddar to light weight chiffons. Designers nowadays are experimenting with fabrics, colour schemes and placement of motifs
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Beyond words
When the world came together!
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he stage was set and the magnitude of this musicalcultural extravaganza was unfathomable! Never before has the planet witnessed a flood of positivity, nor has history recorded an event of such enormousness. The World Cultural Festival in New Delhi was an amalgamation of musicians, artists and guests from across 150 countries, with 3.5 million people gathering together to meditate for world peace. A Grand Symphony, where 8500 musicians mesmerized the audience with their music. The evening also witnessed magical performances showcasing the rich dancing traditions of India, including a Kathak. Ensemble, of 1000 artists choreographed by none other than Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj. The audience to this event also witnessed the world’s largest oval shaped stage set up over an area of 7 acres which was jaw dropping, its lowest step is at 6 feet high and the highest is at 47 feet and had about 22 steps. WCF, suggest the organizers, was a celebration of human belief, trust and values- a Kumbh Mela of Harmony of sorts. The event was held along the river side Yamuna in New Delhi from 11th March to 13th March, 2016. These three days were a specimen of the world coming together as one family and it was a remarkable mixture of different cultures blending in effortlessly. The festival was held to celebrate and mark 35 years of Art of Living’s (a noted international NGO) service to humanity, spirituality and human values. The festival symbolized harmonious co-existence and celebrates diversity by bringing together the power of the people on a common platform. It was a celebration in true sense with
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the vibrancy of dance and also serenity of music. At a grand opening in the presence of its founder and spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar along with six lakh people on the first day, more than 20,000 international guests were present at the event. Sizable contingents from South America, Mongolia, Russia, U.S., Europe, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Pakistan among others had arrived for the big celebration. Amidst the guests were the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi who inaugurated the grand celebrations and other dignitaries from India and round the world, including representatives of Presidents and Prime Ministers of different countries and their ministers. The festival began with the exotic strains of the Naadaswaram as dignitaries from all over the world and were welcomed on stage. 1000 scholars sang vedic chants from ancient scriptures that resonated with peace, which was at the core of the festival. As the event unfolded, the second day was all the more exuberant and lively . The event was also marked by mesmerizing performances from artists who converged at the national capital from all over the world to be a part of celebration of the world’s largest gathering of the one world family – Vasudhaiva Kutambakam. The spirit of peace and unity which was the hallmark of World Culture Festival was reflected in the presence of various dignitaries and state leaders from India and abroad. As the event was all about the world coming together and was successful to bring India and Pakistan close, on the second day at the event Pakistani Senator Sherry Rehman while expressing her happiness to be a part of this festival said “Culture is the heart of a civilizational impulse. Religion and Faith are also part of a civilizational impulse. They do not divide, they do not terrorize, they do not cut, and they do not create poles where people drift apart. They must not put people in boxes. This event is a gathering that unites us in harmony. Cultural interventions are about the stories that we tell about each other. We bring the colours of our humanity to this kind of gathering and I hope that Pakistan, India and all the nations represented here can take the World into the future of peace, prosperity, and brotherhood.” One of the highlights of the event was ‘Cosmic Rhythm’, where over 4600 artists presented a performance comprising 30 dance forms, followed by a soulful rendition of Rabindra Sangeet by 1000 singers. The traditional colors of India were showcased in the form of folk performances from Assam (Bihu), Rajasthan (Ghoomar) and Andhra Pradesh (Kuchipudi) among others. The international performances were led by Pakistani Sufi dancers, expressing the desire of unification with the almighty; and the Tango dance by Argentinian performers.
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the other side
Sundays at TIFR Hostel back in 1970’s used to be a delightful treat for his friends and colleagues. Professor Arun used to cook dinnerin his hostel room and the range of cuisines used to be remarkably diverse.
Meet The Great
Many would not hesitate to call him a quick encyclopedia on just about everything. He remembers important dates to accuracy and he does not forget to brand his university wherever he goes…by connecting alumni and citing events of historical importance. Meet Panjab University Vice-Chancellor ProfessorArun Grover who is a wonderfully ‘versatile and fast’cook and is incredibly honest to concur that he is bad at concealing his emotions.
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Photo Credit: anish mohan
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Days at TIFR
“The rooms in TIFR hostel used to be luxurious and with Rs450 stipend for PhD scholars the institute had pampered the researchers well. We were not called doctorate students, but visiting members,” recalls Arun. When he talks of his former institution- the prestigious TIFR, where he spent a huge quantum of his professional career, first as student and then as professor, one can easily make out the affinity and belongingness in his eyes. He can endlessly talk about the legacy of TIFR!
Days at Meerut & the Homi J. Bhabha story
The establishment of his connect and interest in science dates back to the days when his father was transferred from Delhi to Meerut in 1964 and his schooling began at War Memorial Higher Secondary School. It was the famous radio interview of Indian nuclear scientist Homi J. Bhabha (also founder director or TIFR) during the 1965 Indo-Pak war days that struck him really hard. “It was an interview that created confidence and valor in the nation during disturbing times. He roared that if the Indian government gave a go ahead to the scientist community, India will be a nuclear power within 18 months,” recalls Arun. Unfailingly and true to his nature, Professor Arun would divert every conversation to important scientific developments!
The perfect cook & family man
So what else interests him besides science? “It is work mostly and occasionally music due to Neera. I have not watched television since I moved to Chandigarh few years ago and took over as Vice-Chancellor. The last movie I saw with my family, in a cinema hall, was two years ago,” he adds. The university engagements keep him occupied and he recollects missing the movie Bajirao Mastani recently due to work and his family eventually left without him. “Sometimes I reach home really late at
Know Him Inside Out Birthday
December 12 (Sagittarius)
Wedding Anniversary June 28
Spouse
Neera Grover
Family
His son Swarit (asoftware engineer) and daughter-in-law Esha (an eye surgeon) who live in Hyderabad
Specialties
Can cook just about anything out of whatever is available in the kitchen (He can make a quick 15 seconds ‘Gulkand’ paste for guests and is immensely talented chef)
Qualities
Versatile cook, extremely social, forgiving
Super specialty
He is a quick cook, none can match his speed and accuracy
What he loves
Cooking for loved ones or any guests, playing with children at family get together
night leaving less chance to indulge in any hobby actually,” he adds. So how often does he cook now? Seldom, due to the work schedule. “I still love cooking, although it is rare. But my wife would prefer that I rest while she manages the kitchen territory,” he admits. Is he selective about his clothes and does he choose what to wear? Any personal sense of style or fashion? No, he replies. “I like it simple. Infact Neera(wife) chooses them for me. In Mumbai, I used to get some time to shop with her. But now, I am occupied and prefer to wear whatever she chooses for me,” he says.
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e has been an activist throughout his professional career. Positive activism- if one may call it. Sundays at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research back in 1970’s used to a delightful treat for his friends and colleagues. Professor Arun used to cook dinner in his hostel room and the range of cuisines used to be extensive- vegetarian for some, nonvegetarian for others.
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The wedlock story
One would find the wedlock story of Arun and Neera Grover adorable too. “The former principal of MCM DAV College, Mrs. Roy had a major role in my marriage. It was at her residence that I first met her,” recalls Arun. The noted astro-scientist, Professor Kulinder Pal Singh, who was awarded the Astronautical Society of India award for Space Science and Applications in 2004, was instrumental in making the two meet. “Kulinder was my junior at TIFR. When I was back from England after completing post-doctoral research, he suggested me to get married to Neera. We met at Mrs. Roy’s home and the match was fixed instantly,” he adds. The only request he remembers making is to keep the marriage very simple. “I did not want to burden the family. Also I did not want too much pomp and show,” he adds.
On his soulmate
“I appreciate that my wife left her job and moved on with me to Mumbai. It took her 12 years to get back to the same level. She has stood by me in thick and thin. Despite her health concerns, she stood by me always,” he says. When asked what is the most romantic outing or a cherished gift he has ever presented his wife, he has a touching answer
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he adds. Does he pick up small things for home from shops? “While travelling for professional reasons, if I do stop at the airport shops, I do collect things for home. That too is to commemorate some professional achievement,” he says.
On his children I have not watched television since I moved to Chandigarh few years ago. The last movie I saw with my family, in a cinema hall, was two years ago.
to it. “I have never had too much money to gift her expensive things. Companionship is what I gave her perhaps. I ensured that I was always available at the key milestones of learning and training in her career. I remember the days when she received training from Khadim Hussain Khan in the 1980’s. I used to accompany her to give support. Whenever she performed at key concerts or got invitation, I went with her,”
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His son Swarit, an NIT Suratkal and ISB Hyderabad pass-out who now works with Microsoft, was a self-learned artist in younger days. “My son was really good on key-board and none of us taught him. He perhaps got inspired from Neera or maybe just the genes. We never stopped him from following his heart,” adds Arun. What would astonish many and unravel the thoughtful persona of this scientist, Professor Arun decided to cancel the wedding reception party of his son since his daughter-in-law wished to proceed for a post-doctoral research fellowship immediately after marriage. An eye-surgeon, Esha Gulati (his daughter-in-law) completed her two year post-doctoral research at the noted LV Prasad Eye Institute. “She is a brilliant girl and really wanted to pursue her post-doctorate. I am glad she finished what she wanted to do,” adds the proud father-inlaw.
Future plans & the city beautiful
How does he want students, academicians and teachers on Panjab University campus to remember him after his tenure? “I want to create a model of self-governance. This university must be run by the people who really matter. The agenda of the university must be set by its stakeholders- the faculty, students and alumni. This is the reason I had am putting in place the mechanism of monthly meeting of chairpersons. Stability is what I want to give to this institute. Core values of the university must deliver. The reputation must not go down,” he adds passionately. After his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, he plans to work for a bigger cause- for the city beautiful Chandigarh. “If I settle here, I will work towards the betterment of the city through non-governmental organization. This city has the potential to become the Bengaluru of North India.
Neera on Arun
Here is how his better half describes him…. “He is an extremely forgiving person. He believes in letting go and does not hold on grudges, even for people who have done and prayed bad for him. In our 32 years of marriage I have not seen him taking revenge on anyone,” she says a smiling and uncomplicated Neera Grover. She describes how he has the art of choosing ‘quality and good’ products utility-wise while shopping. “He is an extremely affectionate person. One has to see him when he plays with children in the family. He is a very social too and loves meeting people,” she adds.
I have never had too much money to gift Neera expensive things. Companionship is what I gave her.
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FASHION
The Bold
Statement Home is where your makeup stash is. This season, get all glam up! Here is a look at the cosmetics to go with your outfits this summer.. writes
Lip shades
Bhanupriya Kaushal
Shades of red
4. Brown undertones in Brick red (looking for a grown-up red? The brown undertones in brick red lipstick make U look mature and sophisticated.) 5. Bright cherry red with pink undertones
1. Bright poppy red (pale skinned princess will benefit from a bright poppy red colour on their lips!)
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2. orangey red (orangey-red lips contrast well and brighten up dark-skinned girls) 3. Red with coral undertones (can’t commit to a full on red but still want to wear it? Find a red with coral undertones! )
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MEDIUM SKIN
(bright cherry red contrasts well with pink undertones in fair skinned ladies) 6. Berry red (berry red lipstick pops against dark skin tones, giving a bright, youthful look!) 7. Wine red (feel like a campy vixen with a
1. SHISEIDO (MAQUILLAGE DUAL ROUGE) 2. L’OREAL MATTE REDS (PURE ROUGE) 3. MAYBELLINE (LIP GRADATION RED 1) 4. COVERGIRL (COLORLICIOUS SUCCULENT CHERRY)
swipe of wine red on your lips!). 8. Blackened red (turn heads around with a blackened red lipstick!)
DARK SKIN (GET THE RIGHT RED FOR YOUR SKIN TONE)
FAIR SKIN
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1. BYS longwear lipstick (fine wine) 2. DEBORAH MILANO (red shine10) 3. VMV HYPOALLERGENICS (VELVET MATTE DANGER) 4. REVLON ultra HD lipstick dahlia
1. MAXFACTOR ( COLOUR ELIXIR LIPSTICK CHERRY KISS) 2. NICHIDO (NICHIDO HD LIPSTICK GLAM RED) 3. THE BODY SHOP (COLOUR CRUSH 125) 4. NYX (MATTE LIPSTICK PURE RED
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2 Eye shadows All eyes on you
HOW TO DO GOLD SPARKLE
Sultry Neutrals: Neutrals need not be boring! If you’re looking for a classic look that will keep you from day to night, this is for you. Pop of colours: (“Tis the season to
STEP 1: Smooth on some eyeshadow primer to keep your eye makeup in place! STEP2: Apply shimmery gold eyeshadow all
STEP 3: Put a matte brown eye shadows on your crease to contour the eyes. STEP 4: Draw on black eyeliner to your
over the eyelids!
desired shape. STEP 5: Define your lashes with a coat of
be jolly! Show off your mood with bright, electric colors to get the party started). Shadow play: (feeling bold? Try SHADOW PLAY and exude mystery by updating your usual Smokey eyes with dark, vibrant shades applied playfully outside the
lines.)
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mascara! STEP6: Stick on some false lashes to make
3. BLUSH ON Get the holiday glow on your cheeks with essence silky touch blush! Which colour suits you best? 1. NATURAL BEAUTY 2. ADORABLE 3. BABYDOLL 4. SECRET IT-GIRL
your eyes pop even more!
4 FRAGRANCES SO MUCH JOY
August 2016 | www.thelifestylejournalist.com |
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Love is in the air. Surprise the special man in your life with a splash of sweetsmelling scents. 1. My Burberry for Her 2. Issey Miyake L’Eau D’Issey 3. Bulgaria Omnia crystalline 4. Aqua Di Gioia by Giorgio Armani. 5. Gucci ‘Bamboo’ Perfume.
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APPAREL INDUSTRY
Changes in the Fashion Business
Rethinking the Value Chain
Today value creation has become a collaborative ‘network’ of activities among organizations. It is a dynamic system of services, information, materials, knowledge, and innovation. Dr. Rita Kant, an expert on textile and apparel industry, takes a look at the changes in the fashion business.
T
he great fashion business today is witnessing a shift in the concept of ‘Supply Chains’ and ‘Value Chains’ to another dimension. The chain concept is no more a progressive way of thinking and they are factually dying. Terminology is evolving and showing an innovative way of thinking and understanding of new concepts. With evolving opportunities, processes and problems, the stakeholders in the fashion trade are required to think more progressively and dynamically. A chain implies “a series of links connected in succession” and it is linear by definition. A manufacturer or merchandiser in the supply chain conceptualizes the value
Today value creation has become a collaborative “network” of activities among organizations. It is a dynamic system of services, information, materials, knowledge, and innovation. In this scenario there is a need for fashion trade to move beyond the linear concept and begin to work in supply and value networks. Collaborative networks are now utilizing lateral thinking, state of the art technology and processes with omni directional flow of data, information, innovation and materials. How one conceives a concept generates a related behaviour and influences on how one works and this consequently affects the outcomes. For ‘efficiency’
creation process in a sequential, linear manner passing a product or pieces of a product from one value adding supplier to the next. In fashion supply chain the links can be processes, products, concepts, perceptions etc.
and ‘transparency’ in business as the cyclical swiftness at which technology and innovation continue to grow, is important to switch from “chain” to “network” systems. Efficiency Value addition nowadays is reaching warp speed. Linearity however works slower. Collaboration assisted by technology and
Fashion- Towards collaborative network
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communication is resulting in speeding up designing, sourcing, producing and distributing products. In this scenario a network approach is the only way to stand a chance. Transparency In a linear chain the participants are distanced conceptually and geographically. The person at the front of the chain feels removed and distanced from the
Fashion industry was always innovative but one innovator generally struggled to push his ideas up or down a supply chain.
person at the end of the chain. Network conceptualization removes distance and creates connectivity. Being in a network brings the players close to each other and this significantly increases the ability to know what is going on. While networking one cannot say “I had no idea this was happening”. These excuses are acceptable in a chain system. Today consumers themselves
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are increasingly becoming a part of this network. They are at the centre of it and no longer distanced or passive recipients of products at the end of a long value chain. Technology Advanced technology from smart phones to sophisticated software systems and advanced collaboration platforms have connected brands to suppliers and vice versa, enabling communications, collaboration, speed to market and transparency. Practices and activities that link consumer to supplier, supplier to supplier, supplier to brand get recorded and no one can anymore afford to claim “they didn’t know”. Innovation Fashion industry was always innovative but one innovator generally struggled to push his ideas up or down a supply chain. Today stakeholders collectively adopt innovations, figure out and execute innovative ideas and commercialize them successfully at a much faster speed. Brands work with technology innovators. They fund and support R&D. Innovators collaborate with their stakeholders in the network to execute their innovation. For example Nike is collaborating with DyeCoo in developing and bringing to the market waterless dyeing technology; dyeing with compressed CO2. DyeCoo is also working with Huntsman Textile Effects to develop dyestuffs and chemistry needed to accomplish the waterless dyeing process. The last word Transformation to supply and value networks is need of the hour. Better and longer standing partnerships among brands and suppliers along with improvement in the quality of products leading to greater credibility and trust with consumers are the benefits of rethinking the supply chain. The logic, therefore, and pay off of supply and value networks are loudly and clearly pronounced.
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Nike is collaborating with DyeCoo in developing and bringing to the market waterless dyeing technology; dyeing with compressed CO2. DyeCoo is also working with Huntsman Textile Effects to develop dyestuffs and chemistry needed to accomplish the waterless dyeing process.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Into the intricacies of Photography with
Diwan Manna
It is a cruel, ironical art- Photography! The dragging of captured moments into the failure; moments that should have been allowed to be evaporate into the past; should exist only in memories, glimpsed through the fog of events that came after. Photographs focus us to see people before their future weighed them down. Meet the master- Diwan Manna who goes candid on his long journey of fame and photography.
Photo Credit: aashish
Tell us about your unconventional sense of photography Most of my work is about my journey in search of trying to come to terms with insidious and unrecognized forms of the degradation of our sense of living in this new-fangled world. Was photography your childhood dream? No, it was not my childhood dream. In fact, I wished to be a sports star or a theatre performer initially. However it was only in my college when photography was introduced to me in form a subject that I actually begun to take interest in it.
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What inspires you? Life itself inspires me with all its vitality and enigma. There is so much happening politically, culturally, economically and socially. Which is one thing you love the most about your profession? Not one, but everything related to photography fascinates me. The process itself is interesting and so is the journey. Which is your favourite outdoor destination to shoot and why? I usually set up pictures in my studio itself. However, I love to take pictures
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everywhere from the city’s heart Sector17 in Chandigarh to monuments of Delhi to historical places of Europe. Which is your favourite travel destination? I love to travel to anyplace except malls to explore different cultures and variety of people. The historical places of Roma, Florence, Paris, London are enchanting. Tell us about your connection with this city I came to Chandigarh only to study but eventually I have realized how beautiful and clean the city is.
D
iwan Manna has been capturing images in India, Europe, America and South-East Asia since 1980. Born in a small town of Bareta in Punjab, he was trained to be a graphic artist but chose to be photographer instead only to become famous as one of the first exponents of conceptual photography in India.
He has been bestowed the National Academy Award, a once in a lifetime award, by the National Fine Arts Academy of India besides a string of other recognitions in his field.
What do you feel about young people in photography today? Any advice for them? The sense of inherent feeling and creativity is not so well rooted in the youngsters today as compared to the generation before. I think, they should try to do photography by amalgamating the mind and heart into it. I think, I will advice them to work hard and be as creative as they can. - Interviewed by Manpreet Kaur Srawn
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teen icon All of 17, she inspires many. She wants to be recognized as an inventor of something meant for ‘larger good’. Meet Shreya Bali, who invented Bio-Plastic and was awarded at the Republic Day Celebration by the Chandigarh Administration in 2016.
Know Me By My
Inventions Shreya Bali Age: 17
Educational Background: Pass out of Strawberry Fields, Secator 26 Chandigarh Class X. Pursuing Class XII from BhavanVidyala, Sector 27 Birthday: September 11 (Virgo) Aim: I want to be computer engineer and an entrepreneur. Inspiration: My parents Favorite Subject: Sciences and Computers Achievements:
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• Won commendation certificate on the Republic Day (for invention of bio-plastic from tamarind seeds) 2016 • National winner for Social Innovation Relay JAYE (Junior Achievement) 2015. She adopted a social cause and made an innovation (Pine Wrap from Pine needles) • Youth Leadership Award (Runner’s Up) conducted by The Global Education and Leadership Foundation 2015 and 2013 (She initiated Clean India campaign in 2013 and
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Join Hands project for Rehabilitation of Beggars in 2015) Long term social goal: I would like to spread education through the use of technology. Contribution to country: I want to ensure that I make some quality contribution. The magnitude does not matter. The good intention and quality matters.
Fantasy and Fiction
A girl must know all fan theories People following Game of Thrones will be able to decode the title above. Often called as one of the most pirated TV series of all times, Game of Thrones is sure to keep your mind racing with multi layered characters and themes. Titiksha Jain brings to us the most popular fan theories of this TV show.
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prophecy saying that she will be killed by her brother but her conversion into a Mad Queen might trigger Jamie. Fan theory #3 – Is Sansa Stark carrying Ramsay Bolton’s child? Just before his death, Ramsay says to Sansa that “I’m a part of you now”. The best possible decoding of this line brings us to the conclusion that Sansa is in fact pregnant. And the look she gives Lord Baelish in the last episode of season 6 hints that she might marry him to rule
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the seven kingdoms. Who knows what might happen? Fan theory #4 – Tyrion Lannister is the dwarf son of Tywin Lannister whose mother died at the time of his birth. Remember in episode 2 of Season 6 Tyrion goes to the dragons and unchains them? Those ferocious dragons do not even harm him! It is said that Tyrion might be one of the three dragon riders and a targaryen.
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ith Sansa Stark killing Walder frey and revelation of Jon Snow parentage, Game of Thrones never fails to disappoint its viewers. The infinite possible endings along with the unexpected twists keep the fans on their toes. Here are the most circulated fan theories about the show.. Fan theory #1 – If you had been watching the latest season of GoT, you would be well aware of the last episode revealing that Jon is not actually a Snow but a Targaryen. Now, it means that Daenerys is his aunt and we are well aware of the fact that Targaryens marry their siblings. There is a great possibility that both Jon Snow and Daenerys would fight together and get married. They have similar rivals and Daenerys said that marriage strengthens relations. Fan theory #2 – Jamie may be forced to kill Cersei Lannister. Even though Tyrion is more likely to kill Cersei, according to a
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films
Like Father Like Son
Navraj Hans Punjabi singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and an ace performer- Navraj Hans has engrossed a distinct set of admirers all over Punjab. Breaking the stereotype and setting a separate identity from his father and noted singer Hans-Raj-Hans, he has ventured into cricket too and owns the Punjab Team of the Celebrity Cricket League. A proud sonin-law too, he is married to legendary singer Daler Mehendi’s daughter Ajit. Here is a candid conversation with the enterprising singer-actor‌
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What kind of films-genre do you wish to be associated with? I do not want to fall in any specific category. I want to be recognized as a versatile actor. That is the reason I am choosy about projects I do.
Breaking the stereotype and setting a separate identity from his father and noted singer Hans-Raj-Hans, he has ventured into cricket too and owns the Punjab Team of the Celebrity Cricket League. A proud son-in-law too, he is married to legendary singer Daler Mehendi’s daughter Ajit.
Do you feel the pressure of being a noted singer’s son? Are there comparisons drawn often between you and your father? There is pressure and responsibility both mounted upon me, I will say. Because of my father’s popularity, I also get lot of love from people.
What do you think about the progress of Punjabi film industry? Punjab film industry is doing well and it does take time for an industry to grow. The revival however will take more time since good films are less and it takes more number of films to ensure that the industry survives. Who are your closest friends in the film industry? There are many friends, to be truthful here! Gippy Grewal is hard working and a very humble friend. My best friend in the industry is my brother Yuvraj Hans. What have you learned from the film industry till now? One must think well before accepting a project. It has to be in synchronization with one’s own capability. This is the prime reason why I prefer to wait for a project which is deep and interesting rather than randomly doing any work. Saiyaan and Jind Meriyee have been loved by your followers. What category of music are your focusing on now? I like to be identified as a versatile singer too. Sad songs tobhangra, everything! Anything you wish to share about your debut movie, “On the Band of Maharajas” in Bollywood?
The shooting of the movie has to start in April 2016. Other than that, I will not be able to disclose much about it! How active are you on social media? Do you feel it is a pain to stay updated in this profession? I do not take too much pain to keep social profile updated. When I am tired of working or on lean days, I stay active on social media. How significant has been the role of your family in your career? The role of family has beenof utmost important in my life. My wife,Ajit Mehendi plays an important role in my life and I am lucky to have her. Whom do your idolize? My father Hans-Raj-Hans and my father in law Daler Mehendi, both are inspirational signers. Daler Mehendi ji has an amazing forceful voice and his performance enthusiasm is amazing. I also admireNusrat Fateh Ali Khan ji’s singing style. Your message for the youngsters and aspirants who want to enter the film and music industry? I would advise youngsters not to crave forstardom, money, cars and houses and follow passion instead. There is too much competition in the industry and rather than getting frustrated later on, one must hold on to passion which will alone take you forward in long run.
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What is the best advice that you got from your father? He has always inspired me to work honestly, not for money but for passion. Even if one ends up with 10 flops, cheating and short-cuts must not be adopted.
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style
Politically Correct
‘D
ress how you wish to be addressed’- politicians today seem to have taken this idea seriously! Amidst media sensationalism and over-hyped personal and political agendas, our ‘Netas’ are not far behind to imitate trend-setters and the Bollywood fashionistas when it comes to fashion sense and setting a style statement. Why miss the limelight for any reason? While several others in politics, choose to look naïve and sober to position their image and brand appropriately among the audience.
Here is a peek into styles and fashion adoption by some popular politicians...
Narendra Modi
The Modi style kurtas (with shorter sleeves) were quick to capture the market. The Prime Minister of India has a strong, unwavering style. One usually finds him with a sleeveless smart jacket matching his kurta pajama. His favourites are light coloredkurtaswith “skin fit” pyjamas matched with a Nehru Jacket or in a IndoWestern fusion styled suits.
Arvind Kejriwal
Scarf it up! Heading the AamAadmi Party, one expects him to be dressed as the common man in a shirt and a pair of jeans but sometimes he is worse dressed than that and despite this he has set a style- the muffler guy! Well, Kejriwal’s notion of a common man is someone in loose pullover, baggy pants and a muffler to go with. And perhaps this has enabled him set a reasonably clean image.
Rahul Gandhi
Some more brushing up of public image and style could have done wonders for him, though the vice-president of INC does make atleast some heartbeats skip with his looks. He is usually spotted in a white kurta-pyjama, analogous to Indian politics. He is sometimes spotted in polo shirts and a pair of jeans too.
So what’s your take on fashion and politics?
“Clothes and a personal sense of style has an immense impact on the public. A man is known by the clothes he wears and it sets an image for him. Modi jackets for instance, have become immensely popular,” says Arun Sood, Mayor, Union Territory of Chandigarh “Style and clothing surely does affect one’s image. Looks are God’s will but one must keep up perfectly and stay well dressed. Not only politicians but even their families are watched. Michelle Obama and her daughters for instance are always talked about for their costumes,” says Dr.Navjot Kaur Sidhu, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab. “Style without substance is of no use. One’s intellect must suitably compliment the fashion sense.” Manish Tewari, Former Union Minister
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architecture
THE P FRAME Noted Architect Vijay Kapur has a host of laurels to his credit. He defines architecture as a blend of art and science and his undying positive outlook towards modern day architecture is stimulating. He has a career spanning 35 years now with a wide exposure to many interests and events. While in the School of Architecture, New Delhi he opened an interiors’ work-shop and executed three projects in Asia ’72 at the new exhibition grounds at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. From then on he worked for many Trade Fairs and in span of 10 years executed exhibition stall and pavilions for companies like Escorts Ltd., TVS, Dunlop, Phillips, Coir Board, among others. Tell us about some projects which are very close to your heart All projects are close to my heart. I enjoy doing what I do. An office project we did which was spread over 30,000-40,000 square feet in Noida was an interesting work. People now travel a lot and they see exhibition and therefore awareness about interiors and architecture is more than before. It is upto the designers to create something different and the entire package has to be good. How do
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we accessorize the interiors is very important. Walls cannot be left blank, the artifacts which go into the making are all crucial. Corporate work is different. Company’s image is through the first appearance- the reception. So, entire designing skills go into that. What is your take on modern architecture in Chandigarh? Where is it heading? Initially, the city was incepted with a grid iron system with each sector perpendicular
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Clubs and Resorts-Panchsheel Club, Moets DLF, El Arab, The Parlour, CafĂŠ Bandra, Bhaja Govindam International Offices International Air Ticketing Association (IATA), JWT (J.WalterThampson), Thales International India Pvt. Ltd, among others
Showrooms Escorts Ltd, Duty-free shops for ITDC at International Airport, Saya Automobiles, GK Automobiles, GK Kingsway Motors, Banaras Cottage Exposition Silk and Silk, Dunlop India, Neeta Paul Fashion
to each other. To me, even the modern day advancements look good. By and large the essence of architecture in the city is the same. I appreciate the modern day town planning by Chandigarh architects. One looks at the Taj in Sector 17, it looks pretty much similar to Park Plaza. So, great architecture work is happening in Chandigarh keeping in mind the essence of the city. IT park has amazing buildings coming up. Do you feel architects, as professionals, take responsibility of cities becoming choked or does the onus fall on governments totally? The British left us with a central part of Delhi. When the British planned Delhi as the capital, they planted trees at quiet some distance apprehending the expansion of roads in years to come. The expansion happened in only 10 years. Now the only issue is that we are planning for present and catering to current needs and not envisioning the future as much. Photo Credit: Aashish
How do you compare Indian architects to their overseas counterparts? Indian architecture is wonderfully equipped to handle what they do. Overseas everything is planned and pre-fabricated and packaged for you. Is there some specific inspiration in the designs that you create? I have no inspiration from one specific source. I design based on the general observation of things around. Basic requirements of the project are kept in mind. Your message to budding architects The architecture students nowadays are very passionate and creative about designs. This field is about creativity and you are marking a stamp on the landscape or the skyscape. Therefore commitment is very important. If one is not passionate about architecture and interiors, one must realize early that he or she is in the wrong field.
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relationships
ita
Pun
Q&A
Relationships are a growing phenomenon. One needs to keep improvising by doing things together like picking up a hobby together guides citybased senior counsellor Punita Singh
gh
Sin
How to handle each other’s emotional ups and downs and still keep relationship going strong? Couples should always remember that emotional ups and downs do not have to break you. Use the emotional upheaval to understand each other’s strength and weaknesses. Forgive and forget after the emotional ups and downs and you will end up growing after each upheaval. Teenagers, and youth in general, are under immense pressure of performing academically. How to handle stress of academics? A student should learn the art of managing emotions at an early age. Stress always comes when one is not very well planned or the expectations are not genuine. Learn the techniques of better time management. Set realistic and reachable goals. How does one emotionally contribute and handle a patient at home? A patient at home can be a very emotionally turbulent time for a family. Keep your patience level high and ensure a positive atmosphere at all times. Celebrate life in
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Couples should always remember that emotional ups and downs do not have to break you. Use the emotional upheaval to understand each other’s strength and weaknesses.
Celebrate life in every situation. Spend lots of time as a family together.
every situation. Spend lots of time as a family together. The patient will need lot of emotional support. Make sure
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that you are instrumental in providing all the emotional support to the patient and ensuring that he stays positive under pressure. How to deal with a break up? You do not have to make a breakup uncomfortable. It is an end of one journey and beginning of so many others. Cherish the good times that you enjoyed together and let the person go willingly. Carrying emotional baggage around for the rest of your life is not going to help anyone. Also, never kiss and tell after a breakup. Treasure the time you spent together and keep your memories sweet and happy. No need to spoil them by fighting and throwing allegations on each other. How to do deal with boredom in relationships? Relationships are a growing phenomenon. One needs to keep improvising by doing stuff together like picking up a hobby together, listening to the same music. Bonding and growing together at various levels like spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual are very essential to keep boredom out of a relationship.
Season of festivity Drenched from top to toe in music, the music festivals are unique in character and charm. They are full of culture, art, food, and of course music. From electronic to indie to rock, Tititksha Jain brings to us some of these festivals that are well worth marking on one’s calendar each year.
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Music Festivals for the musiclover in you!
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Lightning in a Bottle is one of the transformational festivals held in America. The varied aspects of this festival are educational activities, solar power harnessed stage productions, yoga classes, meditations and various other workshops. They promote education, health, environment, community and sustainability. It is the only festival to receive ‘outstanding award’ from A Greener Festival, five years in a row.
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Sunburn is a 4 day EDM (electronic dance music) festival held in the month of December in Vagator, Goa every year. It is the biggest music festival in Asia and also includes a combination of food, shopping and entertainment. The artists who have performed include Avicii, Swedish House mafia and Dash Berlin amongst various others.
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Coachella music festival is an arts and music festival held in California every year. It attracts people from all over the music and creative industry. Various genres are featured in this festival including EDM, hip hop, rock and indie. Some of the artists who have performed here include Amy Whinehouse, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Madonna and Eminem.
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Exit is a 4 day summer music festival held in July in Novi Sad (Serbia). It is one of a kind festival because of the reason for its initiation which was to fight for peace and democracy. It is one of the most diverse and popular festival in Europe. It was awarded as the ‘Best MidSized European Festival’ in 2015.
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The Trending A sheer fervor for healthy and nourishing diet, made Aditi Mehrotra choose the vocation she is now a veteran in. Having mastered the science of health and nutrition, Aditi, two time gold medalist, freelances as a diet mentor for D.I.E.T.ed. (Develop Intelligent Eating Techniques). Having a milieu and work experience for over 20 years in the field of health and nutrition, Aditi has accomplished nutrition and health education workshops for parents, women groups, corporate executives and senior citizens. Here is a special post from this ace lifestyle and diet consultant…
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othing is more beautiful than a woman who believes she is beautiful. Idealized images, dream figures, weight loss pills, shape wear to cinch in waistlines, creams that melt cellulite, and chemical injectables that claim to take ten years off your face. Curvy, boyish, petite, size zero or full-figured describes women. The changing diet trends continue to remain confusing, conflicting and overwhelming. The multi-billion fitness and beauty industry promotes their products with help of high selling idealized images defining ‘thin is in’. The obsession with youth and beauty sends thousands of people to stores searching for a quick fix. Curious to see how retro celeb diets compare to modern, Audrey Hepburn woke up to a simply classic breakfast of two boiled eggs and a slice of whole wheat toast. Marilyn Monroe would rush through the start of the day by breaking two eggs into a cup of hot milk whipping them up with a fork and voila! Her breakfast was sorted. The mesmerizing
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Elizabeth Taylor would also start her day on scrambled eggs, bacon, and a mimosa for breakfast. Celebrities now are under constant pressure to maintain a slender weight or size zero. Beyoncé on the Oprah Winfrey show gave all credit to the magic potion she drank that helped her lose 20 pounds in just 14 days. Elizabeth Hurley lost over ten pounds in just over a week, by staying on the watercress soup diet. Coconut Water Diet is a favourite of Demi Moore, Rumer Willis, and Matthew McConaughey. If news on stomach stapling was not enough, came in the ear stapling fad involving the inner cartilage of the ear being surgically stapled, believed to stimulate pressure points that control appetite. Few international supermodels popularized the ‘Cotton ball diet’. The Bacteria diet hit the headlines canvassing the ingestion of good bacteria through injected probiotic yogurt, sauerkraut and kimchi. Ever heard of the Vision Diet? Wear blue-tinted glasses and the food on your plate looks unpalatable and viola,
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A regimented diet coupled with a good fitness program consisting of exercises that work out the whole body is all you need to stay fit or lose weight. heavy food at night. Deepika being a South Indian likes South Indian food a lot like rice, dosa, upma, etc.
craving for sweet foods. w Sonam Kapoor attributes her weight loss to her diet plan which consists of low fat and high protein intake. She starts her day with a glass of lukewarm water having honey and lime juice. Sonam admits that she eats and drinks in moderation. She also does not hold back if she has a strong craving for a food item. While travelling, she feeds on apples, health bars and sandwiches. Sonam takes 5 to 6 small meals a day. The meals have low carbohydrate content and high protein content. w Deepika Padukone does not starve herself and much to everyone’s surprize is a big foodie. She starts her day with two egg whites and low fat milk. Her lunch is generally grilled fish or vegetables. She is known to avoid non-veg and other
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you lose your appetite! To me, it is more to do with losing your mind and sanity than losing appetite or weight. Achieving the desired weight does not necessarily mean blindly gagging yourselves with cotton balls or swallowing air! Bollywood Celebs who do have wiser eating habits and whose diet and fitness regime can be aped. Here are the routines of celebs like Sonam, Deepika or Shilpa Shetty which are worth following for healthy living! w Diet Routine of sensational celeb and Fitness guru Shilpa Shetty Kundra begins with amla or aloe vera juice in the morning. While renouncing white carbs, she inculcates brown carbs such as brown rice, brown pasta, brown sugar, brown bread etc. in her diet. Shilpa cooks wholesome foods such as salmon, turkey, veggies etc. in olive oil, which indeed is packed with nutrients. After having strenuous workout session, Shilpa consumes protein shake, eight black raisins, and two dates. She abides by discreet diet for six days and relishes one cheat day in a week to enjoy her
No goal is achievable overnight. A regimented diet coupled with a good fitness program consisting of exercises that work out the whole body is all you need to stay fit or lose weight. Take resolutions one by one, bit by bit. It is pretty much like ordering small portions even when the value size combo meals are far more tempting. The bottom line with all these changes is that you set small nutrition goals and think positive. Indulge in mindful eating and not mindless munching. Here’s a toast to your health!
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he is an upcoming sensation and already a show-stopper in several city based fashion shows…she is the buzzing talent! Meet Surbhi Singla, a Chandigarh-based professional model, who describes herself as a girl with dreams and having willpower to fulfill them. Here is a check on what she likes and who she is… Age-21 Star sign- Libra Favourite holiday destination: Goa. If you ask me where I would like to visit, the answer is London and Paris. Your style icon- Sonam Kapoor and Marilyn Monroe Your favourite outfit- Gowns- I have a prized black gown in my closet, which I love the most. I am crazy for street style clothing! Your Signature Style- I have no such signature style, I am an experimental person in terms of clothing, so I never stick to one style. Styles change so does my choice. A must have outfit for you- Lehnga. I am totally in love with lehngas. I have them maximum in my wardrobe and most of them are self-designed Where do you see yourself in next five years- Inspired from Cara Delevingne, “ The energy you give off is the energy you receive. I really think that so I am always myself- jumping,dancing,singing around, trying to cheer everybody”. I see myself as a good human being. A
polished person. I wish to live the life of an established model like Cara Delevingne. I also wish to work with credible NGO’s and work for poor and homeless children, senior citizens who are not accepted in society or family. I want to see a smile on their faces. Your recipe of perfecting bad hairRather than opting expensive chemical treatments, I prefer natural home remedies. Oiling and massaging is the best option. The right shampoo and a good conditioner can do the trick. Flawless style icon in India, and whyLate Rajmaata Gayatri Devi is a true fashion icon who went beyond the Rajputi pardaah tradition, but never parted roots with the Indian culture. She indeed taught the world how to age gracefully. She believed in simplicity. Neeta Ambani, is a fashion enthusiast, who originally belongs to a middle class family has set her social circuit on fire through her elegant transformation as a fashion-diva. Essentials that always stay in your bagMy makeup kit (a lotion, compact, lipcolour, kajal pencil,blusher), hand sanitizer, tissue paper, charger, cellphone, sunglasses, headphones, perfume and most importantly ‘ money’. Ethics or Ambition?- I would rather say both! Choosing a career in which you never leave your ethics is a perfect combination.
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cafe Remember the enchanting 1970’s lookalike sets of Ranbir Kapoor starrer ‘Bombay Velvet’? A live illustration is in town! This place draws inspiration from the period style cafés of ‘Bombay’, right from its vibrant décor to the food served. Enter Café Shosha- the first self-acclaimed retro themed café in tricity, where almost everything one finds is themed.
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ne gets an impression of being on the sets of some 70-80’s bollywood movie on entering,” says Surbhi, a customer enjoying her day out in the café. Coined from the hindi phrase ‘Show-ShaBaazi’ (meaning flaunting in style), Shosha has quickly risen in popularity charts.
The Interiors Shosha offers both indoor and outdoor sitting areas. Each corner of the indoor seating area is created with a vintage feel from lightings, furniture, the DJ booth with a gramophone to funky and vibrantly coloured “Priya scooters” of yesteryear crafted into which really gives you “the Goa feel”. chairs and tables. It is The string lights hanging a perfect place to get above and the white you a month’s worth coloured furniture Instagram and an further enhance the uber cool Facebook ambience of the Every inch of the indoor seating profile picture. place. area is created with a vintage feel The outdoor from lightings, furniture, the DJ booth dining area however Th e draws inspiration with a gramophone to funky and Food from the beach vibrantly coloured “Priya scooters” The menu too café’s of Goa , the of yesteryear crafted into is in sync with the similar taste of lighting theme. Attempt has chairs and tables. , furniture , photo-booth been made to bring the and props . It is a perfect place famous local cuisines of to chill under the sun of a cold Bombay and Goa to this part of winter morning or during the windy spring, the country. The kitchen is run and headed by
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a noted chef, who has a substantial experience in the renowned restaurants. The menu is all about fusion, presenting the famous and usual dishes with a nice quirky twist, like the tandoori dimsums- dimsum marinated and barbequed, the Goa style fish curry, Bombay style missal paav and Chinese sizzlers. The Final Word Shosha comes across as an exquisite place to hang out with friends, to make an impression on the first date, or you can even host lunches and kitty parties. It is quirky, entertaining, fascinating and most of all a unique place to go. So whenever you get time, do drop by one of the trending café’s of Chandigarh.
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he fashion world has embraced astrology to give it a powerful and lasting impact. This is evident from the fact that a horoscope section is a must have in nearly every fashion publication. With a few commonalities, this affair seems to be growing day by day, to an extent that attempt to predict the future and make references to the past is being made, through interpreting the beauty of symbols. Fashion today has an emotional tone to it. If we are looking for a guiding force, astrology definitely seems to be the best possible option. With all the sartorial options we have these days, the choice from a wide range of available options of seasonal changing trends, we definitely need somebody to save us from the shopping errors that we make. Somewhere we are looking for a guiding voice to say-‘Hey avoid buying that now, because Mars is in retrograde” or “Hey this is a good time to indulge in Greens, blues etc’. Everyone is unique and has their very own sense of style. Astrology could provide a ‘fashion menu’ for you according to your zodiac sign. Does it ever occur to you that from myriad colour options, why do we prefer certain colours over others? Why does our wardrobe contain clothes of one or maybe two particular colour families while ignoring the rest? Why do we end up wearing ‘few dresses’ most often? So what exactly influences our choices? There is a deep cosmic influence on our personal tastes. Our choices in clothes, accessories, shoes etc are substantially governed by our zodiac signs. It cannot be denied that the mysterious world of astrology still has a pull in our modern day society. It has been tested, that one can enhance one’s natural astrological energies through one’s clothing choices i.e. you could give an expression to your personal style
From intuitive personal shopping, to selecting colour in clothes for an important occasion, to zodiac themed festivities, fashion surely has a strong affair with astrology! Astrologer and noted vastu-expert Rishabh D. Singh explains how...
YOUR FASHION
ROSCOPE It has been tested and established that one can enhance one’s natural astrological energies through one’s clothing choices. You could give an expression to your personal style through the lens of your sun sign.
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through the lens of your sun sign. The key to stylist dressing is that, if you stop bothering about what others think, and dress according to your zodiac sign, then you can carry off any style effortlessly and accurately. It is predicted that the future of fashion astrology is going to get bigger and brighter. Astrology strives to work for you in every aspect of your life. Be it selecting important dates, or dressing up for an important appointment etc. All that you need to do is, go by what is designed for you and you are sure to hit the bull’s eye.
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Aries: (March 21 to April 20)
This period mostly signifies material and sensual comforts for you. Good period to meet new people. You are likely to indulge in clothes, perfumes and vehicles. Your health would need extra attention. Avoid activities that are physically risky. Your interest in art and music would increase. You may also expect some favour from higher authorities or the government.. You would have to be more attentive in your field of work as there is a chance that you might lose some money or property during this phase. Lucky days: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday. Lucky colour is blue.
Taurus: (April 21 to May21)
A period in which you have to take extra care while handling finances. If you are into trade be careful in your dealings.Travel is on the cards. Your health would need extra attention. For students this could prove to be very good period for you to succeed in your field of learning. You may expect a lot of happenings
wealth during this time. There will be financial security and relief from debts. You may also expect good times with the members of opposite sex. Socially a bright period is predicted. You are likely to concentrate on acquisition of material comforts, means of pleasure, Jewels and exotic accessories. This period also signifies the commencement of some spiritual constructive deeds at your home leading to even more happiness. Health would remain fine during this period.Beware of your enemies and consciously avoid creating new ones at this time. Try and maintain cordial relationships with your relatives and friends Lucky days-Wednesday and Monday Lucky colour is green.
require your attention. You may also consider doing some virtuous deeds. Travel would be on the cards.This could be a rewarding phase for you where you are likely to add on to your present financial earnings, gain profit in trade, agriculture and also spend happily on charity. This period may also see you investing in landed property or real estate and would help you repay your debts if any. Lucky days- Sunday Tuesday and Wednesday Lucky colour is orange.
Cancer: (June 22 to July22)
This is a favourable period. It denotes gains, promotions, progress and success in all your endeavours. You would expect gains from unexpected quarters as well. Your popularity increases and your reputation would also see an upward move during this period. Be
Horoscope for
August September 2016 on the personal front. If eligible you are likely to find your perfect match during this time. Some of you may also expect the arrival of a new member in the family. You may expect successful completion of your plans and you would be more devoted to your work or profession during this time. Your efforts would bear high rewards and you are also likely to get better opportunities and profits in trade and business. If you are interested in learning or are already a student, you may expect success in your field of learning as well. Financially this could prove to be a good time for you and your family. Lucky days-Friday and Wednesday Lucky colour is pink.
Gemini: (May 22 to June 21)
This is a suitable time for you to approach your boss or employer for any favours. Your position at work place will rise. You could expect profit in trade and attainment of
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aware of your enemies and avoid unnecessary discussions as it might lead to quarrels. You may have to be extra careful with your finances and try to avoid taking loans during this period.. Your health as well as the health of your spouse would demand extra attention as you both may become susceptible to various diseases during this time. You may also suffer from other hardships and mental anxiety. Avoid undertaking any journey during this period as you might incur some loss in it. Lucky days-Tuesday Friday and Monday Lucky colour is red.
Leo: (July23 to August21)
This period signifies the onset of a new wardrobe, denotes the bodily, material comfort and happiness. Financial gains are indicated in this period. Socially conducive period, you are likely to make new friends. You may also get a mentor to show you the spiritual path. You could see your desires fulfilled. Health would
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Virgo: (August22 to September23)
A period of mixed bag, you have to be extra careful to avoid unnecessary expenses and avoid making important decisions about finances. There could be a change in the work you do, lots of travel, which may turn out stressful. Relatives issue may come up and unexpectedly causing you some worries. You may consider acquiring land and property or a house as well. Health is expected to remain good. Avoid any kind of arguments with your seniors at work, as it might give you mental agony. Moreover, put extra effort to complete your projects successfully and on time. This period may also see you suffer from the wrath
Libra: (September 24 to October24)
Your social life will be hectic and will reach its zenith during this period. Financially this period is not favourable, all major investments and expenses should be
distance travels. Lucky days-Sunday Monday and Saturday Lucky colour is white.
Scorpio: (October24 to November22)
The period brings success in every aspect of life. You will find yourself overcoming obstacles easily and it’s a great time for successful problem solving. Your body will stay healthy and your mind will be free of too much stress and anxiety. Good chances for promotion and honour. Your health would require care and attention towards the end of this period as you are susceptible to health problems. Be cautious with your diet. Relationship with your partner and neighbours may be a bit strained at this time. An opportunity to go on pilgrimage may come your way.. During this time you may expect promotions at the workplace, gain in trade and even a position of higher authority in your professional life. This could also prove to be a socially good time for you, as your status in the society is likely to be heightened. Lucky days-Sunday Monday and Tuesday Lucky colours- yellow and red.
Sagittarius: (November23 to December22)
scrutinised carefully. Your financial strategies will have to be revisited and new contracts require plenty of spadework. Avoid getting involved in any kind of quarrel, as it is likely to be totally fruitless. Health needs to be taken care of as it may cause you discomfort. You may expect to gain physical comforts and overcome all your previous miseries towards the end of this period.The outflow of money is expected to be greater than the inflow. Above all, you may also find difficulty in trade and business, especially related to the automobile business. However, you are also likely to spend some money on auspicious occasions and on long
Issues related to children may become a matter of concern for you. Avoid discussing anything,as it is likely to cause disagreement between you and your child. Financially a good time, as you would be able to increase your funds. If employed you are also likely to get promoted during this time. Relationships are expected to go smoothly and you may expect intense and sensuous times with your beloved. You may see success in every aspect of life. Good time to complete any unfinished projects. Your mental and physical health will be excellent. Lucky days-Wednesdays Thursdays and Fridays. Lucky colour is Cream.
Capricorn: (December23 to Janaury 20)
It would be better to avoid any arguments with your seniors, mentors or well-wishers during this time. Your mind may have a hard time staying focused on constructive thoughts. Meditation can be a good remedy for staying focused at this time. This period denotes wealth and financial gain for you. You may expect profit in trade and business, a position of authority at your workplace, success in all your endeavours and favour from your superiors as well. This could prove to be a
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particularly good time for authors, publishers, professors and people related to the field of books. Socially also, this is a good time as you are likely to be honoured and your status would take an upwardly move. Your interest in religious activities would be at an all time high and you are likely to attend as many religious functions as possible. Lucky days- Wednesdays Friday and Saturday. Lucky colour is blue.
Aquarius: (January21 to February19)
This period brings a positive boost in your professional and personal life. You are likely to progress in your career. You feel energetic and enthusiastic, and will experience a heightened ability to overcome obstacles and overcome possible obstruction from adversities. Your heightened mental and physical fitness will come along with sound health and absence of diseases. Your siblings are also likely to enjoy good times. If eligible you may also consider marriage as this seems to be a good time to find the perfect match. Acquisition of material comfort could also become a priority for you during this period.. Health would require a lot of attention during this particular time, as you are likely to develop several ailments that might even risk your life. Moreover, you may feel exhausted and lackluster. Avoid unnecessary arguments and concentrate more on your field of work. Hold on tightly to your position and honour, as this period also signifies the loss of the same along with humiliation Lucky days are Mondays Tuesdays Thursdays and Fridays. Lucky colour is yellow.
Pisces: (February20 to March20)
This period denotes having a great time with your spouse and other family members. Financially a comfortable period and the prosperity of your family in general is expected to be on the upward move. Interest in art and music would increase. You are likely to acquire expensive attire and accessories including precious gems for yourself.You are likely to experience fulfilment of your desires and a comfortable home. Singles may consider tying the knot and couples may consider an addition in the family. If married, you are likely to enjoy heightened conjugal bliss with your partner during this time. Lucky days - Sundays Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lucky colour - rose.
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of the government, humiliation and loss of position at work. Hold on to your position and respect and do not put these into risk, at any cost Lucky days-Wednesday and Friday Lucky colours is green.
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actor
Kit-Kat Girl Ki
Vapsi She is a perfect blend of cultural fusion and is an epitome of style and beauty. Meet Chandigarh born actress Sameksha Singh, who won several awards for the Tamil movie Arinthum Ariyamalum, including the award for the best Debut Actress in Tamil industry.
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n electronic engineer otherwise, she made her debut in movies with Telugu film “143” directed by Telugu movie director, Puri Jaggannath. Her first film in Tamil was Arinthum Ariyamalum by Tamil film director Vishnu Vardhan won her appreciation. After making her debut in Tamil and Telugu movies she finished more than 15 movies in these languages and is now more than 20 movies old! Sameksha has done the city proud by bagging the Balraj Sahni National Award for her contribution to the cinema of Punjab. She appeared as a model for many print commercials for reputed brands like Kit-Kat, Monte Carlo, American Express
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Card, Amway, World Gold Council, Mother Dairy, Havell’s switch and T.V commercial’s like Johnson’s baby prickly heat powder, Hyundai Xing, Sunsilk, Metro tyres and Univercell mobile. Sameksha made her debut in small screen with the T.V soap “Zaara” where she played the lead role as Sonia Kapoor on Sahara One. Here is a dialogue with this shy yet generous actor! What kind of genre of films do you want to be associated with? Versatility is what I like. Realistic cinema is close to my heart. I would like to do films which explore real human emotions. I find them better than those with melodrama and usual appeals.
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Do you feel the pressure of performance and does popularity bug you? That is obvious. Certain amount of pressure to perform is healthy also. It must be there. It motivates an actor to grow. What is the best advice that you got from your family or friends? I think circumstances guide you better than anyone else. Life is a tough task master. It tests you first, and gives you lessons afterward. I have learnt not to get stuck in mistakes of past. Life is about ‘moving’ and the real essence lies in moving ahead despite the hardships. Where do you feel is the regional film industry heading? Even if an industry produce lesser
Sameksha has bagged the Balraj Sahni National Award for her contribution to the cinema of Punjab.
therefore there is immense scope to make a variety of movies. More actors (than singers) must be roped in to produce great movies. Who are your closest friends in the film industry? There are no specific people I can name. You work on a project, you make friends and move on to work with another set of people. Everyone gets busy in their lives. Share something about your forthcoming movies I am shooting for a Hindi film currently
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and it is realistic cinema. A Punjabi movie is about to release, titled ‘Vaapsi’. The shooting was done on real locations and it fulfilled my quest of doing realistic cinema. How active are you on social media? I am very bad at handling social media! I feel I must know people personally if they are on my facebook page or otherwise. I feel I can do better productive things than uploading my photos. I am not interested in finding small details related to what people are doing in their personal lives. How significant has been the role of your family in your career? From nothing to everything. They never wanted me to become an actor, so they never motivated me to go ahead in this field. But whatever I have done and whatever I think is because of them since they are responsible for making me the person that I am. Whom do you idolize? I am very easily influenced by people generally! Amitabh Bachhan is a super favorite and Priyanka Chopra works so hard, I really admire them. Your message to those who wish to take up acting as a career I wish to share that it is not easy. I was told that I look good. But that is not enough. Looks are only one aspect. One needs a lot of patience to survive in this industry. Some other educational talent must be there to strengthen the will-power. One must not enter this area for fame and money alone.
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This ‘girl-on-thetop’ appeared as a model for several print commercials for brands like Kit-Kat, Monte Carlo, American Express Card, Amway, World Gold Council, Mother Dairy, Havell’s switch and T.V commercial’s like Johnson’s baby prickly heat powder, Hyundai Xing, Sunsilk and Metro tyres, Univercell mobile.
number of movies, it is fine. The quality must be really good. Otherwise audience loses trust and because of bad movies they stop watching good films also. Movie makers must put in more money and make quality products. Similar movies and similar names have become paraphernalia. Punjabi culture is one of the richest and can give us some of the most amazing ideas for films. Several realistic stories can crop up from this region since it is close to border and for many other reasons. A variety of people are living in this region called Punjab and
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artist
Art Unbridled Known for creating imaginative masks and his timeless art work, he is a mask-master from Chandigarh. He speaks his mind through his art work. Meet ace artist Vinay Vadhera who talks about his work, inspiration and much more. Gurleen Kaur strikes a conversation‌
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Photo Credit: Aashish
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orn in 1958, Vinayhas established himself in the field of art and mask-making. He maintains that he was not a bornartist but destiny offered him a choice. He got transformed from an engineer to an artist. Describe your journey into the world of art I believe that I am still a student of art and will always be a student.Art is eternal and there is so much to learn in it always. I often took part in art competitions in school without knowing my flair for creativity. Later I took admission in Kurukshetra University for bachelors in technology degree since my father wanted me to become an engineer. My passion, however, was creativity and destiny changed my path. I took admission in Government College of Arts Chandigarh where I finally got a platform to enhance my skills.I did theatre alongside, which gave me some income and I began designing masks for which I received immense appreciation. In 1983, Punjab Lalit Kala Academy awarded me for the work done by combining painting and the expressions of masks. How do you define art? Art is a type of mediation which is all about feeling and expressing yourself so that the viewers also feel the same pain and emotion through your art. Art provides you an open sky which has no limits where you can fly as high as you can think of.
Mask making is a task of transforming the everyday expressions into creativity�, says well-known maskcreator and artist Vinay Vadhera. Does your personality reflect in your art work? My specialty of mask-making has deeply affected me.It has made me rational and contemplative towards the subtleties of life. With the practice of mask making, it has become easy for me to judge feelings,
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Art provides you an open sky with no limits where you can fly as high as you can think of.
ideas and expression of people around me. Mask-making is just a task of transforming the expression into creativity. What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your life as an artist? I would not call it challenge but I am definitely striving hard to work towards
situation of life despite all the hardships. What is your message for young generation? Get the best out of yourselvesand portray your ideas and views in any form you wish to. Never ignore your ethics and work hard to enhance your area of knowledge.
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Do all great artists live a lonely life? An artist’s life is lonely in itself just because they needs to work and compile various ideas, emotions, feelings together in one palate of art which he searches and understands in solitariness.
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upgrading myself with the latest and upcoming techniques to put my work on a different level. It must satisfy the needs of the new era. Whom do you idolize? I idolize my parents in my life. I have always got the support of my parents in every
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With the growing concern of ecological imbalance and the cancerous effects of cosmetics, the world now seems to be moving towards the alternative methods of fashion. Simrat Kaur acquaints us to the recent rage of Green fashion.
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GREEN!
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reen fashion is part of the larger trend of sustainable design, where a product is created and produced with consideration to the environment and social impact. Green fashion, also known as eco fashion and sustainable fashion, is designed to be environment friendly. The non- profit sustainable technology education project defines green fashion as “clothes that take into account the ecological balance, the health of the consumer and the working condition of the people in the fashion industry and also reduces the footprints of carbon”. Designers say that they are trying to incorporate these sustainable practices into modern clothing rather than producing other clothes. Due to the efforts taken, the sustainable /green fashion is typically more expensive than clothing produced by conventional methods. The eco-friendly materials used are: w Wool w Organic cotton w Soy silk w Inglo con fibre w Fortrel eco spun Buying clothes labled under the “Fair Trade Act” is sustainable on several levels because you can be sure that it was produced under safe working conditions and a person
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who made it earned a fair wage. While buying organic, renewable fibre is often the least toxic way to go. Finding timeless durable price can be just as green! Instead of wearing those trendy leggings for just one season, invest in classic shapes, chic silhouettes, and foolproof colors that you can flaunt for years to come. Stella Mc Cartney’s commitment to
From jewellery to minimalist silhouettes to lure, faux leather accessories, shopping has never been so guilt free.
totally green fashion and Clare Vivier’s environmentally friendly accessories are known to all. Here are seven gorgeous brands that refuse to sacrifice super-cool style for sustainability. From jewellery to minimalist silhouettes to lure, faux leather accessories,
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shopping has never been so guilt free. Here are some trend-setter brands that decided to go green and ecofriendly! w SVILU-relaxed bohemian vibe w KOWTOW- who favors minimalism and crisp fabric w FREEDOM OF ANIMALS- to look as faux leather w H&M- sustainable fabric, light and fast fashion brands w MINA + OLYA-rich and feminine aesthetic w A PEACE TREATY-stackable bangles, mother of pearl pendants or geometric earings w AMOUR VERT –for goop/ Gwyneth and breezy fashion chicks
UNUSUAL FLOORS
select the right
fLoor wooden floors for their bedrooms and executive suits,” adds a noted architect. Where to use which flooring? w Marble and Granite flooring- For heavy traffic area in the home or office, passages and outdoor areas w Wooden Floor- Bedrooms only Do not be misled by wooden flooring lookalikes The least expensive flooring option is laminate. It looks like wood, but it is really a printed paper that is affixed
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to a wood-chip base or high-density fiberboard, covered with a clear surface layer to absorb daily impact. Its issue is that it can’t be repaired or sanded when scratches or dings occur. Quick facts on wooden flooring! w A solid hardwood floor will provide decades of extraordinary beauty, durable service and flexibility. Remember, solid hardwood flooring can be refinished for changing tastes or excessive wear. It may initially cost a little more, but as trends evolve, it can too. w Hardwood floors are non-toxic and trap no allergens such as mold spores and dust. Simple maintenance – dust mopping, sweeping or vacuuming – will keep hardwood floors looking great and allergen-free. w Wooden flooring can be shifted easily, it can be used thrice or even four times (depending on the life and maintenance)! w Wood floors are excellent in summers (provide a cooling effect) and equally amazing in winters (gives a warm feel) w Wooden flooring falls under the category of soft flooring and is excellent for families with children and elderly persons w The effect of air-conditioner is better on w o o d e n flooring as compared to stone or tiles
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pot-on choice of flooring can make or mar the looks of your dream house. When it comes to flooring certain tutoring on what is suitable for what segment of your home goes a long way. Evolving from mud floors to cement, chips and eventually marble and Italian flooring, the Indian taste of flooring has undergone considerable change over the years. Understanding the concept of flooring is essential, opine experts. Wooden flooring, which was once pegged as a royal indulgence and was found mostly in palaces, elite clubs, five-star hotels and places of special importance, has now become affordable. “The richness that wooden floor lends makes it really exceptional. Wooden flooring is best suited for bedrooms. It was always looked upon as a royal possession but has now become within the reach of commoners too,” says Sunil Dewan, Senior Architect, Haryana Government. When it comes to wooden flooring manufacturing, the best in the trade are undoubtedly the manufactures in European companies. Among the top brands in this class includes Kronotex, a German brand, known for flawless and high quality wooden floors. “Most 7-star hotels ensure decorating the bedrooms with wooden flooring only. Top Indian hotel chains include the JW Marriot, The Taj, Oberoi’s choose
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SOCIETY
Bring
your own
Bag
An inspiration and example-setter for the city beautiful Chandigarh, an initiative by ‘I am Gurgaon’, Campaign BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) aims to reduce waste and encourage people to understand the issues relating to waste. Anjali Khatri, who calls herself not a social activist but ‘a responsible citizen’, writes about the initiative and how usage of plastic is creating a terrible ecological imbalance.
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“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” -Robert Swann
pledge
Most of us are not even aware of the fact that these PP bags, authorized by our own government as a substitute to plastic bags are non-woven bags which look like fabric or jute but are as harmful as plastic. They disintegrate into small pieces, get into water and soil hence polluting both.
people turned up carrying their own cloth/ jute bags or the same bags we had given. Kids and sometimes, even adults love to pose with our mascot GAPU (Gurgaon Anti plastic and you ). To give them a boost, the team clicks “hero shoppers” and posts their photographs on the website and face book page to inspire more people to believe in BYOB concept. Such is the positive momentum that
Stores like Spencer’s and Mother Dairy have initiated a no-plastic campaign. Reliance has completely stopped giving bags. A store called MORE charges for the jute bag they give. When two major grocery stores in Gurgaon began supporting the no-plastic drive, it gave the team more confidence.
their respective shops. Feedback was taken from both shoppers and shop owners and both were asked for solutions. (Mind you, plastic is banned in Gurgaon since 2010 but only on papers!). Several options were explored. Shops can start renting bags to shoppers or give away biodegradable cloth bags or start charging for these bags just like stores like Spencer’s and Mother diary have initiated. Reliance has completely stopped giving bags. A store called MORE charges for the jute bag they give. The key purpose of the campaign is to urge customers to reuse and reduce the wastage. It is not that difficult! Stop accepting any plastic/ PP bags for home delivery. They all add up to roadside trash. We will be completing a month at Arjun Marg market on 29th February, 2016. There was lot of struggle initially. Till the time we were giving away free bags, people were receptive. But the moment we started selling it at a minimal amount, they began to avoid us thinking we were there for our own personal interest or to sell something. There were moments when the team felt they had lost the battle and felt like giving up but then a new ray of hope creeped in when substantial number of
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many residential condominiums have approached I am Gurgaon to launch a similar campaign there. Many want their entire complex to go plastic- bag free. A major break-through was achieved when two major departmental and grocery stores in the area started discouraging customers to take PP bags. They are either charging or giving away discounts on bringing a cloth bag. As a result, other shop-owners are planning to join them to go “plastic free”. To leave a better world for the coming generations, let us enforce a change and make a pledge to shun plastic and carry our own bags.
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ow many of us have ever realized or remembered to carry bags with us before leaving our home or work place for shopping? Every time we go out for planned, unplanned or impulsive shopping, we bring along so many bags of all sorts -plastic, paper, cloth and polypropylene given away by shops or restaurants. Out of these, the plastic and the polypropylene (PP) bags are the worst. Most of us are not even aware of the fact that these PP bags, authorized by our own government as a substitute to plastic bags are non woven bags which look like fabric or jute but are as harmful as plastic. They disintegrate into small pieces, get into water and soil hence polluting both. The repercussions of this menace called ‘plastic’ are known well. Still we see plastic packaging industries are flourishing all around us with vengeance. Practically, we cannot change all that! What we can change is our mindset. Let us stop passing the buck and think how we can make a difference. I am Gurgaon fabricated a plan to deal with the menace. On 1st February in 2016, a campaign called “Bring your own bag”(BYOB) was launched at shopping mall , Arjun Marg Gurgaon aiming to help reducing waste of the number of bags we carry daily from outside by encouraging people to understand the threats of wastage related to our environment. To make the campaign effective, a mascot ‘GAPU’ (Gurgaon Anti- Plastic and You) was created. After the campaign got funded by a corporate called SudChemi for its CSR project, it was then decided to park ourselves in one market area for minimum period of a month. Besides the core team of IAG, the active volunteers and school students were involved to educate the shop owners as well as the shoppers about the harms of using plastic or polypropylene bags on daily basis. In the first two weeks, the team distributed free cloth bags and urged shoppers to swap their PP bags with our cloth bags which they happily did. They were also made to sign a pledge that they will bring their own bags next time they come for shopping. Swapped PP bags were returned to
In the very first two weeks, free cloth bags were distributed and shoppers were urged to swap their plastic bags with cloth bags offered by volunteers, which they happily did. Shoppers were also made to sign a pledge that they would bring their own bags next time they came for shopping.
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Architecture
decades of designing Architecture entails everything from planning of the appropriate space with interplay of light and shadow to designing the ambience of the place which aptly reflects functional, technical, social, environmental and aesthetic considerations to the creative manipulation and coordination of materials and technology. Living and breathing architecture from twenty six years now, the famous architect Aradhana Gakhar has worked extensively in this field further pioneering ground-breaking innovations through her exemplary projects adopting “sustainable building technologies and infrastructure systems�.
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26 years and 100 plus projects, how has the journey been so far? The journey has certainly been a very adventurous and exciting one, but not without its share of struggles and challenges. It has been about ‘building knowledge’ where on one hand knowledge highlights the technicalities of buildings and context-appropriateness while on other hand, building as a verb implies that each architectural project is the opportunity for growth. devoted eight years of education in this line which has helped me to learn and master the advanced technicalities from the experts in the field.
Tell us about your academic achievements in this realm. I have simultaneously done my diploma in interiors along with two years of fashion designing. Immediately after doing that, I did my degree in architecture. I have
What are your hobbies besides it? I am a creative person, so I like to keep myself busy all the time. I love to create Photo Credit: aashish
Are your children interested in it? If yes, how has it helped you to grow? Yes, my daughter Aashna Gakhar is also pursuing bachelors in architecture from PEC University of Technology. We are always sketching and planning in a different concept and different manner. Due to the advancement in technology and revolutionised capability of visualising, things have transformed and become easier. She often tells me, “Mumma, do some smart work!” At times, I tell her “No! Go the traditional way! Sketch this, visualise it.” I listen to her and she listens to me. We are perfect blend of traditional and modern. So, Yeah teamwork and collective efforts make it all the more fun and productive for both of us. For youngsters wanting to follow your path, what would you advise to counter the challenges that come in the way? Architecture is never an easy work and if one cannot counter challenges, then one is likely to fail in creating something new and relevant in the current context. I would advice to work hard by expanding the visualising power and trusting your instincts. Keep up the right work by maintaining proper balance between hard toils and smart efforts. (Interviewed by Bhanupriya Kaushal)
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Me and my daughter are like a team with perfect blend of traditional and modern.
Which have been your favourite and the most appreciated projects? I always believe that the best is yet to come. Whatever I do, I try to put in my best. However Governor House, Golf Course Club House, P.P Jewellers, Patiala Royal Couture and Pavitra Jewellers are some of my favourite projects that gathered huge amount of praise. Recently, I have been enthusiastically working on the Sector-8 Gurudwara in Chandigarh that is altogether a different concept. I hope it turns out well!
paintings, many of which adorn my home. I love doing embroidery work as well.
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the EF word About the column
Winning and Losing
F
This distinctive column by an ace image consultant, Atika Dhandia, is all about Fitness, Food, Fashion, Films, Friends and Freedom (Freedom from your mind).. So what if they all begin with an ‘F’!
(Weight!)
I
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n this eon, everybody is mindful about the way they look and a common religion is ‘feeling good and looking good’ amidst this hullabaloo of shedding kilos. But what goes a miss is the real thing- which is YOU! I beg to disagree when it comes to only losing weight. Let me drive you through an insight into your ‘Mind and Body Temple’. Imagine your body as a car! If you are not eating right or not exercising, you are bound to put on weight and a simple repercussion would be thiscar moving in the reverse direction. The car is in neutral, but if you put in little time and start eating right and exercise just enough as per your body needs, you will kick start yourself into a smooth drive. For this, age is no bar! So gear up to get into the driver’s seat. I give you the ‘3-S approach’. The three areas where you need to put in effort to get best results are- SELF, SCIENCE and SWEAT! The SELF section is about outlining some psychological and emotional aspects of losing weight and starting to live a healthy life. The SCIENCE is about the tools you need to know- the best foodsfor your unique body and your unique goals. The SWEAT is about some basic fundamental rules about your muscular system so that you can design your own fitness program that suits your mental attitude and persona ‘SELF’ is a crucial aspect of any health and fitness program which often gets overlooked. It is not just about calories and ab-crunches,but it is primarily about changing your thoughts and feelings about your own self as well as your body. This serves as a strong springboard from which to take a leap into a new and better life. In our day to day lives, we are bombarded with images of perfection and beauty all the time. We license the media (and the world
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itness ood ashion ilms riends reedom
at large) to dictate how we feel. J-Lo’stoosh, Gwenth’s arms, Brad pitts’s rock hard abs, without realizing and calculating the hours of hair and makeup art gone into getting those perfect photographs we admire, the photo-shop tools and air brushing that goes into creating the perfect dream-like person we see on posters. Unrealistic aspirations and an attempt to copy these superstars lead us nowhere. It infact leaves us with a poor selfimage, more self-loathing and disorders such as anorexia and bulimia! The fastest way to be at your most healthy weight point is to first start accepting and loving your body the way it is – remember and be grateful that atleast you have one !!! Work with it rather than against it. A friend
word
The fastest way to be at your most healthy weight point is to first start accepting and loving your body the way it is – remember and be grateful that atleast you have one !!! Work with it rather than against it. Set up short term goals which are easier to achieve. These goals must give you a sense of victory. Keep rewarding yourself on the way. Keep looking for people and events that will inspire you to keep going on towards achieving healthy body!
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of mine mentioned some precious words to me- “What if I am short and stocky? What if I have cellulite on my butt? Atleast I am a real flesh and blood woman,healthy and strong and in the best shape of my life! I accept the reality of my body… I have let go of the unrealistic notion of having a petite, slender frame and for the first time realized that I could look attractive and regal despite everything. That is a real victory for me.” Beware! Observe where the negative feelings are coming from. It is either an instigation from the media or simply the judgements of family and friends or perhaps a bad relationship. Begin to let go of it. Forget perfect, perfect is boring! Embrace your perceived imperfections. They make you unique – and start loving who you are – this is the only way to move forward.