ICE Today, February 2016 by ICE Media Ltd.

editorial The Magazine That Reads You Closely Vol 13 No 02

February 2016

Publisher Abul Khair Chairman, Editorial Board Syed Shamsul Haq Director, International Publications Zeenat Chowdhury Executive Director Nawshin Khair Managing Editor Tawhidur Rashid Fashion Editor Goutom Saha Deputy Editor Tanuva Aumia Khundkar Assistant Editor Natasha Rahman Sub-Editor Rubab Nayeem Khan Staff Writer Aidha Cader Senior Designer

Florencia Tonoli at Project Fashionscape

(In charge of Graphics and Layout)

This time around we’ve greeted a belated winter. Layer after layer, we pull out the mittens and the blankets from the depths of our closets. Every winter brings a secret longing for the spring sun. We however, long to blow the dust off the paperbacks and smell the musty pages of a beloved novel. Books open up to us worlds we long to be a part of; see lives we cannot touch but sense; experience pain we don’t suffer from but can fathom; and joys we can’t see but feel. It lets us navigate into unfamiliar territories and make those our own. Our cover story looks into the trends of reading and where we have come so far in terms of our reading culture (p.78, Cover Focus). Since February is cupid’s prime target, we have put together a selection of goodies for Valentines’ Day (p.96, Valentines’ Gift Guide) to celebrate love to the fullest.

Sift through our fashion portfolio for fabulous collections from Ecstasy, Tenzing Chakma, Rang and Urban Truth to add a bit of quirk and colour to your spring wardrobe. With each issue, we hope to reach greater heights in the ever-growing world of fashion and lifestyle. After successfully completing our second episode of Project Fashionscape with Florencia Tonoli, fashion category manager of Daraz Asia and Maheen Khan, President of Fashion Design Council of Bangladesh, sharing their views on the rise of e-commerce and fashion, we are gradually creating a platform which will be loved. The spring issue has indeed taken a life of its own and we hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as we have enjoyed stitching it together. Happy reading!

e-mail: icetoday@gmail.com editor@icetoday.net facebook.com/ice.today www.icetoday.net Published by Abul Khair on behalf of ICE Media Limited. Printed at M.K. Printers189/1,Tejgaon I/A,Dhaka-1208 Editorial and Commercial office: Road 23/A, House 4, Block B, Banani, Dhaka, Bangladesh . Advertising, Sales and Distribution: 01711339587, 01819412035, 01684570791. Tel: +8809666773313

Jason Sabbir Dhali Designer Md. Mainul Islam Head of Marketing Lucky Begum Assistant Manager, Marketing Farah Tani Finance and Accounts Md. Abdul Alim Sales and Distribution Md. Manik Mollah

On the cover

Model: Tisha Wardrobe and accesorries: Urban Truth Makeup and Hair: Farzana Shakil’s Photography: Riyad Ashraf

Model: Tisha, Wardrobe and accesorries: Urban Truth Makeup and Hair: Farzana Shakilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Photography: Riyad Ashraf

CONTENTS

P.45 Fashion Portfolio Check out the ethnic, urban and traditional outfits from some of the finest clothing lines in the city

February 2016

38 CONTENTS

P. 14 Far from the madding crowd

Unimart introduces Indulge Treat Street

P. 16 In her zone

Designer Asma Sultana dazzles us with her clothing line Zoan Ash

P. 18 Entertainment

A tribute to pop culture legends and our guide to reigning TV shows

P. 20 Eurasian Euphoria

Meraki is winning hearts with their amazing spread

P. 22 Leave the baby behind

A column on rekindling love even after becoming parents

P. 24 Elegant Urbanities

Decor Idee’ is the one stop shop which makes your house a home

P. 26 Of Paradise and Poetry

Reviewing two books of Bengal Publication

P. 28 To speak or not to speak

Aidha Cader’s column on freedom of expression

P.32 Fashion Portfolio 1: Gypsy Heart

Checks, plaid and prints make up Tenzing Chakma’s new collection

P. 38 Spring Fling

Sink into spring with classy looks by Farzana Shakil

P. 45 Fashion Portfolio 2: Like a Boss

Shades and jewelleries galore- Urban Truth’s bling is on point

February 2016

P.74

CONTENTS

P. 50 Spring Splurges

Fantastic deshi deals tucked away in the corners of the city

P. 52 Fashion Portfolio 3: Girls’ Night Out

Ecstasy amps up the shine in their brand new threads

P. 58 Small Wonders

Steal the spotlight with La Mode’s shoes and bags

P. 60 Fashion Portfolio 4: Blend of Colours

Check out the bold and bright ensembles from Bishwa Rang

P. 66 Dynamic Duo

A jovial chat with internationally acclaimed designers Nadia Khan and Sabrina Rashid

P. 70 Sky is the Limit

In conversation with the initiators of Space Apartments

P. 74 Rooting for Lalon

Shapla Salique’s powerful voice resonating across the seas

P. 78 Book Special

Looking into the trends of reading

P. 84 Ride the Radio Wave

Off air chats with three of the best RJs from popular FM stations

#Better You P. 90 Ease in

Bring an end to the battle between healthy and junk food

P. 94 Money Penny

It’s time to cut back on the spending and go big on saving

P. 96 Valentines’ Gift Guide

A selection of handpicked goodies for your special one

P. 102 Chef’s Recommendations

Mouth-watering finger foods presented by some of the finest chefs in the city

Les Hommes

P. 110 6 things we learnt from Munem Wasif

Photographer Munem Wasif tells us how his passion came to play

P. 112 A stitch in time

That one staple which completes a man’s wardrobe

P. 116 Events

News and reviews of local events

Buzz ICE Today

Located in the heart of Unimart is a heavenly bakery Indulge, and Fatima Faheem can’t stop raving about it!

A reel of the latest lifestyle updates

Far from the madding crowd

Photographs by Kazi Mukul

stroll through Indulge feels like a walk through a busy street brimming with food stalls, a telephone box and street lamps creating a charming European street-cafe visual. Indulge’s Treat Street is as cute as a button and will entice you to take more than just a peak. Designed with a clear attention to detail, the colour block walls and retro seating arrangements sets the mood for some soulful conversations and hearty meals. Investing time and thought to develop names for their various food stalls their menu includes soul soothing coffee drinks, fresh fruits and comfort salads making for plenty of unperturbed lounging time alone or with close friends. Longing a cozy brunch with few friends? The Tehari Potter will send you in bouts of

Harry Potter nostalgia days as you dig into their sinful plate of tehari. The Deshi Breakfast option including parathas, nihari, vegetables and tea and is popular among office goers. To satisfy your sweet tooth, the cheesecake and freshly baked pastries from For Heaven’s Cake should do the trick. An open kitchen allows you to peak into what goes on behind the counter which ensures no compromising with food quality. Their speciality though is the Sandwich bar and the Salad bar. Indulge plans on creating a space for the little ones with a toy zone and a bookstore for readers who want some alone time with a glass of smoothie from Holy Smoothies or aromatic pastas from The Impasta. A complete change of scenario from the regular cafe, Indulge surely knows how to make a lasting impression.

Rubab Nayeem Khan reels in as designer Asma Sultana divulges her vision on fashion

n one her

Designer’s Diary

“I'm working with chantilly lace and velvet fabrics. I'm also working with sequins, so one can expect such items in the near future”

“Out with the old and in with the new”- the saying certainly reflects in Asma Sultana’s collection. Having launched her clothing line Zoan Ash by Sultana A for almost six months now, Sultana shares her insight in fashion and what inspired her to begin her journey in this industry. “I was intrigued by the uniqueness of these

Photograph by Choudhury Safwat Gani

dresses. I think that the fashion capital Paris really inspired this collection. The style there was glamorous and uncommon,” mentions Sultana. When it comes to fashion, her weakness lies in the simplicity of sequins and handmade clothes. Despite having stepped into the fashion market quite recently, Sultana has high hopes for Zoan Ash. She says, “The type of clothing that Zoan Ash caters has a distinguished expression. The designs are contemporary and exquisitely crafted in order to meet the requirements of its clients.” A passionate designer, Sultana stresses on her need for consistency in her fashion brand. “I'm only focusing on one type of clothing right now.

The reason behind not doing casual or readymade outfits is because I have been doing so for the past eighteen years. Zoan Ash however, focuses on made to measure dresses for specific occasions,” elaborates Sultana. Having said that, she also states that most of her designs are made of sequins and embellishments which is considered a signature for the brand. According to Sultana, 2016 looks promising for Zoan Ash. She’s ready to dive right in and make her mark in the fashion platform. “I'm working with chantilly lace and velvet fabrics. I'm also working with sequins, so one can expect such items in the near future,” concludes Sultana.

The

Culture Vulture

mmortals by Irad Mustafa

any parallels can be drawn between the recently departed anomalous David Bowie and the elegant Alan Rickman. Both of these Brits were colossal figures, some would even call them heroes, in their respective industries. Both have been mesmerising audiences with the unique representations of the characters they brought to life on screen and on stage. Both succumbed to cancer this January at the age of 69. However, whether as the vibrant Ziggy Stardust or the brooding Severus Snape, both of them have made lifelong impressions in the hearts and minds of their fans.

Bowie used his music and lyrics to turn himself into something wonderful, contradictory and quixotic. He was an alien beacon of hope to which the alienated flocked to identify, thanks to characters like The Thin White Duke, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane. He also showed us time and time again, through his various albums and characters, how one reinvents himself to still stay relevant even when he’s in his sixties. His relentless revamping of his own image and music clearly showed his need to always move forward to see what was next, ceaselessly leaving the spaces he occupied and the sounds he’d mastered for what was new. Alan Rickman turned his baritone; languid voice into his own calling card, making even the most casual dialogues sound thought-out and commanding. Hans Gruber from Die Hard was the first of four memorable villains played by Rickman after which came an outrageous Sheriff of Nottingham in 1991’s ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,’ as well as a eerie ‘Rasputin’ in the 1995 HBO film. However, to the younger generation he will always be

remembered for his masterful portrayal of Severus Snape, the infamous potions master with an anguished past, hell-bent on making Harry Potter’s life miserable. He could also take on romantic leads, as in Anthony Minghella's 1991 ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ and later turned his hand to directing. Britain and the world lost two great artists this January. Both of whom, through different mediums conquered visual as well as sonic landscapes, leaving impressions which won’t fade any time soon. They may now rest in peace knowing they have immortalised themselves through the work they have left behind.

Four Shows You Should Be Netflexting

House of Cards- A political thriller that is very brutal in its portrayal of the controversy that mirrors politics and a marriage.

Orange is the New BlackA comedy that breaks all bars, the witty humour will create a cell that will keep you confined in your own fortress of solitude.

Narcos- The true story of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, the sex, drugs and crime are as addicting as his cocaine exploits.

Daredevil- Charlie Cox is a lawyer by day and vigilante by night, despite his lack of vision, his desire for a utopian society is clear.

Character Certificate by Ashfaque Zaman

Dev Shah of ‘Master of None’ A struggling actor who effortlessly leaves you chuckling for days. Shah finds the humour in every situation with a dark twist. His blunt outtake on everything from parenting to relationships is truly refreshing.

Rodrigo De Souza from ‘Mozart in the Jungle’ Souza is the unconventional maestro of the most prestigious New York Philharmonic. He proves that a melody can be played in any tune, as long as one stays true to their individuality and commits to their passion. Meredith Grey from ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ We’ve watched her as the confused resident, the other woman, the dutiful wife and the mother. This season our favourite surgeon becomes a widow and handles a new chapter in her life.

Annalise Keating from ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ Keating works under the justice system but we are enthralled by her ability to break the boundaries of morality to win her case or mould things to her convenience. She does not hold the balance of liberty but creates it.

Kelsey Peters from ‘Younger’ Your social circle can shape your character, and Peters is the best friend that everyone needs. Her ambition, honesty and protective nature are exactly what every young adult needs, when venturing out into the shark infested waters of the corporate world.

Eurasian Euphoria A Eurasian restaurant, which is a first of its kind in Dhaka, Meraki started its journey on 4 January 2016. Meraki amalgamates food and nature to give a truly gratifying experience. As evening falls, their little garden is lit up with fairy lights and further into the plush spaces of the indoor restaurant, Meraki is a tranquil haven of sorts. Having been trained in London, the chefs bring the best of the 20

Eurasian flavours to the table. The employees too are well experienced in multi restaurants of various countries including Dubai. Boasting a menu of exciting starters such as the Japanese Prawn and Teriyaki Beef Skewers, they have remained true to their cuisine. The menu also includes the Moroccan Tagine Chicken, the Prime Rib and the Mongolian Beef for a full-bellied meal. The honourable Minister of Housing and Public Works, Engineer Mosharraf Hossain MP inaugurated the restaurant as Chief Guest. Yasmin Sultana, Chairperson of Meraki and Sumona Alam, Managing Director

of Meraki along with different distinguished personalities of the country were present at the inauguration ceremony. A barbeque menu was set out for the guests which included Chicken Satay, Grilled Seafood, and Lamb Chops amongst other grilled items. For a taste that has transcended continents to come to Bangladesh, Meraki brings the charm of a garden setting, a specialised menu and unique interiors to Dhaka. Meraki is situated at 188 Gulshan Avenue Gulshan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2, Dhaka Contact +8801973268268

Tender Loving Care

Can’t remember the last time you and your partner had a romantic dinner, since you’ve had a child? It’s time you rekindled that spark between you and your beau. Natasha Sabrin Khan divulges more

Leave the

Baby Behind

If you are more inclined towards the spiritual and religious aspects of life, then pray together. Read a religious book and have a discussion, share thoughts and ponder together

To get that ‘happily ever after,’ you need to make sure the romance and intimacy with your spouse does not fade away. Also, you’re ensuring a healthier environment for your child to grow up in. Don’t forget that even though you are a parent, you still are the better half of your spouse. If you have supportive parents or in laws - who are happy to babysit for a while, it’s easier for you than most couples to leave the child behind and spend some quality time together. Dinner, movie or a double date with your friends - what you do is not as important as the fact that you focus on having a good time together. If both of you are sporty, try going on a jog together for half an hour. Maybe play a game of FIFA on the PS4 after the baby turns in for the night. “When I return home after a long tiring day at work and my wife too is exhausted, a twenty minute

FIFA match after the baby is put to sleep is a time for bonding between us,” says Shumon, a thirty year old father. If you are more inclined towards the spiritual and religious aspects of life, then pray together. Read a religious book and have a discussion, share thoughts and ponder together. You don’t really need to go out of your way to share quality time. If arranging a babysitter is particularly tough, then opt for putting the baby to sleep early and arrange for a candle-lit dinner in your own dining room. Grab a DVD and some micro-waved popcorn and snuggle in for a movie. Go to your balcony and slow dance without any music under the moon. The choices are aplenty. Pick out the best and go for it! Again, what you do is not very important; what matters is that you celebrate togetherness – baby aside!

Décor Nahid Tabassum picks out bits and pieces from Décor Idée to spruce up your interior

Photographs by Sakib Muhtasim

legant

rbanities

Nothing adds more spark to our lives than the hues we live among. Picking colours for the cozy corners depends on the mood.

Décor Idée is a popular name in the industry of top notch interior décor. For twelve years and counting the business is spearheaded by interior and furniture designer Towhida Hoque. Taking pride in showcasing her export quality handicrafts, her work fuses extravagance with ethnicity. “It was a million dollar idea that geared Décor Idée,” the owner claimed proudly.

A Stylist Start-up When starting fresh for instance, remember nothing suits your abode better than bright decorative pieces. This works as a charm for visitors. “Lamp shades and enhancing bits are a must for those who appreciate the abstract. If you add an artsy corner, it gives some panache to your domain,” the interior expert divulged. Making Room for Two If you’re starting from scratch and you have budget constraints, a balance between utility and embellishment is advised. “Storage compartments and bins are a good place to start,”

she emphasised. Keeping that in mind, artistic furniture made from sea grass should fit the bill perfectly. Their earthy and minimalistic nature is simple and occupy less space. Shades of Living Nothing adds more spark to our lives than the hues we live among. Picking colours for the cozy corners depends on the mood. “Cool and soothing colours can ease up the stress for couples,” Towhida suggested. The endless options at Décor Idée; bedspreads, pillowcases and curtains offer the freedom to pick colours that illustrate their drift of thoughts.

Bookworm

By Rumana Fouzia Choudhury

Paradise and Poetry

This Old World World English Poetry Selected & Edited by Sudeep Sen 320 Pages, Tk 500 Bengal Publications Ltd. In a bright pink jacket, the World English Poetry anthology is a cocktail party of eighty-three world-renowned poets, including Amit Chaudhuri, Kaiser Haq and Vikram Seth. A staggering collection of over 200 poems, which one can read out loud to oneself in solitude, or quietly (or not) when in company. This book offers a multitude of multicultural conversations. As Sudeep Sen, a celebrated modern poet himself says in the preface, “The poems are intellectually stringent, beautifully chiselled, many wonderfully oral, and pitch-perfect. They engage with history, politics, society, science, and emotions of love, loss, grief and more—poems that are public and private, universal and personal. The language is simultaneously measured, formal, understated, raucous, and forceful, but always with a lyric quality of fine tonal cadence and carefully calibrated register.” If you want to take a break from the virtual world, these poets’ play with language is bound to delight.

By Zeeshan Khan 191 Pages, Tk 2000 Bengal Publications Ltd. There is no frigate like a book, and This Old World is for all of us who long for adventure and wish to travel to far-off lands. Zeeshan Khan’s marvellous scrapbook features his expeditions all the way from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan to Iran, Georgia, Greece, Italy and Spain. It consists of solid frames of ancient monuments juxtaposed with candid shots of locals and contemporary graffiti which may soon become curiosities for generations to come. Dedicated to his late brother who taught the author “to live with courage and passion,” Khan also credits his parents, who were keen on travelling

themselves and instilled in him wanderlust and a love for learning about different cultures. He says, “My eccentric extended family is also to blame for my bend of mind. The various relatives whose wide-eyed enthusiasm and ability to wring every drop of adventure from life - be it diving from London to Pakistan, cycling from Dhaka to Tangail or diving into the Thames to save a drowning person-influenced me tremendously during my childhood.” An inspiration for budding voyageurs, or self-appointed students of history, culture and architecture, this book is required reading.

Culture Vulture

To express or not to express

Photos: Internet

s we celebrate International Mother Language day, we also take time to ponder on the startling growth of communication. It is shaping our world and communities with fresh ideas as well as controversial ones, like never before.

Staying within the fringes of mainstream cultures, Aidha Cader, ICE Today’s culture connoisseur has inculcated an appreciation for food, history, travel and art beyond her comfort zone

In today’s social media savvy world where everything is digitised, everyone feels empowered to express their views. Be it an anonymous blog or comments on Twitter or status updates on Facebook, people across the world are texting, typing or sharing images of what they had for dinner and adding the latest emoji’s to spice up their content. Undoubtedly our power to communicate has reached a wider audience than ever before. In this new world writing is no longer for the educated crème de la crème, it’s for the masses. However, the fine boundaries of what is acceptable, what is mainstream, what is marginalised, what is provocative or what is hate speech, seems to be blurry in this overall concept of freedom of expression. The racist and Islamophobic comments by the US Republican Party presidential candidate Donald Trump or the ‘Draw

Muhammad art Contest’ in Texas organised by Pamela Geller are clear examples of indignation, for instance. Also, these aren’t isolated incidents of ‘hate speech,’ since it’s happening across the world against many ethnic and religious minorities. Consequently, after a year, French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo was back in the news again and this time for a cartoon that according to critics, pushes its provocative brand of humour too far. The publication sparked outrage as the cartoon depicts the three year old Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi, whose death last year triggered a global wave of sympathy for migrants, growing up to become a molester; the kind blamed for the recent wave of mob sexual assaults in Cologne, Germany. The cartoon was immediately condemned on social media, with many labelling it as both offensive and racist. Many questioned whether people, around the world who tweeted #JeSuisCharlie in solidarity after the January 2015 attacks, would feel the same way in light of the recent cartoon. The best response came from Queen

The one war we love

Rania of Jordan, who not only publicly criticised the satirical magazine but mirrored the premise of the Charlie Hebdo cartoon in a more positive manner. Teaming up with Jordanian cartoonist Osama Hajjaj another cartoon was made depicting Alan as a doctor and a successful member of the society. Rania and Osama’s work were later produced in English, French and Arabic. It read, “What would little Aylan have grown up to be?” "Aylan could've been a doctor, a teacher, a loving parent.” While there is no question that certain images, articles, blogs and speech is aimed towards ridiculing a particular religion, race or ethnicity, however offensive they may be to the masses, many would stand firm by it as it qualifies under the banner ‘freedom of expression.’ This is a vital component in a thriving democracy, which strongly advocates the concept of not regulating ideas but promotes a ‘free market’ of thoughts. ‘Citizens are sellers and buyers’ and better ideas will eventually win out over the bad. This highlights the difficulty in balancing an individual's right to voicing their own opinion while protecting community interests and deterring hate crimes, at

the same time. The balancing act between freedom of expression and hate speech tends to differ across countries and cultures. Questioning a set of beliefs, customs and rituals does not amount to hate speech. In retrospect, inciting violence or acts of discrimination based on ones race, religion or ethnicity constitutes as hate speech. In India, our neighbouring country, the constitution protects communities against hate speech based on religion, race, place of birth, caste and so forth. The law permits victims to seek legal action against the perpetrators. However, this should not be so, as communities have greater access to finding ways to understand and respect differences, which ultimately is a vital component towards being progressive and culturally confident. Freedom of speech, three words that get thrown around and written about so often that what the expression means is more about misinformation than truth. Yet the best way to combat hate speech is to use the very tools to combat these ideas as seen in Queen Rania’s take on Charlie Hebdo. With every right comes responsibility and therein lies the keys to articulate a more equittable platform.

The royal baby

Sealing the deal

Gypsy Hearts Checks and plaid play well with bold colours. Tweak up your monochromes with a hint of print and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all set. Models from back (L-R) Imran, Hrittika, Sun From front (L-R) Judy, Doyel, Chaity Overleaf, from back (L-R) Emdadul, Achol From front (L-R) Inaya, Ayaz Wardrobe and accesorries: Sozpodor by Tenzing Chakma Styling: Tenzing Chakma and assistance by Deedhiti Chakma Makeup and Hair: Farzana Shakilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Photography: Riyad Ashraf

Spring Fling

Makeover

Inspired from make-up and hairstyles that walked international runways Farzana Shakil and Aidha Cader gives you the trend guide for the season

Flower Power Lips: Pink lipstick with a touch of gloss. Hair: Using large curlers, the hair in curled to create waves. Hair on the left side is pulled away and secured with pins. Small flowers are attached along the side.

Cheeks: Pink blusher is blended across the cheek bones.

Models: Oshin and Indrani Photographer: Choudhury Safwat Gani Product Pictures: Internet

Eyes: Neutral tone eye shadow is applied across the lids. Black eyeliner is drawn along the lash lines extending outwards to create a cross winged look. White eye liner is applied across the lower lash line. Mascara is applied to lashes.

Eyes: Base tone eye shadow is applied across the lids. Black eyeliner is used to define the crease line extending it outwards. Eyeliner is also used along the lower lash line, followed by a coating of mascara.

Cheeks: Brown blusher is blended across the cheeks.

Lips: Gold lipstick on pout.

Hair: Using curling tongs, spirals are created. Wear a wreath of flowers on the crown and secure it with hair pins.

Glam up

Eyes: Apply a base tone eyeshadow across the lids. Using black eyeliner draw a winged shape line extending into the crease line. Apply mascara across the lashes

Cheeks: Apply bronze tone blush along the cheekbones.

Hair: Comb hair and tie it at the crown. Plait it into a long braid and secure the ends.

Lips: A deep purple matte finish lipstick for those luscious lips

Cheeks: Pink blusher is applied on the cheeks.

Eyes: Pastel green eyeshadow is blended across the lids followed by silver eye shadow blended across the lower lash line. A coating of mascara is appled onto the lashes.

Hair: Place a headband across the forehead and twist the hair strands and slip it into the band. Leave the hair at the back to fall naturally at the shoulders.

Lips: Peach tone nude lips with a touch of gloss.

Colour blocking

Eyes: White eyeshadow is applied as highlighter below the brows. Green glitter eye shadow is blended across the lids and along the lower lash line. A fine line using black eyeliner is drawn on the upper lash line followed by a coating of mascara. Cheeks: Bronze shimmer blush is used on cheekbones.

Hair: Blow-dried straight and parted from forehead to neck. Bring a strand from the left-back portion and wrap it along the hair to create a ponytail. Fasten it with hairpins. Follow the same with the right side as well.

Lips: Peach and brown tone lipsticks are blended on the lips, with a touch of gloss.

Eyes: Blue eyeshadow is applied across the lids followed by a fine line of white eye liner on the lower lash lines. Silver eyeshadow is blended below the brows and along the lower lash lines. Apply a coating of mascara on lashes.

Cheeks: Brown and orange blusher is blended across the cheeks. Hair: Hair is parted to the left. Two embellished hairpins are attached on the right. Hair is ruffled using hair mousse to create a messy look.

Lips: Nude and pink lipsticks are blended on the lips.

Boss Like a

Asymmetrical skirt, scarves, statement jewellery and funky shades does justice to retro, boho and casual chic looks. Model: Tisha Wardrobe and accesorries: Urban Truth Makeup and Hair: Farzana Shakilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Photography: Riyad Ashraf

pring

Here are a few goodies we picked out from Manas and Made in Bangladesh. Farasha Sayeed digs up some unique finds

MANAS

Splurges

Made In Bangladesh

A cute coin purse made of jute to hold coins or precious trinkets. Tk 200

Carrying cash, cards and loose change never looked this hip. This jeans polka dotted wristlet is an absolute steal. Tk 875

Photographs by Sakib Muhtasim and Kazi Mukul

Don this beautiful silk saree adorned with lines from our beloved Tagore’s lyrics. Price Tk 5000

This month is all about cultural events. Wear this exclusive cotton two- piece to a book fair and blend right in. Tk 3500

Carry your precious tablet fashionably in this smart wool tablet holder while on the move. Tk 675

This old school bag speaks of volumes of nostalgia. So carry your stuff around this and stand out in the crowd. Tk 600

Carry this vertical striped bag with a monochrome outfit for a casual yet trendy look. Tk 1255

This corduroy travel pack made of wool makes a great gift for all the adventure addicts out there. Tk 695

Wear a ticket of George Harrison’s concert for Bangladesh as a saree with a joyosri silk blouse designed with George Harrison’s heartfelt words. Saree: Tk 4200 Blouse: Tk 950

Tote bags are a fashion staple among many. Designed in this up cycled denim material, it brings a different twist to a regular design. Tk 2475

Beauty Tips

rystal kin

Wasef Mustafa gives tips on how to eat your way to beautiful skin!

Every woman knows that having beautiful skin means having to put on less makeup, allowing natural beauty to be flaunted effortlessly. Conveniently enough, here is a list of certain foods you could try having to get that flawless look you’ve been meaning to.

Tuna The popular afterschool snack actually comes packed with anti-wrinkle selenium. This nutrient helps preserve elastin, a protein that keeps your skin smooth and tight. The antioxidant is also believed to buffer against the sun; it stops free radicals created by ultraviolet exposure from damaging cells.

Beetroot

Nuts

Green Tea

Bursting with colour and sweet earthy flavours, beetroots are a health food titan and can be cooked and used in many different ways. These purple roots are particularly high in vitamin A, along with potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E, which is essential for epidermal health and healing.

Delicious and not crazy at all, nuts especially Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds, are a healthy snack you can get used to. Moreover, selenium helps to actively increase the number of white blood cells that fight infection.

When hot, this bionic brew releases ‘catechins’, a type of antioxidant with proven anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. These antioxidants start to degrade as it cools, so the tea should be consumed while hot.

Drinking two to six cups of green tea a day not only helps prevent skin cancer but may reverse the effects of sun damage

Although substituting these foods into a meal may be good for the skin, it’s best to keep in mind that all these nutrients and elements are required in the body in a fine balance for them to work properly. It is recommended to stay well hydrated during winter as the skin loses moisture.

FASHION PORTFOLIO 3

Girl’s Night Out Be it a floral skirt and flowy top or a shimmery blouse and a printed saree, your glam game is on point. Models: Sunhera, Priyanka Wardrobes: Aranya and Ecstasy Makeup and Hair: Farzana Shakil’s Photography: Abu Naser Location: Unimart, Dhaka

mall Wonders Classy loafers, fairytale flats, chic nagras and bags - ground your look with any of these fashion forward pieces from La Mode to add the right amount of sparkle after dark. Carissa Musrat prepares the list

loral Matinee

You can’t go wrong with this flamboyant purse. This one of a kind clutch goes great with bold colours. Tk1,800

M aroon

Crosshatch

Complete your look with a splendid maroon slingbag. It’s copper chain strap is a feature that makes it swoon-worthy. Tk1,800

M ajestic Black

This black-golden nagra is the perfect match for an ethno western outfit as well as traditional dresses. An additional charm to this nagra is a gold-toned embellishment across the tips for a glorious finish.Tk850

N ina Merry

Update your off duty staples with this multi-striped loafer. Comfy never looked this good. Best of all, you can pull this off with the simplest outfits.Tk1,300 Photographs by Sakib Muhtasim

rystals

Stone accessories are available at La Mode to design your personal choice of ballerinas and loafers. For Tk750, it’s an absolute steal.

yler Teal

This teal loafer features a stylish silhouette and is ideal for most occasions. This will go great with cropped trousers and a blouse. Tk1,300

Blend of Colours

Bright never looked this right. The ethnic borders and fluffed up sleeves mesh well with these vibrant ensembles.

Model: Meghla, Mishu Wardrobe and accesorries: Bishwa Rang by Biplob Saha Makeup and Hair: Farzana Shakilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Photography: Topu Rehman

Advertorial

Effortlessly Chic “Reinvent casual elegance” – Pebbles welcomes fashion aficionados of Dhaka with a lineup of casuals that runs from classy to chic. Pebbles opened its doors to customers on July 10, 2014 in Chittagong. Keeping in mind the needs of the market, Pebbles includes something that every fashionable wardrobe demands. Their clothing line ranges from women’s Western wear, ethnic wear, bottoms, accessories while the men’s line includes formal and casual shirts, panjabi, bottoms and beanies. They also house our country’s greatest pride - readymade garments of the finest international brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Zara and Moss among many others. After a year of serving the Chittagong market, the company decided to respond to their fan base and expand its business with a 12,000sqft showroom in Chittagong and a standalone two storied 9000sqft showroom in Gulshan 1, Dhaka, which commenced operation on July 3, 2015. On December 16, 2015 they opened their Sylhet showroom and later that month on December 25 they opened their first showroom in Cox’s Bazar. Pebbles’ mantra is simple – to wow customers with casuals that are comfortable, distinguished, elegant, retro and all the while maintaining outstanding quality.

Showroom Address:

Dhaka: House # 14B, Road # 126, Gulshan 1, Dhaka 1212 CTG: 2885 Bayazid Bostami Road, East Nasirabad, Chittagong Sylhet: 55 Lotifunnesa Tower (1st Floor), Kumarpara Point, Sylhet 3100 Cox'sbazar: Shafique Center (Ground Floor), Lal Dighir Par, Main Road, Cox'sbazar Contact No: 01777764545 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pebblesbd/

D International Fashion

Nadia Khan and Sabrina Rashid

namic Duo Minds behind the internationally acclaimed clothing line Nadz&Sabs tell us about the threads that bind them

wo Bangladeshi Australians, Nadia Khan and Sabrina Rashid are set to make history in the fashion industry. Inspired by Eastern heritage and Western trends, their label Nadz& Sabs’ offers beautifully embellished couture collections for women. Nadz& Sabs’ Phoenix Collection was received with much praise in New York. In a larger than life platform such as fashion, how do you intend to bring variety, considering that there are others in this highly competitive line of work? There are many amazing fashion houses across the world, each with its own story, inspirations and dreams. Nadz& Sabs is no different. We believe in beautiful natural fabrics in a world dominated by synthetics and hope to make intricate details and couture-style craftsmanship more mainstream. A designer’s roots are embedded in every thread of their creation. To what extent did your heritage play a part in crafting your designs? Our Asian heritage makes us who we are and this is clearly reflected in Nadia’s creative output. We are a concoction of different cultures because we grew up admiring fashion houses in the East and the West. There are many dimensions in the migrant experience which help to make fusion possible - of the old and the new, the exotic and the familiar, the Eastern and the Western. Every clothing line thrives on its signature collections. What describes a Nadz& Sabs signature wear? Our Phoenix Collection draws on timeless materials and craftsmanship to create something aesthetically remarkable for today’s women. Silk, the ‘new’ ancient fabric, is featured strongly in the collection. Our designs are embellished with exquisite beading and intricate thread embroidery, interweaving age-old artistry with contemporary sensibilities. Each garment is individually handcrafted by couturiers with impeccable craftsmanship. Moreover, our signature wear is feminine;

often with a flow to the fabric and intricate embellishments with a preference for geometric or abstract motifs. How did the New York Fashion Week 2015 pave the way for your careers in fashion on the international arena? New York was a fabulous experience for us and it did wonders in spreading the word. It was an honour to walk the ramp with other talented Australian designers and taking part in this iconic event in the fashion capital of the world. It was also amazing to see the encouraging notes we received from strangers from across the world. It was overwhelming to see Bangladeshis support us when we represented Bangladesh at the New York Fashion Week. New York has played a major role in lifting our business profile, we have been invited to many iconic fashion events across the globe since then and our work is more internationally visible. Fashion is never constant; it changes its cocoon through the passage of time. Now that you’ve made a mark in this territory, what future visions do you have for your clothing line? We are working on a couture resort range. Australian resort wear is internationally renowned and as an Australian label, we are keen to explore opportunities in resort wear. We want to expand across Australia as well as America. We are also excited about collaborating with the wedding industry and planning to present a honeymoon couture range. For our future collections, we have many visions – so many amazing fabrics, crafts and colours in the world! There are so many new markets we also want to explore; the opportunities are endless.

Corporate Cafe

ky Aidha Cader sits with the Haque siblings over coffee as they explain how high-end luxury apartments is gaining popularity in Dhaka Photographs by Choudhury Safwat Gani

is the When driving down Road 59, it’s easy not to miss the nine storeys of double-glazed glass and fair-faced concrete exterior with its symmetrical lines that rise vertically. Space Apartments is the only building in the neighbourhood without a boundary wall which is a sturdy work of architecture at the heart of North Gulshan. Faatin Haque is the executive director and head of marketing at Space Apartments and also the chairperson at Trade Intercontinental Ltd. Her brother Arman Haque is the executive director of Space Apartments. The sibling duo shares their expertise in real estates,

imit particularly Space Apartments. “This was our father’s property; initially, he had planned to build apartments for the family,” explains Arman. However, they decided it was a great opportunity for a new venture instead. Having experience in real estate development they teamed up with renowned architect Mustapha Khalid Palash and set on this project. Catering to corporate costumers, diplomats, foreign delegates and travellers the serviced apartments are leased out to both short term and long-term clientele. “A large portion of foreign investors who visit Bangladesh want a longer stay and find a 300 square foot

standard hotel space pretty dreary after a few days” comments Faatin. As for expatriates who are looking for a satisfying stay in Dhaka, ensuring ambience, location, security measures and managing domestic staff can be quite challenging. “Staying at serviced apartment frees them of these obstacles,” highlights Arman. To sweeten the pot, services includes a gym, an in-house restaurant that provides both continental and Asian cuisine, spa, and private party facilities at the rooftop with a panoramic view enabling Space Apartments to give both the traveller and the residents a value added luxury which is hard to come by in the city.

Catering to corporate costumers, diplomats, foreign delegates and travellers, the serviced apartments are leased out to both short term and long-term clientele.

Taking on the Challengers As with all new ventures it is not without its share of challenges and learning curve. However, as the family is personally involved from the onset and moving onto it’s marketing and overseeing operations stage, this has eased some of the pitfalls. In recent years Dhaka has witnessed large-scale urbanisation that is resulting in a boom in both real estate developments for residentials and hotels. As new and existing players in the hospitality trade converge is in close proximity to each other, it creates a competitive market that is pushing rack rates down. “Since we are only a 32 room operation with room size triple to a standard hotel, we are confident that we can remain profitable and competitive as the market matures,” confirms Faatin. Creating a niche within an ever-growing hospitality industry Space Apartments stands out as the first and currently the only local company in this high-end category. “Competition is always good, it keep management innovative and gives better choices and quality to the customers” adds Faatin. The Balancing Act Currently the Haque siblings have multiple projects under their portfolios and are determined to provide high end, quality products across all their ventures. At Trade Intercontinental

Ltd, which imports American standard sanitary solutions, Italian and Spanish tiles, TEKA kitchen solutions and high-end marble and granite, Faatin has managed to see exponential growth over the last few years. “It’s been 4 years since I entered into the sanitary solution market with American standard and the first few years were very difficult. However, over the recent year and a half, we have doubled our sales,” she adds. The marketing culture in Bangladesh is based on connections. Although the company has a good marketing team, it still requires Faatin to constantly visit customers and also handle aftersales. “This makes a huge difference,” she says. The awareness of international brands and the demand to buy into the ‘luxury life style’ is setting a platform for companies such as Trade Intercontinental Ltd to capitalise on this growing trend. For Arman, Innstar real estate development ventures takes up most of his time. Started in 2010 they have eight projects under their belt. Teaming up with the landowner and reputed architects they are rapidly changing the Dhaka skyline. “We do have a signature style, which are high ceilings, the use of double glaze glass to allow the natural light in,” informs Arman. Arman voiced his opinion by saying that being your own boss comes with the advantage of being flexible and setting out your own goals. “Its important to understand that we aren’t a hotel. We offer a luxury residence while taking care of the amenities that a regular hotel provides.” Faatin enjoys what she does and she also confirms that being in Bangladesh is an utmost privilege. “Socialising is the integral part of business, therefore it is important to make that effort to be part of it,” remarks Faatin. Working diligently, the duo are able to assure quality and aesthetic value and are hopeful for greater success in future.

Tunes

ooting for alon British-Bengali singer Shapla Salique’s music has created waves beyond borders. Rubab Nayeem Khan takes you back to her roots

Pursuing Lalon with an Eastern and Western twist, her song Baula Gaan has received appreciation worldwide. In a conversation about life, inspiration and Lalon, Shapla walked us down her memory lane. Your grandfather Azfar Ali was involved with music. To what extent has this served as a stepping stone for your career in music? My Dada - “the man behind the music” that’s what I call him! He was a singer, songwriter and a musician. He was incredibly talented, and without a doubt the person that started it all. He was the one who planted the musical seed in most of us - me, my father and several others in our family. However my father has been the main influence on me. It was my father who encouraged and trained me to become a singer. I also believe that developing a passion for music at a very early age has definitely given me the maturity and confidence to focus on my own solo music career. Lalon never gets old, it only gets better. Despite having so many renditions of Lalon songs, what are the challenges of

bringing something new to the table? Why do you think so? That’s the beauty of his poetry and melodies however it’s fascinating to see how far his music has come, and more so where I can take it. To be honest I didn’t really face any challenges as such, it happened naturally through experimentation. Introducing Western instruments to Lalon songs, and blending them delicately allowed me to keep my music organic and authentic. For me keeping the melody original is very important, but at the same time I believe music needs to evolve. We as artistes have a responsibility to keep Lalon’s music alive, keep it fresh and current to pass on to future generations. In the UK where the language is predominantly English, how were your performances received by the audience? The audiences out here have been amazing! It's such a challenge to deliver Lalon’s songs to an audience who has never heard Bengali music before. It sometimes feels like I’m representing my

country, I don’t want to let my country down, that’s what it feels like. But when I’m on stage seeing diverse backgrounds and cultures and their incredible reactions - it’s priceless! It really is a privilege to make music and then to share it with people; I never take that for granted! It’s great receiving messages and emails from new fans - saying they have ‘Never been able to connect with Bengali music until they heard my songs.’ To be able to have that impact is so inspiring for me. What genres do you try to incorporate in your versions of Lalon? How were you able to blend the different styles and still keep the originality of the songs? I don’t try to incorporate any particular genre to my renditions of Lalon’s songs; it’s more about finding what sounds great and works for each song. Baul songs delve into soul searching, hence everything needs to flow naturally. I blend Western instruments which works rhythmically and responds well with the melodies of my songs. This needs to be done carefully and delicately; otherwise it’s easy to lose the originality of these songs. The main focus is the melody and how the song is being delivered. Various people have called and compared my music to jazz, soul, funk, and I’m happy to have those opinions my music is open to interpretation. ‘Distance makes the heart grow fonder.’ Since you have been away from Bangladesh for so long, what role has this saying played in shaping your music into what it is today? I love Bangladesh, it is my home and always will be. I was lucky enough to be born in Bangladesh, and raised there until I was around five years old. Then I lived in London, before returning to Bangladesh in my teenage years. My musical influences are very diverse across multiple cultures, and this transcends

into my life, both musically and personally. I have a very deep connection with my tradition and culture, but at the same time I try to balance both with my style of music. You’ve created an iconic style with your grameen check turban and your harmonium, which has not been done by anyone in the current music scene. What inspired you to come up with this? My music focuses on Bengali folk fusion. For me, my image is an extension of my musical creativity so it all helps when coming up with a new idea or look. The turban and the harmonium are inspired by the original Baul singers who used to travel from village to village with their Ektara - only in my music video Baula Gaan, I am seen travelling from the past and into the present with my harmonium. I think styling is a great way to express yourself just like music and letting people know who you are.

cover

Cover Focus

ovet

Sohana Nasrin dips into the history of book covers and how they’ve changed over the centuries Can a cover make a book win a prize? The answer is ‘no, it can’t.’ But a book cover, as many have agreed upon, makes an impression. No matter how much we try not to judge a book by its cover, and this might be true for all other instances, but we do tend to judge a book by its cover. A cover is our first contact with the book, the first glimpse of the story that is hidden inside. Most bibliophiles tend to buy books based solely on the cover itself. With the emergence of e-books, book covers took a massive turn and it is now mostly about graphic manipulation and typeface. For obvious reasons, that era is gone when the art on the book cover also depended on the quality of the leather or velvet that was used to make the jackets. Except for collectibles and those who can afford those gems, budget buyers like most have to rely heavily on the aesthetics of the graphic design on the covers. However, it never hurts to take a look at the history and see what book covers used to look like when books were all about the leather binding and gold tooling. The 15th century is termed as the transitional age in book binding and design as the European culture began to flourish and books started to become more common with the advent of printing mid-century. This era was followed by the era that is popularly known as the era of limp bindings where there weren’t any graphical elements and books had stiff covers; something that is still visible today, in modern paperback books. Limp structures were typically covered in vellum, but paper was also used. Coming into the 16th century, the modern book was incepted; books began to become smaller and lighter. Wood was slowly phased out from book covers and was replaced with pasteboards made from layers of paper glued together. Gold tooling began to become more prominent along with leather bindings. The 17th century can be called the era of colourful book covers, as the decoration and styling became more refined and colour became more common with an increase in gold tooling. The 18th century for books was commonly known as the short cut era, meaning it was all about elaboration and simplicity. The spines of the cover appeared smoother and the overall binding decoration became fancier with red labels and hand-sewn end bands. The early 19th century was an era of transformation for bookbinding. Still with the emphasis on material and

with relatively fewer designs than today, books started to look more mechanised than the previous centuries. Publishers also started to take control on the book as a whole – editing, printing and binding. Thus books began to be sold with the covers already on them. Later on in the 19th century, as publishers started to gain even more control, they began to see the cover as an integral part to the whole book and that’s when cover design started to reflect the content or set the tone for the reader. As much as it was a matter of aesthetics, a book cover was also highly related to sales. A great book cover comes with promises that the writer is professional, sophisticated and insightful and most of all dedicated to his or her work. Suzanne Dean, the creative director of Random House, has been designing book jackets for years with an achievement of many critically acclaimed books. Dean thinks it is indeed a gamble to decide the publisher’s cost for producing a book, however, with her long career at Penguin, Picador and Random House, she has observed that making something extraordinary often pays off. While Dean is all for extraordinary covers that has a touch of sophistication and art written all over it, she also thinks that we should seize the opportunity of e-books since it gives the designer a much broader space to experiment with the aid graphic design.

What do you do when you’re in a bookstore?

Q2.

A) Find out if my favourite author wrote something new B) I am here only because of my friends C) Look for second opinion D) Look at the various sections to find something that interests me Score: A.3 B.0 C.2 D.4

friend has published a book Q3. Your of poetry. What is your response? A) I don’t read poetry B) I will buy it to support him/her C) I really want to read it D) Shouldn’t I get it for free? Score: A.0 B.0 C.3 D.1

What sort of book interests you? A) Science fiction B) Poetry anthology C) Novels D) I only read books for assignments Score: A.4 B.2 C.3 D.1

Rumana Fouzia Choudhury personalises a quiz to find out the kind of bookworm you are

What Type of Reader are You?

Q4. Which of these quotes can you relate to? A) “I divide all readers into two classes; those who read to remember and those who read to forget.” —William Lyon Phelps Q7. It’s a friend’s birthday. What’s your B) “One always has a better book in one’s mind than one can manage to get onto response when someone suggests a book? paper.”—Michael Cunningham C) “Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of A) Not everybody likes reading. it.”—P J O’Rourke B) A nice diary should come in handy D) "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without C) I’ll get him/her something I would read accepting it.”—Aristotle Score: A.3 B.4 C.2 D.2 D) Maybe a mug that says “I Like Big Books and I cannot Lie” Q5. You finished your last book, what do you do? A) I read articles online B) I go buy/borrow the one that’s next on my must-read list C) I reread my favourite novels D) I am through a few chapters on this book but I am reading other books too Score: A.0 B.3 C.3 D.2

Score: A.0 B.2 C.1 D.1

Score of 3-7 The Lover of Spectacles: You don’t really dislike books; you merely associate the act of reading with studying for class. Score of 8-13 The Social Reader: You disagree that reading is a introvert’s pass-time. You read because you think that it is an excellent means to connect with others.

Q6. What’s your take on TV series which are adapted from books? A) Consult friends who have watched the TV adaptations and who have read the book B) Read the book first and then watch the TV adaptations C) You just torrents the TV series to see if it is any good D) Read it first and then critique the TV series Score: A.1 B.4 C.0 D.2

Score of 14-20 The Bibiophile: For you, reading is a way of life. Reading to you is as conventional a habit as having breakfast in the morning. Although you enjoy films, you get stumped as to why one would consider TV adaptations over the book. Score of 21-24 The Deconstructionist: Understanding the construction of beautifully crafted prose excites you and you enjoy a varied reading list to expand on your inspiration.

SSweetness f Cover Focus

wirls

Rumana Fouzia Choudhury pairs up popular reads with some of the best coffees in the city Photographs by Din Muhammad Shibly

great book and a cuppa; you can never go wrong with this combo. Here’s a selection of books and signature coffees for those of you who love a kick of caffeine to go with your reads. Hot Dark Chocolate from Butlers Chocolate Café In the warmth of hot milk and cream, doused with fresh dark chocolate sauce, it is easy to return to the days when reading with the family was an evening pastime. With everybody nestled in a cosy spot, each with their cup of hot dark chocolate, pull your little ones close and read out Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden, being sure to add post-colonialist end-notes to this enduring story of the tender friendship amongst children. Suggested reads Louisa May Alcott’s Good Wives or Butler Martel’s Life of Pi

Chai Latte from North End Coffee Roasters Rabindranath Tagore‘s Gitanjali provides delight and rapture in the discovery of not what is lost, but what is created in translation. The perfect read to start the morning, with a chai latte. A deconstructed beverage—steamed milk infused with black tea concentrate and a rich blend of honey, cinnamon, vanilla, clove and ginger—thoroughly invigorates one into critical comprehension of poetry. Suggested Reads Aristotle’s Poetics or The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde.

Green Teazy Freeze from Columbus Coffee The Green Teazy Freeze sweetens up the simple and wise words of Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha allowing you to follow his path of enlightenment. A treat of this matcha smoothie topped off with a generous swirl of whipped cream is a cup of comfort. Suggested Reads Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon or Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull Espresso Tiramisu from Brews& Bites If you are in the mood for critiquing, you might as well churn through the Notes from Underground and follow the nameless anti-hero, as he suffers through brutal series of humiliations. As you have Fyodor Dostoyevsky confirming the sorry plight of human existence, an espresso tiramisu—cloudy vanilla ice cream blended with a shot of bitter black espresso, dusted off with cocoa powder—is just sweet company to have. Suggested reads Nikolay Gogol’s The Diary of a Madman or Bernhard Schlink’s The Reader.

Earl Grey Latte from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf With full-bodied black tea steeped in steamed milk, it is the intense and refreshing fragrance of bergamot, a Mediterranean citrus fruit, which is the signature note of the Earl Grey Latte. The drink goes perfectly with Virginia Woolf ’s Mrs. Dalloway, where one can trace the streams of consciousness of the characters, their memories and conflicts, as Clarissa Dalloway plans for a dinner party that one day. Suggested Reads Guy de Maupassant’s Parisian Affair or George Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House

Culture Vulture

heets of Glamour

Sohana Nasrin selects your best companies for your upcoming fashion week events

Photos from the Internet

Gone are the days when books were for nerds only. As I was growing up, I remembered how wearing glasses and reading books were considered out of fashion, no matter how fashionably I tried to do it. Fortunately, this generation does not have that mindset anymore. Men and women are appreciated for their beauty and brains these days. Keeping that in mind, I have here a list of books which dabbles in fashion and high couture. These should be right up your alley Fashion Lives Fashion Icons with FernMallis by Fern Mallis This book is a compilation of an interview series that Fern Mallis had started in 2011. She interviewed some of the fashion industry’s biggest names that include Oscar de la Renta,

Marc Jacobs and Bill Cunningham. Not only does this book record her conversations with all the fashion icons, but it’s also serves as a picturesque journey of stunning images. Some of these photographs include snaps of these icons at fashion events as well as their vintage childhood photographs. Mallis really captured the fashion industry by focusing on the life and journey of various people from different parts of the globe. Things start to get even more interesting when all these big names start talking about their struggles before they became who they are today. Mallis’ book holds multiple accounts of commitment and passion; this is certainly an inspiring read. Models of Influence 50 Women Who Reset the Course of Fashion by Nigel Barker If you’re a trend savvy individual, you’d definitely know about Nigel Barker. Little did we know that the debonair Brit photographer and the judge on America’s Next Top Model began his career as a model before he ventured into photography. Models of Influence is a series of short biographies and pictures of the most influential models from the 1950s. Barker writes about each model’s career and mostly focuses on how everyone overcame their weaknesses or turned their weaknesses into strength. With his stories, Barker captures how difficult it is to survive in the fashion industry as a model. But if you can cross the hurdles, you are golden. Barker portrays each model so beautifully that they definitely look so much more than just a pretty mannequin for clothes.

Pradasphere , the book by Prada If you are inspired by graphics and visuals instead of words, this book will do right by you. This book is put together by Prada itself, explores the nitty gritty details of the products they sell at Prada. The breathtaking pictures of all the products goes to show the unique and sophisticated craftsmanship that Prada is known for. Looking at the fashion giant’s rich history, obsession and cultural relevance, the 300 plus pages of visual journey of Pradashpere is a trip worth taking.

Ride the Radio Wave Music requests, anecdotes and stories on the go; every time we tune into our radios RJs give us a daily dose of happiness amidst the plight of Dhaka traffic. In light of that, we get up close and personal with some of the best RJs from popular FM stations to hear a tale or two about their lives behind the mic

People Person Currently hosting shows such as Uradhura Bhalobasha, Shadhin Caravan and Grameenphone Lounge for Radio Shadhin 92.4 FM, Kazria Kayes started out as a voice artist in her early years. “Voice artists are similar to ghost writers; they usually remain unknown to the public,” shared Kazria. This drove her to pursue a career in radio jockeying, and soon she became one of the most sought after RJs at Radio Shadhin 92.4 FM. Speaking for long hours can take a toll on any one. When asked about how she busts the stress that comes with the job she said, “I know it might sound unrealistic but I never feel stressed on air. I think this proves that being an RJ was my true calling. I love talking to people about anything and everything.” On that note, she also mentioned how she encourages the audience to tune in to her show. “All my shows are interactive; I don’t have to stress on engaging the listeners. On one of my shows, people share stories from their love life and they certainly enjoy doing so!” said Kazria. A charismatic speaker, Kazria describes her life at Radio Shadhin 92.4 FM, no

Kazria Kayes

different from its promotional tag line. She says, “I like the unique selling point (USP) of Radio Shadhin –‘Life ta joss.’ I think this best describes my work life. At Radio Shadhin we encourage our listeners to always be positive and live life to the fullest.” Stammering can happen to anyone; even Kazria has had her fair share of slip ups. “Yes glitches do happen; to err is human. However, I cover up the fumble by admitting and providing a reason behind it- like a fantastic song that left me tongue-tied.” According to Kazria Kayes, work becomes play when you love doing it. “I love socialising and talking to people, hence work never wears me out.” Furthermore, she goes on to explain how much her life at Radio Shadhin 92.4 FM has moulded her into the person she is today. “In all honesty, my life had certain limitations before, now I get to meet new people everyday both within Dhaka as well as outside. I have learned to think beyond the lifestyle I was accustomed to. But now I know that there’s more to the country and the selective few people that I was friends with,” wrapped up Kazria,

By Mehrin Mubdi Chowdhury

Photographs by Kazi Mukul

Sumaiya Kabir Arunima

Fun Intended ‘Audience,’- that’s what gets Arunima up and running. She loves hosting her show more than anything! “Let’s not forget Radio Foorti’s office; the name speaks for itself. There hasn’t been a single day that I’ve missed out on foorti,” she exclaims, gleefully. Her preppy voice lights up even the dullest of days. From Sunday to Friday, you’ll have RJ Arunima cheering you up with her show ‘Good Life,’ airing from 2pm to 5pm on Radio Foorti 88.0 FM. Although she loves hosting her show, the long hours can become tedious. “If my show ends at five, I need a break in order to function. It’s tough to block out everything at work, but if I don’t take an hour out to unwind, I get burnt out. For me, a cup of tea does the trick. Add my personal playlist to that equation and I’m all set; I just plug in my earphones and browse articles on the web,” she elaborates. Over the years, Arunima has not just learnt to love her job, but her audience as well. In light of that she mentions that a casual conversation with the audience is a great way to kick-start the show. “If I feel like sneezing on air or if I stutter, I make fun of

myself so the listeners can understand that I’m a human being - I make mistakes. I make sure the show is audience centric, so that at the end of the day, I am able to relate to them. When you’re asking someone about how their day has been, it’s almost as good as chatting with a friend.” Regardless of the highs and lows, Arunima says there’s always something or the other to look forward to at Radio Foorti 88.0 FM. Loud music, fun colleagues and sometimes bad feedback from audience makes her day. “Life at Radio Foorti reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. When the Mad Hatter asks, ‘Have I gone mad?’ Alice replies ‘You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret…all the best people are,’” chuckles the witty RJ. Arunima recalls how her journey in this industry began and what it brought along the way. She realises that anchoring a show over the radio is an art. “It has taught me to be more confident and it has definitely taught me to be more sensitive. My words can change a persons’ life, for better or for worse. This has indeed changed me in all the better ways,” she concludes.

By Rubab Nayeem Khan

Armaan Shayer

Work & Play The ease with which RJs conduct their shows camouflages the actual hard work that goes behind each one of them. At Radio Today 89.6 FM, Armaan Shayer is one of those talented people who’s been doing this for almost nine years now. Although it is a stressful job where one has to be alert and prepared at all times, Armaan makes it sound very simple. “Our offices are very accommodating in helping us de-stress. We arrive an hour before our shows, and have coffee and just hang out between our on air time.” His confidence in his job stems from prior experiences in places like Voice of America (VOA Radio), Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM and then further training in Radio Broadcast Management from various countries. His enthusiasm in music is what encouraged him to enter this field. “I am a business graduate, but this was my first job and now I can’t think of anything other than radio!” When it

comes to dealing with his listeners, Armaan thinks the key point is humor. “We are very stressed out in our regular lives anyway, so I feel that the mantra for entertainment should be humor; it gives the audience a change from the monotonous life.” Armaan’s trick of trade is to prioritise his listeners when he’s on air. “The listeners are the ones spending their money and time texting and calling us. We wouldn’t be who we are if they weren’t listening to us.” Besides being an RJ, Armaan is also a TV actor and musician, and wears the hat of a senior producer for Radio Today 89.6 FM. His professionalism is what sets him apart, in instances where he puts aside his personal grievances to put on a showman’s cloak. Despite that, he is very content with his field of work since it allows him to stay youthful and relaxed. He ends with saying “Work becomes play when you enjoy it.” By Farasha Khan Sayeed

#BetterYou

Food for Thought

Natasha Rahman sneakes in ways for you to enjoy junk food When transitioning into a healthy lifestyle, one needs to create meals that one will want to eat, and not have to. As a nation accustomed to heavy beef curries and biryanis, it’s a challenge to fit in whole organic meals and drinks in your daily life with heartfelt enthusiasm. When starting the journey into clean eating, bear in mind, your body will go through a drastic change. Hence it’s vital to carb up on fruits and root vegetables which will make you leaner and fitter. If the average intake of good carbohydrates is low for a long period of time, then it eventually makes your metabolism drop. Drinking 500ml of fresh juice in the morning will curb cravings as your brain is getting the glucose from the carbohydrates. For office goers, pack home-made brown bread

sandwiches loaded with crunchy fresh salad. Have a serving of fruit with each meal to pack in those nutrients. Put the junk food into occasions You can actually have your pizza and eat it too and not cringe about your weight. Pick out a day every week for indulgences. Perhaps, a new bistro in town or a burger craving? Grab it during your lunch break so you can expend that energy for the rest of the day. For the rest of the week, don’t make the mistake of forcing yourself on a bowl of lettuce and cucumbers. That never works and will only push you over the edge, while you raid your fridge for leftovers. If you have a wedding to attend, then let your meals during the day consist of fresh juice, smoothies, steamed fish, vegetables

and more whole foods. The trick is to balance it out so that both your cravings and your health requirements are met. The best thing about cheat days are that it tricks your body into believing that your body is fuelling up on the calories and this ignites the body’s fat burning mechanism. Have a light heart Don’t worry too much about calories, if you are regularly consuming plant-based foods and root foods, it will slowly but surely take your mind off high-fat foods such as cakes, cookies, and pizzas. If you do have a day full of high-fat foods, be sure to make up for it with fresh organic foods and high intensity cardio and strength training. Relish and cherish those cheat days and your body will thank you for it.

Career

#BetterYou

mployee

of the

ear

Rumana Fouzia Choudhury identifies the habits you should avoid at your work space

t has been a month and your enthusiasm is starting to dim under the daily grind of work. Fret not, it’s time you cut back on those bad habits. Here’s a list of the targets you need to bust this month. Ogle Nevermore Yes, we understand. That colleague is really attractive, but the staring needs to come to an end. Practise some self-restraint. Easy on the crude sexual comments; it is not flattering, it’s harassment. Just because people will awkwardly smile to diffuse an uncomfortable situation does not mean it’s okay to behave inappropriately. Tardy Slips at Meetings Meetings are scheduled gatherings of team members to discuss how to successfully complete an assignment and allocate tasks. Thus showing up late to a meeting (and to work in general), not having read the agenda items for the meeting and being unprepared

is disrespectful to one’s colleagues and seriously undermines one’s professionalism. Social Media Celebrity Do you feel like you cannot find the time to finish the work at hand in between Facebook notifications and WhatsApp messages while you scroll through social media feeds? Try this instead: turn off your notifications on Facebook, WhatsApp etc. Put your phone on silent and out of sight, and complete the task at hand before you reconnect with the virtual world. What Time Does Break-Time End? Late to office with a splitting headache, then rushing for a tea break just before lunch? It is time to cut back on those breaks, especially if it’s preventing you from working. Set a timer for each break you take, one hour for lunch, half-an-hour for coffee etc. During this time, do not think about work or discuss it with your

colleagues. Lastly, set a list of tasks to complete before you allow yourself the next break. The Grouch and The Gossipmonger Let’s face it, we’ve all had tension with our supervisors and complained about the terrible week we’ve had. You’re venting to your colleagues but behaviour like this in general could foster an unhealthy work environment. This year, try instead to refrain from saying anything negative. It’s just like Thumper said, “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say nothin’ at all”

Money

Farasha Khan Sayeed shares some tips on being money savvy without compromising the joys of life

oney enny

Most of us grew up watching Richie Rich dive into his vault of golden coins. Little do we realise that even as adults, we’d want to live that cartoon fantasy every other day, especially when we have to dish out the taka notes sooner than the calendar says ‘payday.’ Wouldn’t it be amazing, if we could just indulge ourselves a little more without having to declare bankruptcy? Most people in the world have one thing in common – they write everything down. Considering your wallet to be a bottomless pit is the most common mistake made by us.. Compile a list of the usual monthly expenses

#BetterYou like phone, gas, electricity and grocery bills, so that you know how much you can spare on other miscellaneous items. Also, always try and imagine that you make Tk5000 (or 10,000 if you are earning the big bucks) less than what you actually earn – that way at the end of the month you can either choose to stow away the excess for a nice vacation in Phuket or spend it on a nice meal or gift. Prioritise your life in general so you know exactly what is important enough to spend that hard earned cash on – do you really need that 2 GB internet package on your phone when most places you frequent have WiFi now? Should you take your car out by yourself into the traffic again when you can invest in a cycle (or borrow a neighbour’s) and lead a modern, eco-friendly life, while becoming richer physically and financially? Few people seldom claim that they make enough money since there is always that human need for more and more material items that we think fulfill our life’s desires’ – spend wiser and you will see that you can live a satisfying life without having to live on mere bhaat and daal for the last week of the month.

The

alentinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guide ift

Thou wast that all to me, love, For which my soul did pineâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; A green isle in the sea, love, A fountain and a shrine, All wreathed with fairy fruits and flowers, And all the flowers were mine -Edgar Allan Poe

Sweep your beloved off their feet with these mementos of love! By Natasha Rahman Photographs by Choudhury Safwat Gani

Pamper her with this decadant assortment and remind her of your undying love 1 & 5 from Bangla Shoppers; BH Cosmetics 14 piece signature brush set, Tk 2950 and Grand Chateau Gift Set, Tk 12500; 2 & 4 & 6 from Satori; Jewelry Boxes 2750 total, Mini Lamp Tk 1000, Candle Tk 550, Pearl Necklace Tk 1400; 3 from daraz.com.bd Lenovo Tab Tk 22900

Do it up like Midas with this gold embellished black jumpsuit, the slim belt to cinch the waist and sexy shades. Make this a night to remember

Tk 650

Tk 1400

Tk 2400

Tk 530

Tk 1600

Tk 3100

Make Valentinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; a whole lot exciting for him with these special tokens of love 1 from Zurhem, Zurhemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s custom-made hand woven silk-wool Nehru vest Tk 25000; 2 from Pebbles, Blue open-front cardigan Tk 850; 3 from daraz.com.bd, Powerbeats 2 Wireless In-Ear Headphone Tk 10,000; 4 from Sciccosso, Red tie Tk 1400, Printed Tie Tk 2000, White tie Tk 1400, Black Tie Tk 1890, Polka dot pocket square Tk 949, Yellow striped pocket square Tk 749, Printed pocket square Tk 1250,

Its date night! Show her you care by sprucing up your wardrobe with a sky blue blazer, printed shirt, maroon trouser and brown leathers. Let her eyes be on you!

Tk 10,990

Tk 1440

Tk 4500

Tk 1550 *Prices on some of the products are exclusive of vat

Recipes

Chefs Recommendations Aidha Cader visits some of the exotic new restaurants and chats up their international chefs. With their recipes in mind, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a range of tasty finger foods and refreshing mocktails for you to try at home

King Mocktail Umai

Ingredients

Photographs: Abu Naser @Station

3 medium carrots 1/2 ripe pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into pieces 1 large orange, juiced 3tbsp sugar 3 cups water Ice cubes for serving Preparation In a blender add all the ingredients and blend it for a minute until all the pieces are liquid Strain on to glasses and serve with ice cubes.

Spicy Edamame

Umai Ingredients 1lb frozen edamame 3tbsp sesame oil 3tbsp soy sauce 1tsp crushed garlic 4tbsp Korean chilli sauce Preparation Heat edamame in a pan until it’s tender and cooked. In a sauté pan combine the oil, soy sauce, garlic and chilli sauce. Cook over medium heat until it begins to boil and stir constantly. Once the sauce thickens, add cooked edamame, toss and coat well.

Chef Shoji Morita with more than twenty-five years of experience as a sushi chef is currently at Umai. At the age of twenty, he started working with Japanese sushi chefs which inspired him to follow suit. He went on to work internationally in Canada, South Africa, Hungary, Russia, Norway, Monaco and Greece. “It has to appeal to the eyes as well as the palate,” he adds as he serves up tempura prawns for me to sample.

Blue Margarita

Bistro E Ingredients 25 cubes of ice 25ml lemon juice 40ml sugar syrup 15ml passion fruit syrup 60ml blue curacao syrup Preparation Add all the ingredients into a blender and blend for a minute. Scoop out the sorbet and serve in a pre-chilled glass. Born and brought up in Delhi, India, Rachel Williams decided to venture into the culinary world during her stay in Australia. She continued on and worked ‘Down Under’ for over seven years. This challenged her to experiment in various cuisines. Currently she is the head chef at Bistro E and recommends the Chorizo on toast with the Blue Margarita. “This recipe is for those who have limited time yet want to see colour and flavour on their plates. It is a quick recipe with a bang of flavours,” she adds.

Chorizo on toast

Bistro E Ingredients 1 slice multigrain brown bread, edges cut 1 chorizo sausage 1/2 yellow bell peppers roasted and skinned 10-15 grams feta cheese cut into small cubes 1Â˝tbsp spicy blueberry compote (a little chilli flakes and salt mixed into the compote) Extra virgin olive oil to drizzle on chorizo Parsley to garnish Preparation Cut the bread slice into three parts, toast over a hot grill and set aside. Pan fry the chorizo sausage and cut into three slices. Chop the roasted bell pepper into fine cubes and toss with a little salt and pepper. Assembly: Place the spicy blueberry compote over the bread, chopped feta and the bell peppers side by side. Add the sausage slices on top and drizzle some olive oil. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Chef Dalin Xu, Executive Dim Sum Chef at Chow’s hails from the Guangdong region, which is the birthplace of Dim Sum. Chef Xu started his cullinary journey at sixteen years of age and has worked internationally. He knows over a hundred variations of Dim Sum. He recommends the meatball variation, to try at home as it does not require special ingredients that his other varieties require. “I prepare the Dim Sum freshly every day to ensure and uphold the cullinary authenticity,” he adds.

Beijing Black

Chows Ingredients 8 frozen raspberries ½ cup orange juice Pinch of cinnamon 1tsp lime juice Ice cubes Preparation Blend all the ingredients together and pour it into a cocktail shaker along with a few cubes of ice. Fasten the lid and shake well for a minute. Pour onto a serving glass and garnish with more raspberries on top.

Beef Ball Dumpling

Chows Ingredients 250g minced beef 2 lime leaves 1 strip orange rind (skin) 1tsp coriander powder 2tsp sesame oil 1tsp potato starch 1tsp chicken powder Salt and pepper to taste 1tbsp oyster sauce Â˝tsp baking soda 2 slices ginger, minced 1 scallion, chopped Preparation Mix baking soda with the meat and set aside. Next, in a small bowl, add the orange rind to a little bit of boiling water and cover for thirty minutes. Grind the orange skin and lime leaves to a paste. Mix in all the ingredients and knead the mixture for twenty minutes. Once the mixture is sticky, divide it into three balls and steam over a bamboo steamer for 35 minutes.

Fuad M Hossain talks about gaming in 2016

A Bit Healthier Ashfaque Zaman runs across the innovative Fitbit A band around your wrist just doesn’t tell time these days, the Fitbit wristband has the ability to calculate the steps you have taken, the distance you have travelled and the calories you have burnt. It also monitors your activity, the hours and quality of your sleep. The wristband retains its charge for 7 to 10 days of regular use and is compatible with both iOS and Windows; acting wirelessly with 150 different smartphones. The wristband is user friendly with an easy to read LED display, monitoring the degree of attainment to one’s daily goals. The silent alarm and water resistance makes it easy to incorporate into a daily routine. The FitBit can be found in Gadget & Gear and other major electronics’ retailers.

Joystick 2016

The video game industry these days evolves faster than Intel pumps out new processors. By the time Intel says, “intel inside,” the industry says, “IDB outside!” This year brings with it many highly anticipated titles. Though the list is huge, here are a few that we believe you should look forward to.

Mass Effect: Andromeda A fan favourite, this title is an up and coming ‘action role-playing third-person shooter video game.’ Yes! That’s what they’re categorising it as. Developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, the game is set to be released in late 2016 for the PS4, PC and Xbox One. The storyline of the game takes place long after the events of its predecessors. Though the game is still in development, it has been announced that the game is no longer gender locked. Also, players will be able to pilot the new Mako (six-wheel buggy-type) vehicle seen in the first Mass Effect game.

Street Fighter V Set to be released in February of this year on the PlayStation 4 (PS4), Microsoft Windows and Linux – which is a first, the game will feature cross-platform playability. Sporting some of the fan favourites like Ryu, Ken, M Bison, Dhalsim, Chun Li and Zangief, the game also has a roster of four new characters. They are Necalli, Rashid, Laura and F.A.NG. Besides that, this edition features a new and exciting ‘V-Gauge’ system, which upon filling up adds three new techniques. You’ll have to play the game to figure out the rest.

Blade & Soul A highly anticipated Korean fantasy martial arts ‘massively multiplayer online role-playing’ game (mmorpg) was released this month to the world. Developed by NCSoft for PCs, the game initially was released just for the Koreans in 2012. The game meant for a mature

audience, features martial arts inspired real-time action combat in your traditional open-world environment. Also featuring a mechanic called ‘Downed,’ which can save you from the brink of death in game. Featuring gorgeous visuals, combo based combat (much like fighting games) and multiple races and classes to choose from, this game is worth checking out. High speed internet is mandatory.

Rumana Fouzia Choudhury’s tete-a-tete with Munem Wasif leaves her enlightened

things we learnt from

MunemWasif

Photographs from Munem Wasif ’s exhibition in Paris, France.

With exhibitions held in Japan, Cambodia, Nepal, England, France, Switzerland, Greece, Germany, Poland, Netherlands and the US, eminent photographer Munem Wasif needs no introduction.

“But the word ‘photography’ does not exist” Photography is not considered an art form in Bangladesh. Munem mentioned about various art colleges, none of which has a separate department

dedicated solely to photography, filmmaking, or the experimental and new media arts. “You can submit your work as mixed media, but it isn’t really mentioned. You will see sculptures, you will see oil paintings. You will see videos,

a lot of different videos. But the word ‘photography’ does not exist.” “Photography gives you an excuse to travel” “Photography gives you an excuse to travel,” recalls Wasif, “ it encourages one to be adventurous and explore various avenues.” Just after finishing school, Wasif, enrolled for a month-long course at the Begart Institute of Photography, under the tutelage of Imtiaz Alam Beg. There, Wasif found “an example of living life differently.” “My family wasn’t on board with my career choice ” Two years later, after he enrolled at the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Bangladesh, Wasif had decided to become a photographer. “My family wasn’t on board with my career choice. To them, a man behind the camera is someone who goes to weddings or press conferences to take pictures. I did different kinds of commercial works to fund my projects; then started working with the Daily Star and did that for almost two years.” “There are a lot of places that women can access and men can’t” When talking about female photographers, Wasif applauds, “There are a lot of places that women can access and men can’t. Of course there are obstacles, but I think if you are sensible and strong enough, you can manage. Women should always find a way to do things differently, without having to do things the way men do.”

I think that the colours are too seductive. I think it distracts us by redirecting our view elsewhere

Photograph by Sarkar Protik

“We should simply explore the city as much as we can” When asked about how one can appreciate the art, Wasif says, “We should simply explore the city as much as we can.” On a different note, he mentions that his sources of inspiration lies in Akhteruzzaman Elias’s Chilekothar Shepai, Andre Tarkovsky’s films, French artist Pierre Huyghe’s work, songs by singer Kabir Sumon as well as Satyajit Ray’s films.

Les Hommes

“I think that the colours are too seductive. I think it distracts us by redirecting our view elsewhere” The recipient of the Bengal Foundation Practice Grant 2015-16, Wasif ’s photo-stories include Tainted Tea, an unapologetically candid study of the lives of tea estate workers chained by poverty; Saltwater Tears, which researches the catastrophic effects of shrimp farming on

people’s lives in Satkhira; Blood Splinter of Jute, depicting stark portraits of jute mill workers and the blood-stained history of our golden fibre industry, and Belonging, a nostalgic portraiture of the lives in Old Dhaka, which has been published as a book by Clémentine de la Féronnière of the same title. Most recently, in November 2015, the 247 Gallery in Paris exhibited his photo-story In God We Trust, which explores the intersection between Bengali culture and Islam. You will notice that his work is mostly black and white. “I love black and white. During my early years, all the photographers I looked up at and really admired, were proponents of black and white photography. I also like colour photography but especially in Bangladesh, I think that the colours are too seductive, which distracts us by redirecting our view elsewhere.”

stitch n time

Hameem Shakhawat looks into the glories of a wardrobe staple that completes a man Photographs by Choudhury Safwat Gani

If you were an avid fan of the TV shows How I met your mother, Suits or Hannibal the cuts and lines of the impeccable suits donned by the stars of those shows certainly makes you wish for your own. While you’re busy musing about the ‘ifs,’ you instantly dismiss the thought of fitting into one of those crisp suits, only because of the idea that it only looks good on the guys from Beverly Hills. Suiting up however, has less to do with the corporate culture and more to do with personal choices. With that in mind here’s a thing or two that you could do when tailoring the finest suit. Consider slimmer, less structured fittings with narrow sleeves because it is one of the top trends. The right measurement of sleeves allow at least half inch display of your shirt's cuff. If your blazer or suit is off the rack, altering to a proper fit is the best option. In addition to that, pocket squares aid in highlighting the details of the suit. The best way to nail a dapper look is to avoid matching the pocket square with the tie. When the finished suit is in your hand, it doesn’t matter how much you spent, rather how well your wear it. Accessorising may amp up your shine, but the measurement is what makes a difference. At the end of the day, the extensive tailoring troubles are well worth it.

Les Hommes

Wardrobe Courtesy: Hameem Shakhawat

113

Events

Bengal Foundation Launched With the support of Blues Communications Limited, Bengal Foundation has launched a project knows as “Bengal eBoi” on January 22 at Nalinikanta Bhattasali Gallery. Readers can now access a vast array of classic and contemporary literature by logging onto www.bengalboi.com.

Apex “Celebrating 25 Years of Being New” campaign

On January 7, Apex Footwear Limited organised the Gift Handover Ceremony of its “Celebrating 25 Years of Being New” campaign at the AFL Conference Hall located in their Head Office. Syed Manzur Elahi – Chairman of AFL along with, Syed Gias Hussain – Additional Managing Director and Rajan Pillai – Chief Operating Officer, were present at the event. During the campaign, customers who made purchases of Tk1000 from Apex outlets received a scratch card. This enabled them to enter a contest which required them to answer 3 questions. 25 lucky winners were chosen anonymously in a Raffle Draw organised at the Press Club on December 21, 2015.

Celebrate Love at Six Seasons Hotel

Amari Dhaka’s New A La Carte Menu Banglashoppers. com’s new outlet Banglashoppers.com opened their Dhanmondi branch for customers on 1 January, 2016 at Road: 27 (Old).

Amaya’s exotic new spread newly introduced A la carte menu with a discount of 20% as an opening offer both for lunch and dinner at Amari’s all day dinning signature restaurant Amaya food gallery along with the regular dinner buffet with the combination of Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Thai and International styles of cooking. Amaya is open seven days a week. A la carte lunch is offered daily from 12:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and dinner from 6:30 to 11.00 p.m. For reservations, please call 01777796444

pring

in full swing

Rang-Bishwa Rang celebrates spring by launching their collection for the season. The clothing line for spring will showcase colourful sarees, salwar kameezes, punjabis, shirts, t-shirts, kids wear, skirts, tops etc. These outfits will be available for purchase in all the outlets of Rang-Bishwa Rang.

This Valentine’s Day, Six Seasons Hotel has planned dinners with attractive and fun-filled events. Scrumptious set-menus and all-you-can-order offers will be available for guests, onValentines’ Day. On 14th February, the rooftop Sky Pool Restaurant will offer exclusive candle light couple’s prix fixe dinner for BDT 5999 inclusive. On the 13th floor, Bunka Restaurant will offer a special Valentine’s all-you-can-order dinner priced at BDT 2999 incl. per person. Other offers include events like best dressed contest, singing performances, attractive raffle draw prizes, photo memorabilia, Valentine-themed photo booth, and interactive couples’ games such as “How well do you know your partner?” Couples can enjoy a high-value set-menu dinner for only BDT 5499 incl. For further details or to make reservations, please call: +88 01987009810.