SHE Canada May 2013

MAY 2013 $4.99 CAD | Dhs 18.08 AED | £3.28

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Editor/Publisher KAMRAN ZAIDI Associate Editor PRIYA KUMAR Advertising & Marketing Coordinator MUNIRA QURESHI Art Layout Coordinator DANYL GENECIRAN Fashion Assistant LIZ GUBER Travel Contributor ROBIN ESROCK Social Media Manager ERUM ZEHRA Features Contributors ELOISE ALBA, AUSTIN ZAKARI Pop Culture Contributors EKTA MUKHI, PARVEEN SINGH Social Media Assistant BONNIE MENDEZ PIZON Subscription Inquiries: Please to go http://shemagazine.ca/subscribe To Contact SHE Canada: Write to SHE Canada, 1999 Avenue Rd, Toronto ON, M5M 4A5 Or info@shemagazine.ca, Facebook: SHECanada

Twitter: @SHECanada

For Advertising Inquiries: Please contact Kamran Zaidi, 416 644 7788, 416 878 0SHE kamran.zaidi@shemagazine.ca SHE MAGAZINE CANADA IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF KAMRA ON PRODUCTIONS INC. COPYRIGHT © 2013 KAMRA ON PRODUCTIONS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN PAKISTAN

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IN EVERY ISSUE: EDITOR’S NOTE 6 SHE ONLINE 7 CONTRIBUTORS 8 LETTER TO THE EDITOR 9 STYLE SCOOP 10 HE 62 ∙ Bomb Girls’ Gabe Grey ∙ The Dad-Mom in Consumerism ∙ HE Said, SHE Said ∙ Fashion Ideas for HIM SHE CARES 74 ∙ Lady Fatemah Trust SHE DEBATES 76 ∙ Are Internships the New Normal?

HEALTH/WELLNESS 78 ∙ FitWall: Vertical Workouts ON THE ROAD 82 ∙ Pura Vida, Costa Rica Surf Camp ∙ Cambodia BEAUTY 86 ∙ Beauty Buzz ∙ Backstage with Maybelline BROWN GIRL PROBLEMS 93 QUOTE/UNQUOTE 94 ∙ Famous quotes on Mothers SOPHIA WEBSTER Hold Me Speech Bubble Leather Clutch $450

FEATURES: FASHION CENTRAL 18 ∙ Pernia Qureshi’s Pop-Up Shop ∙ Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2013 Couture Show: Indian Gypsies ∙ Vera Wang Spring/Summer 2013 Show ∙ Bibhu Mohapatra Fall/Winter 2013 NYFW ∙ Falguni & Shane Peacock Fall/Winter 2013 NYFW ∙ Naeem Khan Fall/Winter 2013 NYFW ∙ Prabal Gurung Fall/Winter 2013 NYFW ∙ Dans La Vie by Rira Sugawara COVER STORY 32 ∙ Tena Desae: The Latest Bollywood-Hollywood Crossover Starlet

SPECIAL FEATURES 44 ∙ Religious Harmony in Morocco ∙ Rick Matharu Fusion Chef ∙ MAX Agency ∙ Parisian in America SOUTH ASIA 36 ∙ SHE Magazine Pakistan Supplement THE ARTS 54 ∙ South Asia today versus Downton Abbey ∙ Punam Gill Filmmaker ∙ DJ Pearl RESTAURANT REVIEW 68 ∙ Brunch at Brassaii

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EDITOR S.M. Kamran Zaidi

ay is a month in bloom. After overcoming the past eight months of winter, Canadians more than anyone can appreciate the pleasant prelude to summertime. SHE celebrates the shift in season this issue with a wrap-up of some of Europe and North America’s most established names in fashion including Vera Wang and Gaultier that have all called upon the South Asian subcontinent for inspiration behind their Spring/Summer 2013 collections. Besides the heavyweights, we also examine South Asians at New York Fashion Week. From Falguni & Shane Peacock to Prabal Gurung, it is clear South Asian design talent is here to stay in the West.

Speaking of the West, it has become commonplace for local traditions to be adopted by second and third generation Canadians. One such tradition synonymous with the month of May is Mother’s Day. An American invention, Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908 by Anna Jarvis for her late mother.

She then began campaigning for its recognition as an official holiday and by 1914 it was. In celebration of the holiday it is customary to offer a gift, flowers or a card in praise of one’s maternal figure. In SHE’s May issue we pay tribute to the maternal figure’s role in all our lives with the newly added SHE Parenting section.

Finally, how could I not make mention of our cover girl? The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel brought many British film legends together including Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and of course Dev Patel of Slumdog Millionaire fame. The critically acclaimed film also features newcomer Tena Desae playing Sunaina, Patel’s on-screen love interest. Whispered to be Hollywood’s next Frieda Pinto, we invite you to discover what makes Desae distinctly different. Who does SHE think she is?

Stick around and find out.

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MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE It’s that time of the year again! The tulips are in full bloom, the air is losing its perpetual chill and we’re beginning to shed the multiple layers of clothing from the past two seasons. It’s also time to celebrate the most important women in our lives—our mothers and grandmothers.

What do you get for the woman who tells you she already has everything? SHE Online is happy to share. We’ve put together a very scientific focus group of several mothers and found some surprising insights into what they really want.

So skip the flowers this year—these ideas will last much longer than 3 to 5 days.

Visit http://shemagazine.ca for more!

Mail to: SHE Canada Subscriptions, 1999 Avenue Road, Suite 202, Toronto, ON, M5M 4A5, Canada

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“What is your most cherished childhood summertime memory?”

PRIYA KUMAR

LIZ GUBER

ROBIN ESROCK

I won a scooter at my school’s annual Winter Fair when I was 10. Being winter, it sat in the garage for months, but that summer scoot was the new walk. It was black with ‘90s pink graphics—I was all that and a bag of chips.

Spending summers at my grandparents’ farm, getting my knees covered in dirt while crawling through vegetable patches and watching the cows come home.

Growing up in a big city away from the sea, I can still feel the salty ocean breeze of my first summer holidays at the beach, and the warm, fragrant wind shaking the coastal palm trees. Summers were hot, fun, and full of adventure.

Associate Editor

Fashion Assistant

Travel Contributor

DANYL GENECIRAN

AUSTIN ZAKARI

BONNIE MENDEZ

Most memorable childhood summer was my reunion with my parents after an overnight all-alone separation. I was lost in a small, unknown railway station.

My most cherished childhood summer memory would be when I went on a summer mission trip to Venezuela. We built a school, had many adventures and I got to witness a new culture first hand. It was fascinating and that was when I fell in love with food, travel and people of the world.

Going to the beach and sitting right at the edge where the sand hit the water, hearing the sound of the waves and seeing everyone dive into the water.

Layout Coordinator

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World Issues Contributor

Parenting Contributor

SHE Canada is a fantastic combination of East meets West. In your February issue there is one piece about Bollywood legend Madhuri Dixit followed by the cover story on Hollywood actress Noureen DeWulf.

SHE manages to fuse the two worlds effortlessly and I applaud the refreshing take on South Asian-Canadian culture.

Gayatri, Hamilton I was thrilled to read about Yasmeen Ghauri after all these years. Having been one of the few ethnic faces in fashion back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, she really did change the game. It would be amazing to see her back on the scene again!

Maia, Pickering This month’s article that caught my attention the most was Noureen DeWulf, I am actually a big fan of her work and currently a big fan of Anger Management. It was interesting to know more about her life and her work. I am definitely a bigger fan now that I know much more.

I enjoyed the Missoni x Holt Renfrew feature, especially in light of all the headlines the Missoni family has been making lately. It really seems like Margherita Missoni isn’t just another bored, privileged it-girl.

Daania, Karachi, Pakistan Owais Lightwala’s story was a nice read, but to say that he’s breaking down cultural boundaries in Toronto’s theater scene is a bit of a stretch, no?

Sehrash, North York I loved the theme of the February issue. It’s truly amazing to think that South Asians have conquered so many different industries, from fashion to business.

Yasmine, Los Angeles, CA

Sana, Lahore, Pakistan The piece on Princess Jasmine was definitely a surprise as this is not something you usually see in a fashion or lifestyle magazine. It shows how different this magazine is from others. The pieces in this issue are interesting and they help me learn something new as well to explore the people, fashion, stories and culture of South Asia without leaving the country.

Sherin, Scarborough I loved the supermarket shopping guide! Finally, some straight answers on how to eat healthy! I loved the advice to “shop the perimeter” first, something I’ve been doing ever since I read the article.

Alina, Buffalo, NY

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Who has time to DIY? If glue and wire aren’t your things, these flower crowns are the perfect accessories for spring. Whether you’re planning on frolicking through a meadow or just want to spice up a Sunday brunch outfit, these floral offerings are sure to add woodland whimsy to any ensemble.

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Etsy Alternative Blossoms $65

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ASOS Rope Flower Crown $35

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William Chambers Millinery $660

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ASOS Marigold Crown $7.04

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Eugenia Kim $310

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Etsy Rose Crown $60

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Cult Gaia $120

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Naeem Khan

Proenza Schouler

Rag & Bone

Gucci Ralph Lauren

Tommy Hilfiger

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Is there anything more timeless than a watch? In chic metallic or striking black, our watch picks will instantly add sophistication to any outfit and make sure that you’ll never be fashionably late again.

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Gucci Interlocking Watch $1,240

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Cartier Tank Watch $20,860

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Chanel J12 White, $6,900

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Vivienne Westwood $494

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Reed Krakoff Gold $2,690

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Gucci $1,240

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Charriol St. Tropez $1,470

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Marc by Marc Jacobs $364

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Serpentine jewellery can dress up a white tee and jeans ensemble or give an evening cocktail dress that extra bite.

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Roberto Cavalli Snake Necklace $785

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ASOS Rose Gold Snake Bracelet $109

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Fendi Gold Snake Cuff $310

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Alkemie Intertwined Snake Cuff $209

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Pamela Love Snake Ring $750

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Elise Dray Bracelet, Price on Request

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Aurelie Bidermann Three Snake Ring $750

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After this seemingly never-ending winter, we’ve never been more excited to buy (unsalt-stained) shoes! Here are our picks for the coming months:

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Brian Atwood Maia Suede and Stingray T-bar Sandals $1,995

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Charlotte Olympia The Dolly Suede Platform Pumps $945

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Jimmy Choo + Rob Pruitt Wheel Loe Embroidered $850

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Giuseppe Zanotti Bow-detailed suede sandals $895

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Christian Louboutin Anita 85 buckled Tartan Pumps $1,395

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Charlotte Olympia Delphine Suede Platforms $895

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K Jacques St Tropez Epicure multi-strap leather $305

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Sophia Webster Lula Hologram Vinyl and Leather sandals $450

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Red Valentino Sequins Cherry Flats $325

10 Nicholas Kirkwood Neon Printed Silk-satin Pumps $695 11 Stella McCartney Holographic Faux Leather Pumps $760

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These cool crewnecks are the perfect bait for streetstyle photographers, letting you channel your inner model off-duty without sacrificing comfort. Embellished, embroidered, appliquĂŠd or printed, sweatshirts have never looked more polished. The best part? You can wear them with absolutely anything!

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Proenza Schouler Embroidered Sweater $566

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Emma Cook Embellished Cotton Sweatshirt $305

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3.1 Phillip Lim Sequined Silk Sweatshirt $995

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Three Floor Crazy Paris Top $136

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Kenzo Tiger Embroidered Sweatshirt $255

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Givenchy Fall/Winter 2013

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Zara $80

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Jonathan Saunders for Topshop $80

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Spring/Summer 2013 runways presented a shift toward flouncy, bouncy ruffles. From dramatic to demure, this classic design element appears on necklines, hemlines and even sleeves this season. Take it from Balenciaga and Mila Kunis, this is one look to have some fun with.

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Lanvin Asymmetric Crew Neck Ruffle Dress $3,340

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Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2013

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ChloĂŠ Spring/Summer 2013

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Elizabeth And James Crepe Dress $345

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Mila Kunis in Alexander McQueen

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Comme de Garçons Angle Dress $1,587

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Gucci Spring/Summer 2013

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By Priya Kumar

W

hether you’ve embraced the change or not, retail shopping has undergone a revolution of sorts in recent years.

There was a time when it was the norm to spend a Saturday or a few hours after school at the local shopping mall. Even if you weren’t looking for anything in particular, it became such a pastime in the ‘90s, Generation Xers quickly became synonymous with the term “Mall Rats”—Kevin Smith even made a movie in 1995 starring Ben Affleck satirizing the subculture. But just like the film, shopping malls too have become vintage snapshots depicting a way of life that made sense only in another time.

Today the retail experience has moved to the digital sphere with shoppers flocking to online shopping portals in droves. The United States Commerce Department (USCD) put out some staggering numbers in support of this shift—shoppers spent $194.3 billion in 2011, up 16.1% from the $167.3 billion spent in 2010.

With e-commerce increasingly becoming an everyday part of life, it just makes good business sense that retailers target banner ads to specific consumers that may be interested in the wares they sell. I was recently a target of one of these e-retailers in particular. While browsing the luxury section on Forbes.com, I noticed an banner for Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop. Having spent some time working in Mumbai’s fashion industry, I was familiar with Pernia Qureshi, her epic career as a stylist and her latest foray into the realm of e-commerce.

Knowing the online retail portal is now available to international clients as well, I had to find out more from Qureshi herself.

It’s a little known fact that prior to becoming Indian fashion’s “it” girl, Qureshi pursued a career in law. She tells me: “As much as I enjoyed law, fashion has always been extremely close to my heart. I have always been an extremely creative person and it was after my internship at Cosmopolitan that I realized this was the path I wanted to follow.” With the wheels set in motion, Qureshi set off for New York City where she landed some of the most coveted positions available in the fashion industry. “I interned at ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Catherine Malandrino all in New York after graduating from George Washington University in Washington D.C. in 2006. Following my internships, I worked

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as an assistant stylist in New York for Ann Caruso, a Contributing Editor at Harper’s Bazaar. Then I continued on my fashion journey by doing some freelance work with Condé Nast in New York.

“I decided to come back to New Delhi in 2008. Everything about India attracted me back to it. India is big on fashion and I wanted to create my foothold in the industry here.” And create a foothold she did. Fashion in Bollywood was forever changed when the Sonam Kapoor film Aisha hit theaters. Aisha was groundbreaking in regards to fashion’s presence in a film—branded Bollywood’s Clueless (it was heavily inspired by the Amy Heckerling film), Aisha showcased the runway-ready side of Delhi’s elite, one inspired outfit at a time, flawlessly fusing Eastern style with Western designer labels. “Aisha was an enriching experience.

It was a whole new take on fashion in Bollywood movies. I worked around my personal style and used a lot of vintage wear.

Moreover, working with Sonam Kapoor is always great fun since we both have a similar fashion sense and she is never afraid to try something new.”

Speaking of something new, Qureshi’s latest venture has broken down retail barriers for consumers around the world, allowing them to get their hands on top Indian fashion.

Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop is a one of a kind online experience for both local and international clientele. She felt there was a disconnect when it came to shopping for Indian designer fashion outside of South Asia. “The designers were unable to reach their targeted customers and vice versa. With Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop we aim to [fill] this void and to create a one stop shop for Indian

designers. To set us apart, each product on the website is carefully picked by me. Another reason that brought out the idea for Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop was the lack of time and the difficulty in accessing the designers. Through the website, Indian fashion is just a click away for everyone from New York to Lucknow.”

Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop has perhaps the most expansive selection of top Indian designers available on the Internet, internationally or otherwise. Now if one has a wedding to attend in Sydney, Australia wearing an outdated outfit from three seasons ago is no longer the only option. Qureshi has selected only the top pieces from India’s most coveted designers including Alpana & Neeraj, Manish Arora for Amrapali, Masaba and of course her in-house line Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop.

As a charitable gesture over the Holiday Season, Qureshi and Sonam Kapoor teamed up again to auction off some of Kapoor’s second hand outfits for charity. “Sonam turns Santa was an endeavor to give back a little to society. Sonam Kapoor volunteered to give away 60 pieces from her personal wardrobe; we put them up on sale on Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop and the proceeds were donated to the Smile Foundation. This was just a small ini-

tiative and we are working on doing our bit for society at large in the future as well.”

So what does the future hold for Qureshi and Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop? “For now my prime focus is to expand Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop and make it the number one destination for online shopping all over the world. Ensuring that the crème de la crème will be available to the masses, the website guarantees to offer not just garments but will provide the consumer with my point of view on beauty and fashion.”

Qureshi is a prime example of the renowned Confucius quote “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” She left behind a career that guaranteed a steady pay cheque for an unknown she only knew she had a passion for. Armed with a degree from a top international university and a sharp eye for style, Qureshi took her talents to Bollywood and beyond.

The future of fashion retail is undeniably online and Qureshi has found a corner of the industry not yet saturated by competitors. As an international shopper of South Asian high fashion, it is certainly a relief to know I can now shop for my cousin’s upcoming nuptials from the comfort of my bedroom in Toronto.

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Spring 2013 Couture

By Priya Kumar

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ndian Gypsy was the theme of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring 2013 Couture show. On a visit to Rajasthan Gaultier realized Gypsies originated in India. He watched a bride up-top an elephant with relatives celebrating around her to a soundtrack that sounded like Tzigane music from Eastern Europe. He asked, “Why Tzigane music?”

It was not, in fact. It was actually Rajasthani wedding music. The experience made him realize the connection between Gypsies from Russia/Romania and Indian culture.

Besides the flowing silhouettes, the standout features of the collection included holi covered feet, beehive up-dos accented with a signature plait down the back and of course the unique mixture of textiles. Peasant skirts, Grecian maxi dresses and kitsch backpacks kept the collection unpretentious and true to its Gypsy roots. “What I wanted to do is patchwork, because [the collection] is a patchwork of everything. Patchwork of skin, patchwork of fabric, patchwork of embroidery.” Patchwork was certainly a running element in this collection—Swarovski crystal paneling, appliqué chikan embroidery and Rajasthani beadwork all texturized the pieces.

The looks were inspired by traditional Rajasthani menswear with a distinctly French touch including toile de Jouy depicting ancient Indian myths. The undisputed highlight of the collection was the show stopping wedding gown at the end. To a Hindi rendition of “La Vie En Rose,” four little Gypsy girls were revealed to be hiding under a model’s structured crinoline skirt. They cautiously stepped out in all their couture-cuteness and bounded down the runway for a memorable finish.

The effort was a unique look at the influence South Asian culture has had on European history and epitomized East/West fusion fashion.

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Spring/Summer 2013

By Eloise Alba

The quintessential bridal gown designer takes us on her journey to the Indian subcontinent.

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he lights illuminate the illustrious scene of front row authorities. Then, the first look looms from backstage chaos—an all white tulip cutaway blazer paired with a full cotton voile dancing skirt—not the befitting opener for the exotic Indian journey to come.

As the succeeding numbers frolic down the runway, the whites transition into jade, sapphire, and gold, and alas, the colors of the land are apperceived. “This wasn’t about a sari or a song,” said Wang in an interview. “India was the departure point for my imagination. I sought inspiration in somewhere foreign and exotic.”

The cuts and shapes were distinctly American— structured peplums were paired with Bermuda shorts while brocaded lapels preceded densely folded off-shoulder blouses. Some jackets were reminiscent of traditional men’s sherwani suits but were cropped at the bottom to appeal to the modern. And while tunic-like silhouettes made an appearance, they were simple and almost austere.

“Remember, these clothes have a sense of India but aren’t Indian,” Wang noted. “This was a very layered thought process.”

Wang’s passage through India was not a literal one. The designer even confessed that her entire working summer was spent in New York and continues to explain her interpretation of India as, “a relevant and contemporary place.”

It was a contemporary collection indeed grounded by elements of a rich and vibrant land.

Perhaps it was missing the art— the paisley and Latifa Buti of the Mughals, the ancient techniques of the Jamdani, Kasika Vastra, or the IIkal sari. A faithful apprehension was not expected but a little majesty— that, which comes from only the Indian mystique would have excited.

She put on a good show nonetheless and remained honest and true to her notable design aesthetic. “This was about my own India.”

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By Priya Kumar

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t takes real business prowess for a fashion house specializing in gowns to succeed during these trying times. Yet somehow, India-born Bibhu Mohapatra has done just that and then some. “I am all about really getting this off-ground. Because we can make beautiful things here but if it doesn’t really sell at the end there’s no point…These products, I would love for them to have a life that’s more than a season. They need to live longer, so that’s my goal,” Mohapatra said back in 2010. Reflecting back on his words several seasons later, his success is no surprise. After spending 8 years at the helm of J. Mendel—a renowned house specializing in gowns and furs—Mohapatra was well versed in the needs of his target clientele. The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) saw so much promise in him, he was one of 12 designers selected for their coveted Fashion Incubator program that allowed him to be mentored by top industry professionals and make use their expansive garment district studio space. Lisa Smilor, Associate Executive Director of the CFDA said, “It’s modern and mature. He’s really a new voice on the scene. I could see him in 10 years becoming one of the preeminent evening wear designers. I could see him becoming an international brand; bridal wear seems like a natural spin-off down the road.”

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His Fall/Winter 2013 Ready-to-Wear collection brought more of what his buyers and clientele love.

Structured skirts accented with layers of tulle, intricate beading, embroidery work on the borders of the gowns done in India and sharp geometric shapes were pervasive in the collection. We could not imagine these looks being more appropriate for political dignitaries, Oscar nominees and the upper 1% of the 1%.

By Priya Kumar

Falguni & Shane Peacock have exploded in recent years. I first heard about the husband and wife designer duo when they dressed Miss India at the Miss Universe competition in 2010. The decision to go with fashion newbies Falguni & Shane was a huge step for the franchise as Miss India had always worn traditional formal wear during the international leg of the competition. Soon Britney Spears was wearing the Indian pair’s work in her video “Till the World Ends,” followed by Hollywood starlets including Fergie, Demi Lovato, Jessie J and Kelly Rowland on the red carpet. There is no denying the music scene loves FSP’s theatrical gowns.

For their NYFW Fall/Winter 2013 Ready-to-Wear show, the theme was undeniably sci-fi chic meets S&M. Dog collars, metal crinoline cage-like corsets and their signature ostrich feather accents all made cameos. While I’m not sold on the wear-ability of the Peacocks’ collections, their pieces are certainly front and center during awards season. What separates FSP from their other MumbaiNew York crossover contemporaries is the fact that they are anything but understated. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—who’d want to be while performing at the Super Bowl half-time show? We expect huge things from Falguni & Shane Peacock over the next few years, especially considering they’re one of the few fashion choices Hollywood and Bollywood can mutually agree upon.

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By Priya Kumar

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aeem Khan’s Fall/Winter 2013 Ready-to-Wear show was without a doubt a highlight of NYFW this season. Born and raised in Mumbai, Khan was surrounded by South Asian culture, architecture, history and design from an early age. He descended from a family of couturiers—both his father and grandfather designed garments for Indian royalty.

Back to the NYFW show, the line-up of ensembles transitioned effortlessly from gowns exuding New York high society chic to rich velvet caftans featuring gold brocade. Of the theme of the show, Khan says it is, “Art Deco.

The feeling of the 1920s. How do you mix it with the embroideries and embellishments? I looked into the Ottoman and Byzantine era. These shapes are molded. The patterns are forming to the body.” The colour palette, although subdued, radiated elegance and reminded NYFW why patrons including Michelle Obama keep coming back to Khan. In regards to hair/makeup, the look was meant to be reminiscent of Downton Abbey’s Lady Mary Crawley—dark, defined brows, luminous cheeks and just concealer on the lips. Simple finger waves were achieved using Bumble & Bumble BB Gel. The collection highlight? The cowl necked gowns dressed with a border reminiscent of Indian zardozi work using crystals that glistened with every camera flash. Khan slayed with this exquisite collection. From the front row, friend Matt Damon was heard murmuring, “Wow.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

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omen in Combat— besides being a hotbutton issue in the news as of late, it was also the theme of Prabal Gurung’s New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013 Readyto-Wear show. Military is a trend that never really goes out of style, and given its use of tougher fabrics and darker colour palettes, it serves as the perfect inspiration for any Fall/Winter collection.

Gurung took his cue from the news: “The whole collection is inspired by the idea of empowerment. I read this article in Time Magazine about the best invention in 2012— it was [by] the US military.

They’re reinventing body armor for women because all this while they’ve been wearing men’s uniforms. Then I read this article about the Pentagon lifting the ban on women in combat.

So that set the tone for the whole thing.”

By Priya Kumar

a

Standout features of the collection included form-fitting olive green coats with fluffy fur-trimmed collars, skintight khaki pants and ombrécoloured peplum suits (yes, this means peplum still has at least two seasons to go). The juxtaposition of hard to soft was running theme throughout the collection and was made most evident with the use of a leather chest harnesses contrasted against light silk. Regardless of the underlying message, Gurung has curated a very wearable compilation of pieces, all of which would serve as enduring wardrobe staples.

“As we’re talking about empowerment you know I just don’t talk about the idea of body armor and military. I think it’s also about embracing and celebrating your femininity. That in itself is empowering.”

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LIZ GUBER catches up with experimental London designer Rira Sugawara of Dans la Vie to discuss the importance of heritage, risk taking and the evolution of her brand. mong the year’s four major fashion weeks, New York, Milan, Paris and London, the latter is typically labeled the wild child, offering its own innovative mix of boundarypushing designs to contrast with the comparatively more tame offerings of its international counterparts.

Tom Ford’s latest superhero glam-rock runway show was full of unabashed excess, with loud star-shaped explosions straight out of a comic strip with zebra-prints running wild. Then there’s Mary Katrantzou, one of the most celebrated and imaginative designers to come out of London, whose digital prints and otherworldly silhouettes have made her a global fashion phenomenon. With countless trailblazers such as Christopher Kane and JW Anderson getting their start in the fashion capital, it would seem that London continues to be a city that produces its own quirky brand of genius. There must be something in the water and whatever it is, Rira Sugawara must be drinking it.

Sugawara’s Japanese heritage blends perfectly with London’s new school aesthetic. The result is a slick, glossy and busy collection that manages to both shock and delight. Snakeskin slithers across skirts and risqué bodysuits while traditional Japanese imagery is used in a completely unexpected way when contrasted with PVC and sharp angular cuts. There’s plenty of peplum too keeping the collection on-trend. “There are some amazing print cultures that have come out of Japan, such as Sotatsu, Jakuchu, Hokusai and Kabuki.

The Japanese fashion culture blurs the boundaries of reality and fantasy,” says the designer, adding, “I wanted to express the relationship between the prints and the outlines of the silhouette to incorporate movement.”

Sugawara studied print design at Waseda University in her native Japan, going on to work as a textile designer at an atelier in France before launching her own brand Dans la Vie in London. When asked about the meaning behind the label’s name Sugawara says “When I set up my brand, I wanted to fill all aspects of life with my original prints and I feel that my collections portray real scenes from life, through my eyes.” The Tokyo-based designer has shown four collections in London to date as part of Fashion Scout—an international showcase that brings fashion designers from around the world to show during London Fashion Week. Not unlike Toronto’s own Fashion Incubator, Fashion Scout has nurtured such talent as Peter Pilotto and is championing the next generation of fashion design talent though its innovative runway shows and serving as a platform for increased industry exposure. Sugawara added further accolades “It’s such a massive experience showing at Fashion Scout, I’m so happy to be showing with them for the fourth time.”

As the fierce Samurai glamazons pound the runway it becomes clear that Sugawara is at her best when referencing traditional

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silhouettes of her homeland. Obi belts and kimonos have never felt more current, and are some of the most commercially viable in the collection. Everyday sensibility does not seem to be Sugawara’s objective however. The designer’s vision is that of fantasy and escape, and the Dans la Vie customer is someone Sugawara describes as being an “intellectual, independent, strong women who want to express themselves.”

Dans la Vie creations are currently only available by appointment. Sugawara is working on establishing stock lists around the world while continuing to evolve as a designer, print maker and industry rebel.

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Besides being one of the most recognizable names in talent representation, MAX Agency is also a onestop shop for all of your promotional needs. Whether putting together a fashion show, print advertisement or marketing campaign, MAX has you covered for a fraction of the cost of an ad agency. MAX also has access to an extensive roster of art directors, choreographers, photographers, make-up artists and hair stylists available to complete your project from start to finish. Regardless of the size of the project budget, we are available to you.

2063 Yonge Street, Suite #202, Toronto, Ontario M4S 2A2 tel: 416-482-5392 | fax: 416-482-4109 | info@maxagency.com | www.maxagency.com

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Are you a new actor/model looking for a head start in your aspired career? Talent Shop Academy can open doors of learning and opportunity for you.

Are you a seasoned actor/model? Talent Shop Academy can make sure you are getting the right training, preparation and representation.

The insight you will gain as our student will give an incredible boost to your acting career. Our classes are taught by industry professionals who can transform amateur actors into stellar performers.

Talent Shop Academy 1999 Avenue Road, Suite 202 Toronto, Ontario M4M 4A5 Tel: (416) 644-7790 | Fax: (416) 482-4109 talentshopacademy@gmail.com | www.talentshopacademy.com SHE CANADA

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By Priya Kumar

ena Desae has accomplished something few Bollywood starlets have before her; last year she seamlessly transitioned to a Hollywood leading lady. Cast as call centre ingénue Sunaina in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011), Desae plays Dev Patel’s paramour in the star-studded film. Based on the 2004 Deborah Moggach novel These Foolish Things, the film sees a group of British retirees in search of something new in India. Their final destination is The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a retirement home run by the ever-optimistic Sonny (Dev Patel). Featuring an ensemble cast including Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton and Celia Imrie, it is no surprise the film turned out to be a commercial and critical success, grossing $134 million internationally. For a film with a budget of just $10 million, the comedic-drama outperformed producers’ wildest expectations.

Half Gujarati, half Telugu, Tena Desae was born in Bangalore.

Modeling and acting were never a part of Desae’s original career plan. She initially pursued finance as a student at the National Institute of Management with hopes of eventually going into business. Her plans took a detour when she was selected to participate as a contestant on Channel [V]’s Get Gorgeous—India’s answer to America’s Next Top Model. Similarly to ANTM, the Get Gorgeous finalist wins a contract with Elite Model Management in India. Although Desae ultimately did not emerge the winner, Elite signed her before the competition even came to a close. She has

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since featured in more than 100 commercials and of course made her Hollywood debut in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Desae about her success and she candidly filled me in on fame, Hollywood and her triumphant return to Bollywood.

Congratulations on the success of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel! Tell me a bit about your experience being discovered for this coveted role.

Thank you very much! The casting director of the film, Seher Latif, is somebody I’ve known from my ad days. She called me in for a test, though I was slightly hesitant about the project as I wasn’t given many details about the film except my audition scenes, which included my notorious bedroom scene. But I gave it my best because I never take auditions lightly. John Madden was in the country for pre-production, so he watched my audition, liked it and called me in for a second test. That was a fun day as we laughed and joked our way through the test. From that day on, I really wanted the project because of how much fun John and Seher were to work with. There was a third and final audition during which I had to perform ALL my scenes in the film. Finally, I shared my work profile, a few scenes from my Hindi films and was then finally confirmed for the part. I screamed so loud, I bet I frightened my neighbours! [Laughs]

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Working alongside so many film legends in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, what did you learn from your co-stars?

Work-wise, everything they did was a pleasure to watch mainly because of the cultural differences—body language, intonation, dialogue delivery, so I watched them do their thing and I was amazed at how they managed to add so much to the scene even when they didn’t have lines!

You were a business student back in Bangalore—how did your participation on Channel [V]’s Get Gorgeous come about? Do you see your business degree coming into play in the future?

Modeling and acting was always my first choice, but I wanted to make sure I had an education to back me. Right after college, my sister saw an ad in the paper for the Get Gorgeous auditions and so I tried out for it. Luckily, I was selected for the contest and even though I didn’t win the contest, I was offered the winner’s contract anyway, as the panel of judges felt I had a future in commercial work. Elite Model Management backed my move and supported me hugely as I was trying to make my way around Mumbai.

My degree helps me do my own taxes now, as well as manage my investments. But in the future, I hope to do my MBA, just so I will equal my friends who already have it, and also to clear my conscience [Laughs]. Degrees aren’t good enough anymore anyway. I may just choose to use my education somehow, in my other endeavours, if I decide to do something besides acting later.

Having been the face of Fair & Lovely in the past, what are your feelings toward whitening creams?

But working with different cultures can be refreshing for obvious reasons, and helps open your mind up to new possibilities.

Table No. 21 released in India back in January— as a thriller, how did you prepare for your role? Did you film on location in Fiji? Tell me about the experience.

Table No. 21 was shot almost entirely in Fiji. It was wonderful to film a thriller in gorgeous locations by the sea because I’m a water baby and was always in my best mood thanks to it. There is a strong connection between Fiji and India, and a history, so it felt like you were in India—not 17 hours away!

Preparing for my role was fun because it was about how an ordinary girl reacts when stuck in an extraordinary situation. My director and I discussed all possible options for playing a scene, based on instinct and what would work best in drama. I had a few workshops in acting just for confidence, but mostly based it on instinct, environment, coactors interpretation, and shooting requirements. I enjoyed the part where I would note down all possible options of how to work a scene and discussing that with my director and his ideas. Since the options were endless, it made the discussion great fun!

According to the starlet, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was not only her first international big-budget film, but also included her first ever onscreen kiss. “We don’t kiss in public [in India]. It’s not done. So I was concerned at first,” she says. “I didn’t know how to do it, and I was very nervous, but Dev was wonderful and behaved like a gentleman.” We see a bright future for Desae and anticipate many more firsts coming her way.

Luckily, the product I was selected for was for skin clarity and not whitening. It was a cream that targeted pigmentation and scars.

The need for girls to be fair is huge in small towns and villages—I’ve even heard that they use their savings to buy these creams. Even matrimonial ads still ask for fair girls. It is, obviously, ridiculous that skin colour is still a deciding factor for people. I understand if people want clear skin, not when they want bleached skin.

Who do you look up to acting-wise? (Hollywood and Bollywood) Hollywood—Julie Andrews, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Jessica Chastain and Helena Bonham Carter are my favourites. Although if you allow me, I will go on to name half the industry.

Bollywood—Madhuri Dixit, Kajol, Karisma Kapoor, Rani Mukherjee, Vidya Balan.

From your own experience, how do you find working in Bollywood differs from Hollywood?

I think the budget of a film, scripts and director styles make each film a different experience. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel had an entirely different working style because of the film being a comedy with an ensemble cast whereas a film like Table No. 21, which was a thriller with just 3 characters, had a different method entirely. In Marigold Hotel, we had the luxury of rehearsals and in Table No. 21 we had the challenge of delivering as quickly as possible, because the former was a comedy and the latter, a thriller.

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A Crossroads for Muslims, Jews and Christians

By Austin Zakari

M

orocco is a nation known for its colorful spice markets, specifically the bustling Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech.

What tourists may be less aware of is its acceptance of both Jews and Christians—an uncommon policy in a Muslim nation. India for instance, has been a nation of religious dissent since the British separated the land into two nations—India and Pakistan. Religious terrorism and general intolerance has been an ongoing issue, escalating over recent years. The 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai, undertaken by Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani-based militant organization, lasted for several days and resulted in 164 casualties and over 300 wounded. In many countries, people from other religions are seen as threats and are not tolerated. Bosnia is a further example of neighbours killing neighbours over religious intolerance.

A horrific war that left many families separated and resulted in economic instability and general chaos in a once peaceful nation.

While nearby countries struggle to reach acceptance, Moroccans are generally a welcoming people. And while proselytizing is illegal, the practice of one’s own religion is not discouraged. King Mohammed VI continued the legacy of his father Hassan II and his grandfather Muhammad V by accepting religions other than Islam in his nation.

In fact, in his Accession Day speech, the King stressed that Islam, which is practiced in Morocco, emphasizes tolerance, advocates compromise and outlaws extremism and fanaticism. This philosophy

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has been globally tested, as the country has been the victim of terrorist attacks on several occasions in both the capital, Casablanca, and the city of Marrakech. Political observers have commented that the King’s approach to openness, instituted almost a decade ago, was a forward thinking and bold move for a small Muslim nation. It has been proven successful in countering religious extremists, such as Al Qaeda, and has also broadened the country’s economic, political and social stability. So much so that today, Morocco is recognized as a progressive, economic, touristic and cultural bridge to Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Historically, Morocco has been a melting pot of cultures, increasingly enriched by each successive newcomer. Inhabitants, including Berbers, Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs left cultural remains that can still be identified today. Advanced architecture, language, unique artistry, technology and cuisine are all remnants of their former occupants. This mixture of diversity and richness came together to form the exotic, colorful and lush culture that is found in Morocco today. Tourism in the country is increasing yearly as visitors seek out unusual yet friendly destinations. Tourists of all religions are made to feel welcome as Morocco not only contains synagogues but Christian churches as well. As a Muslim country, their policy of inclusion and acceptance is extremely attractive

to Westerners especially in a time of global terrorism, religious extremism and general insecurity. Morocco has long espoused their doctrine. In fact, they were the first country to recognize the United States of America. In 1786, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson signed the Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship. The treaty, which is still in force today, is the longest unbroken treaty in U.S. history. It is a testament not only to their long standing friendship with the West, but a strong signifier of their recognition of diversity, both

Further testimony to their inclusive nature is the history of Muslim- Jewish relations. To honour the relationship, prominent Jewish leaders in Morocco nominated Muhammad V of Morocco to be the first Arab admitted to Yad Vashem’s list of Righteous Among Nations. During World War II, the Moroccan Sultan also protected Jews from the Vichy occupation. The Sultan rejected orders by the then occupied French government to force more than 200,000 Jews living in Morocco to identify themselves by wearing yellow stars. He was famously quoted as saying: “I refuse to make any distinction between my subjects.”

Jews in Morocco thus fared far better than Jews elsewhere in France and throughout Europe. In fact, his protection of Jews living in Morocco is supported by many stories of Muslim officials who handed out matches and told Jewish leaders to burn damming lists of names, addresses and assets that had been compiled, protecting them from deportation and not allowing for the confiscation of their assets. As a result of his support, Sultan Muhammad V is seen as one of the fairest and most tolerant rulers Jews have ever known.

Moroccan Jews in Morocco, Israel and around the world continue to speak of his heroism and honour him as a hero in their community.

This legacy influenced future rulers of Morocco and helped to shape the policies of tolerance and acceptance that are practiced today. In February of this year, another powerful symbol of religious coexistence was honoured— the Slat Fassiyine synagogue in Fez. This 17th century monument in the Medina of Fez was fully restored. And through private funding and the patronage of the Moroccan government, the synagogue was returned to its original splendor and is recognized as one of the oldest and most important in North Africa. Indeed, it was a rare survivor in the pivotal time of Moroccan-Jewish history.

religious and cultural. Morocco is also committed to honouring those people that contributed to their past and present success. In 2001, The Royal Institute of the Amazigh Culture was created. The institution recognizes the Berbers, the first inhabitants of Morocco, as an integral part of the nation in both language and culture. The non denominational atmosphere encouraged in Morocco allowed for religious freedoms that have promoted progress and peace throughout all areas of the country over the course of history.

Today, Canadians, whether Muslims, Jews or Christians, are welcomed in Morocco.

Canada and Morocco established diplomatic relations in 1962 and since then have formed close ties.

Scores of Moroccans have immigrated to Canada—an estimated population of more than 100,000 are living here presently. Most have settled in the Montreal area, due to language, and are made up of both Muslims and Sephardic Jews of Moroccan decent.

A visit to Morocco today, regardless of religious affiliation, is a step into an exotic and vibrant culture. The country welcomes tourists and as it looks to globalize and increase its world presence, it remains committed to honouring its rich past while welcoming friendly faces the world over.

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HOMEGROWN CHEF Recipe to Riches Canada winner Rick Matharu

By Parveen Singh And the winner is (drum roll please)…Rick Matharu and his Butter Chicken Lasagna!

“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined this would be happening to me. This has been a life-changing experience, and I’m so honoured that so many people across Canada chose me and my recipe as their favourite among all the amazing category winners and their dishes.” These were the sentiments expressed by Brampton native Rick Matharu after snagging the $250,000 prize for his fusion meal—Butter Chicken Lasagna. Matharu garnered the highest number of online votes across Canada for his Indian inspired dish on the Food Network Canada reality series Recipe to Riches. “Taking Indian and Italian food, I’ve combined it together to make a fusion dish—Matharu’s Butter Chicken Lasagna.

It’s full of flavour, it’s happening, it’s good, tastes amazing—it’s the best of two worlds combined in one and when you try it you’ll be doing the light bulb!” It’s also a win he dedicates to the Canadian South Asian community that supported him throughout the competition.

Recipe to Riches is a competitive reality series, where amateur cooks from across Canada compete in two rounds. In the first round, contestants present original recipes in categories ranging from frozen entrées to desserts. Weekly winners take home a cash prize of $ 25,000 plus the chance to have their dishes featured as a President’s Choice product in select outlets. The grand prize of $ 250,000 is decided by an online voting system and is awarded to one of seven winning chefs from the preliminary round. Matharu says he was unaware of the

show until he saw the advertisement for season two while watching television with his wife. It interested them both and when auditions were open he went in and hasn’t looked back since.

“I love experimenting in the kitchen. It’s like a science lab for me,” explained Matharu on his enthusiasm to create new twists on classic dishes. Matharu attributes his passion for the kitchen to his mother, who exposed him to cooking at an early age. We South Asians growing up in the West know this feeling all too well— afraid to open our lunch boxes because we’re not sure what intense aromas will fill the classroom on any particular day. After continually being ostracized by classmates for his curry smelling lunches, Matharu says he demanded he be given regular Canadian lunches. Matharu’s mom gave him the ‘Canadian lunch’ he wanted but not without her own special touch. (She would sneak Indian spices into his peanut butter sandwich!) It wasn’t until years later that Matharu grew to appreciate the importance of his mother’s persistence to introduce her children to Indian flavours in creative ways, something that he now attempts to do through his own culinary skills, “If young kids don’t want to eat Indian or Punjabi food, I’ll figure out a way you can introduce it to them, just like my mom did. Growing up, we didn’t always like to eat Indian food and she would find a way to throw it into ordinary cooking. That’s how she introduced us to Indian food and that’s what I want to do nationwide for Canada.”

Since the show is based on cooks using their own original recipes, Matharu says he did a lot of research about the range of products President’s Choice already carries. He knew he wanted something everyone could enjoy and since PC is known for their lasagna, it was the perfect fit.

You’ll be surprised to learn that Matharu is not only a cook extraordinaire but he also runs a photography business, karmagine.com as well as hosts a weekly Punjabi radio show alongside his wife. After winning the show, Rick says he plans to expand his culinary skills and put some of the winnings toward a new home.

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Besides Butter Chicken Lasagna, how about Kebabs in a Blanket, Indian Bruschetta or even a Spicy Indian Caesar?

Intrigued? These are other concoctions Matharu has created. For these and other recipe ideas, you can visit his food blog at ricksgoodeats.com. Through his East-meets-West blend of cooking, Matharu is not only introducing others to Indian cuisine but also reviving it for South Asians. His recipes are a great way for parents to get picky eaters to eat more Indian food and inspire those stuck in a cooking rut to try adding more spice into their daily meals.

Now if you’re feeling inspired or simply hungry, try this recipe for Kebabs in a Blanket courtesy of ricksgoodeats. com to the right. These Kebabs make for the perfect snack with a Desi kick! And if it’s Butter Chicken Lasagna you’re craving, then head to your local Loblaws or try making the dish yourself with the recipe available at recipetoriches.ca.

Kebabs in a Blanket What you’ll need for the Kebabs: Small pack of ground chicken 1 Small/medium red onion, finely chopped 1/2 cup chopped coriander 1 Tablespoon salt 1 Teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon Fenugreek, finely crushed 2 Tablespoon garlic (or more) 1/2 Tablespoon ginger 1 Teaspoon red chili flakes 1 Teaspoon chat masala 3-4 dashes Worcestershire sauce 1 Large egg 1 Cup bread crumbs Crescent Rolls For Crescent Rolls you can either make them yourself or head to your local grocery store and grab a ready-to-make package. Matharu recommends using wiener crescent rolls as they work best.

Green Chutney The chutney can be store bought but is also easy to make at home!

You will need 2 bunches of green mint, 1/2 lemon, salt/pepper, chat masala, extra virgin olive oil and a 1/2 of a red onion. Blend all ingredients, and that’s it.

1. Mix together all the kebab ingredients in a bowl. Cover and let it sit in the fridge for 1 hour.

2. Pre heat and lightly grease your oven tray or grill on medium-high heat. Form the meat into finger sized kebabs. Cook each side for 6-7 minutes (or longer, depending on your stovetop). Remove and let cool.

3. Flatten out your crescent rolls on a baking tray.

4. Place one spoon of green chutney on the roll and place your kebab on one end. Roll the crescent roll around the kebab, and place on sheet seem side down. Don’t worry if the chutney seeps out of the roll.

5. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown.

For Matharu’s Dipping sauce, take your leftover green chutney and mix it with ranch dressing. He says it makes for an amazing dip.

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Branding Not Just Talent, But Companies Too In Howard Schultz’s words: “Authentic brands don’t emerge from marketing cubicles or advertising agencies. They emanate from everything the company does...”

By Ekta Mukhi

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Today, MAX Agency is one of the most successful model and talent management companies, representing people from diverse races, cultures and ages all across Canada in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Scouting and further cultivating new talent, servicing a diverse clientele and successful marketing of the company keeps MAX Agency on top of an ever-changing industry.

We spoke to Jennifer DeFaria, Senior Agent at MAX Agency, to gain a little more insight into the workings of such an experienced and accomplished Canadian agency.

1) Tell me a bit about MAX Agency as a creative production company.

Max can offer the unique service of a one stop–shop package.

Having Max do all the work for you is the most cost efficient and most organized way to have your ideas realized. We can relieve you of the headache of having to hire a bunch of different people to do different things. Max will do everything, from concept development and creative direction to talent booking and postproduction services. Max Agency has been in the business of talent representation for 13 years and we have all the best contacts and talent required to do an amazing job.

2) What sort of services could I, as a major corporate brand, expect?

Our talent roster is Toronto’s finest! We represent a diverse range of models and actors of every age, from ages two to eighty seven.

Whatever your request- we can provide! What distinguishes us from the average agency is our ability to accommodate your needs for stylists, photographers and creative directors as well.

3) Tell me a bit about your roster of creative talent.

It’s a common misconception that you have to look a certain way

to be involved in the industry. While fashion and beauty is one area we specialize in, it is not the only one. Our talent roster is truly diverse, and it is something we are very proud of. We are also a great company to work with if you are looking for a specific or unconventional talent.

4) Who are some of your past corporate clients?

Max has worked with some of the biggest campaign producers today such as Rogers, TD, Coca- Cola and Nike. We also work alongside independent photographers and filmmakers to help them develop their craft and to kick start their careers.

5) If I have a small budget will you be able to accommodate me?

Max will work with you to make your small budget dreams a reality.

You are already lowering the cost substantially by cutting out the middleman and leaving all the work to us.

6) Is there anything else about MAX that I may not already know?

We love to get involved with fun events and trade shows and can provide talent for those kinds of projects as well. We are also huge advocates and supporters of charitable giving; we have been involved with great charities like Sick Kids, Lady Fatema Trust, Covenant House and The Canadian Cancer Society.

With their experience in the ins and outs of the fashion and modeling world, along with their dedication to provide collaborative branding opportunities to companies, MAX serves as a beacon to guide projects in the right direction and to efficiently communicate the envisioned message. Organized with their broad spectrum of talent: from brand ambassadors to actors, to art directors, photographers and choreographers, MAX undeniably have all of their bases covered to suit any tasks.

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Whilst the Indian culture shaped her values (humility, helpful nature and spiritual progress), the French culture enriched her with art, language, fashion, food and the ability to take pleasure and satisfaction from everything in life.

Her diverse background has led to the rise to her internet persona “A Parisian in America”. After having moved to the United States in 2010, her extraordinary fashion sense was obvious to everyone; those around her regularly asked her for fashion and style advice. Thus came the inception and birth of her blog, where she presently shares ideas, outfits of the day, beauty and lifestyle advice. Rama admits, “I have a natural talent and forte in being creative with my wardrobe. I enjoy mixing and matching different styles and accessories and coming up with some unique combinations for myself as well as others.” Her past experience at a fashion PR firm in Mumbai, where she was exposed to fashion-product consulting, combined with her knowledge of the retail world, has equipped her with the necessities of being a Personal Shopper. “I got into it because I enjoy it and there are many people I have helped that feel I am gifted in it. Personal shopping is helping folks with their image through fashion and doing it on a budget.”

A Parisian in America

By Ekta Mukhi Appearance provides immediate insight on an individual. Beyond the apparent, superficial bearing, clothes represent 3 important C’s: comfort, class and confidence.

Clothing was never something Rama just wore, it was something she loved and today she finds herself pursuing her passion: playing with clothes.

lpa Rama has that certain je ne sais quoi about her. Blogger, Personal Shopper, and Fashion Consultant are some of the titles she holds today.

Rama’s journey with fashion began in Grade 10, at the young age of 15.

As with most teens that grow to be conscious of their looks, she was an advocate for the latest trends and had always possessed a keen eye for fashion, allowing her to be creative and stylish with her wardrobe. “I’ve always been picky, sometimes annoyingly picky about my style,” she confesses. “I still remember being upset with my Mum because she would buy me these hideous looking jogging pants! Love you Mum!” The 25-year-old, who was born in Paris to parents of Indian origin goes on to tell us about her childhood and the perks of being exposed to elements of both European and Asian cultures. Schooling in France had a huge impact on Rama’s style as she explains: “It’s part of French culture to have an ‘appropriate style’. But the concept of ‘throwing something on for school’ wasn’t the case for me. It was about being unique, trendy and appropriate for the weather, surroundings, and environment.”

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Rama successfully incorporates her intelligence (she is currently majoring in Marketing at the ESLSCA Business School in Paris) and her impeccable taste and style. She is the proud cofounder of Osiyan—a trendy Parisian clothing, jewellery and accessories label.

“My brother had the idea to leverage his import/export skills into the fashion world,” she explains. “I came up with the name and did the marketing pieces. It helped that I lived in India for a year and now live in the U.S.A. I received the opportunity to advertise and introduce the brand across the Atlantic,” she explains. We started small with a collection of T-shirts and then came up with a collection of bracelets inspired by the Shamballa bracelet. It’s going great so far and we are confident that with the right attitude, spirit, hard work and creativity, we’ll continue to make progress with Osiyan in the coming years.”

Rama is on a career trajectory heading up. She manifests her dedication to helping others through fashion consulting, personal shopping, blogging and is now set out to launch new clothing and jewelry collections for her line.

Rama also shares with us her secret ardor for healthy eating: “It’s not just about the outer image.” The latest addition to her multi faceted resume is Cookbook Author. She employs the same techniques in cooking as she does in fashion—combining elements to get the right consistency. “I am working on a cookbook,” she proudly exclaims. I use the same mix and match mentality in fashion to the food I cook and the food is turning out to be really tasty!”

With so many endeavors up her sleeve, Rama stresses the importance to help others. “It is something that I love to do with my heart (fashion) and I am passionate about it. So, I feel excited when I am helping someone go to the next level of fashion.

It’s amazing to see the results and the impact it makes in the different areas of people’s lives; physically and mentally.”

When it comes to giving her followers advice. Comfort is Rama’s number one priority. “There is a misconception that we can’t be trendy and comfortable but both can be incorporated in style”. She certainly manages to do so, and her cultivated style continues to inspire those

around her—urging them to get creative without sacrificing comfort.

As we come to the end of our very inspiring conversation with Rama, she leaves us (women who want to be stylish but don’t know where or how to start) with a few words of wisdom: “I think all women have some kind of preference. When you go shopping for clothes just walk through a department store and pick whatever you like and try it on. See how it feels, how it looks and if you feel great in it. If all that is fulfilled, don’t think twice. Don’t ask yourself if your husband or boyfriend is going to like it or of other people will see you a certain way. If you feel great in it, it will look good no matter what. Confidence is key!”

Rachel Zoe once said: “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” Rama’s dressing style speaks a thousand words. From her we’ve come to realize that fashion and style are often misunderstood—It is not about enhancing a woman’s beauty, but rather to reassuring her of it.

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By Priya Kumar “It’s beautifully made—handsome, artfully crafted and acted. [Maggie] Smith, who plays the formidable and disdainful Dowager Countess, has a lovely way of delivering words, always spaced to perfection. This is going to be a treat if you like a lavish period drama of a Sunday evening.”—The Guardian It’s undeniable. Downton Abbey has caused a stir in the television world. Besides the innumerable accolades it’s received internationally, one need only go to Huffington Post, CNN or BBC Online on a Monday morning to bear witness to the social media inferno surrounding the previous night’s episode. In North America, PBS is Downton’s parent network. Almost 8 million viewers tuned into Season Three’s premiere in January; the public access channel is not accustomed to ratings this high, catapulting the home of Sesame Street into the same viewership league as NBC and ABC. Debuting back in 2010, Downton Abbey has become one of the most successful and well-received series to come out of the UK, quite possibly, ever and with good reason. Besides the beautiful (and equally talented) ensemble cast, breathtaking scenery and opulent costumes, the cliffhanging plot is what has kept a loyal following the world over ravenously coming back for more. Set at a fictional Yorkshire County estate called Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle, in real life), the series chronicles the lives of Lord Grantham, his family and the estate’s staff who live below stairs during the turn of the last century. There are intrigues, torrid unrequited love affairs and well-timed zingers from the cunning Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, played by Dame Maggie Smith who has since won two Emmys and a Golden Globe for her portrayal. Being South Asian and having recently moved back

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from Mumbai, there are certain instances while watching Downton when I find myself thinking, “This would happen in India today!”

While the similarities are endless, I’ve broken down the five most obvious in regards to being a young woman then versus now: 1) The distinct, impenetrable class-divide between the Upstairs/ Downstairs This seems like an obvious one, but take a look at the one man who managed to go from a supposed life in servitude to a resident of the manor itself on Downton. In season two, Lord Grantham’s youngest daughter, Lady Sybil falls in love with the family chauffeur, Tom Branson. They decide to marry against her parents’ wishes. After Sybil’s untimely death during childbirth, Branson is left to fend for himself as a socialist, Irish outsider amongst his new blue-blooded family. Season three even sees poor Branson being left out of a family trip to Scotland as the guests to a distant relative’s hunting lodge. Although such social ostracism would be unthinkable today, especially given his station as a recent widower, we at SHE chronicled a very similar situation when we interviewed the Maharajas of Jaipur.

Princess Diya Kumari, nicknamed Chubs, fell in love with the son of a palace servant named Narendra Singh Rajawat when she was just 16-years-old. The official union that ultimately ensued sent a shockwave through India’s social elite—not only did Diya have the nerve to choose a commoner, but he was also a member of the palace staff. His role in society was quickly and quietly rewritten to keep up appearances, not unlike the Dowager Countess’ active search for distant relatives with the name Branson to pass off as Tom’s family.

2) You’re 25-years-old and single. It’s all downhill from here.

Poor Lady Edith. As the middle daughter on Downton Abbey she has neither the beauty nor charm of her elder and younger sisters, Mary and Sybil. The following dialogue is typical of her character, while arranging a cousin’s wedding gift deliveries: Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham: “Your turn will come.”

Lady Edith Crawley: “Will it? Or am I to be the maiden aunt? Isn’t this what they do? Arrange presents for the prettier relations?”

Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham: “ Don’t be a defeatist dear, it’s terribly middle class.”

While there are several Bollywood comparisons to be made here, it is Turning 30 starring Gul Panag that best illustrates this similarity.

Panag plays Naina, an advertising account executive that’s dating a banker. Days before she turns 30, her banker boyfriend leaves her for another girl with connections to finance his father’s fledgling business.

The film is chronicles the difficulties Naina encounters now that she’s about to hit the big three-oh and is not yet happily married with children. It should be noted that Turning 30 is a mainstream, modern Bollywood movie and is not trying to be ironic in its plot in any way.

3) [Arranged] marriages come with a stamp of parental preapproval Seasons One and Two of Downton Abbey sees the unrequited PingPong match of love between Lady Mary and distant cousin, Matthew Crawley (the legal heir to the Grantham title and estate). If Mary is able to accept Matthew as her husband, the title will remain within Lord Grantham’s immediate family for the foreseeable future. Mary, in her own words, claims she will never love anyone she is told to. Side note: the two do end up together.

Although love marriages are celebrated in the South Asian media and Bollywood, it’s interesting to note the vast majority of marriages in the subcontinent are of the arranged variety. The reason behind this is that Hindus and Muslims alike live in complex social spheres where the forming and maintaining family alliances are a key part of society’s evolution. Often times these marriages are arranged from birth with the promise of engagement being agreed upon by the families. In the twenty-first century, a South Asian living in the West may partake in speed dating or marriage conventions, specifically geared towards what they are looking for. Shaadi. com has become an increasingly popular digital portal for South Asian parents to post their adult children’s stats, hoping for a good match. Truth be told, looking into the history of South Asian arranged marriage makes even the Crawleys seem progressive.

4) Looking to socialize in the evening? Be prepared to sneak out of the house Young cousin Rose is only 18 years old when she arrives at Downton Abbey—her mother Lady Flintshire has had it with her antics and chose to ship her off to her relatives in Yorkshire than deal with Rose herself. But Rose has plans of her own— when Lady Edith is called to London to meet with her Editor at the newspaper The Sketch, Rose tags along and disappears into the metropolis.

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run rampant in the developing world. If I hadn’t the financial backing of my parents and a home to live in owned by extended family, a career in editorial, PR or event planning would simply not have been feasible. Although I’d made the decision to work in Mumbai, regardless of the ultimate benefit the experience would have on my career in the West, many young women from affluent families could not imagine spending their days in an overheated office, slogging away at a computer. Their days consist of waking up at 9 or 10 for an in-living room personal yoga class, followed by a leisurely lunch at any number of the world-class eateries in and around Mumbai. By afternoon they attend a chic strawberry and champagne cocktail put on by a luxury French beauty brand followed by a party hosted by a D-list celebrity at one of the aforementioned restaurant hotspots. Yes, these ladies do exist. They were on my clients’ guest lists and make up a good chunk of South Asia’s elite. What is a weekend, indeed?

Unfortunately she leaves a paper trail and is discovered at a local nightclub canoodling with a married man.

I could offer up a number of personal anecdotes similar in nature from my time in Mumbai, but for the sake of my relations, I won’t.

Needless to say, when living with elderly relatives, make plans to spend the night at a girlfriend’s before heading out on the town. Or else expect 13 missed calls by 10:30PM on a Wednesday. True story.

5) The perplexed looks of bewilderment that follow the mention of your career “What is a ‘weekend?’” – Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham Perhaps the most famous Maggie Smith one-liner of the whole series, the Dowager Countess wonders in all sincerity what Matthew, a full time lawyer, is referring to when he says that he always has the weekend to manage the estate. Remember Lady Edith’s position at The Sketch? While the unfortunate spinster received encouragement from the Dowager Countess of all people to take up the position, it was her father Lord Grantham that requested she put a stop to her foolish career ambitions, as he believed the paper was using her for her connections.

Having worked in India and realizing the pain and effort of getting to and from work for the equivalent of $700 CAD a month (no benefits, meager wage increases by increments of about $20 every six months) was no longer worth it, I knew I had to reevaluate my situation. It seemed, not unlike the fancy internships I’d previously held in New York, working in fashion (or any other creative field) in Mumbai, one had to be able to buy their title. And if one had connections within society, it was an added bonus and cause for further career advancement (deserved or not). Yes, nepotism does

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I think the take-away from all this is, besides South Asia having perhaps a century ahead of itself before socially catching up with the developed world, that change will come. Downton Abbey will see the fall of its way of life—this is inevitable. These grand estates, while they still stand today, are no longer the lucrative employers and tenancies of the past. It’s said that Highclere Castle would have employed up to 60 servants at any one time inside the house. A large part of the reason this lifestyle no longer exists is due to the prohibitive costs of maintaining such a fleet of staff. Once South Asia is able to better protect employee rights such as the minimum wage and doing away with the stigma surrounding the caste system, it too will see the fall of regal living for the everyday man. Whether it’s for the better or worse, it’s a part of the evolution of society, a society where equality and civil rights appear more and more universal buzzwords now than ever.

Catch Downton Abbey on Vision TV on Wednesday at 9PM and on PBS as a part of Masterpiece Classic on Sunday at 9PM

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By Parveen Singh

“We as South Asians, whether newly immigrated or here for a few generations, are all individually figuring out what traditional values we want to keep, which ones are no longer working, and which new ones we want to adopt. Even the most traditional person has changed a bit with the times, and the most modern among us still have some traditional Indian sensibilities. My films are a reflection of this dance, and I think South Asians see themselves in the stories.”—Punam Gill Punam Kumar Gill, a prairie girl at heart, has been making films since 2006. The director’s journey of creative expression began at an early age. As a child Gill would write poems and stories, make costumes for her dolls and perform skits. She is even trained as a Bharatanatayam dancer. Giving herself permission to follow her dreams has been the greatest challenge in her journey thus far. The inner struggle faced when trying to break free from societal expectations and the challenges that come with a career in the arts are things many South Asians can relate to. However, in 2006 Gill who previously kept her love of the arts strictly as a hobby knew she could no longer live the lie. “The artistic desire in

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me was brewing quietly and I suppose it hit a boiling point. As a woman, I also felt I had a window of opportunity to take the risk of making films before having a family. So I grabbed it and haven’t looked back.” There were ideas brewing and Gill felt there was something she needed to say; she would find her voice behind the lens.

Her initial venture into the realm of film and artistic expression left her weary of telling people about her new career path. She didn’t want to be plagued with the stigma associated with making movies for a living. As she delved further into her work, she soon realized after all the blood, sweat and tears that go into bringing a story to celluloid, she no longer feared what people thought because she was proud to say she was an artist. Her first film hit close to home and paid homage to her father—a simple man who began a driving school to teach new immigrants in a predominantly South Asian neighbourhood in Edmonton.

The Lesson released in 2007, received numerous accolades and continued to do so thereafter. Unfortunately Gill’s father, Ramesh Kumar passed away in 2009. The film served as a great tribute to a man who had a profound impact on its creator.

No starving artist Funding for independent filmmakers can often be a concern.

Bodies such as the Canada Council for the Arts provide grants but it’s not always enough. Gill tells me how she fell into the world

of fundraising. “I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree, and of course had very little idea of how I would apply it in the real world. Having no fixed plan made me very open to any job offer, even ones in ‘fund development’ or ‘non-profit.’ My first job was for a big fundraising campaign for a skateboard park.”

producing highly creative and collaborative. Someone told me recently that Hitchcock was like this also – he loved all the stuff leading up to the shoot and all the stuff after because those are the two times where the film is created. The time on set is just a bridge between those times.”

As with all artists, Gill takes a great deal of pride in her work.

With the mantra “save money, find money, make art,” Gill has refused to buy into the notion of a starving artist. With persistence, and a newly developed background in fundraising, she now finds ways to fund her projects. “The fundraising I do now is on a much smaller scale, but because it is for my own projects, it’s meaningful and daunting at the same time. Believing in yourself is one thing, but asking others to believe in you and back you is something I take very seriously. I have a very special relationship with my supporters. I feel that each one of them becomes part of the fabric of my film. Their story weaves into the story I’m telling on camera.”

Take 2013 This year has already begun with a bang. She coveted a 5Q interview with Amrita Singh as well as another 5Q session featuring Ahluwalia+Abbasi Unplugged. The latter, which is due for release in April, will be set on the Upper East Side and focus on artists Kiran Ahluwalia and Rez Abbasi. Unmentionables: Confessions

The 5Q interview “Five is a number we can easily wrap our heads around. It’s not tiring for the subject, it’s manageable for me as a one-woman production shop, and it’s easy for viewers to watch and share.” The 5-question interview format unique to Gill are short interviews (less than ten minutes) meant to provide insight on an individual’s career, life and wisdom with an end result that is captivating, short and easily shareable. Some artists that Gill has conducted 5Q interviews with include Canadian chef Vikram Vij, NYC photographer Punam Bean and painter Chantey Dayal. “I am interested in the great minds of our times. I am drawn to people who have a unique outlook, a new way of seeing old things. Their ideas have shaped them into pretty colourful characters. It sounds a bit voodoo, but I also feel that my subjects find me.“ Recently, Gill had the opportunity to unveil her latest 5Q interview session with New York City-based jewellery designer Amrita Singh at New York Fashion Week. When I asked her how such an exciting opportunity came about she tells me about her NYFW adventure. “My friend, who’s got a successful fashion blog, and I decided to take on New York Fashion Week on a bit of a whim. We managed to get some official tickets and we also covertly snuck in to some events. It was only natural that I filmed some great designers and artists while I was there. I discovered Amrita’s jewellery the year before, while I was on maternity leave—online shopping got me through cabin fever during the winter months. I was very nervous to film her; I almost forgot to wear my Amrita Singh earrings! But she was a class act—so humble, so intelligent and of course, so stylish.”

On top of being an accomplished filmmaker, Gill has also donned the producer’s hat with the film The Baby Cliff.

“I actually see myself as a producer first, director second. I find

from a Bra Boutique is another. The film is stationed at a bra boutique and revolves around a number of intermingling women’s stories. I’m told Gill is waiting on financing for the documentary and that it should be underway shortly.

As for future plans, my love for classical dance prompted me to ask when we could expect a dance documentary. I’m happy to announce that Gill indeed has plans to return to her roots as a classical dancer and make a dance documentary. “I like to call my films ‘creative non-fiction’, a hybrid of documentary and drama. I would like to take my documentaries even further into surrealism and fantasy.” With more great stories to tell and Gill ready to take her vision further, the year(s) ahead looks bright for this talented filmmaker.

Fans interested in learning more about Gill, her work or just wanting to share their stories/ideas can visit punamarts.ca or connect with her via Twitter @punamarts or Facebook.

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By Priya Kumar

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ame a world renowned female DJ. Go on. Sam Ronson.

Name another one. Not as easy as it seems, right? Now ask the same question about India’s Electronic Dance Music (EDM) scene. Surprisingly, many of South Asia’s top DJs happen to be female; DJ Aashika, Malika Haydon, Megha Kawale and Ma Faisa can all be found spinning at international venues offseason and on the beaches of Goa in December and January. While almost oversaturated at this point with female talent, there really only is one Indian EDM queen bee: DJ Pearl.

Co-founder of Submerge, India’s hottest EDM music party, Pearl has become a legend in the party circuit. I had the opportunity to catch her at the famed BlueFrog venue in Mumbai several times over the past few years and every one of her appearances commandeered a crowd double that of the previous. “I try and take the crowd through a bit of House, Techno, Progressive, Trance…whatever they are up for [on] a particular day,” Pearl says of her sets. In spite of her understanding of what her fans want, the road she has travelled to becoming a DJ was an unexpected one.

As a young adult, Pearl was unsure of what she wanted out of her career.

What she was sure of was her love for art and music. In an effort to find herself, Pearl joined the ranks of the Netherlands’ national airline KLM. The position took her around the world, but it was its hub of Amsterdam that really struck a chord with Pearl. “[It] exposed me to the world of clubbing, obscure record stores and DJ sets the way they were meant to be played. I used this job as a source to collect records and started training in Amsterdam as well as in the few days I had back in India. There’s been no looking back since.”

She has made it her mission to bring fresh beats to India. Besides doing some DJing of her own, she also worked as a promoter by booking Dutch DJs at venues around the country. Because she was paving the way for the modern-day dance scene in South Asia (that included visits by international legends including Swedish House Mafia), she looks back fondly to the early days of her dance music empire.

Of course being of South Asian origin, one has to ask about her family’s reaction to joining the rave scene. “The first challenge was convincing my family to accept this decision. Understandably, they were extremely concerned about my security. It was quite a natural reaction, now that I look back. However, back then I didn’t really reflect on why they were opposed to it. All I could see before me was this overwhelming need to get into DJing. I think they came around when they saw just how determined I was, in other words— stubborn, and have been my biggest supporters since.”

Speaking of family, Pearl says her biggest inspiration to perform is her husband Nikhil Chinapa. A former MTV India VJ, Chinapa is Pearl’s Submerge co-founder. “He has been a pillar for me since the day I met him and encourages me everyday to chase my vision.” It should be noted that Sunburn, Submerge’s largest festival held every December in Goa, saw 150,000 attendees last year—by far India’s largest outdoor music festival of its kind.

So what’s next for DJ Pearl? “As we speak, I am preparing for one of the biggest tours of my career. I am playing the opening sets for one of my gurus over the next three days, John Digweed. He’s an absolute legend in our world and particularly for the kind of music I play.”

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By Priya Kumar

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eing South Asian is the new currency in Hollywood for actors these days. From Hannah Simone’s Cece on New Girl to every role Mindy Kaling has ever played, South Asians have gone from being extras milling about in the background to front and center of just about every major network television show you can imagine. Canadian television is no exception.

I recently had the opportunity to chat with BOMB GIRLS’ Gabe Grey. Besides boasting ancestral roots in Pakistan, he’s also tall, dark and handsome. Oh and he happens to play a doctor—sounds like a certain ‘90s-era saltand-pepper ER physician. Grey tells us all about his career, what’s in a name and where we should look for his rising star next.

Tell us a bit about your role on Global’s Bomb Girls. It’s hard to imagine there were any Indian doctors in World War II era Canada—how did you prepare for this role?

I play Dr. Narendra Patel—but you can call him Ned. He’s comes from an upper class family in Bombay and is educated in London. Due to the war and the bombings in London, Ned comes to Canada to complete his training. While here, he ends up meeting a nurse’s aid, Sheila Corbett (played by Natasha Greenblatt) and well, I’ll just leave it at that.

To prepare for the part I did a few things. I re-watched Gandhi to understand the era and to find Ned’s voice. I started doing lots of research about Indian Immigration to North America. Surprisingly, Indians have been here since the 1600s—originally as slaves and servants. A large influx of Sikh Punjabis came in the 1800s to work in the mills and farms. And lets not forget, the aristocratic families in India sent their sons to boarding schools in the UK. With Canada being part of the British Empire it’s understandable that Dr. Patel would continue his training here.

I also put out the word out on social media —trying to find any South Asians that might have migrated to the US/Canada/UK in the ‘40s, but it turned up dry. And then I realized my brother’s father-in-law was an Indian doctor that came here in the ‘60s—so I asked him a lot of questions and asked him about how life was and how he dealt with discrimination.

I always wanted to do a period piece, but short of playing a Raj or something, there

really wasn’t much opportunity. That’s what I really loved about the role. It brought to light a historical fact that we haven’t seen dealt with in film/TV before.

A career in the arts is generally not what Pakistani parents push their children into— how has your family reacted to your recent success?

I actually went to U of T and did a Major in Biology with Minors in Psychology and Professional Writing with the plan of going to med school. After university, I worked in the scientific field on the corporate side of things. I wasn’t happy so I when I told my parents I wanted to act full time they were cautiously supportive. It’s a career with lots of uncertainty and ups and downs and, understandably, no one wants that for their children. I was fortunate to start booking work quickly so they were quite happy.

When I got the part on BOMB GIRLS they were really happy and proud and are always telling everyone they know about it. Their Facebook feeds are full of BOMB GIRLS this or that. I love it!

Which actors do you look up to (Hollywood and Bollywood)?

I am a huge fan of some actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Irrfan Khan, but I don’t look up to them as role models or anything because I don’t really know them! Maybe it’s a funny way of thinking, but the actors that I do look up to are my peers. We are all in the same boat with different challenges and we are all trying to find our way in this crazy industry. I know their stories and their struggles and how they have to deal with it all. That’s what I find inspiring. That’s what I look up to.

Tell us a bit about your past—when did you leave Pakistan for Canada? When did you realize acting was your true calling?

I was a few weeks old when my family left Karachi—for Hong Kong. We spent 6 years in Hong Kong and then moved to Taiwan and then Thailand. In 1993 we moved to Atlanta and then finally in 1996 to Toronto.

I caught the acting bug in middle school and it got stronger in high school. However, it was just a hobby and I put it on the back burner while I went about fulfilling the status quo—going to university, getting a good job etc.

However a few years into “doing what was expected” I wasn’t happy so I decided to get back into acting and it just kind of grew organically from there. I did a play, a casting director saw me, from there I got my agent and then it all just kind of happened.

But, I don’t think I ever had that “AHA! EUREKA!” moment where I was like “I must be an actor!”—It was just something that I loved doing, so I did it.

Tell us a bit about your name—it doesn’t sound like the most Pakistani!

Muhammed Yusuf Khan became Dilip Kumar, Krishna Pandit Bhanji became Ben Kingsley, and Syed Fuad Ahmed became Gabe Grey!

There are a lot of reasons behind the change.

I hit a few obstacles in my early career— some not so fun—my agent at the time recommended a neutral Screen/Stage Name. At first I was uneasy with it, but then I started booking jobs from my headshot versus not being called in at all. Now it’s been so long that it’s a part of who I am.

There has been an influx of South Asian characters on both Canadian and American television—what are your thoughts on why this is occurring?

I think it reflects a few things. I think the industry realized just how large the South Asian market was and that there was desire to see more diversity on screen. There were South Asians working in the entertainment industry behind the lens as writers, agents, and directors and it was only time before we trickled in front of the lens. Also, I see it in the audition waiting rooms too. There are way more South Asian actors now than when I first started—which is amazing. It’s amazing that we portray genuine characters with depth now and have graduated from the bumbling, head-bobbling stereotypes of the past. At the end of the day, I’m always excited to see any type of diversity on screen.

So what’s next for Grey? He just wrapped The Haircut, a short film that will be screened at a film festival in Toronto, although he’s unable to divulge too much. This spring he will also be returning to the stage in Flengarry Glen Ross at The Factory Theater in Toronto.

You can follow him on Twitter @gabe_grey and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GabeGrey. And ladies, he will respond.

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As companies attempt to penetrate the new demographic, they are continually halted by their misconceptions. “The payoff is huge if you get Dads right,” says Jin Lin, Vice President and Digital Strategist at Ketchum Public Relations.

The question is: “[Do you] get Dads right?”

Last year, there was an outrage in the online Dad community when Huggies released a commercial depicting a group of fathers and their babies with a voice over that said: “To prove Huggies diapers and wipes can handle anything, we put them to the toughest test imaginable: Dads, alone with their babies, in one house, for five days.”

Outraged bloggers (who were also Daddies) dispatched numerous petitions and reports stating that the brand’s campaign entailed Fathers were incompetent, inefficient, and incapable (in diaper changing skills). Several other advertisements also failed in their attempt to reach out to Dad. A 2011 ad for Tide referred to a stay-at-home Father as a “Dad-Mom,” adding to the misdoings from the advertising side of the sphere.

So what does it take to tap into the world of the 30 to 40-year-old discerning Dad? Perhaps marketers need a change in perspective.

In 2010, a Toyota advertisement promoting their Sienna SE minivan featured a couple rapping in their vehicle while cuddling their SE minivan, which they referred to as the “Swagger Wagon.” The ad attracted more than 11 million views on YouTube. What did they do right? “The Dad in the video is not a cringingly cool Dad,” says Matthew Wilcox, Executive Director of the Institute of Decision Making at the advertising agency Draftfcb. “He is appropriately cool!”

By Eloise Alba Dad-mom /dad:mom/ n: A slang term given to males who adopt the role of a mom, which are, but not limited to tending to the children, household chores, and general good keeping of the home. With an increasing market for fathers with purchasing power on family-related needs, brands face the challenge on how to approach the growing consumer group and tackle the role reversal trend.

It is a prevailing belief that matriarchs are the significant mark in marketers’ aim to sell consumer goods. An online survey in 2001 revealed that women were responsible for 80% of household purchases and 85% of brand acquisitions. Apart from established facts, customary ideologies would also lead one to conclude that home is where the Mom is.

Recent research however, shows a drift in the women-home orientation. Nielsen reported an average expenditure (per grocery trip) by men of $36.26 in 2012 compared to the $27.49 in 2004.

Another study conducted by Yahoo sampled 2,400 men and found that a significant percentage classified themselves as the primary buyers for the household.

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As marketers pursue their attempt to grasp the Dad audience, roles and expectations are critical. Creating a positive identity is crucial; men don’t want to be viewed as inept and they certainly don’t want to be viewed as a “Dad-Mom.” Rob Candelino, VP of Marketing in Unilever once described the target customer as: A Father, or an expectant one, in his late 30s and married, cares deeply about his role as a Father and mentor, and is comfortable having a tea party with his daughter as he is having beer with his friends. It makes perfect sense. After all, a Father’s multi-faceted resume also includes just being a man.

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Recently, I got a new job at a friend’s business. There are a lot of young people working there so it’s a great environment. I’m a flirt by nature, as is my friend’s younger brother. It’s completely platonic and I like the attention. However, I have been warned he does have a tendency to become attached and to be careful but as long as it’s flirting, I don’t see the harm. Is it flirting really that big of a deal?

Punam, Richmond Hill SHE Said: Forget your friend’s brother for a moment and think about your friend. While she’s all stressed out about the financial success of her business, a friend that she has enlisted the help of during this tumultuous period of her life is hitting on her brother?

This is where South Asian culture differs. Let’s be honest, when it comes to flirting and dating things can get pretty weird. My advice is, keep your relationship with your friend’s brother strictly professional at work. If you both mutually decide to meet outside the office for a platonic or more than platonic reason that’s up to you but at least you can’t be called unprofessional—just a bad friend.

HE Said: Walking a thin line is a tricky thing. If you know the guy’s tendencies then it’s obvious flirting will make for a toxic mixture.

You have been employed by his sister thus keep it professional. You may not see the harm but you may feel hurt when your job and friendship are in jeopardy. Moreover, ask yourself a question, what do you get out of or gain from flirting?

I’m a new mother with zero time or energy to do anything. My husband keeps encouraging me to have a girls’ night out and even attempts to set up date nights. I’m not comfortable leaving my child in someone else’s care just yet and always find excuses to cancel plans. This has led to my friends and husband feeling neglected—which is not my intention. Why can’t they understand my priorities have changed and not take it personally?

Amina, Oakville SHE Said: Oh early motherhood. It really is a change in priorities isn’t it? Why don’t you meet your husband in between? Plan your time out earlier in the evening at first and bring baby with. After

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you’ve had some time to adjust to new motherhood, you’ll feel more and more comfortable spending short periods of time away. Your husband and friends will understand the steep learning curve you’re dealing with and will certainly understand if you plead your case in this manner.

HE Said: I think your husband has the right idea and should be applauded. It’s natural to be protective of a child however it may impede our thought process at times. You say your priorities have changed but it doesn’t mean your old life has no place in your current one. I would go out, because a few years down the road you may long for similar nights out, moreover its not fair you make excuses when the people in your life are trying to include you and give you a break from the new changes.

There is no nice way to say this but my friend’s boyfriend makes me uncomfortable. The past few times we have all hung out together, he’s made inappropriate remarks towards me. It began with him telling me how I was attractive to where he has said that he would ask me out if he had the chance (always with a laugh). I haven’t said anything to my friend because I don’t have anything concrete to say. Am I overreacting?

Rhea, Buffalo SHE Said: You’re definitely in the right keeping your distance.

Here’s what I see going down in the long run. Chances are if he’s like this with you, he acts the same with her other friends. Remember the phrase don’t shoot the messenger? When it comes to love the messenger is always shot and you’re not going to be the exception.

So I recommend you do what you’re doing. Take a step back and wait for this relationship to play out. Unfortunately the best thing you can do for your friend in this situation is absolutely nothing.

HE Said: It depends on what the remarks are and in what context.

However, if you feel uncomfortable in any situation you should be able to approach your friend or the boyfriend if you feel a line has been crossed. Moreover, brushing it off sometimes does not ensure the action won’t be repeated— it only leaves you hoping it won’t happen again.

Florals, rich paisleys and luxe velvets are the new spring mix. Our favourites this month are bold accessories from Jimmy Choo and Givenchy and Etro’s Kashmiri inspired collection.

Gucci Printed Cotton T Shirt $300

Burburry Prorsum SS 2013

Etro SS 2013

Canali Velvet Blazer $834

Etro SS 2013

Paul Smith $326

Gucci SS 2013

Band of Outsiders SS 2013 Pierre Hardy High Top Sneaker $585

Givenchy Backpack $1010 Jimmy Choo Paisley Slippers $750

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Brassaii Restaurant and Lounge has been a nightlife destination on Toronto’s King Street West for years now. What many do not know about is their weekend brunches. Recently I had the opportunity to visit the eatery during daylight hours and found myself pleasantly surprised.

A good friend of mine had just returned from Nepal after ice climbing to Mount Everest Base Camp. She suggested our epic catch-up be at Brassaii on a Sunday morning, having been wellacquainted with their expansive and inventive daytime menu and knew it would not disappoint.

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Brassaii is located in a cobblestone courtyard just off the hustle and bustle of King West. With an extensive patio, the space seamlessly transitions from a Winter to Summer venue. Once inside, the space exudes architectural heritage with its white-washed bare brick walls and heavy oak furnishings. Lighting is kept minimal as to not disrupt Brassaii’s character. Bottom line: great ambiance, but we came for the food.

Our marathon brunch began with a plate of their famed Sugared Donuts (cinnamon sugar, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce).

A true guilty pleasure, there’s no better way to start the day off than with dessert. I’ve heard the donut is the new cupcake, but I was skeptical about its trendability—Brassaii’s presentation of the donut certainly put my concerns to rest. It is a very cool pastry.

For the main I ordered the Buttermilk Pancakes (chocolate, banana, peanut butter mousse)—what isn’t to love about that combination? Although a sweet dish, it was never overpowering and the peanut butter mousse was the perfect alternative to runof-the-mill 100% pure maple syrup.

My brunch companion ordered the Duck Confit (Muscovy duck leg, summer bean cassoulet, rosemary, mustard sauce).

Looking to keep her carbohydrate intake low (more for me), she loved this gourmet alternative to an egg white omelette. The duck was fall-off-the-bone delicious (her words, not mine), spiced with just enough rosemary and mustard.

Brassaii is a great location for both personal and professional occasions.

The food is impressive without being complicated or pretentious. Do stop by during the day on a weekend. Their patio is goes on for days with a beverage menu to match.

Brassaii is located at 461 King Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 1K7, 416.598.4730.

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Syed Asif Raza Mortgage Agent FSCO Lic. M08000668

c (416).427.8655 f (905)290-4040 asif.raza@migroup.ca www.migroup.ca/asifraza

Central Office: 600-5770 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON L5R 3G5. FSCO Lic. 10428 Ž Registered trademark of Mortgage Intelligence Inc. Š 2009, Mortgage Intelligence Inc. all rights reserved.

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September Lodge, Village Way, Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, HP7 9PU Tel +44(0) 1494 762 063 info@ladyfatemahtrust.org Website: www.ladyfatemahtrust.org UK Reg Charity No: 1072270

www.ladyfatemahtrust.org

Thank you for answering the call of the Orphans and the cries of thirst emanating from Iraq in places like Kerbala, Najaf, Basra, Al Kurt, Baghdad and across to Iran where Iraqi & Afghan orphans are to be found.

Your response shows the words of Imam Jaffer Sadiq (a.s.) saying “Everyday is Ashura, every land is Kerbala�, ring true today as when they were spoken and will continue to do so to the end of time.

We pray that Allah puts you in the proximity of the Holy Prophet in Jannah for responding to the Prophets to care for the Orphans.

To see what other worthy causes you can contribute towards to make a real difference to the lives of those who are less fortunate than us, all around the world, please visit: www.ladyfatemahtrust.org

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These young eyes were witness to the atrocities that befell the residents of Kerbala and live their lives emotionally scarred and often without one or both parents.

As a result of several wars and years of summary execution under Saddam’s tyrannical rule, millions of innocent lives were denied the love and care of their parents. If our children have a rough day we read them a bedtime story to lull them into sleep.

But these children would fall asleep alone only to be woken up to the sound of gunfire and exploding bombs to be instantly reminded that they had lost their father or mother or worse still, both. These young minds must have wondered if this was how they will live the rest of their lives as once again they realize that their loved ones are gone forever.

Your concern and support will restore some hope for their future.

You can reach out to an orphan in Kerbala today and change a life for the better. The Lady Fatemah (A.S.) Charitable Trust has worked in Kerbala for over 10 years and has overseen several such projects. By signing the Gift Aid Form you are assured that for every $1.59 dollars donated up to $2.03 is actually received by the needy with no deductions made for administration or any other associated cost.

The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) highly recommended caring for the orphaned child and you can answer the cry of such a child by offering them some comfort in their traumatic lives.

At a cost of just $24 dollars per month (less than $1 a day) you can ensure that the child is housed (preferably with close family) educated, clothed and fed.

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By Liz Guber

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npaid internships haven’t been getting a lot of love recently. On fashion’s world stage, New York Fashion Week, Occupy Wall Street protestors were busy rallying against the maligned phenomenon the fashion industry has become known for. An op-ed in Dissent Magazine declared Interns the new housewives “compliant, silent and mostly female” and damning industries that seem to operate and even flourish on the backs of an unlimited pool of willing unpaid workers.

Not very long ago, I was a student in the creative field.

Although not a requirement in my program, internships, largely unpaid ones at that, became everyone’s unofficial co-curricular activity. Compared, competed for and heavily endorsed by professors and alumni alike, internships were considered a rite of passage and a standard component of a post-grad resume.

Academic advisors and program directors never saw any problem with the internships’ lack of compensation; in fact, I still receive internship postings from the alumni relations’ office on a weekly basis. As a formally unpaid Intern working at a company that prides itself on offering meaningful learning experiences to students and recent grads, my perspective on unpaid internships in the fashion sector is decidedly different from those holding up protest signs at Milk Studios.

The fashion industry is notoriously ruthless. The Devil Wears Prada and The Hills tell us that fashion is not for the meek and idle. “A million girls would kill for that job” is the generally accepted mentality. With such a cutthroat axiom to go by, internships aren’t just a learning experience, they are a real world competition for the few coveted spots in an increasingly unforgiving industry. Off-screen the popular blog The Eternal Intern chronicles the journeys of three well-educated young women as they climb career ladders in New York, Paris and

Los Angeles. The blog touts itself as “a testament to the hope, excitement and despair of three ambitious girls in an unstable job market. To paraphrase yet another show glorifying the struggles of twenty-somethings, HBO’s Girls’ resident pragmatic Ray tells the recently down-sized Marnie, who has dreams of running an art gallery “the world already has the three curators it needs;” substitute curators for fashion editors, designers and buyers and you paint a realistic picture of just how saturated the industry is, with more starry-eyed hopefuls joining the entry-level ranks each day hoping for their big break.

A recent piece in the New York Times glumly summed up the plight of Interns and entry level workers as they struggle to break into what the article has dubbed “rock star professions.” The article was particularly accurate when describing the expectations for young workers: “‘We need to hire a 22-22-22,’” one new-media manager was overheard saying recently, meaning a 22-year-old willing to work 22-hour days for $22,000 a year.” The numbers are shocking, but sadly, not completely exaggerated. So-called “helicopter parents” encourage their children to follow their professional dreams to the point of almost impossible sacrifice.

“Children who have been overscheduled since nursery school might find it especially hard to set professional limits.”

At their best, internships should provide an invaluable learning experience, giving Interns opportunity and responsibility to balance out the more mundane tasks that are bound to come with the territory of any internship. Many employers report that although recent graduates possess the necessary knowledge and hard skills, they lack proper office etiquette, work ethic and teamwork abilities. Whether it’s the fault of the education system or simply boils down to individual inexperience, the internship’s role is to provide knowledge that cannot be obtained in a classroom. Young workers can also learn what they do and don’t want to do in their careers while engaging in a real-world “post grad” learning exercise. Making mistakes, finding a mentor and maybe even proving oneself to get hired are all part of a wellrounded, justifiable interning experience— take it from someone who’s been there.

From a legal perspective, internships in both the United States and Canada are legal as long as the Intern in question is a student receiving school credit or if the company is a non-profit.

Putting an internship label on an entry-level position is never legal, however it is done by countless companies who have come to count on free labour. What if unpaid internships disappeared from the fashion industry completely? It’s a scenario that doesn’t bode well for the industry or those trying to break into it. Instead of paying inexperienced interns, companies will surely put the funds toward more experienced candidates— ones who’ve no doubt gained said experience in part from unpaid internships.

Hiring an unpaid factory labourer to work at an assembly line for 8 hours a day is as unethical as it gets, and slapping an “internship” label on a job for the sake of free labour is equally questionable.

Perhaps Ed Keenan, senior editor at The Grid said it best “Tension in the unpaid internship debate stems from different views about the function of the role: free labour vs. free education.”

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Why Toronto’s newest workout trend is worth all the hype.

By Liz Guber

On the morning of our scheduled workout at Fitwall—the latest fitness craze to hit Toronto—I awoke feeling a little scared. My greatest fear was falling off the vertical ladder-like contraption feeling out of breath, out of patience and pathetically out of shape. Yet a few hours later as my sweaty fingers gripped for dear life and Psy’s Gangnam Style blared from the corner of the studio, I was feeling good and much to my surprise, having a great time.

“You’re at 80 percent of you max heart rate and we haven’t set foot on a treadmill” announced Jennifer McKeogh, my Fitwall trainer for the day. Maximizing every muscle in my body and combining cardio with strength training without the repetitive nature of regular gym workouts is all part of the Fitwall draw. Jennifer filled us in on workout’s origin; “FitWall got its start in Denver Colorado, invented by an exercise physicist, Doug Brendle. Doug discovered Vertical Training in the lab by accident approximately 12 years ago and dedicated eight years to its development.” Fitwall was recently brought to Canada, with two locations operating in Vaughan and Leaside.

As SHE’s Associate Editor and I performed squats, leg extensions, and pull-ups while hanging a foot off the ground, we felt our bodies engaging almost every muscle in order to stay on the wall. “A typical ground-based exercise will engage a maximum of 10 to 12 muscles at once, whereas on the wall, upwards of 200 muscles are being used at once. This results in a total body workout that incorporates cardiovascular training, resistance training and flexibility training.

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In addition, because we are involuntarily engaging so many muscles while using the Fitwall, the body’s weaknesses and strengths are balanced out,” said Jennifer. From the tips of my fingers through my core and all the way down to my feet, I was definitely feeling the burn. At Fitwall, members can do more than just feel the results of their hard work. With the ability to hook up to a heart-rate monitor I could see just how close I was to performing at my maximum heart rate, and what the calorie burn added up to at the end of the 30-minute session.

The FitWall contraption has the appearance of a bookshelf-ladder hybrid with rungs to hang on to and stand on. The basic principle is as follows: the closer your hands are to your feet, the harder the workout you are getting. The tagline “You are the Machine” met me at eyelevel, motivating me during those near-impossible final reps.

To keep things interesting, various attachments such as straps, bands and rings were incorporated into the workout. The half-hour flew by, and with over 9,000 (yes, you read that correctly) exercises available on Fitwall, the workout was anything but boring. Jennifer went on to describe a typical Fitwall session as “fairly quick, yet modifiable for any level of fitness. Fitwall exercises are performed in one-minute intervals, not in number of repetitions so that one individual may stay on the wall for the full minute, one may come off at 45 seconds for rest and another may come off at 30 seconds depending on their level of fitness. The beauty of working at a pace that is this fast is that the workout flies by— before the participants realize it, the workout

is over and people are inspired to do their best.” As predicted by our trainer, the minor muscles started to feel tired first even though our leg and core muscles had yet to give up. Although the equipment looked intimidating, Jennifer assured me that Fitwall is a workout suitable for all—“A Fitwall workout is ideal for any person at any age and fitness level. Due to the fact that the exercises performed on the Fitwall actually decompress the joints, it is a safe and effective form of exercise (and rehab) for everyone, including those with injuries and ailments that might otherwise prevent them from exercising, such as arthritis, joint replacement and back problems. It is also safe for children as it allows them to do resistance training without doing any damage to the growth plate [cartilage found at the end of bones in growing children/adolescents]. “

Despite taking it relatively easy on our first try at Fitwall, I woke up the next morning feeling an all too familiar soreness, and although my muscles may have ached, the pain served as a reminder of a tough, yet efficient and balanced workout. Continued exercise on Fitwall can result in greater muscle tone all throughout the body, weight loss, increased muscular and cardiovascular strength and endurance, as well as greater flexibility. Give it a try and see for yourself, just don’t forget to hold on tight!

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any don’t understand this disorder. In fact, my husband believes I’m overreacting when my son gets sick. As every mother knows, when your child gets sick your mind flies through the millions of possible remedies to alleviate their symptoms. Even if the doctor reminds you that the most important thing to do is keep calm, the reality of the situation is that calm is simply not an option. It’s as if you’re willing to travel to different dimensions in order to find a solution and more often than not, you wish you could exchange places with your ill child.

It’s hard as a new mom to cope with this kind of situation especially coming from a different culture in which a small fever can make a turn for the worse and become a debilitating illness within days. For me, the first thing that pops into my head is the doctor, and not just any doctor. If my family doctor is not available I will go to the ER; it is a scenario that has played out multiple times thus far. And if anyone asks if it’s embarrassing, I simply answer “Absolutely not.”

When I was a child I never understood why my mother worried so much, but now that I’ve found myself in her shoes, it is not so much about worrying, as it is about finding a way to alleviate your child from pain even if only from a minor cold. We live through our children, and we live for them.

A few weeks ago as I dropped my child off at daycare, I learned that one of the other little girls (18-month-old) had been sick with pneumonia and had suffered a seizure that was caused by a quick rise in temperature. Called Febrile Seizures, a staggering one in twenty five children experience the disorder.

I recalled reading about these seizures a few months earlier on a blog called Dear Baby which had been nominated for the Best Family & Kids Blog by Apartment Therapy. The author of the blog, Melissa Embrey Jordan, had suffered the same experience with her daughter who had been 20 months at the time the seizures began. As I was reading the blog I learned that many parents, especially new ones, are totally oblivious to this disorder and it’s a wonder it never comes up in doctor’s visits. She even mentions that if she were to have known about this she and her husband would have been able to handle the situation much better.

Febrile seizures are usually harmless, they last for about 5 minutes and it is recommended you call 911 if it last longer than that.

In my opinion, even if it is not your first time you should still seek medical help. This type of seizure happens between the ages of 6

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months and stops at the age of 5 years and is associated with temperatures higher than 102° F or 39° C. Family history also plays a role as the disorder is believed to be genetic. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the older the child, the less likely he/she is going to experience another seizure. The best way to avoid a quickly rising temperature is to administer the right dose of Tylenol or Advil as both medications are proven to help with fevers. Doctors also recommend that if your child is having a seizure, put them on a flat surface on their side to avoid any choking and just let it pass. Embrey Jordan recommends talking in a soft voice to calm your child as well. Do not put any objects in their mouth as they could break it and choke.

If your child has gone through a seizure in the past and you are more aware of the situation, and it is best to let them go through it on their own. Do not attempt to move or restrain the child. When the seizure starts he/she will become lethargic and unresponsive, so it is best to clear the area of any furniture and call 911.

I am very familiar with the initial panic moms go through when dealing with a sick child, but a trip to the Emergency Room doesn’t constitute an overreaction; it simply means you are human and acting in the best interest of your child like any good mom should.

Reporting by Bonnie Mendez Pizon. Dear Baby by Melissa Embrey Jordan can be found at http://dearbabyblog.com.

J Crew Satchel $200

Zara Sweater $39.90

Puma Sneakers $48

Osh Kosh B’gosh Jeans $30

Zara Coat $49.90

Ugg Classic Boots $175

Zulily Cargo Shorts $18.10

Zara Dress $45.90

Zulily Dress $25.56

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By Priya Kumar

While living in Canada certainly has its perks when it comes to winter vacations, putting together a unique beach vacation is not as easy as it seems. One can only travel to Mexico or Cuba for the all-inclusive experience so many times, and beyond that what else does our continent have to offer within a four-hour flight? Years ago when I was about to graduate from high school, I set my heart on learning how to surf. But not just surf—I wanted to take a vacation that included my other passion of yoga (strange combination, right?).

Anyway, I found a few amazing retreats offered in and around Bali, Indonesia. Barely being able to afford a trip to Florida at that age, I put this dream aside and moved on. Now much older and gainfully employed, I have restarted this search for the perfect surf retreat. In doing so, I chanced upon Pura Vida Adventures in Costa Rica.

Pura Vida, translating literally to “pure life,” offers an all-inclusive surf/yoga experience for women. Founded in 2003 by Tierza Davis, Pura Vida is located off the scenic coast of Malpais, Costa Rica. At the time of its founding, Davis had been working in IT when all of a sudden the dot-com bubble burst and she found herself with a bit of free time on her hands. She used this opportunity to go out to Central America for the first time to pursue surfing, a long-time passion of hers. Although she’d made several attempts in the past to take up the sport, she usually found herself frustrated and exhausted, unable to keep up with the lessons. “I actually first attempted to surf when I was around 20-years-old in Southern California; but my third day trying, I got pummeled by a wave and the board hit me and tore up all my thigh muscles. I became absolutely afraid of the surfboard and swore off the sport entirely, or so I thought. Years later I moved to San Francisco and took up boogie boarding, because even though I feared surfing, I never lost my passion and love for the ocean. It wasn’t until I was 32-years-old that I was finally convinced to try surfing again, and this was only after I received surf lessons as a gift. I took my first lesson in Santa Cruz, California and it changed my life. I was hooked the moment I stood up on my first wave.”

She attributes a single moment that changed her life forever. Prior to heading out to Costa Rica, she spent some time on the North Shore of Oahu to watch the Triple Crown of Surfing, one of the sport’s most prestigious events. “On one of these days I experienced a moment out in the ocean that inspires me every day. During a lull between sets one of the most beautiful, brilliant rainbows appeared...

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and this next part I still can’t believe, there was a dolphin doing flips underneath the center of the rainbow. One of the long boarders yelled out, “There is a God!” Just then a perfect right [-breaking wave] came straight to me; I took it and felt the breeze on my face as I flew down the line. This is the very reason I LOVE SURFING. Magical moments like these.” In Hawaii she met a like-minded travel companion named Arzum at her hostel. Davis persuaded her to join her in Costa Rica by saying, “I will teach you how to surf. We will have so much fun meeting hot surfer boys.” Arzum couldn’t say no.

“Our quest in Costa Rica was finding a beach town with endless waves. When we arrived in Malpais, I thought that I found a little piece of heaven and realized I had never felt so alive and present in my entire life. My type “A” personality stood no chance in Malpais where I learned to slow down and enjoy every moment of life. I also learned so much from the local Costa Rican people. They taught me to appreciate exactly who I am, and focus on the positive aspects of my life instead of what I perceived as faults.

“After two months in Malpais we decided to explore more of Costa Rica, visiting dozens of other beach towns. In my heart I knew that Malpais was where I really found myself and when I left, I cried because I felt like I was leaving part of myself behind. I knew I wanted to return to this idyllic location and it was at this moment that I started formulating the idea for Pura Vida Adventures,” Davis confesses.

After returning to San Francisco after so many months abroad, Davis spent every second working toward making Pura Vida a reality.

“I had no desire to return to corporate America and every move I made towards establishing Pura Vida Adventures brought me one step closer to realizing my newfound dream. There were countless moments that I felt overcome with fear, but when things are meant to be they are pretty seamless. The main thing that kept me going was the thought of being able to surf every day in Costa Rica and introducing this amazing feeling, culture and people to others.”

Pura Vida specializes in teaching women, just like her, how to surf in a patient and non-competitive environment. She added yoga into the fold because it was not only decades-long passion of hers, but also because it offers the balance and awareness one requires to properly

surf. She says, “Inspiring women to embrace the experience of surfing—fears included—and watching them overcome the obstacle of fear is the magical part of my job, my reward.”

Besides the gorgeous beach and world-class surfing instruction, guests stay in deluxe beachfront villas or bungalows, enjoy yoga taught by seasoned professionals, a one-hour private massage and so much more. The surfing lessons are designed for surfers of all ability with the use of a wide array of premium surfboards. At Pura Vida, surfing always comes first.

After spending the day on the water, every guest wants to come home to a world-class meal. The cuisine is to die for—featuring some of the best dishes the Caribbean has to offer including Mahi-Mahi and organic avocado salad garnished with carambola. If a town meal is what a guest is after, one will find fresh lobster, fish tacos and just about every other type of coastal cuisine the palate may desire.

Pura Vida says, “In a world filled with obligation and responsibility, a Pura Vida Adventure highlights the true essence of travel—experiencing exhilarating activities, forming new friendships, enjoying pristine and tranquil landscapes, indulging in local culture and ultimately, enriching the lives of women.”

Sign me up!

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By Robin Esrock I’ve climbed inside the pyramids in Cairo, seen the sunrise over Machu Picchu, walked the marble boulevards of Ephesus, and witnessed the sun set on the Taj Mahal. As for the sprawling complex of temples in Cambodia? It beats them all. After three days of exploring ruins that cover one thousand square kilometers and once housed over a million people, it is impossible not to be overwhelmed by the architectural legacy and sense of history to be found here in the Southeast Asian jungle.

Angkor is what remains of the once powerful Khmer empire that encompassed Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam from the 9th to the 14th century. Although advanced for the age, their cities were primarily built with wood, and all that survives today are hundreds of majestic stone temples. That Angkor remained intact after decades of civil war and the bloodthirsty dictator named Pol Pot is a miracle in itself.

Siem Reap is the nearest town, located just a few kilometers from the temple gates. Although Cambodia might seem like an exotic destination, it packs in plenty of foreign tourists, many of whom fly in directly via Siem Reap’s slick new international airport. The dusty town is sprinkled with temples, markets and parks, but the temples are the main attraction. A pass to the Angkor complex costs $20 USD for one day, or $40 USD for three days. Two days would be ideal for most people, but wandering about so many

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ancient ruins can easily soak up a week for the historically inclined.

The scale of Angkor is what sets it apart—it’s like cramming many ancient wonders into one theme park. Constructed over a five hundred year period, they vary in design with the bas-reliefs and carvings revealing both Hindu and Buddhist influences.

Crossing a stone bridge lined with the carvings of angels and demons, seeing the enormous heads of Angkor City gate pointing in the four cardinal directions of the compass, it is impossible not to get giddy. Angkor Wat is the largest and most famous temple, with towers that rise 60 metres, lined with stunning carvings and surrounded by an enormous moat. Orange robed monks and white robed nuns walk amongst thousands of tourists, adding their colour to photographs.

Siem Reap’s dusty Pub Street is lined with century-old French colonial buildings, converted into lush, modern bars and dishy restaurants. Boutiques, bookstores and bars cater to the crowded foot traffic. Political stability, and the fact that tourism is conducted in US dollars, has caused tourism to boom. Five years after my first visit, the airport road is now lined with dozens of new hotels, built for a steady influx of Japanese, Korean and Chinese visitors. The prices, fortunately, have remained relatively the same. Three dollars for a meal, $1 for freshly squeezed juices, tuk-tuk rides for under $1, and my clean guesthouse just off the main road was a steal for $11 a night.

There are various ways to explore the temples, and given the jungle heat, walking should not be one of them. Hire a driver or tuk-tuk, rent electric bicycles, or a scooter. Guesthouses are happy to arrange everything for you. Whatever you choose, you’ll see lush green fields where coconut trees spring from the rice paddies.

Local children smile and wave, monkeys chatter cheekily, elephants stand in the shade, their masters ready to take tourists for a literal, and figurative ride.

Inside the temple complex, I pass the Elephant Terrace, with it’s intricately carved sculptures, and ride towards Ta Prohm, a jungle temple straight out of an Indiana Jones movie (or more accurately, Tomb Raider, which used the temple as a location). Archeologists have left Ta Prohm much as they found it, full of enormous fig trees cracking into the stone. It is an eerie, incredible sight, like walking through a modern city in a thousand years to find roots growing out a department store. No matter how important we think we are, or how important the Khmer thought they were, nature will eagerly reclaim her land.

While most historical wonders are safely protected behind ropes, the fact that you can clamber over the steppes, pyramid-shaped towers and temples of Angkor means you can literally touch the past. Breathe the air in dark, forgotten passages, and see candlelight flicker in rooms where ancient Buddhas still sit. Cambodia is no longer off-the-beaten-path as it once was. If you have a penchant for history and adventure, definitely add it to your bucket list.

Vancouver-based Robin Esrock is the co-host of the OLN/CityTV series Word Travels. You can follow his adventures at www.robinesrock.com

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MOROCCANOIL BODY BUFF FRUCTIS FRUIT SENSATION SHAMPOO/ CONDITIONER IN GRAPEFRUIT TONIC Billed for Normal to Dull Hair, Fructis Fruit Sensation in Grapefruit Tonic smells fabulous. Sourced from natural plant origins, the product is made with Pink Grapefuit extract, known to be an antioxidant. It tones the hair, bringing out its natural shine. The end result is hair that healthily shines from within. SRP: $5.29 (384 mL) / $7.99 (750 mL)

In a word, this product is lovely. Moroccanoil is known for their hair products, but now they’re undertaking some major brand extension by entering the world of argan oil-infused skincare products. Moroccanoil Body Buff is has a gelatin like formula— which was unexpected—and contains various exfoliants and moisturizers like Argan oil and dried orange peel. Orange peel is a known natural exfoliator and gently buffs away dead skin cells. Other essential oils including sweet almond oil, safflower oil, sesame oil and grape seed oil hydrate and replenish the skin’s moisture. Without even a drop of moisturizer after using Body Buff, my skin feels super smooth, even in the dead of winter. SRP: $42 (180 mL)

OPI BOND GIRLS The latest Bond Girls collection from OPI features six distinctive new liquid sand lacquers. The unique polishes have a pretty reflective sparkle combined with the season’s hottest trend—a matte finish! I love the textured feel and finish of these lacquers; they’re perfect for any night out or great to spruce up any look and best of all, no top coat’s required! My personal favourites are Vesper, Pussy Galore and Honey Ryder but you honestly can’t go wrong with any of the six shades- a must have for the summer season! SRP $10.95

ALL GLOSSED UP BY HARD CANDY IN LOVE BITE You would never guess that a bright shade of magenta would suit South Asian skin, but apparently HARD CANDY has formulated one.

All Glossed Up is a chubby crayon-like product that goes on super smoothly and hydrates for hours. Although the stick doesn’t look like a gloss, it shines and moisturizes for hours. A little background on HARD CANDY—it was founded in 1995 by Iranian-American sisters Dineh and Pooneh Mohajer. Dineh created the line’s first product when she mixed her own colour of nail polish to match her baby blue Charles David Sandals. Called “Sky,” the colour shot to fame when Alicia Silverstone wore it on The Late Show with David Letterman and he complimented her on it. LVMH later bought the brand out in 1999 only to sell it years later to Falic Fashion Group. HARD CANDY’s full product line is now is available at Wal-Mart. I’ll say it now; I’m thrilled HARD CANDY is back in my make-up bag!

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IMPRESS PRESS-ON MANICURE BY BROADWAY NAILS I can count the occasions I’ve gotten my nails done on one (un-manicured) hand. The new press-on nails from Broadway had me curious to give talons a try. The process couldn’t have been easier. Each nail comes pre-coated with adhesive and application is completely mess-free. After I pressed on each nail, I filed them down to a length I was comfortable with and no one could tell that my nails weren’t real. The next time I feel like indulging in a manicure, especially for a special occasion, I’ll use these nails again.

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By Liz Guber

On a very snowy week in March, World Master Card Fashion Week returned to David Pecault Square in downtown Toronto for another round of fearless fashion, outrageous personalities and as always, trend-setting beauty. Maybelline’s Head Makeup Artist Grace Lee broke down the look she created for David Dixon. “David Dixon is known for really pretty womenswear; every season he really likes his women very feminine, so we wanted to keep it classic.”

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation was used to keep the skin looking naturally radiant. A youthful, full brow was achieved using Maybelline Master Shape. On the eyes, a mix of two Maybelline Colour Tattoos was used to create a silvery white highlight on the lids.

Maybelline’s latest Big Eyes Mascara was applied onto well-curled lashes. Finally, the lips were coloured with On Fire Red Color Sensational VIVIDS Lipcolor topped with Gleaming Grenadine High Shine Gloss.

Grace Lee summed up the entire look as “simple, beautiful...They’re just going to look effortless and chic.” Once the show began and the beautifully dressed models were flung down the runway, the on-point makeup was hard to miss. The dewy skin radiated under the lights and the red lips provided the perfect pop of colour to contrast David Dixon’s timelessly tailored creations.

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By Liz Guber

Celebrated makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury created a “modernist Guinevere” makeup look for Bibhu Mohapatra’s Fall/Winter 2013 show. To complement the opulent pieces, the models were transported back to the 1930s. A wash of bronze cream shadow (Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow in Bad To The Bronze) from lower lid to the brow created the perfect sultry eye look. Lips were stained with wine coloured lipstick (SuperStay 14 HR Lipstick in Wine And Forever) which was applied and then blotted down, giving a lived-in, effortless look. The models’ skin was made flawless and dewy, with the lightest hint of pink blush (Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal). Last but not least, the nails of each model were given an Art Deco transformation with a black and pink diamond pattern on each finger using Color Show Nail Lacquer in Onyx Rush and Born With It.

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By Liz Guber

With the clothing exuding androgyny and equestrian influences, fresh and effortless makeup was on the menu as well. Charlotte Tilbury worked her magic once again to create a look suited for a cool girl with a tough streak. The season’s must-have lip colour, SuperStay 14 HR Lipstick in Wine, was slicked onto the lips of each model while the skin was kept fresh and youthful with the help of Dream Fresh BB Cream and Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer.

A natural beige shade was specially mixed for the nails using Color Show in three different colours.

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Review by Liz Guber Author: Elizabeth L. Cline Portfolio Hardcover $27.50 at Chapters, Indigo and Amazon.ca

e’ve all experienced the rush and thrill of new purchases; with a reckless swipe of a credit card we walk out of the store, treasures in hand and a feeling of satisfaction so fleeting, it’s no wonder we’ll be right back in the fitting rooms and at the cash register within the month. As the sheen of newness fades from a dress, a micro-trend passes and threads begin to unravel, we don’t hesitate to buy more and more, and with the mass fashion industry pumping out new styles and trends at unprecedented speeds quantity over quality is becoming the sad reality of Millennials’ collective closets. It’s little wonder that each day a woman stands before an expansive walkin closet in a state of undress exclaiming in exasperation, “I have nothing to wear!”

Elizabeth L. Cline’s Overdressed exposes the sad and shocking realities of clothing consumption, from factories in China and Bangladesh to draconian design headquarters in North America to our overstuffed wardrobes. I picked up the book seeking the final push I needed to once and for all step away from the vicious cycle of fast-fashion. Tired of sub-par quality hiding beneath too good to be true price tags and horrified after the news of garment factory fires in Bangladesh, I was ready to change my ways.

As an avid thrift store and vintage shopper, I predicted that a portion of the book would be dedicated to this shopping alternative.

I was not wrong; Cline only touched on the value and timelessness of vintage apparel. Most notable however were Cline’s findings on the state of thrift store donations. It never crossed my mind that not every item that is donated finds a second home. In fact, overwhelming amounts of goods go unsold and if charities resort to disposing of the unsold goods in a way that isn’t satisfactory to the very same people that over-consumed in the first place, trying to alleviate guilt by making the said donations, they receive a lot of flack.

So what are they to do? Well, a portion goes into post-consumer products, another to cunning vintage clothing dealers, and the rest?

It goes on an oceanic journey and lands in Sub-Saharan Africa. Bales are purchased by eyeing only what is on the outside, then they are cut open and a crowd of eager shoppers search for hidden gems.

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Although the book starts with Cline tallying up her wardrobe and reading the labels on all of her garments, her research went far beyond cataloguing her own spending to derive sobering truths. The author went so far as to create a fake fashion line and travelled to China under the pretense of finding a manufacturer. She also visited the fledgling garment and textile mills in the US and provided rich historical context to today’s clothing conundrum. While a thoroughly researched and thought-provoking work, Overdressed falters when it comes to convincing the reader to walk away from the mall and seek more sustainable alternatives. Cline mentions a few grassroots fashion retailers and forays into making her own clothes but what’s ultimately missing is the shock value. Perhaps it’s more of a reflection on my jaded state of mind rather than a criticism of the book itself.

I was left wanting more—more hard-hitting facts, more gruesome accounts of labour conditions, more tales of evil executives with their eyes only on the bottom-line.

The greatest success of Overdressed is its power to let the readers decide for themselves. Although the book advocates local sourcing and manufacturing, it doesn’t condemn the occasional fast fashion indulgence. On my first visit to a mass fast fashion chain after finishing the book I was amazed at how different the merchandise looked. The sweaters, denim and accessories no longer beckoned to be taken home, having gone from glittering objects of desire to sad, grey reflections of corporate greed.

MARRIED WITHOUT CHILDREN I am a 29-year-old woman who has been happily married for four years. I grew up in a traditional South Asian household, with very strict parents; I was never allowed out so I missed all the parties and would have to hear about them from my friends. As soon as I met Mr. Right, I got married so I could have my own life and it has been great. My husband thinks that it’s time for the family planning to begin but I don’t want to give up my freedom. This is the cause of many fights between us because he thinks I’m trying to make up for all the experiences I missed out on and need a reality check. How do I make him understand that I love my life right now and bringing a child into it when I’m not ready isn’t right?

The simple answer is “your body, your choice” but you haven’t given me enough information here. Firstly, besides having a ball, what else are you doing with your time? If you do have a career, it’s more than acceptable that this be a reason to put off a family, but if taking care of the house is your prime responsibility, maybe he feels that it’s best a family be started while you’re young enough to invest the energy full time into some children. I assume you do eventually want a family, but consider this: as you enter your 30s, it becomes increasingly difficult to conceive. While emotionally and financially you may be more prepared, you’ll find yourself biologically completely unprepared. While I can’t go into detail on what you should or should not do because of this above missing information, I’ll leave you with this: give him a time line as to when you feel most comfortable about thinking about children.

That way, you both know what’s coming and you’ll still be able to enjoy your child-free home (and non-chocolate stained upholstery).

I guarantee you later in life Mr. Fun will be married. That said, you’re only just getting to know these guys. A few months down the line you could find out your fly guy is actually madly in love with you and couldn’t see himself with anyone else. BUT, consider this: All of you are in the same position. You didn’t specify if you’re using a predominantly South Asian dating site or a general one, but if you are in fact using a South Asian portal, think about the intent many of the sites members might have. This may sound like a generalization but South Asians don’t mess around when it comes to being set up. Saying he’s unsure of marriage is a massive red flag and you should take this into consideration when making your decision. Finally, what are you looking for in a mate? You haven’t listed out why you think both these guys are so great, so I urge you to do so.

Regardless of what comes of your research, I urge you do continue seeing both for a while longer. The very fact that you’re having trouble making a decision signifies that you need more time. The last thing you want to do is rush into something you probably should have thought out more carefully to begin with.

ONLINE DATING CONUNDRUM I recently started online dating and it’s been going well. I have met two really great guys through the experience but I am now at a point where I actually have to choose between them.

Although both are cool people; one is more outgoing and fun, while the other is more of a grandpa. I would probably choose the one I have more fun with except that he isn’t sure about getting married in the future, while the other one is looking for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage. I don’t want to invest my time and emotions in someone who may bail on me later but at the same time I don’t want to settle on my feelings.

How do I make a decision?

Easy. Pick the grandpa. Oh please, stop acting so shocked! While we at SHE advocate living life to its fullest, what you don’t want is to be with a guy who tells you to your face he doesn’t know if he believes in marriage. And regardless of what he says today, SHE CANADA

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“All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.”

OSCAR WILDE “Do not use the sharpness of your speech on the mother who taught you how to speak.”

IMAM ALI (PBUH) “[A] mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.”

EMILY DICKINSON

A man came to the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and said: “O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my companionship?

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Your mother.”

The Man pressed on: “Then Who?”

The man asked again: “Then who?”

“Mothers are fonder than fathers of their children because they are more certain they are their own.”

The Prophet (pbuh) said again: “Your mother.”

ARISTOTLE

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Then your mother.

The man asked once more: “Then who?”

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Then your father.”

“A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.”

LADY DIANA

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