FASHION MAGAZINE

Winter most wanted beauty

2009-11-23T08:53:00.000-08:00

Vibrating foundation, bath-oil with free-floating fruit and lipgloss encased in festive spheres.

Fashion loves

Linden Leaves In Love Again Aromatherapy Synergy Body Oil ($40, lindenleaves.ca). It’s meant to soften skin post-shower, but we’re mainly entranced by its free-floating strawberries and slices of peach.

By Lesa Hannah

Photography by Carlo Mendoza

First published in FASHION Magazine December 2009

Winter most wanted beauty

2009-11-23T08:46:00.000-08:00

Vibrating foundation, bath-oil with free-floating fruit and lipgloss encased in festive spheres.

Japanese designer Tsumori Chisato has infused the cosmic inspiration from her fall collection into Shu Uemura’s holiday makeup line. And while we’re not quite sure about cats in space, we can’t resist the feline silhouette on the Tsumori Chisato for Shu Uemura Duo Color Highlighter ($65, at select Holt Renfrew stores).

By Lesa Hannah

Photography by Carlo Mendoza

First published in FASHION Magazine

December 2009

Exclusive Designer Tips on Customising Denim

2009-11-23T04:29:00.000-08:00

Amplify your old denim threads and turn those tired jeans into mega-watt fashion statements with inventive ideas from some of fashion's finest designers and stylists - we've even got Dita Von Teese in our style squad!... GLAMOUR.com asks the likes of Henry Holland, rising star William Tempest and the super-cool Felder Felder girls for hints and tips on how to customise your denim pieces. Grab your sewing box, some scissors and get creative with advice from the pros! Read exciting designer tips on customising now

2009-11-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

Designer Sanjana Jon, center, walks along with actors Sushmita Sen and Salman Khan displaying her creations during the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in New Delhi. AP Photo

Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn and Asin in the movie 'London Dreams'. Sampurn Pix

2009-11-01T13:53:00.000-08:00

Actress Asin strikes a pose in the film 'London Dreams'. Sampurn Pix

2009-11-01T13:50:00.000-08:00

Victoria Beckham to launch her own shoes

2009-11-01T13:46:00.000-08:00

Victoria Beckham to launch her own shoes
IANS
First Published : 30 Oct 2009 02:05:00 PM IST
Last Updated :
Victoria Beckham arrives for the show by designer Burberry during Fashion Week, in London, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009. (AP) LONDON: Former Spice Girls singer Victoria Beckham has decided to launch her own range of shoes and handbags because she is tired of promoting others' brands.
Thesun.co.uk reports that she wants to capitalize on the success of her VB designer clothing collection. She doesn't want to campaign for other people's designs anymore.
Her husband, football star David Beckham, has even agreed to build her a big design shop in their home in Britain.
"Victoria is tired of promoting other brands. If she wears Christian Louboutin or Herm�s, people go and buy it. She thought, 'Why can't I do this with my own line?' Her VB collection has gone down a storm across the celebrity world. If this is repeated with her line of shoes, the range would be worth an absolute fortune. It is feasible that after David retires she could become the main breadwinner in the Beckham house," said a friend.

Aishwarya made goodwill ambassador of a NGO

2009-11-01T13:27:00.000-08:00

IANS

NEW DELHI: On her 36th birthday Sunday, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai has been named the first goodwill ambassador for Smile Train, a charity that works worldwide for children with cleft lip.
The former Miss World has partnered with the NGO, in association with her own charity - Aishwarya Rai Foundation - and will spread awareness and garner resources to help the movement, said a press release.
"God has given me plenty of reasons to smile and I feel it's time to spread it around. There are a lot of children out there who so desperately need help, but can't receive timely care because their families cannot afford this surgery or are ill-educated about this condition.
"Working with Smile Train, if I can make a difference in their lives, it will certainly make me feel honoured and blessed," Aishwarya said.
As the goodwill ambassador, Aishwarya will actively work to help Smile Train provide free cleft surgery to children in 76 developing countries around the world, including India.
According to information provided by the NGO, over one million children await cleft surgery in India alone, and currently only 50 percent children born with cleft in India get the medical assistance required. And Smile Train officials feel Aishwarya will be of immense help in taking forward their movement globally.
"Aishwarya's universal appeal and star power will be a priceless asset to our organisation, and we consider it a great privilege to have her represent our organisation," Smile Train president Brian Mullaney said.
"Her poise, intelligence and dedication to our mission will catapult the work that we do to new and exciting heights. Since she is a global superstar, it makes her the perfect representative for our global organisation. There is no corner of the world where she isn't known, and in each of those corners, there is a Smile Train hospital that is helping kids every day of the year," he added.
The rising concern for kids born with a cleft was raised worldwide through Smile Train's recent Oscar-winning movie "Smile Pinki". The 39-minute documentary made by Megan Mylan shows the story of a poor girl in rural India whose life is transformed when she receives free surgery to correct her cleft lip. It was made in Hindi and Bhojpuri and won the 81st Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject).

'London Dreams' (Movie Review)

2009-11-01T12:13:00.000-08:00

Vipul A. Shah's sombre-and-straight narrative goes the predictable way by Subhash K. Jha

Cast: Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Asin Thottumkal, Ranvijay Singh, Aditya KapoorDirector: Vipul Amrutlal ShahTwo childhood friends, Arjun and Mannu, share a common dream - they both wish to see Mannu become a big singing star. Arjun migrates to London with his sullen uncle, runs out of the airport and becomes a rocker almost overnight! Small and very accommodating world. The sequence where Arjun, now grown into a punk-styled Ajay Devgn sings at Trafalgar Square and within few minutes acquires three band members, could be a self-defining advertisement for opportunities of Asians in Britain. British soil never seemed more welcoming. Although Salman Khan playing the wild and warm Mannu is allowed to make innumerable digs at India’s old colonisers, London seems to say namastey (hello) most warmly to all the characters in the film. How is the city to be blamed if the characters hide a deep, dark and negative side to their personality that bubbles to the surface in toxic fumes burning and destroying the music and harmony of the spheres? Vipul Shah's "London Dreams" aims for a more penetrating and profound look at the life of Asians in Britain than "Namastey London". The characters here are far more complex and dark. But their presence is constantly challenged by the predictable and often banal narrative. From the first few frames, when we see the two friends in rural Punjab share Arjun's international musical dreams, we know exactly the way this story is heading. And that includes the love triangle that grows in London among the intense self-flagellating Arjun, the carefree Mannu and the happy-go-'lanky' girl-next-door Priya. One of the film's seven-eight truly warm sequences shows Asin practising Bharatnatyam in front of her conservative Tamilian father. The dance steps transform into jig the minute dad ain't looking. Such moments are far too few in Shah's sombre-and-straight narrative. Spontaneity is at a low premium among these wannabe rock stars. No matter what the length of the rock band members' hair, no one is in a hurry here to let their hair down. They'd rather let each other down. The dramatic confrontations work when they're done unselfconsciously. Some of them, like the confrontation between the two Pakistani brothers in a back-alley of London after the one tells the other about Arjun's treachery and betrayal, are plainly mawkish. Because the film forever has its pale heart in the right place, the length (nearly three hours) is largely excusable. The meandering atonal music score by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is not. Why would a stadium filled with the whites be screaming at our rockers singing these listless songs? And what does the dream of the band London Dreams really mean? Move on to the wider questions of jealousy, insecurity and over-ambition and the film delivers wispy wallops in a steady and honest tone. Though the music is plainly awful, the background score by Salim-Suleiman fights a pitched battle against the mediocrity of the songs. Sejal Shah's cinematography is outstanding, often capturing the characters in various phase of emotional breakdown against the quaint neat London backdrop. Among the cast, Ajay gets to the heart of his troubled and overreaching character and pulls out a well-balanced performance, though he hardly looks like a rock star - the multiple earrings and other exterior preparations make us cringe. The curly-haired newcomer Aditya Roy Kapoor is an interesting presence.

'I trust Bhatt saab!'

2009-11-01T12:11:00.000-08:00

Pakistani actor-producer Humayun Saeed speaks on all things Bollywood

Humayun Saeed has done it all – television, movies and modelling. The Pakistani actor-producer, who acted in Mahesh Bhatt’s Jashnn, was also on Geo TV with Bhatt. He Pakistani actor-producer Humayun Saeed speaks on all things Bollywood…His goal in Jashnn: My goal is to create an impact. Whether positive or negative I wanted people to notice me and that happened. I got good reviews for Jashnn and people have approached me. So I do see work coming.The Bhatt connection:I met Bhatt saab 4-5 years ago and at that time he had told me we would work together one day. I forgot about the incident. Four years later, he rang me and told me he had a role for me. I trust Bhatt saab and I knew if he was offering me a role, there had to be something in me that was right for this character.Lessons learnt: From the film-making aspect I learnt you should aim at making a low budget movie. Make it with complete passion and confidence rather than focusing on monetary gains and, most important, trust your team. Take their opinions and inputs. It’s a sure shot key to success.Working well with Indian co-stars:It was a completely new environment for me, so in the start there was a slight drop in confidence level. But within 2-3 days I adjusted well. My co-stars were very down-to-earth.Next project:I have my own production with Mahesh Bhatt films, so that’s my main project now.

Nothing like 'Kurbaan' has been seen before, says Karan Johar

2009-11-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

Filmmaker rules out comparisons will other movies

Karan Johar's upcoming "Kurbaan" is being likened to films on terror like "New York" and "Fanaa" but the filmmaker is no longer giving the straight-jacketed 'It's truly different' reply. He has instead left it to the audiences to find out if there are any similarities between the movies."That's because this isn't the first time that it's happening to a film coming from Dharma Productions. When 'Wake Up Sid' was being made, people asked whether it had any similarities to 'Lakshya'. Now when the movie has released and is finding so much appreciation, the same people are coming back and telling me that 'Oh, this one was so different'," Karan told IANS. He has quite a few other examples -- "Kal Ho Naa Ho" was said to be a remake of "Anand" while "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" appeared to have its germ in "Silsila". "And didn't all these 'germs' just disappear when the films released and talked their own language? See, the fact is that originality has always been the strength of Dharma Productions. We don't like to emulate other films. "This is why I would rather talk about 'Kurbaan' and its so-called similarities after it is out in theatres. That's because by that time audiences would have seen the film and realised that 'Kurbaan' is a film about its own world," Karan said. Directed by Rensil D'Silva, 'Kurbaan' stars Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. Asked about the film, Karan said: "There is very little that you can compare this film with any other Hindi films that you name. It's just that the protagonists are in a zone where terror is on the forefront. "At 'Kurbaan', we are scratching the surface a little harder when it comes to global terrorism. We are dealing with an absolutely different tone and syntax." He rues that audiences as well as filmmakers have started looking at every product suspiciously. "The sad part is that whenever a new film comes, whether from my company or any other, we start believing that people are not really offering anything original. We start looking for inspirations and immediately draw a connect. This has happened time and again. It's so unfortunate that we have lost faith in originality," said Karan. He is however happy that first time director Rensil D'Silva has brought in a different point of view in the film. "'Kurbaan' is written by me but has taken a great dimension due to the virtue of Rensil's own point of view. This is something that comes across quite strongly in the film. "Since he comes with a global thought process, it has penetrated into the narrative of the film as well. There is an intellectual look at the situation without any bias in the narrative. I can proudly declare that 'Kurbaan' isn't anything like what has been seen on celluloid before." Also starring Vivek Oberoi, Om Puri, Kirron Kher and Dia Mirza in key roles, "Kurbaan" is set for a Nov 20 release. Indo-Asian News Service

Aishwarya celebrating 36th birthday

2009-11-01T11:45:00.000-08:00

She’s set out to make millions smile

On her 36th birthday today (Nov 1), Aishwarya Rai has been named the first goodwill ambassador for Smile Train, a charity that works worldwide for children with cleft lip.The former Miss World has partnered with the NGO, in association with her own charity - Aishwarya Rai Foundation - and will spread awareness and garner resources to help the movement, said a press release. "God has given me plenty of reasons to smile and I feel it's time to spread it around. There are a lot of children out there who so desperately need help, but can't receive timely care because their families cannot afford this surgery or are ill-educated about this condition. "Working with Smile Train, if I can make a difference in their lives, it will certainly make me feel honoured and blessed," Aishwarya said. As the goodwill ambassador, Aishwarya will actively work to help Smile Train provide free cleft surgery to children in 76 developing countries around the world, including India. According to information provided by the NGO, over one million children await cleft surgery in India alone, and currently only 50 percent children born with cleft in India get the medical assistance required. And Smile Train officials feel Aishwarya will be of immense help in taking forward their movement globally. "Aishwarya's universal appeal and star power will be a priceless asset to our organisation, and we consider it a great privilege to have her represent our organisation," Smile Train president Brian Mullaney said. "Her poise, intelligence and dedication to our mission will catapult the work that we do to new and exciting heights. Since she is a global superstar, it makes her the perfect representative for our global organisation. There is no corner of the world where she isn't known, and in each of those corners, there is a Smile Train hospital that is helping kids every day of the year," he added. The rising concern for kids born with a cleft was raised worldwide through Smile Train's recent Oscar-winning movie "Smile Pinki". The 39-minute documentary made by Megan Mylan shows the story of a poor girl in rural India whose life is transformed when she receives free surgery to correct her cleft lip. It was made in Hindi and Bhojpuri and won the 81st Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject). Meanwhile, Ash's megastar father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan wished her a "long prosperous life" on her birthday."We have... just brought in Aishwarya's birthday and wished her love and happiness and a long prosperous life. It was just the family," Amitabh posted on his blog early Sunday morning.Indo-Asian News Service

Ramchand Pakistani (Movie Review)

2009-10-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

Stellar performances make it an emotionally engrossing watch

by Arpana

Cross border problems is the basic theme of first time Pakistani director Mehreen Jabbar's "Ramchand Pakistani". Since partition in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars, excluding the Kargil conflict. Six decades after partition, the common man continues to pay a heavy price for the tension between the two countries. There are several cases of innocent people from India and Pakistan who are caught and sent to jail on mere suspicion. Mehreen's film focuses on the human sufferings on both sides of the border and she has succeeded in giving it unbiased treatment. The stellar performances by the entire cast make "Ramchand Pakistani" an emotionally engrossing watch.Set in 2002, the film, inspired by a true story, is about the accidental crossing of the Pakistan-India border by a boy and his father."The film is based on actual events. My father (former Pakistani politician and filmmaker Javed Jabbar) works a lot in the areas close to the desert. One day he came across a father-son duo who narrated their story to him. That is where we got the inspiration to make this film. I am sure it will reach out to audiences," said Mehreen.The film revolves around Ramchand, an eight-year-old Dalit Hindu boy. He lives with his parents - mother Champa (Nandita Das) and father Shankar (Rashid Farooqui) - in a village in the border area of Pakistan.One day, after a fight with his mother, Ramchand runs away from home. While walking aimlessly, he accidentally crosses the border not knowing this will cost him his freedom. His father spots him crossing the line of control and tries to stop him. In doing so, he too crosses the border. As expected, the boy and his father are caught and put in a jail in India. After that starts their long battle to prove their innocence and secure freedom.While at the mercy of jail authorities, Shankar tries to cope with the trauma of forced separation from his mother. His mother is shattered by their sudden disappearance. Nandita is the only non-Pakistani actor in "Ramchand Pakistani". Well-known Pakistani TV and stage actors like Rashid Farooqi, Maria Wasti and Farooq Pario's performances are specially noteworthy.Fazal Hussain, who plays the eight-year-old protagonist Ramchand, has been particularly appreciated for his outstanding performance."The younger Ramchand has been played by Fazal Hussain. A friend of mine who is a director himself suggested him after a lot of search. The older one, however, is 14 years old. He is the son of a mechanic in Pakistan and has acted for the first time ever in any film," said Mehreen. The no-frills film is made at a nominal budget. Technically, the film is not of high quality, but Mehreen's narrative manages to hold the viewers' attention till the credits roll out.Cast: Nandita Das, Rashid Farooqui, Noman Ijaz, Syed Fazal Hussain, Navaid Jabbar Maria WastiDirector: Mehreen JabbarIndo-Asian News Service

'Fruit And Nut' (Movie Review)

2009-10-31T08:46:00.000-07:00

Likely to drive you nuts

by Joginder Tuteja

Cast: Cyrus Broacha, Dia Mirza, Boman Irani, Mahesh Manjrekar, Rajit KapoorDirector: Kunal Vijaykar"Fruit And Nut" is a film which is neither sweet as a fruit not crunchy as a nut. In fact the best way to describe it is that its makers must have actually gone totally nuts in sanctioning a film - if it can actually be termed so - like this. It is one thing to go bizarre, break the norms and come up with a quirky affair, but it's an altogether different thing if the makers become completely overconfident, try to be extra smart and ultimately fall flat on their face. "Fruit And Nut" falls in the latter category. For a movie that has been sold as a quickie comedy, there is not even a single scene that actually makes you roll with laughter. At most, there could be a faint smile or two at a few junctures. The film by itself is not even silly enough to be laughed at, if not laughed along with. In fact the latter half is so unbearable that you actually contemplate walking out of the auditorium. Thankfully, it is the 'unusual suspect' Mahesh Manjrekar who actually manages to make you at least remain seated till the end credits start rolling. "Fruit And Nut" tries to pack a lot in the overall narrative by introducing newer situations and characters practically every 10 minutes. Cyrus Broacha is a loser who doesn't fit into any role, whether it is being an office clerk, radio jockey, watchman or even a help at a pizza shop. He fumbles at every step, literally so. Exaggeration is the name of the game here and though one understands where director Kunal was coming from when he created a character like this, it becomes a little too much to digest just 15 minutes into the film. Dia Mirza as the "lady in sari" is a pleasant watch though and carries a touch-me-not persona around her for most of the film. As a young woman who has been kidnapped, she does exude vibes of being someone who deserves to be rescued. However, the kidnapper in question, Boman Irani, gets annoying at places with his 'Breakfast Kiya' phrase. Of course the purpose here was to irritate but then there is always a thin line between an irritating character and an irritating actor. Thankfully, this is where Mahesh Manjrekar comes in handy as his one liners do manage to bring on smiles at frequent intervals. Yes, just like all other characters in the film, he too is quite bizarre. One doesn't quite mind that since the dialogues mouthed by him - a mix of Hindi, English and plain gibberish - belong to never-heard before variety. His novelty too starts fading as the reels progress. In between all this 'hardly amusing' madness, there are additional characters like the villain's henchmen, a cop, hired assassins Salim & Sulaiman, a beggar turned RAW agent and a scientist - all of whom only make this 100-minute film seem like double its length. In the past, there have been quite a few quirky movies made and all have met with diverse results. "Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd" worked while "Bheja Fry" paved the way for many more humorous films to come. However, in the last few months, there have also been releases like "Aagey Se Right" and "Quick Gun Murugan", none of which managed to make any impact whatsoever at the box office. "Fruit And Nut" is all set to suffer a worse fate at the theatres. Indo-Asian News Service

Wasim Akram bowled over by Sushmita Sen

2009-10-31T08:41:00.000-07:00

Former Pakistani cricketer finds her 'incredible'

by Radhika Bhirani

Wasim Akram is currently co-judging the reality TV show "Ek Khiladi Ek Hasina" with Sushmita

Guess who's making former Pakistan cricket captain and swing king Wasim Akram sway to her tunes nowadays? Bollywood actress and former beauty queen Sushmita Sen.Akram, who is currently co-judging an Indian reality TV show "Ek Khiladi Ek Hasina" with Sushmita, is totally gaga over the actress."I think she is an incredible person, very helpful, extremely professional and, yes, she has really made me comfortable on the show," Akram told IANS in an interview.Akram first interacted with Sushmita in Dubai in 2006."I met her about two years ago in Dubai. We did a telethon for Imran Khan's cancer hospital together. That was two days in a row and almost three hours live on TV. So I got to interact with her. We managed to raise quite a bit of money," he said.Sushmita was also one of the reasons why he agreed to be on the judging panel of this show."So far the game is really exciting and fun. It's something very different and that's why I agreed to the show and, plus, I was told that Sushmita would be there; so I agreed.""Ek Khiladi Ek Hasina" airs on Colors and pits six pairs of a cricketer and a TV actress each to display their dancing skills. The cricketers on the show include S. Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Vinod Kambli, Irfan Pathan, Dinesh Kartik and Nikhil Mehra.In one of the recent episodes, Akram has been seen reciting shayari (Urdu couplets) to flatter the actress, but he has not shaken a leg with her so far. Any plans?"Maybe. In fact, they have tried to make me dance, but I really can't handle that sort of pressure. Playing the world cup final twice was okay, but not this," he says.Akram is also entirely dependent on Sushmita to judge the dancing capabilities of the contestants, as he "can't make out the head or tail of dancing"."I wanted to see how the cricketers behave on the stage. I'm not judging the technicalities of their dance. For that Sushmita is there. I have no clue about dancing, what would I comment. I'm not looking at their steps at all. For me, their passion is important," he said.He added: "We are not looking for a dance icon who would go into Bollywood and dance. The idea is to have cricketers dancing and see how they do on the stage. The girls, all six of them, are very talented and excellent. But, for the boys, it's a new thing."So what is his criterion for judging? "For me it's like one day cricket - perform on the day, if you play well, you'll win."Akram feels that though such a show will be a hit in Pakistan, not many cricketers there will agree to take part in it."It will be a big hit there no doubt, but where will the Pakistani cricketers dance there? I don't think the Pakistani cricketers will dance. First let them play well at least," he said and laughed.A lot of actors in India and Pakistan are looking to make a mark in Bollywood, but Akram feels otherwise."I do enjoy acting and watching movies. But acting is a proper profession; you have to learn for it. I've seen cricketers who have done films. But after one or two films, they are not seen any more and I don't want to be one of them."I am happy to leave acting in Bollywood to Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Amitabh Bacchan - all these great actors," said Akram.Indo-Asian News Service

'Nothing was planned in my career'

2009-10-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

Actor Boman Irani earlier tried his luck at selling potato chips, photography and theatre

In his first movie "Josh", he had a fleeting appearance. Eight years later Boman Irani is known as a niche actor with the ability to pull audiences. But he doesn't like to be labelled a star and says he is just an average person who loves it when kids approach him."I'm not a hero or a superstar. I'm an everyday guy. I feel happy when children approach me. I feel that something good is happening in life when little kids recognise me," Boman told IANS in an interview.After a humble beginning with Mansoor Khan's "Josh", Boman shot to fame as the eccentric Dr. J.C. Asthana in Rajkumar Hirani's 2003 hit comedy "Munnabhai M.B.B.S.".He has since then won kudos for his powerful performances in films like "Lage Raho Munna Bhai", "Khosla Ka Ghosla", "Don - The Chase Begins Again" and "Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd".Boman says he doesn't mind people remembering him more for "Munnabhai" than for his other roles."I don't mind being identified as any character as long as I'm doing a good job as an actor. I have done all kinds of roles - from an editor, judge, police officer, murderer to a corrupt businessman. And if people identify me as Dr. Asthana or Lucky Singh from 'Munnabhai' movies, I am happy," said Boman."After 'Munnabhai M.B.B.S.' happened, I haven't looked back," added the actor who was in New Delhi to shoot for his forthcoming film "99".Talking about "99", he said: "It is based in the year 1999 and I play a gambler who wants the world to know him as a normal office-goer. I sport a French beard in the film," said Boman.The film is being directed by US-based Indian directors - Raj Nidimuro and Krishna D.K. - who have earlier made "Shor" and "Flavors"."99" also stars Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu, Cyrus Broacha, Simone Singh, Mahesh Manjrekar and Vinod Khanna.On being asked what kind of roles he prefers, Boman asserted: "The moment you say I want to do a role, the story suffers. I don't set priorities in terms of roles or scripts."Although he is not choosy about roles, his favourite character is Lucky Singh from the National Award-winning movie "Lage Raho Munna Bhai"."I like Lucky Singh a lot because he is a confused character. He is a good man but does things in the wrong way. Despite that he is a family man," he said."My favourite co-stars are Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Shabana Azmi."Before moving on to the big screen, Boman tried his luck at the family business of selling potato chips, photography and theatre. He also did TV commercials."Nothing was planned in my career. I just went with the flow and took everything that came to me. Selling potato chips was obvious as it was a family business. When friends suggested I should try theatre, I gave it a shot. Then I did a lot of advertisements and then movies happened."However, photography is the only thing that I wanted to do. I still carry my camera wherever I go and keep on taking pictures of anything and everything that excites me. I have thousands of pictures in my collection."I don't know when, but it is definitely in my mind to exhibit my photographs some day."Besides "99", Boman will be seen in "Little Zizou", "Fruit & Nut", "Maharathi", "Three Idiots", "Sorry Bhai", "Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai", "Yuvraaj" and the sequel to "Don...".He has also lent his voice to Nikhil Advani's animation movie "Ab Dilli Door Nahin".Dabbling between his various projects, the actor is satisfied as "acting gives the luxury to create something new every time".Indo-Asian News Service

'I'm not in love with Rahul Mahajan'

2009-10-31T08:34:00.000-07:00

Monica Bedi also has no plans to get married, she tells masala.com

by Sonia Sharma

It’s hard to not sympathise with Monica Bedi. Beneath the label of a gangster’s moll lies a delicate, ultra-feminine girl with a steely resolve. Perhaps it was this resolve that made her stick by gangster boyfriend Abu Salem’s side even when he was on the run. Or maybe it was plain and simple love. Whatever it was, all it brought her was nasty jibes and unflattering labels. Now that the storm has passed, calm prevails over Monica. After months of keeping mum, she’s bared her soul finally and is also inking an autobiography on her experiences. She’s ready for a new lease of life, one that reality show “Bigg Boss” has given her, and is working towards making her way back into showbiz. In a frank conversation with masala.com, Monica speaks about why she’s a stronger person today. Excerpts:How’s life treating you these days? Have things changed after Bigg Boss?Yes. A lot for that matter. Life’s a little easier post the show. I am getting good film offers and people have become a little more charitable towards me. They are willing to know me for the person I am and are less judgemental about my past. Do you watch Bigg Boss?Sometimes. Whenever I get the time. Not regularly. Rahul Mahajan was given the song Monica, O My Darling to dance to. What’s your reaction? (Laughs) Jaan bhoojke (deliberately). They did it just to tease Rahul. They don’t want Rahul to forget me.Ahem! Do you want to forget him? You were with him all the time on the show…I’m not in love with him! He is like that with every girl. Does my being with him all the time imply something? I don’t think so. We heard you’re penning an autobiography. Will you bare all in it?I am working on it. If all goes well, I will be done in a few months. Everything I write in it will be 100 per cent truth. I’ll reveal every part of my life, right from my childhood to now. I want people to know about my life. I’m not ashamed of anything I have done. Whatever happened is a part of everything I am. And I have accepted that. Life’s been hard for you. How has your perspective changed?I have become a stronger person due to my experiences. I have also become more careful. Now I try not to see the bad in people. I just accept them as they are. Also, I have become a stronger person – mentally and emotionally. To whom did you turn for support when you were undergoing trial? God. My release has made my belief stronger that there is God. I just wanted the court to acknowledge that I am innocent. I prayed throughout my ordeal that I am proven innocent. I spent five years battling trials, accusations and humiliation. No one can return to me those five wasted years but yes, I am glad I have come out of it. My family too supported me in my bad times. Did anyone from the film industry stick by you?No, not a single person. Even my best friends left me when I was in trouble. Will you allow your autobiography to be made into a film?Let me finish writing it first. Lots of filmmakers have approached me to make a film on my life, but I will decide only after I complete my book. The director should be good – something who does full justice to my story. I wouldn’t want a masala film to be made on my life. Will you act in it too?Yes, I will. I want my acting career back. You have worked earlier with David Dhawan and Rajiv Rai. Have you approached them for a comeback? No, I haven’t approached anyone. But I have been getting offers, some of them pretty good. How has the film industry changed since you were here?There’s a lot of difference. Earlier it was more about the big screen. Film people didn’t want to do television. Now the small screen has grown so much that big stars are also on it. There’s a lot more work available and more opportunities to be tapped.Post Bigg Boss, what’s keeping you busy?Interviews, photo shoots and so on. My autobiography also needs attention. I want to release it in four months. But I hardly get time for it. Suddenly you’re on your own. Does that scare you?Not really. Being independent always feels good. I have been working since the age of 16 years. So I have been on my own for quite some time. It’s not a new feeling. Any plans of getting married? No, not at this point. I want to concentrate solely on acting.

It’s All About Gauri

2009-10-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

“The greatest mum, the hottest wife, the best friend – there just isn’t anything that Gauri Khan is not,” says her best friend Karan Johar.

“SRK-Gauri are karmically connected – they are soulmates. I think they’re very lucky to have met one another at such a young age and have had such a beautiful marriage.”At home...“She is the same person at home as she is outside – that’s why she is so special. There’s nothing different – and this is what makes her unique.”As a mum...“She is a totally hands-on mum. She is obsessed with her kids and spends 20 hours of the day with them. They fight like cats and dogs, which is cute. Shah Rukh and Gauri are not strict parents, they are lenient, but are grounded and know where to draw the line.”The first time you met her...“It was with SRK on the sets of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and we connected immediately. We started chatting and in three days we became friends. I knew she was going to be a part of my life forever then.”As a chef...“Gauri can’t cook but tries her hand at desserts. My favourite is this one dessert she makes with ice cream, biscuits and chocolate sauce. The strange concoction tastes great.”As a food lover...“She loves Indian food, but doesn’t like restaurants at all. She prefers being at home.“As a wife...“Gauri is an honest person. What you see, is what you get. She gives SRK his space, and fills that space beautifully. She is his reality check at almost every juncture and keeps everything on level.”As a friend...“She is a very live-and-let-live friend and will always be there for you in whatever circumstances. She is my best friend and will always be.”As the woman SRK fell in love with...“If anyone knew Gauri Khan the way SRK did then, they would have fallen in love with her too. She is one of the nicest human beings I have ever met – very solid. She is clean, honest, and always positive about everything. Her strength of character makes her the way she is – she is a strong woman. Everything that you could look for in a woman or want, you can find in Gauri. She is a beautiful and loving wife.”

‘Mr Bachchan is fun'

2009-10-31T08:23:00.000-07:00

She may be new to B’wood, but Miss Sri Lanka Jacqueline Fernandes knows exactly what to say!

She’s already set a record as the first Sri Lankan beauty queen in Bollywood. And she’s making her Bolly debut in a film starring none other than Amitabh Bachchan! Look out for the sexy and savvy Jacqueline Fernandes. She may just emerge as the hottest Gen Y heroine.How did you feel about coming to Bollywood?Before I came into Bollywood a lot of people told me it’s a corrupt industry and you need a godfather to survive in it. Nothing’s really happened to me. I think no one can force you to do things you don’t want to. It all comes down to how you conduct your own self.What was your first day on the sets of Aladin like?I was nervous. I think no matter how many times you have been there and done that in front of the camera, you still have those first-day butterflies every time.How did you react when you met Amitabh?It was great meeting a legend like Mr Bachchan. I was in a state of awe. It’s quite a crazy feeling when you meet an icon. But once you know him he is like any normal person, but with a heart of gold. He is very energetic and fun. Do you think Sanjay is evil enough for his role as ringmaster?I don’t know about how evil he is in real life, but Sanjay is a fantastic actor and manages to pull off any character. He has done something really extraordinary as the ringmaster, as you’ll see.

Genelia's learning Greek!

2009-10-31T08:19:00.000-07:00

She wants to be prepared for her trip to Greece

The “Jaane Tu Jaane Na” girl Genelia D'Souza, who is not conversant with Hindi, is all set to learn Greek now! Apparently she is preparing for her visit to Greece where she will be shooting for Anees Bazmee's “It’s my Life” with Harman Baweja. Genelia is learning the basics of the language but she finds it quite difficult. According to sources, she has learnt to speak some basic words in Greek like Good Morning, Good Afternoon etc. As far as we know, Genelia generally finds languages difficult, especially Hindi!

The kissing scene goes missing

2009-10-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

Lip-lock between Sanjay Dutt and Vidya Malavade chopped from 'Kidnap'

The much talked about kissing scene between Sanjay Dutt and Vidya Malavade has been chopped from “Kidnap”. According to director Sanjay Gadhvi, the scene was cut in response to the feedback from the audience. The viewers were not happy to see an elderly couple lip-locked and hence after much consideration he decided to remove the scene from the film. Also, there were rumours that Sanju's wife, Manyata, had issues with the scene. When contacted, Manyata denied the rumour saying she had nothing to do with the removal of the scene and that she does not interfere in Sanju's work. www.masala.com/

Kareena to launch her own website

2009-10-31T08:12:00.000-07:00

It is going to be fashion oriented

Joining the league of international stars like Victoria Beckham, Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor is all set to launch her own website.The site would inform netizens about the actress' latest fashion trends."Kareena's official website is going to be on an absolutely tech savvy format. It's going to be on the lines of the sites of international stars like Victoria Beckham, Madonna and Jennifer," a source close to the actress revealed on Tuesday.The source added: "Her website is going to be more fashion oriented. The site will have updates not only of Kareena's fashion trends but also other trends that take place all over the globe". The actress has been known for her fashion presence even in the fashion fraternity and looks forward to sharing her trend sense with her fans through the site."She has sound knowledge about the fashion industry and the website will give her a chance to share her fashion knowledge with her fans. There have been a number of occasions when Kareena has even actively participated in designing her own costumes for films," said the source.Kareena is also the brand ambassador of a global fashion retail chain Globus.Indo-Asian News Service www.masala.com/newsletter

Oscar bound film’s director denied US visa

2009-10-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

US consulate in Mumbai did not know Paresh Mokashi

Paresh Mokashi, whose Marathi film "Harishchandrachi Factory" has been selected as India's official entry to the Oscars, is stuck without a visa to the US.The US consulate in Mumbai refused to give him the visa, saying they didn't know him or that his film is going for the Oscars. "I don't really blame them. I didn't have a face that was instantly recognisable. They didn't know who I was. And I had no papers to prove that this disoriented looking man had made a film that had been sent to the Oscars," Mokashi told IANS. The director had no papers, not even a letter from the Academy Awards committee to prove his eligibility for the visa because he had given all the documents to his producers - UTV. "Whatever intimation I received about the Oscar entry from the US, I handed over to UTV. But, of course, the US consulate didn't say I was lying. They rightly felt I was not eligible until I had the documents. This was my first encounter for an American visa. And naturally my first trip to the US," said Mokashi. "The only time I've been abroad was to London to shoot a part of 'Hrishchandrachi Factory'. So I was completely unaware of how things work. I don't know how to handle it," added the director who had to mortgage his property to make the film. UTV had to step in to rescue the director, who needs to be in LA from Nov 2. "The US consulate has promised to give me a visa after taking my passport. They said they'd grant me a visa. Let's see. They had yet to decide for how long and in what capacity. They seem to have a very thin line dividing the people who want to visit for genuine reasons from those who are wrongly motivated," he said. Mokashi hopes to be in the US for 25 days in November to promote the film for the Oscars. "I need to understand the situation. I've never been to the Oscars, have no idea of how the Oscars work. I also need to be back for the film's release in India. Then I return to the US to be with the film till the Oscars," he said. Indo-Asian News Service

Kalki and beau Anurag Kashyap scripting a film together

2009-10-31T08:03:00.000-07:00

He thinks she’s a better writer than him

"Dev D" actress Kalki Koechlin says her boyfriend Anurag Kashyap, who has written screenplays and dialogues for memorable films like "Satya" and "Black Friday", thinks she is a better writer than him."Anurag thinks he is a useless writer. He thinks I'm a much better dialogue writer than him. He thinks a lot about the whole plot and not so much about the individual dialogues," Kalki, who made her acting debut with Kashyap's directorial venture "Dev D", told IANS in an interview in New Delhi. "But I don't think I can ever direct anything like him because I don't have that overall vision. I can never think of the whole script, which I think is the director's forte. I can only write for the moment," added the 26-year-old who is co-scripting a film with her beau. "Anurag and I are doing a film together, which is very exciting. But I can't talk anything about it right now except that it's a thriller. "It's his idea. He narrated it to me a year back and asked me if I wanted to write it. I initially denied because I didn't think I could take that responsibility but then I wrote the first draft and he transformed it by adding more pieces and putting them together to give it the form of a story," she explained. Kalki describes Kashyap as an open minded director. "He gives you the space and lets you do things on your own. He always gives a chance to the deserving," she said, on the sidelines of the 11th edition of the annual Osian's Cinefan Film Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema. Talking about her relationship with Kashyap, she said: "Being together with him has worked a lot in our professional life too because we have been constantly challenging our creative sensibilities. Both of us are very intense in the way we think and take things." Before venturing into films with "Dev D", she studied "drama and theatre in university" and "majored in scriptwriting and acting". The film is a contemporary interpretation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's classic novel "Devdas" and Kalki played the role of a prostitute Chanda in it. Born to French parents, Kalki apparently took Hindi lessons for "Dev D" and is still working on her dialect and diction. "I still have to work a lot on it (Hindi)," said the actress who is fluent in French and Tamil. Her other projects are Bijoy Nambiar's "Shaitan" and Kaizad Gustad's next. Kalki's wish list also includes penning "a book someday". Indo-Asian News Service

Ranbir, Katrina dazzle on the ramp

2009-10-31T07:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday, 31 October, 2009

Everything about Rohit Bal’s show was grand

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif sashayed down the ramp at the grand finale of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) for designer Rohit Bal (pictured left), bringing down the curtains on the five-day event in style on Wednesday (Oct 28) night.Dressed in an embroidered white sherwani, Ranbir managed to steal the hearts of many girls in the audience, who couldn't stop gushing about the star's chocolaty looks. Pretty Katrina Kaif, attired in a short white dress, looked like a Barbie doll. Another highlight of the show was a live performance by Orissa's Prince Dance Group that recently won the dance reality show "India's Got Talent". Since Bal is always associated with grandeur, the sets reflected flamboyance and style. The glass ramp had gold lotus flowers underneath. The main show area was draped with golden curtains. Complementing the ambience perfectly were the clothes that talked about the Mughal era when India was the land of maharajas (kings). The collection was appropriately called Yasas, which means grand in Sanskrit. Talking about his collection, Bal said: "The collection is a reflection of incredible talent that we have in India in terms of artisans and craftsmanship. The line is an ode to India's rich heritage." "It is about India, which was once known as the 'Golden Peacock'. Through this line, I am bringing that golden era back to India," he added. The collection had a mix of brocades, velvets in the pre-Mughal and Mughal designs like long and short anarkalis, sherwanis, jodhpuri pants, dresses and long coats. The collection will also be retailed through Wills Lifestyle outlets across India. Indo-Asian News Service

Only brother Farhan has been finalised among cast

2009-10-31T07:47:00.000-07:00

Saturday, 31 October, 2009

He was her last resort for her critically-acclaimed directorial debut "Luck By Chance". But for her second film Zoya Akhtar has specially written a part for brother Farhan."It's a road movie set in Spain about three boys and one of the three characters is definitely Farhan. I knew I wanted him. I was very clear that I wanted to work with him again," said Zoya. Daughter of well-known lyricist Javed Akhtar, Zoya informed that her writer filmmaker-actor brother will not only act in the film, but also pen the dialogues for it. "I am writing this film with Reema Kagti. I'm wrapping up the script but as of now it is not locked yet. Then probably I'll sit with Farhan for the dialogues and the casting," she said. Throwing light on the film, she said: "It's a coming of age genre. But it'll be simpler than ‘Luck By Chance' and simpler to understand. A feel-good factor will be there in that sense," said Zoya on the sidelines of the ongoing 11th annual Osian's Cinefan Film Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema in New Delhi. Asked is her movie was in any sense a follow up to the upcoming Abhay Deol-starrer "Road Movie", she said: "The trend's been there. Look at ‘Jab We Met'. It is a road film. It's got that vibe of a road movie. And the promos to the ‘Road Movie' are gorgeous too."Indo-Asian News Service

Costume party: Bold cuff

2009-10-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

ALDO ACESSARIES

Don't be afraid to double up on this wrist candy!

Costume party: Bold cuff

2009-10-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

Don't be afraid to double up on this wrist candy!

KENNETH JAY LANE

The uninhibited spa: Goa, India

2009-10-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Ayurvedic massage, decadent body oils and exotic aromas.
By Carly Milne

The Spa at The Leela Kempinski hotel, Goa, India, theleela.com/hotel-goa.html.
Situated on 75 acres of land, The Spa at the Leela Kempinski Goa is the perfect seaside getaway. With an open-air lobby, a carved stone embellishment and a majestic statue of Shiva at the end of a seemingly endless hallway, the spa exudes tranquility. On the grounds, there are fruit plantations and a spice farm, and daily yoga and meditation classes promote health and wellness. While the spa offers typical Western services in its eight treatment rooms, it specializes in traditional Indian treatments. After stripping down for my Ayurvedic massage, I don my cloth robe and select a soundtrack of serene chanting. As the massage begins, warm oil is poured onto my head and then slathered all over my naked torso—which is not covered by a towel or sheet. This is not a treatment for the bashful spa-goer. Putting my inhibitions aside, I get into the zone and let go. It’s well worth it—the end result is soft, supple, glowing skin. In your own backyard:
Vida Spa, The Sutton Place Hotel, 845 Burrard St., Vancouver, 604-682-8410, vidawellness.com. For Vida’s 90-minute Ayurvedic Shirodhara treatment ($190), custom-blended oil is heated and poured over your naked body from head to toe (albeit under a sheet), following an all-over body massage. —Adriana Ermter
Find out how to get this spa experience at home.

Fall/Winter 2009-2010 Jewelry Trends

2009-10-29T12:44:00.001-07:00

Lanvin, Jason Wu (Susan Tabak of chic in paris/mediasugar.com)
Statement Necklaces

These necklaces flaunt large gemstones and/or over-sized shapes against muted color schemes. Look for eclectic bold pieces that infuse various textures within the design such as ribbons vs. metal and woods vs. gemstones. These necklaces are to be worn with little if any other jewelry. They are a great way to stay on trend while exuding a look that seems like it required a minimal effort.

Fall/Winter 2009-2010 Jewelry Trends

2009-10-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

Armani (Susan Tabak of chic in paris)

Statement Necklaces:

These brassy accessories are still making a huge impact in the fashion world. Designers such as Lanvin, Stella McCartney, Giorgio Armani and Chanel are adorning their models with these bold pieces in a variety of gasp-inducing ways.

Winter 2009 Trends: Fur Snoods

2009-10-29T12:38:00.000-07:00

Burberry, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Cushnie et Ochs, DKNY

Snoods are this season’s style essential and the chicest way to stay warm this fall. What can add an elegant touch and distinctive look to your fall ensemble more than a luxurious fur snood?
To elevate your cool weather chic, loop it around your neck with sweater dresses, slouchy knits, or wear it on your head with lots of layering.

Winter 2009 Trends: Fur Snoods

2009-10-29T12:32:00.000-07:00

Matthew Williamson, Michael Kors, Nicole Miller, Peter Som, Rachel Comey

Winter 2009 Trends: Fur Snoods

2009-10-29T12:28:00.000-07:00

Matthew Williamson, Michael Kors, Nicole Miller, Peter Som, Rachel Comey

Winter 2009 Trends: Fur Snoods

2009-10-29T12:25:00.001-07:00

Donna Karan, Douglas Hannant, Giles, Iceberg, Isaac Mizrahi

Winter Most Wanted

2009-10-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

Fashion Loves

Karl Lagerfeld’s new scents, above-average lash enhancers, and a body cleanser based on a centuries-old idea.

Clinique Comfort on Call Allergy Tested Relief Cream ($40, at department stores). This creamy balm calls on the antihistamine properties of Japan’s jabara citrus fruit to soothe hyper-sensitive skin susceptible to inflammation from winter chills.

Photography by Tracy Shumate

CULTURE

2009-10-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

Day 212:30 p.m. Champagne. Eggs Benedict. More oysters. Live jazz. What better way to start the day? At Beehive, a former boiler room turned casual resto that has held on to its industrial feel, it’s all about live music, art and food. (541 Tremont St., 617-423-0069, beehiveboston.com)

By Shirine Saad

First published in FASHION Magazine November 2009

48 hours: Bodacious Boston

2009-10-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

The anti-preppy guide to the bluest of blue-blood meccas.

8 p.m. You rarely hear sounds as perfect as those at Symphony Hall—its design was fine-tuned by a Harvard physics professor. Enjoy a superlative classical concert among the ravishing neo-classical architecture. (pictured, 301 Massachusetts Ave., 617-266-7575, bso.org)

9 p.m. Commission a bespoke cocktail at Drink, a new Barbara Lynch lounge in the über-cool Fort Point area. The “mixers” ask you to choose a liquor, then whip up a unique concoction from scratch. Down yours while nibbling on foie gras lollies, quail brochettes and quince confit. (348 Congress St., 617-695-1806, drinkfortpoint.com)

Photography by James Levine

By Shirine Saad

First published in FASHION Magazine November 2009

48 hours: Bodacious Boston

2009-10-28T12:40:00.000-07:00

The anti-preppy guide to the bluest of blue-blood meccas.

2 p.m. Finally, time for a decadent seafood lunch! Stroll the hip South End and stop by Barbara Lynch’s B&G Oysters, where you can choose from 12 types of the molluscs from the raw bar. Chase your selection with a delicious lobster roll, a favourite of local foodies. (pictured, 550 Tremont St., 617-423-0550, bandgoysters.com)

4 p.m. Maybe you won’t get to see every one of the 450,000 works at the Museum of Fine Arts, but make sure you spend some time in the comprehensive contemporary-art section, browsing works by Mona Hatoum, Chuck Close, Bridget Riley and Takashi Murakami. (465 Huntington Ave., 617-267-9300, mfa.org)

By Shirine Saad

First published in FASHION Magazine November 2009

48 hours: Bodacious Boston

2009-10-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

The anti-preppy guide to the bluest of blue-blood meccas.

Boston is no longer all puritanism and Ivy League, though the legendary seafood platters still abound. On your next trip to this East Coast metropolis, check out avant-garde art, sip made-to-measure cocktails in underground bars and shop cool in concept stores.Day 110 a.m. How many prisons do you know that have Frette sheets? Check in and accept the welcome champagne coupe at The Liberty Hotel, the city’s liveliest hot spot. Formerly the Charles Street Jail, the hotel has revamped its interior with a chic, urban touch. With four restos and bars, including star chef Lydia Shire’s Scampo restaurant, and a stunning view of the Charles River, your weekend is sure to be romantic and cool. (215 Charles St., 617-224-4000, libertyhotel.com)

11 a.m. Isabella Stewart Gardner built her palazzo-style museum to house her collection of opulent Chinese antiques, Italian Renaissance-master paintings and John Singer Sargent portraits. Be sure to take a break from the galleries to admire the museum’s lavish garden. (pictured, 280 The Fenway, 617-566-1401, gardnermuseum.org)

By Shirine Saad

First published in FASHION Magazine November 2009

Spa DIY: The thermal spa experience

2009-10-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

Light Lothantique Les Vacances au Thoron candles ($32 each, lothantique.ca) in “Forest,” “Wood” and “Earth” to experience a lush, calming aroma.

By Adriana Ermter

Photography by Carlo Mendoza

First published in FASHION Magazine November 2009

Spa DIY: The thermal spa experience

2009-10-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

Shower with Ahava Mineral Botanic Micro-Peeling Cream Wash in “Water Lily & Guarana” or Mineral Botanic Velvet Cream Wash ($23 each, both at select Bay stores) in “Hibiscus & Fig.” Both combine Dead Sea minerals and botanical extracts to soothe, tone and hydrate skin.

By Adriana Ermter

Photography by Carlo Mendoza

First published in FASHION Magazine November 2009

Spa DIY: The thermal spa experience

2009-10-28T12:25:00.000-07:00

A capful of Biotherm Relaxing Milk Bath ($35, at drugstores) turns your bathtub into a milky, skin-softening retreat.

By Adriana Ermter

Photography by Carlo Mendoza

First published in FASHION Magazine November 2009

CASADEI

2009-10-28T12:24:00.001-07:00

Update your outerwear with a chunky, oversized knit.

Photography by Carlo Mendoza

First published in FASHION Magazine November 2009

H&M

2009-10-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

Update your outerwear with a chunky, oversized knit.

Photography by Carlo Mendoza

First published in FASHION Magazine November 2009

FILIPPA K

2009-10-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

Update your outerwear with a chunky, oversized knit.

Photography by Carlo Mendoza

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

2009-10-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

A classic collegiate piece looks fresh when paired with bold extras.

Photography by Carlo Mendoza

Sweater: Cardigan

2009-10-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

A classic collegiate piece looks fresh when paired with bold extras.

SONIA BY SONIA RYKIEL at The Bay .

EXOTIC SNAKESKIN BAGS 2009

2009-10-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

Exotic Snakeskin Bags 2010
Prada is joining the Snakeskin trend which started at 2009 and will continue through 2010.
Snake skin is very different from crocodile, aligator skin or other exotic leather. It is much softer so it is perfect for handbag with sophisticated design. More of the snake skin are skin from Sea snakes which are not endangered species. Each Sea snake has its unique pattern of the skin which is delicate, beautiful and flexible.
Prada’s 2009 Spring / Summer oversize snakeskin bag – Price: $1200
fashionmagazine-best.com
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BAGS, FASHION TRENDS 2010 — Tags: 2010 fashion, bags 2010, crocodile skin, exotic bags, handbags, Prada, snakeskin bags, Winter 2010 —

WINTER GOLVES 2010

2009-10-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

fashionmagazine-best.com

IN BENIN

2009-10-09T06:08:00.000-07:00

Established on September 27, 1988, the Chinese Cultural Center in the Republic of Benin is located at the Avenue Jean-Paul II in Cotonou City, with a floor space of 4,062 square meters. The building impresses people with rich traditional Chinese architectural styles. The center comprises an open air theatre, a grand multi-functional hall, various sized classrooms, a library for adult readers and a library for children.Under the support and joint efforts of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the Benin Government, the Chinese Cultural Center was officially set up in Benin on September 27, 1988. It was the first cultural center the Chinese government instituted in the African Continent. The cultural center is expected to serve as a platform promoting all-round cultural exchanges, following a ribbon cut at the opening ceremony under high concerns of all parties.The center furnishes a Chinese language course, a martial art course and a shadowboxing course. In addition, it frequently sponsors all kinds of cultural activities, such as book and artwork exhibitions, drama performances, concerts, and ceremonies commemorating students to complete courses. From time to time, it shows movies, DVDs and all sorts of documentaries on China. The center also offers rooms for Benin government organs and mass organizations to hold cultural and artistic education activities.When requested, the center will assist organizing exhibitions on China in other parts of Benin. On all accounts, the center assumes the mission of promoting Chinese culture and facilitating the prosperity of the African culture, particularly full flourish of Benin culture.The following is the channels to come into contact with the Chinese Cultural Center in the Republic of Benin.Tel: 00229-21313174/97161030Fax: 00229-21314833E-mail: ccccoo@culturalink.gov.cnRelated links:China cultural network:www.culturalink.gov.cn;http://www.chinaculture.org/

IN SEOUL

2009-10-09T06:06:00.001-07:00

The first Chinese Culture Center in Asia was inaugurated in Seoul in December 2004, which provides South Koreans with Chinese language teaching service and information about China and Chinese culture.The Chinese Culture Center in Seoul, the sixth of its kind in the world set by the Chinese government, introduces China to South Koreans through holding exhibitions, seminars and other activities. Chinese Vice Cultural Minister Meng Xiaosi who inaugurated the Seoul Chinese Culture Center together with South Korean National Assembly Vice Speaker Park Hee-tae, Culture and Tourism Minister Chung Dong-chae and other Chinese and South Korean officials.The setting up of Chinese Culture Center in Seoul was an important outcome of cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and South Korea. It becomes a stage, which curtains never fall, for people, especially youth, of both countries to contact and know more about each other, and it will be a bridge for bilateral relations and the friendship between South Korean and Chinese people.More and more South Koreans are eager to study Chinese and learn more about China. It is not only because that Chinese and South Korean cultures are very close, for the long history of bilateral cultural exchanges and geographic closeness, but the full-scale development of bilateral relations in recent years.China became South Korea's top investment and travel destination, as well as the biggest trade partner this year. Chinese language and culture studies are also getting popular in South Korea. It is called "a blow of Chinese Wind" in South Korea, in parallel with the Chinese saying "the flow of South Korean Stream" which shows the influence of South Korean culture in China.The setting up of Chinese Culture Center in Seoul meets the needs of many South Koreans to study Chinese and learn Chinese culture. It is also helpful for Chinese culture to be introduced to other countries in the world, including South Korea.The six-floor Chinese Culture Center building, located near the building of South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has a library, several classrooms and rooms for exhibitions and function activities. This Center is known for teaching high-quality Chinese as well as Chinese music, Tai-chi martial arts, calligraphy, cooking, tea manners and acupuncture.China has set up two Chinese Culture Centers in Mauritius and Benin in 1980s and another three in France, Egypt and Malta during the past three years. Around 100,000 people attended activities held by Chinese Culture Centers in these five countries in 2004, according to a press release from Chinese Culture Ministry.Telephone: 02-733-8307~9

HAIRS SAVING TRICKS

2009-10-09T06:04:00.000-07:00

Color-Saving TricksWhether you dye your hair at home (a wallet-friendly strategy right off the bat) or go to the salon, there are ways to keep color costs under control.Pick a shade close to your own You don’t have to be Vidal Sassoon to realize that dyeing dark-brown hair platinum blonde is a high-maintenance, high-cost endeavor. For the most-flattering and longest-lasting results, stay within two shades of your natural color, suggests New York City colorist Kelly Van Gogh. And experts recommend thinking twice before going red or auburn—those shades are notoriously quick to fade.Choose the right dye formulaSemipermanent dye typically fades gradually over four to six weeks, so it won’t leave you with telltale roots if you’re short on cash and unable to get a touch up. Highlights are also a low-maintenance option. “Because you only color-select strands, it’s not as obvious when they grow out. There’s less upkeep, too,” Van Gogh says.Dare to DIYIf you love salon color, but don’t want to blow quite so much dough on it, why not occasionally do your own? If your color-ist typically gives you a single-process color, alternate with an at-home kit that’s meant to be applied only on new growth (not your whole head). We like Clairol Nice ’n Easy Root Touch-Up ($6.99). Highlights are trickier, for sure, but you can pull them off at home: For the best results, use a home highlighting kit, and just add several streaks along your hairline and part.Stretch it out with shampooShampoos for color-treated hair aren’t just a gimmick; experts agree that they can help you eke out an extra week or two between dye jobs. “They help seal the hair’s cuticle, preventing dye molecules from leaching out,” Van Gogh explains. Many also contain UV filters that protect your shade from fading due to sun exposure. Try Nature’s Gate Organics Color Protecting Shampoo ($7.99) or Nexxus Dualiste Shampoo Color Protection + Intense Hydration Shampoo ($11.99).Revitalize with a glazeIf your color’s starting to fade, use an at-home glaze like John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze ($9.99), Dorram suggests. Just don’t use it more than twice a week. “There are ingredients in glazes that can build up on your hair and dull the color if you use them too often,” she says

VANEEZA AHMED

2009-10-09T06:01:00.000-07:00

She’s got the most refreshing face in the business and one of the most amiable dispositions. In the field of modeling ruled by catty tactics.... she is the cattiest of them all. She’s ambitious - and she has no qualms about admitting it. She travels back and forth, shuttling between her hometown Lahore and the city that promises fulfillment of dreams - Karachi. And by god she knows that this exercise is worth her while. Vaneeza Ahmed, the Lahori supermodel that gave the Karachi beaus a hard time - she’s got what it takes.... all that it takes, to get to where she is today. From a fun indulgence at Kinnaird College as a student she launched herself in a career, she never thought to be hers. So, from modeling for Neelofer Shahid’s couture she went on to a photo shoot with the best in the business - Ather Shehzad the duo responsible for introducing some of the finest models today..... and the discovery of Vaneeza aka Vinny also falls to their credit. That’s how the journey started for this charming splendor and along the way added accolades to list of merits. She left no stone unturned. From modeling to acting she did it all- played the leading lady in Jamal Shah’s controversial saga, graced the cover pages of the countries top publications off and on, went as far as Mauritius to prove her love for acting and of course sashayed down the catwalk with the grace of a swan- how many times? She has lost all count. But one thing worth remembering is her role as ‘Dina’- in the movie Jinnah. She played the Quaid’s daughter and they say… she played it well. She's worked hard to get where she is today. She's come a long way in a very short time, and the way she's going, she'll go a long long way.

BONNNY,TAYLA,SHOOTERR

2009-10-09T05:34:00.000-07:00

WINNIPEG:WITH LOVE FROM WILFRED

2009-10-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

I fall in love with Wilfred, over and over again. The way he hangs perfectly off my body. The way he knows how to please me next and make me feel sexy in every way. I’m talking, of course, about Aritzia’s exclusive line, Wilfred.
Before we’ve even settled into summer, fall fashion is upon us and on a recent shopping extravaganza I found myself buying warm and cozy instead of soft and breezy. That’s when I fell hard and fast for Wilfred’s satin crepe boyfriend blazer. Its soft lines, casual feel and satin finished lapels make for the most understated, sophisticated look. The standard blazer can sometimes feel rigid, but offers the same effect, style-wise, but feels comfortable and freeing. That, to me, spells L-O-V-E.
Available at Aritiza, Polo Park Shopping Centre, 1485 Portage Ave., 204-772-0403, aritizia.com

Joe Fresh Style

2009-10-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

Using a picture from Lanvin Fall 2009 as a reference (!), Maleterre created natural, fresh skin. Lids were lightly swept with Wear Infinité Eye Shadow in “Seashell” and a coat of Bare Naturale Mascara. Using his fingers, Maleterre dabbed Colour Riche Lipstick in “British Red”—meant to match the bit of red used in the collection—onto lips to create a stain and keep it from being too bright and glam. Meanwhile, Del Monaco created “very simple, clean hair” first spritzing manes with Elnett Hairspray (finally coming to Canada this fall) and then smoothing them back with a paddle brush into a high, twisted knot. The visible ends were flat-ironed to make them look “healthy” and Studio Line Mineral FX Modeling Gel-Cream was used to slightly rough up the crown area “so that it doesn’t look too tight.”

Winter 2009-10 Beauty Trends

2009-10-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

Glam Grunge:

This is ‘90s grunge gone glamorous; pure rock ‘n’ roll, but sexy rather than sullied – and much more attitude driven. Think black, greasy, and more smudgy than smoky, for a finish that’s young, nasty and stinking of rock chick excess. “It’s Chrissie Hynde with too much eyeliner,” explains Gordon Espinet, who nailed this trend for both DSquared² and Vivienne Westwood Red Label, “LA girls walk of shame make-up. It’s young Hollywood the morning after the night before. Her make-up is melted, yet…gorgeous.”As seen at: DSquared²

Autumn/Winter 2009-10 Beauty Trends

2009-10-08T07:34:00.001-07:00

Iconic PopThe '80s beat goes on... This season's most daring catwalks enjoyed an explosive stop-over in the decade that colour remembered. "The '80s were about putting a face on..." says MAC Make-up Artist Lyne Desnoyers, "In 2009; it's more about projecting an image than creating a face." Siouxsie Sioux, Debbie Harry and Boy George influences were evident in kaleidoscopic splashes on satiny skin, whilst sculpted faces tuned into the classic '80s play on proportion. Take note - let your face be your canvas and break all the rules.
Geisha Graphics Beauty travelled farther East this season with references to Japanese fiction popping up at Betty Jackson and Dior. Make like Manga and lift your look straight outta Japanese comic books, for a twisted take on colour and cartoon á la Ashish, or opt for a dreamier approach with a cherry blossom palette, adopted by Make-up Artist Romi Soleimani for Adam; "[This look is] inspired by Japanese watercolour and the way the colours mix, diffuse and blend." Either way, we intrepid beauty junkies can't get enough of this contemporary turn on the classic Geisha. Konnichiwa!
...Twilight...The nation's current obsession with all things 'Vampire' has extended to the realms of beauty as catwalks showcased stony, sculptured faces with ethereal complexions and berry stained lips. "Highlighting and contouring is seriously back," says Make-up Artist Charlotte Tilbury, "...thinking about the contrasts between matte and shimmer, and light versus dark." Whilst faces at Alessandro Dell' Acqua teamed icy shimmer with burnished red for an other-worldly, statue-style finish, Moschino Cheap & Chic teamed waxy skin and wet-look eyes with Vampire-esque just-bitten pouts. This look has all the qualities of a classic Gothic romance, so get ready to fall in love Twilight-style.
Glam Grunge This is '90s grunge gone glamorous; pure rock 'n' roll, but sexy rather than sullied - and much more attitude driven. Think black, greasy, and more smudgy than smoky, for a finish that's young, nasty and stinking of rock chick excess. "It's Chrissie Hynde with too much eyeliner," explains Gordon Espinet, who nailed this trend for both DSquared² and Vivienne Westwood Red Label, "LA girls walk of shame make-up. It's young Hollywood the morning after the night before. Her make-up is melted, yet...gorgeous."
Living DollFor the less intrepid trend-watcher, catwalks were awash with fresh, young, pretty-in-pink painted dolls. DKNY and Kenzo flaunted a 'waxy' perfection finish to skin with rose-bud blush and bumblegum pink lips whilst Erdem transformed models into Russian dolls with haphazard top knots and a red dolly pout. "It's the idea of exaggerating human beauty," says Make-up Artist Gordon Espinet - think whimsical, pixie-like perfection; big eyes, heart-shaped lips and pretty-girl flushes. As Charlotte Tilbury adds "It's pretty, fresh, natural beauty...a girl running around the forest as if she's been eating berries all afternoon."

The Glitterati

2009-10-08T07:26:00.000-07:00

Summer might be over, but that didn't mean saying goodbye to gorgeous golds and bronzes in our winter make-up. From deep indigos smattered with glittery blue particles at Elie Saab to striking golds at Collette Dinnigan and rusty oranges at Moschino, it was clear that decadent, rich metallics were going to be this season's biggest gilt-y pleasures (get it?) For an instant update on this tried and tested formula, the inspiration was the seventies' disco era - pair luxe, sexy, burnished shades on the eyes with big hair for a full-on Diana Ross tribute.

2009 TREND GUIDE

2009-10-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

From over–the-top embellishment to plain and simple denim, spring runways took things to the extreme.

FALL 2009 BEAUTY GUIDE

2009-10-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

Our pick of the best hair and makeup trends that dominated the Spring runways in New York, London, Milan and Paris

FALL 2009 DENIM GUIED

2009-10-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

From the coolest catwalk looks to our favourite styles and the top denim depots across Canada—we’ve got the best of fall jeans here.

Winter 2009

2009-10-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

WHO?

Liisa Winkler

WHAT"S SHE WEARING?

Dress, price on request, by Dolce & Gabbana, shoes, $750, by Chanel, and bracelets from top: $45, by Accentrix, $115 and $115, both by Merx, $980, by Yves Saint Laurent, $160, by Merx, $45, by Accentrix and $115, by Merx.

CREDIT

Photographed by Miguel Jacob and styled by George Antonopoulos for artistgrouplimited.com. Hair and makeup by Greg Wencel for Plutino Group.

October 2009 FASHION COVER

2009-10-07T08:41:00.000-07:00

2009-10-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

Faux yet fabulous wristwatches in clear or coloured plastic keep you rocking around the clock.
Editor’s Tip: Looking good has never felt this good. A percentage of every Bobby H Bobby sale goes toward helping the Darfur crisis.
Bobby H Bobby watch, $150. Visit bobbyhbobby.com.

Celeb Scents

2009-10-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

Chanel’s little black book of famous faces, which already includes Catherine Deneuve and Nicole Kidman, has a new entry. Actress Keira Knightley—best known for consorting with pirates, bending it like Beckham and, more recently, her Oscar-nominated role in Pride and Prejudice—has signed on to represent the Coco Mademoiselle fragrance. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, from $70. At department stores across Canada.

Metallic Clutches

2009-10-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

This season, gold, silver and bronze are the colours of choice when it comes to accessorizing. Try the trend with a cute clutch—it’s the easiest way to add a bit of bling to your wardrobe without investing in the real thing.Lauren Merkin clutch (gold), $325, and Felix Rey clutch (silver), $295. Both at Augustina (5 Old York La., Toronto, augustinaboutiques.com).

Oversized Bags

2009-10-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

Things to pack for work: wallet, keys, sunglasses, a book…the list goes on. Luckily, this season brings with it a wide selection of big bags made for toting all your must-haves. The colour of choice? A bright splash of white—the perfect complement to all those bright summer days ahead.Matt & Nat bag, $125. Visit mattandnat.com.

Calendar Tip: SubUrbia

2009-10-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

By Elisa Kosonen

SubUrbiaAugust 19 to 31; from $22; Playwrights Theatre Centre, #201-1398 Cartwright St., Grandville Island; twentysomethingtheatre.com.
Put down the remote and check out SubUrbia, where Entourage and Clerks collide on stage and a rock star meets up with his high school friends at a local convenience store for one life altering night.
Photography by Sabrina Evertt; shown left to right: Shaun Aquiline as Tim, Ian Harmon as Jeff, Deneh Thompson as Buff, Abby Renee Creek as Bee-Bee, Rhys Finnick as Pony, and Rachel Aberle as Sooze.

Career: Boss Lady

2009-10-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

Women bosses, have a lot to gain in acting more like, well, women.
By Tralee Pearce
Photography by Miguel Jacob. Styling by Rita Fiorucci. Hair and makeup by Min Min Ma for Artistgrouplimited.com.

Vilifying women bosses remains a fetish in contemporary culture. Think we’re beyond the moth-eaten Disclosure boss-as-villainess trope? Now it’s called The Devil Wears Prada, and it still trades in taking down the powerful top chick.
Being the boss ain’t getting any easier for women. But they are finding new ways to avoid the “b” label while still asserting themselves. Just ask Joey Berdugo Adler, 46, who found herself heading up the Canadian arm of the premium jeans label Diesel International after her husband and business partner, Lou, died of cancer in 2003.
“When I first stepped in, I made some bold moves,” says the Montreal-based boss. “The word on the street was that I’d lost my marbles.” She said some people had no problem bluntly telling her, “Lou would have done this differently,” but she quickly learned to put her foot down. “I valued his legacy, but at the same time I had to imprint my own personal style on the company in order to succeed.”
If you ask her now, three years later, what kind of boss she is, she’ll tell you that she’s forged a path somewhere between tough and fair. “Men can be tough without being emotional. Women have to prove themselves more. I went through that.”
Emira Mears and Lauren Bacon, who run the blog Boss Lady ( bosslady.ca ) out of Vancouver, say that while it’s still a work-in-progress, this new middle ground is a refreshing change from the ’80s power suit era of leadership, when there was “the idea that to succeed, women must be more like men.”
“Women have a lot to bring to the business world that is different, and we would be doing a disservice to everyone by not bringing ourselves—gender and all—to the business world,” says Mears, adding that the slow pace of change is one reason they started the blog, which is aimed at women entrepreneurs. “In Canada, women are starting businesses at three times the rate of their male counterparts, according to recent stats.”
Margaret Knott, the director of pharmacy initiatives at Mississauga-based AstraZeneca, the second-largest pharmaceutical company in Canada, can remember a time when her male boss would carry her briefcase out of misguided chivalry. “It used to be that if a man took off his jacket, he was getting down to business, and if a woman took off her jacket she was a secretary.”
With seven children ages three to 35 in Knott’s blended family, there’s no question that she’s implemented what you might call “female” initiatives in the workplace. Her 23 employees know she’s flexible on how, and when, they work. “I never check the clock. We value family here. The only issue is if work is not getting done.”
Authors Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio see this as part of a trend. In their new book, The Girl’s Guide to Being a Boss (Without Being a Bitch), they suggest that women bosses drop the micromanaging and any dictatorial tendencies and act more like, well, women. “It really has to do with a lack of role models,” Friedman told NBC’s Today correspondent Natalie Morales recently. “I mean, when we were growing up and coming into the professional environment, we had really tough women bosses, but they had learned from men.”
As Diesel began growing from 35 to nearly 50 employees, Adler hired a human resources person to ease the transition. “My door is always open,” she says. “But it was starting to be impossible to be equitable.” So she set up a road map covering such things as employee discounts and—a big one for her—family leave in the case of death or illness. She is also fierce about promoting from within.
“A boss once didn’t want me to advance—he put me in a slot. I’ll never do that,” Adler says. In her case, it was important to institutionalize the “touchy-feely” stuff that women are supposedly better at, in order to free herself up to focus on the bottom line and set a corporate example. “When it comes to business, there’s got to be structure and a chain of command. Otherwise, there’s no accountability,” she says.
And, Knott says, don’t be afraid of navigating office politics. You don’t have to pick sides, nor do you have to be pals with everyone. “But it’s not a bad thing to understand the people around you and their motivations.”
Both Knott and Adler say integrity and honesty are the top characteristics to embrace—especially if you’re the non-confrontational type. “Everybody knows that they can walk into my office. Even if they made a $10,000 mistake, I won’t yell. I don’t care. As long as you say to me, ‘I’m sorry. I’ve made a $10,000 mistake,’” says Adler. It’s not a popularity contest; it’s smart business. “People don’t have to like me, but I need them to respect me. And you hope they will if you treat them fairly.”

Jetsetter: Booming Bangkok

2009-10-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

Viia Beaumanis says Bangkok is just wild.
shown: The Amanpuri resort, Pansea Beach, Phuket, Thailand; amanpuri.com.

Axis of the Buddhist nation’s spiritual ideals, carnal pleasures and chaotic commercialism, the Thai capital of Bangkok is a breathtaking jumble of old and new. Here, in one of the modern world’s largest metropolises, a proliferation of luxury malls has seen an influx of major-label flagship stores, as local editions of style magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar hit newsstands, and fashion absorbs 30 per cent of the city’s retail space. But it’s not all about shopping in Bangkok. While its name has been translated by some as the “village of wild plums,” Viia Beaumanis, investigating its chic nightclubs, mad markets, cheap but first-rate surgery clinics, stylish restaurants, model bars, luxe hotels, louche sex district, golden temples and breezy pansexuality, says Bangkok is just wild.
SLEEP
Metro LuxeNestled in the embassy district, with staff draped in Yohji Yamamoto, the 171-room Metropolitan Hotel (from $225) is the city’s most fashion-y hotel, its in-house restaurant, Cy’an, among Bangkok’s most lauded, and its Met Bar a stylish city watering hole.
Brand NewClustered around a lush courtyard, the five spacious spa cottages of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok (from $245) add private spa rooms to living, bed and bath, and include rain/steam showers, outsized tubs, iPods, gratis mini-bars and private terraces.
DINE
Straight to BedA space-age module equipped with international DJs, Bed Supper Club, a Wallpaper*-approved space, serves up chic cuisine and cocktails to international hipsters.
Fish HookPhilanthropic, fashion-friendly Koi, with outposts in New York and L.A., feeds models for free several nights a week. Because, you know, they’re starving.
SHOP
Luxe LaneModish addresses line Soi Thonglor; start with H1. A beehive of decor, book, art and clothing boutiques, it also houses the stylish, fashion designer–owned restaurant To Die For. An H2 is in the works.
Fabric LandJim Thompson’s Bangkok home, now a museum, was a social enclave that welcomed friends like W. Somerset Maugham. Today, the gorgeous textiles of his famed Thai Silk Company are available at several shops—and two factory outlets—in his adopted hometown.
Mall CrawlMany of traffic-jammed, mall-centric Bangkok’s shopping centres are linked by SkyTrain and SkyWalk. Gaysorn, with its Louis Vuitton and Prada flagships, is restricted to international brands, including locals such as Thakoon Panichgul, whose designs are carried stateside at Jeffreys and Barneys and have appeared in Vogue. At Erawan Bangkok, you’ll find Etro, Rick Owens, Marni and chic Asian labels in Club 21.
NIGHTCAP
High TimesDon’t miss the vertiginous ultraglam of Sirocco, a glass-walled rooftop bar and restaurant perched on the sexy 63th floor of the State Tower.
BEAUTY
Beauty SpotBook a double suite with a shower, steam room and bath at the elegant Devarana Spa. Request an energizing Thai massage, then have yourself exfoliated with rose petals.
Plastic FantasticBooming medical tourism sees Bangkok’s top surgery clinics catering to foreigners at state-of-the-art facilities for a third of what they’d pay at home. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) lists BNH, its sister hospital Samitivej and Bumrungrad International as reputable; the last was spotlighted on 60 Minutes and The Today Show in the past two years. Factoring in the cost of airfare? Thai Airways offers medi-holiday packages. If wrapping a browlift into your stay sounds a bit adventurous, these facilities also offer dental—with laser whitening priced at $250 as opposed to $1,500, and veneers from $450 per tooth instead of $1,000 to $1,800.
GOOD TO KNOW
Gold StandardBangkok’s splendid Grand Palace, a walled-in compound of gilded royal structures, includes the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha, the holiest site in Thailand. Note: One cab driver told us it was closed for a “special ceremony.” It wasn’t. A common scam; cabbies will try to divert you to other temples—ones that pay them a commission.
Cine EastChic House cinema on Royal City Avenue screens art and indie films not seen elsewhere in Thailand.
Bar CodeFollowing a 2001 government measure to improve Thailand’s image, Bangkok’s bars, once open round the clock, now close at 1 a.m. Moreover, police raid bars, confiscate ID and round everyone up for compulsory urine tests. To which we say, how about getting the teenage girls offstage in the skeezy sex district and leaving the happy party people alone?
Site to SeeBangkokrecorder.com lists shopping and nightlife information.

The Body Glossary: Cellulite

2009-10-07T07:59:00.000-07:00

The ingedients you need to address this body issue.
By Liza Finlay

The dimpled skin seen on most—OK, almost all—women, whatever their weight, results when the bands of connective tissue binding fat cells to skin cells weaken and sway, squeezing fat cells and trapping toxins. So even when you lose weight, you won’t lose the pesky fat cells imprisoned in the rubble of fallen connective tissues. “We believe estrogen plays a key part in cellulite because only women get it, but we don’t yet know how or why,” says Oakville, Ontario-based dermatologist Dr. Sheetal Sapra. “Cellulite is caused by the deterioration of connective tissue, causing it to collapse on fat and cellular debris.”
The degree of cellulite you are cursed with depends largely on the genetics that dictate hormone levels. But take heart: Some doctors believe cellulite fulfills a higher, nobler biological purpose. According to Olay dermatologist Dr. Kucy Pon, “The body stores fat [in the form of cellulite] in certain areas in a woman’s body to ensure there are enough calories available for future pregnancy and lactation.” Small comfort.
The most effective combatants are those that free imprisoned fat cells and toxins, escorting them into the bloodstream and out of the body. “Ideally, you want a two-fold action: You want the fat cells trapped in the skin to be dislodged, and you want to promote circulation in the area so they are flushed out,” says Sapra.
Caffeine: A chemical found in coffee, caffeine is a stimulant that puts fat cells on an intense cardio program. “It’s as if the fat cell is put on a treadmill, where it is forced to burn energy until, ultimately, it’s burned up,” says Leanne McCliskie, education manager at the International Dermal Institute. But before you pour yourself another cuppa, consider that caffeine applied topically has a stimulating effect on a localized area (which you want), while the java you drink by the mugful prompts the entire circulatory system to use and store fat and can actually promote the creation of more toxins (which you don’t want).Where to get it: L’Oréal Sublime Slim Patch ($25, at drugstores), Yves Rocher Spa Energie Vegetale Massaging Body Refiner ($36, yvesrocher.ca), Galénic Elancyl Shaping Smoothing Specific Flat Stomach ($40, at drugstores), Vichy Lipocure Anti-Dimpling Decongesting Serum ($48, at drugstores) and Yves Saint Laurent Profil Minceur Non-stop Release Contouring Gel ($78, at Holt Renfrew).
Algae (and seaweed): Thought to encourage the movement of fluids surrounding the cells, algae (or kelp, plankton and marine extracts) are touted for increasing lymphatic drainage. The Liquid-Plumr of the circulatory system, they are said to flush out fat cells and toxins stuck in the pipes. "Because our bodies are made up of so much water, algae are readily absorbed," says McCliskie. "That's why marine extracts are so effective at promoting detoxification." Where to get it:Dove Intensive Firming Cream ($13, at drugstores), Lubriderm Skin Nourishing Revitalizing Moisture ($9, at drugstores) and La Mer The Body Serum ($205, at Holt Renfrew).

Shades of red: The success of M.A.C

2009-10-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

How many lipsticks does it take to fight AIDS?

You wouldn’t think a tube of lipstick could help fight HIV/AIDS, but since 1994 M.A.C has proven that statement true. Not just because it has generated over US$100 million through sales of its Viva Glam Lipstick (six shades) and Lipglass (two shades), or because every single cent from each product sold is donated, or even because of its lippy roster of celebrity spokespeople, such as Linda Evangelista, Christina Aguilera, Pamela Anderson, Debbie Harry and, now, Fergie. Nope. According to beauty guru Allan Mottus, M.A.C is a success story because its counter sales staff is good at making people care.
“Women do not become candy stripers or help out in hospitals or anything like that anymore. They have a luncheon,” explains Mottus, editor and publisher of U.S. cosmetics trade magazine The Informationist and mottusbeauty.com. Women are also buying Viva Glam from M.A.C’s makeup artists. “The M.A.C beauty advisors are really loyal to the concept. It’s part of their awareness within their own community, and they work really hard at it,” says Mottus. Hard enough to sell 7.1 million tubes of lipstick and lipgloss in 14 years, that’s for sure. (Each tube costs $17, so you do the math!) “It has become an institutionalized thing [M.A.C staff promoting Viva Glam] within their organization, and they’re doing a very good job.”

Youth Dew

2009-10-07T07:52:00.000-07:00

Nina Ricci L’Air du Temps has been a classic French scent since it launched in 1948. But while iconic scents will forever hold their own, there’s always a new generation to entice. After reviewing 70 scents offered from various perfumers, the company settled on a floral gourmand with candied apple as the heart note, complemented by lemon and peony (which give the perfume class, according to global marketing director Marjerie Barbes-Petit), and simply called it Nina by Nina Ricci (from $62, at department stores).

This new fragrance will be the (candied) apple of your eye.
By Lesa Hannah
Photography by Carlo Mendoza.

Lip Service

2009-10-07T07:36:00.000-07:00

I am being wooed by an unlikely suitor.
In a black lacquered case that opens with a delicate grosgrain ribbon, my Givenchy Rouge Interdit lipstick calls out from my handbag, persuading me to bring it out for display and reapply my raspberry red colour in full view of everyone.
Let me state something for the record: Proudly preening with a lipstick has never been my style, especially at a crowded restaurant. I’m a dedicated “glosser,” set in my quick, one-slick applicator ways. Call me lazy, but the ease and simplicity of gloss, not to mention my love of the pale neutral lip, has kept me hooked. Until now.
This is an object far too gorgeous to keep hidden away. It actually makes one of my girlfriends gasp when I pull the ribbon tag to reveal the silver metal tube embossed with Givenchy’s quadruple set of Gs.
Designers Lucy Nunn and Tobie Snowdowne, two former Central Saint Martins students, wanted to create a bullet that would be seen as an exclusive haute couture accessory. “A luxury object is something that makes you feel unique when you use it,” said Nunn in a prepared release. “We designed Rouge Interdit in this spirit while thinking of the precise gestures of a woman who takes pleasure in opening her lipstick each time she uses it.”
Pleasure indeed. And that’s before you even get to the colour.
Givenchy is just one of the many beauty brands leading the way with full-scale lipstick overhauls. Boasting opulent designs and full-bodied colour, these lipsticks would be more at home in an art gallery than a cosmetics counter. Take Yves Saint Laurent’s Lip Twins ($38, at Holt Renfrew) as an example. A shiny gold cylinder, it looks like an oversized trinket from a charm bracelet. The case pivots to reveal two hidden lip colours, topped with a monogrammed lid that doubles as a lip brush. This is as close to being a Bond girl as I will ever get.
Chanel branded its name in block capitals onto the bullet of Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lipstick ($35, at department stores), which was inspired by the design of Mies van der Rohe skyscrapers. The particular appeal of this packaging porn is the delight of opening it: A spring-loaded ballpoint mechanism with a lovely soft-click touch glides the lipstick applicator out.
Beauty’s rekindled love affair with lipstick comes from the place where most bona fide trends are born: the catwalk. Reds saturated with pigment were everywhere in the Fall 2007 shows: Gucci’s perfectly lined ruby red lips were an homage to starlet Veronica Lake, and Valentino also riffed on the glamour of a ’40s femme fatale with a flawless brick red. There were four-alarm scarlet mouths at Roberto Cavalli and Peter Som, and at Proenza Schouler, models received a triple layer of crimson coating.
“Red is the perfect classic shade for lips right now,” says Melissa Gibson, a senior artist at M.A.C who loves the colour movement for lips this season, which she sees as a strong and confident statement to make. “But there has also been a real resurgence of bold, fluorescent colours in fashion, which are now playing out on the lips in bright pinks and oranges.”
The electric pink lipstick that Diane von Furstenberg’s models wore was breathtaking, and I love the idea of a strong, daring and iconic red on the runway—but in the real world, I’m not entirely sold on my ability to wear a tangerine mouth anywhere. This trend is pigment overdrive, no compromise.
Going this bold makes lips the star of the show, and it will take some getting used to.
“Beauty was all about the eyes for a really long time, but a strong mouth is sensual. It’s sexy,” says Diana Carreiro, a Toronto makeup artist. I’m the long-standing queen of the smoky eye and pale lip, and the idea of starting my makeup look with lips is a completely new one. But Carreiro is firm: “The main beauty message now is about the mouth.”
I change my routine and begin doing my cheeks and lips first—after a base of foundation, but before any eye makeup. This seems to me the equivalent of eating dessert before dinner, or putting heels on before I get dressed. It’s not only sexier but also a smarter way to do your face—you’re much less likely to overdo your eye makeup when you’ve got a vibrant, polished mouth already.
Unlike the effortless application of gloss, it takes a whole world of time and precision to get a perfect red pout. A lip brush is essential (mine had to be dug out of a dusty corner of my makeup bag) because you need a delicate, patient hand to apply. I put my lippy on first, then follow with liner to lock in the line and curve of my mouth.
The lipstick revival is high on the hip list for celebrities, too. In fact, channelling the look of the ’40s has largely created the images of red lipstick divas like Gwen Stefani, Dita Von Teese and Scarlett Johansson. Christina Aguilera’s recent adoption of the retro style, complete with soft, wavy hair and kitten eyes, has done wonders for her reputation—she went from trashy to classy in one fell swoop of a lipstick.
Even the celebs known for a more natural, earthy look are wearing strong colours both on and off the red carpet. Celebrity gossip guru Elaine Lui of laineygossip.com and eTalk weighs in. “Drew Barrymore looks amazing with crimson lips,” she writes in an e-mail from the Cannes Film Festival. “Lately, her best friend Cameron Diaz has been rockin’ the deep plum. And surprisingly, Penélope Cruz can totally take it dramatic when she paints it red.”
“We’ve come full circle,” says Gibson. “Not just with colour and the influence of the 1940s, but with the application of lipstick, too. We’re moving away from how easy gloss is to use and going back to the days when women used to pull their compacts out and apply their makeup in public.”
Considering that most women—myself included—are so busy that they have schedules for their schedules, slowing down long enough to create a made-up mouth is not exactly an easy sell, but Gibson says it’s worth it. “If you spend the time to go all out with the full process of moisturizing your lips and applying lipstick, liner and a dab of gloss, it will last much, much longer than gloss on its own. And spending that time will make you feel fantastic.”
This is far and away the best reason to return to this iconic beauty staple: the way lipstick makes you feel. Not to get all daytime telly or anything, but I’m amazed at how easily transformed I feel when I put on a bold red. With the sweep of a lip brush, I become a more confident, powerful and—look out, world—sexier version of myself.
Compared to the stickier, heavy sensation of gloss, a well-applied layer of lippy feels featherlight—ironic, considering the effort it takes to apply. And therein lies the magnificence of this revival: the heightened sensuality. I am constantly aware of my mouth. The rich, velvet texture, the non-stop touch-ups, the reaction of those around me—all are responsible for my new love affair with lipstick.
It’s official. I have joined the dark (red) side.

Lipstick, the iconic pigmented bullet, is back. Can you handle giving up your gloss for the season’s deep, dark red?
By Vanessa Craft
Photography by Ronit Novak

Fall 2009 runway report: Tweed

2009-10-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

Heritage tweeds enforced fall's ladylike message. {FALL 2009 TRENDS GUIDE}

MOSCHINO Fall 2009

Photography by Peter Stigter
First published in FASHION Magazine September 2009

Ghazza Abaya

2009-10-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Practical abaya for work made of light Blue denim fabric top layer and Navy Blue crepe bottom layer, Both layer are sewed together. Size of shayla : 23.6" x 68.8" / 60 cm x 175 cm

Handmade Authentic Bedouin Underscarf

2009-10-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

This beautiful underscarf is handmade by Sinai Bedouin women, decorated by cross stitch and tassels.
Tie it under your scarf to give an elegant and special style to your hijab. (pic 2)
* Black Shayla (hijab) not included.

Hijab Fashion Magazine September – October 2009

2009-10-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Egyptian Number 1 Hijab fashion magazine.The magazine is in Arabic language, full of colored pictures of latest fashion abaya and Jilbab of top Egyptian designers. The magazine will be interesting for ladies as well as Islamic clothing sellers to be updated with latest hijab fashion

Moroccan Hijab

2009-10-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

New type of hijab known locally as Moroccan hijab. It consist of stretch fabric and a chiffon fabric (trimmed with satin ribbon) sewed together. The stretch part of the hijab will work as an underscarf, afetr puting it on your head cross the edges of the chiffon part and then put it over your head through the second opening, it will give the look as in the the picture.

On Top Of Abaya

2009-10-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

On top of dress shawl style Malhafa to be worn over regular dress or abayas made of double layer of Chiffon and opened from both sides , with stretch cuffs.Designed and tailored by Sona.

Simple Plain Black Abaya

2009-10-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

Simple Plain Black abaya. Available in two types of fabrics. crepe and Extra smooth super crepe ( known regionally as Saudi crepe). The Saudi crepe is very Black and smooth and available in Black only.You can wear this abaya alone or under many of the tops available in store.

Square Hijab

2009-10-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

Square hijab made of Chiffon.Size 59" x 59" - 150 cm x 150cm

Tie Back Bonnet Cap

2009-10-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

Tie Back Bonnet Caps made of 100% Egyptian Cotton. The Tie Back bonnet Cap will hold hair firmly under it and prevent the Hijab from slipping. 11 different colors to choose from.

Underscarf

2009-10-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

The under scarf is worn below the Niqab or Hijab to prevent it from slipping backwards. It guarantees that your hair at the fore head will not be visible. Available in different colors.Made of Egyptian cotton.

BODY WEAR

2009-10-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

Classic Burgundy

Made of: 88% Microfiber - 12% Lycra

Tunic Tops 01

2009-10-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

Fabric: Blended Egyptian Cotton

Tunic Tops 03

2009-10-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

Fabric: Blended Egyptian Cotton

Long Gloves

2009-10-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

Gloves for women, its length is approximately till mid of arm Good quality

Short Gloves

2009-10-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

Short Gloves for women, Good quality.Length : 9.8" / 25 cm

Hijab Pins Ref 0315

2009-10-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

Pack of 6 Hijab Pins

Hijab Pins Ref 0309

2009-10-01T09:18:00.000-07:00

Pack of 12 Hijab pins

Hijab Pins Ref 0306

2009-10-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Pack of 8 Hijab Pins

2 Hairbands

2009-10-01T09:13:00.000-07:00

Band measure unstretched: 9.4 " / 24 cmBand Measure stretched diameter: 12.5" / 32 cm

Tricot Underscarf

2009-10-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

Underscarf made of tricot (blended wool) , big enough to cover all hair or just the front of head like regualr underscarf if folded.

Stripes Hijab ref 04

2009-10-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

Fabric: CottonMeasure: 64.9 x 19.6 inches 165 x 50 cm

Satin Trim Hijab

2009-10-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Fabric: ChiffonMeasure: 68.8" x 27.5" 175 x 70 cm

Pattern Hijab ref 13

2009-10-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

Fabric: 100% Polyester.Measure: 64.9 x 19.6 inches 165 x 50 cm

Embroidered Hijab ref 1300

2009-10-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Fabric: 100% Polyester.Measure: 70.8 x 19.6 inches 180 x 50 cm