Bangladesh's elusive essence

Contrary to popular belief of outsiders regarding Bangladesh, there is more to this nation than abject poverty, devastating floods and dreadful cyclones. This is a land steeped in traditions and one that boasts a culture to rival most countries of the civilised world.
The coming ICC Cricket World Cup will witness a surge of foreign tourists in the country. And they may be puzzled as to what they should take back from this land of warm, friendly people other than a mere positive image.
Tourists take back mementos of places they visit. It is a reminder of the positivity they experience, which they want to relish for a long time.
For the tourist desiring to take back curios from Bangladesh, the rickshaw may stand out and quite rightfully so, as this does represent the urban framework of this place. Miniature bronze replicas of rickshaws are available at “Jatra” a renowned curio outlet that sells artefacts deeply rooted into the pastoral-urban framework of the country. These miniatures are also available at “Aarong”.
In fact, Aarong may serve as a one stop destination as this renowned boutique has a considerable number of outlets throughout the country and mostly sells rural handicrafts and contemporary designer wears based on folk motifs.

Female visitors may be inclined to take back traditional garbs, the "shalwar kameez" set which can serve as excellent casual wear. This loose tunic worn with a matching, or contrasting pyjama and an unstitched dupatta also has the potential to be party wear, given that the right fabric - silk or organza is chosen.

But if you are indeed looking for the right party wear, why look beyond the ethereal sari? This opulent garb can make an excellent formal wear, and has rightfully found its place in celebrity wardrobes. Aarong boasts a wonderful array of ethnic designs however the place to be for traditional saris would be Tangail Sharee Kutir, at New Bailey Road.
Handloom saris are inexpensive and can be an excellent addition to your casual trousseau. Jamdanis, with their wonderful weaving patterns, is for the connoisseur and can be rather expensive.
Apart from saris and shalwar kameez sets, nearly all boutiques of the country showcases fatuas - tunics for men and women; a shorter and slimmer version of the kameez.

While women like to dress themselves, why should men be any different? Go for the panjabi! This is a comfortable long dress unique to Bangladesh. The Indian and Pakistani panjabi differs in fabric and also the cut. Team it with a headcap toopi and you will have the perfect Bangladeshi look. Just don't forget the white pyjamas.
If you have set your mind to take back a dress from Bangladesh that will speak of the people who dwell in it, visit the “Deshidosh” outlet at Bashundhara Shopping Centre or their outlet in Chittagong. Deshidosh houses ten of the most renowned boutiques of the country under one roof and showcases a wonderful assortment of dresses for men, women and children.
For over three millennia Bengal has been a land witness to communal harmony. Although it was ultimately Islam that flourished, Bangladesh still maintains a high Hindu and Buddhist population. Historians claim that it is through Bengal that Buddhism flourished in the orient many thousand years ago.

If you are a collector of religious artefacts, then we suggest Dhyani Buddha, the meditating Buddha. These are available at Aarong and also at the antique shops at Gulshan-2. Just don't get blown away by the fancy prices. Remember that this is a sheer test of your haggling skills.

Those drawn to Hinduism may want to take back “shakhas” conch shell bangles worn by Hindu women throughout Bengal as sign of their nuptial bond. These beautiful works of craftsmanship are best found at Shankhari Bazaar, in the old town.
Music plays a vital role in the lives of Bangladeshis, and in a country where the greater segment are still confined to rural areas, folk songs are the heart and beat of the nation. For authentic versions try albums by Farida Parveen or Ferdausi Rahman. These however are for the purists. For modern renditions of folk beats chose “Bangla” or “Lalon”. You will not be disappointed.

There is also much for the art enthusiasts. At dealers situated in Gulshan-2 you will find works by modern maestros and even new artists. But this is an expensive field and you can always go for simple watercolours, or fine art prints. These may well be within your budget.
Every February, the Bangla Academy plays host to a month long book fair. This is the most significant event in the cultural calendar of Bangladesh and if you are visiting this country in February, it is a must see event.
You will find many books some in English -- that speak of the country, its socio-political and cultural history. For the bibliophile, this can be the perfect recipe for years of study and knowledge hunt.
And speaking of recipes, why not take a cookbook? Surely you will be sampling some wonderful local cuisines and would like to replicate these same dishes on your dinner table. Our suggestion, go for books by Shawkat Osman, the renowned food connoisseur who combines recipes with his unique blend of wit and great story-telling.
It's all too easy to pick up an “I Luv Bangladesh” T-shirt from any street vendor, if you can find one with that slogan. Bangladesh never did personify itself with one slogan or one logo. To appreciate the ethnic diversity of this people, you will have to look deep into the lives of this people. What you discover is what you take back, a memento from Bangladesh.

Middle years skin care

 

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Model: Alveera Mannaf Rahman Nita, Interior Designer
Make-up: Farzana Shakil Maveover Salon Ltd

Suddenly you wake up one day and you are 40!There are little tell-tale lines around the eyes, skin that was oily is suddenly dry, or is dull; laugh lines don't disappear even after you have stopped smiling; hands seem harder, not to mention crinklier. Grey hair has been spotted.
All hell breaks loose! Age has caught up with us and we embark on a quest to find the magic potion that will stop the passage of time and keep us young forever.
Well ...I'm not offering you the fountain of youth or the magic potion but I can tell you how to care for yourself.
There are many grandmothers who visit La Belle and I'm amazed at how good they look, how graceful and well groomed they are. And do you know what they have in common.....they have ALWAYS taken care of themselves, they have not woken up at 50 and decided to make an annual trip to the salon. They have given their looks some priority and due diligence.
So if you're touching 40 there's still time, apologise to yourself for the neglect and move ahead.
With the passage of time, skin tends to become drier and the need for moisture is greater. Therefore the products that we use need a change. The introduction of serums is imperative to the daily skincare range- simple moisturisers will not be enough at this stage.
It's important to know the role of serums, so that their benefits are appreciated.
Serums boost moisture levels very effectively as well as retain the moisture longer. They also speed up the natural repair process of the skin when used with the night cream.
The appearance of lines and wrinkles will diminish as long as we can keep skin well moisturised.
The other best friend of skin is sunscreen.
Studies show that the majority of the visible signs of premature aging are a result of environmental assaults, not the passage of time. This unavoidable exposure damages the skin cells and tissues. The ultraviolet rays of the sun are the culprits from whom we need protection.
Answer: sunscreen.
This cannot be avoided. It must be used every morning and reapplied in the afternoon, even if you are not going out of the house.
Usage of sunscreen should become a habit like brushing your teeth.
Night creams are of a richer consistency than day creams and lotions. If it does not feel rich enough, a drop or two of olive oil will do the trick. Those with an oily skin can settle for a light lotion mixed with water, since they have a god-gifted store of natural oil. The good news for them is that although they may have suffered pimples and other woes earlier but they can now turn up their noses at others because they're are not getting wrinkles anytime soon.
Cleansing skin is as important as breathing because that is exactly what skin needs to do.... breathe.
Clogged pores, caused by dirt, dust and pollution need to be addressed regularly. Abuse that skin can handle at 20 cannot be put up with at 40. It needs to be treated with a lot more respect now.
Harsh scrubs need to be tossed out of the window. Usage of bleach and harsh chemicals is to be minimal, perhaps once in two months, then too they should be of milder concoction.
Facials are a boon, twice a month if possible. The method should be correct and the products should be of quality. With salons on every street corner, you need to be careful, please visit reputable salons only. Never hesitate to inquire about the qualification of the proprietors.
Diet, needless to say, plays a great role in the general well being of a human being. A healthy balanced diet with a decent amount of exercise will lead to not only good skin and hair, but also good health.
I am very sceptical about these various new fad diets with low carbs and high protein and what not. Drastic diets are out. Losing a lot of weight will make you look haggard, so watch out. If you are on a diet, lose weight gradually and in a healthy manner.
Meanwhile, I am off to spend more time with my 50/60-year-old models of dignity and grace to collect more tips for Lifestyle.


Sadia Moyeen, Beautician, La Belle

 

A Night of Fashion

 

 

 

The mercury dipped low over Dhaka on December 10, but things were heating up at Dhaka Club as some of the industry's most prominent names brought their work to the ramp at a fashion show there, organized by Marico Bangladesh, and sponsored by Kaya Skin Clinic and Aromatic Gold.





The event, meant to showcase the make-up sophistry of Farzana Shakil, as well as to introduce the special services of the Kaya Skin Clinic, featured make up by Farzana Shakil, and choreography by Shahrukh Amin.
The program, MC'd by Mishu Rahman and Azra Mahmud featured a colour based theme, where a set of designers worked with a specific colour. Saris in jamdani, katan, and silk hit the catwalk as Ruby Ghuznavi of Arannya Crafts and Chondona Dewan of Chondan's opened with the Blue queue, which was followed by White, featuring the works of Almira, Anokhee, and Virgo. The common feature of this particular line happened to be in long hemlines, although the overall cuts varied between Mughal chic and a-line. Emdad Hoque, Jatra and Shadakalo came next with Black and Grey, bringing panjabis, fotua-and-trouser ensembles, and kurti and skirt combos, all in indigenous fabrics. This made way for a rather flamboyant Green queue, featuring the works of Panam, Rang, Shabana Ali, and Tootlie Rahman. Peacock feathers fluttered on fans and fancy updo's as the models strutted their stuff in a variety of shades, ranging from dark olive, to cool watery chartreuse, and bright emeralds. Pride and Tangail Shari Kutir upped the ante with their Pink and Purple lines in silk and jamdani respectively. The final Red queue featured work by Bibi Russel, Maheen Khan, Aneela Haque and Kuhu, each of whom presented her signature style, leaving no doubt in the minds of the audience that they belonged to the A-list in the scene here.




The show was followed by a raffle draw, where 6 lucky winners walked away with a copy of Farzana Shakil's "Looks", right before dinner, and ended on an explosive note with the energetic Mila treating the guests to a rocking time.


Sabrina F Ahmad
Photo: Zahedul I Khan

Sharee from “Bangler Mela”

PANAM, tales of fashion !

 

Exclusive Sari collection and Exclusive Event Customized All-in-One Packages.Panam, Tales of Fashion, Available at Banani Dhaka.

 

Panam is a designer clothing line available at O2. Panam provides Exclusive sari collection and exclusive event customized all-in-one packages.

 

Panam is eager to provide their valued customers with a customized and unique wedding package for bride and groom including sherwani, Panjabi, sari, blouse, jewelry and footwear.

 

Furthermore, they are offering make-up from Farzana Shakil as part of their wedding package. The wedding package also includes clothes and footwear for the groom and family as well as clothes, jewelry and footwear for the bride.
Why go abroad if you can find the same thing in Bangladesh at a more cost effective price? It also saves you money from travelling as well.Thus, dropping by at O2 and just taking a glance at Panam’s collection is a must!!!!!!!

Eid couture !

 

UPON sharing our thoughts with Chandona Dewan, she seemed sceptical but as we delved into the matter fur ther, over a cup of piping hot tea, concepts rystallised and ideas took forms. Dewan was simple but we equally understood the pre dicaments associated with the endeavour. Treading on the thin line between fashion faux pas and club-smart, high tea couture was any thing but easy. To transform street side fashion, revamp and trans form what we find popular in wayside markets at Karwan Bazaar, Gulistan and such would require a wand and a few magic spells up Dewan’s sleeves. And she has done excep tionally well. Chandona Dewan is renowned for careful selection of materials she uses for her line of clothes. This time she had to step out of her niche. 

 

Her selection of fabrics for the entire range seemed gaudy at first impression, but once designs took form the flashy look was punctuated with glamour and suave sensuality.

There has been profuse use of brocades and inexpensive katans, nylons, lace, synthetic fabrics from which she had picked from the bazaars at Gulshan and Badda. One easily understood that she was intrigued by the challenge.

For men, she used lace and translucent, synthetic yards, keeping the fabric untouched of embellishments but craftily making collars and pleats with matching brocade.

But it was her transformation of the women wears that grabs the attention. She took a simple yard of pink nylon fabric with a white floral print forming diamonds and curved a sassy, spaghetti strapped, tunic matched with lime pantaloons.

The sari was arguably her best, with due respect to the fabulous kurtas, coats, and shalwar suits. They all bore Dewan’s signature patchwork and metallic bead embellishment.

 

 “The finished products” Chandona points out, “made me re-think entirely how one can transform simple fabric into something quite extraordinary only if one is creative enough.” She also adds, “I was pleasantly surprised with the oozing glamour of the finished outfits.”

Despite the statement these attires made, the fact remained that they are actually made from cheap fabric. But one has to really touch them to get a feel of the coarse quality — not something one would associate with haute couture. 

Some of the outfits were displayed for customers’ reactions and feedbacks. And they were an instant success. A client, who resides in the US, gave instant orders for a few. ”In the cold weather, synthetic fabrics are not a problem and the look is simply fabulous,” she said.

MANTRA TAILORING STUDIO

 

MANTRA has recently opened a section “Tailoring Studio” especially for trendy blouses that most women would just love to wear in any given occasion or party. Even though these blouses are a bit high budgeted, I would say it is still worth the price.

 

When asked what the new trend for blouses is, mantra representative talked about the following:

 

Appliqué blouses are the ‘in’ thing now. The customers can either bring their own saris or order a sari along with the blouse. The blouses are given different types of dimensions like a rose or geometrical shapes at the back, matched with the sari which gives your back a classy look.

 

Sleeveless blouses most women want their blouse without sleeves, which not only looks good but also is the best solution in a humid climate like Bangladesh.

 

Going to work in a sari or attending a wedding/party becomes much easier in summer if someone is wearing a sleeveless. The blouse can have embroidered stones and even crystal drop stones to give it a trendier look. Another type of sleeveless blouse is one with a side sleeveless, while a stone string is attached on the other.

 

Backless with a string or a ribbon blouse is also said to be liked by many women. They have different designs for ribbons like adding ornaments to it or stones at edge or adding colourful shaped balls at the end of the ribbon. Backless blouses also look good with a tieback big ribbon; it also looks good when worn in an evening party or a special occasion.

Lace blouses are also in fashion, which are done either with complete lace (with linings) or three dimensional lace work on satin or chiffon material blouses.

Princess CM blouse is said to be the most comfortable with saris that are see-through and may make you feel uncomfortable with buttons on the front or back. It has side zippers (both or on one side) and has to be meticulously tailored to the correct measurements.
Round V-neck back with stones on the edge or accessories or embroidered flowers on one side would look stunning with any sari. The stones or the embroidery can be matched according to the sari.
The price of the blouses start from Tk 1000 and goes up to Tk 7000 depending on the work done on the blouse or the amount and types of stones used over it. The price is even higher when Swarovski crystal is used, which are usually brought from India.

Choosing a Pair

 

For the biggest event for Muslims all across the globe, Eid-ul-Fitr, we want everything to be perfect. From our hair, to clothes, to footwear.

Shoes are a major part of one’s outfit and look. Most people buy footwear that match their clothes; others buy clothes that match their footwear.

Girls have a lot of variety in the kinds of footwear they can mix and match with their clothes. Slippers, flip flops, stilettos, platform heels, ballet flats, strappy sandals, boots…almost all kinds of footwear are available according to the type of style you want to pull off.

On Eid, most girls prefer looking posh and stylish. To go with their gorgeous kameezes they most often choose stilettos. But nowadays ballet flats and flat sandals are making their way through the fashion world fast and strong.

Ballet flats can go with almost all kinds of attire. You can wear them with, kameezes and casual jeans and tees.

Bata established the new trend of comfortable rubber ballet flats that are found in almost every colour to go with any outfit. Although the sandals are made merely for comfort, they pull off an extremely stylish look too.

Flat slippers have been the ‘in’ thing amongst footwear for a very long time now and they’re not anywhere near ready to go ‘out of fashion’ anytime soon.

Flat slippers used to be worn widely with kameezes, dresses, skirts, jeans and now they’re worn with saris too. Flat sandals are now available anywhere around Dhaka.

Every shoe store will present you with an ample collection of flat slippers. Now, in malls like Metro, you can get these flat slippers in stores that don’t even sell shoes.

Stilettos give you a very posh and sassy look. Most girls prefer stilettos for events as big as an Eid bash, classy weddings and trendy parties. The most probable reason for girls to opt for stilettos for such occasions is that stilettos give an optical illusion of longer legs, smaller feet and a greater overall height.

They also alter a wearer’s posture and gait by flexing the calf muscles and helping to straighten the backbone. A lot of people choose comfort over fashion, but when it comes to looking elegant, sophisticated and trendy at the same time, a pair ofstilettos will do the trick for you.

Strappy sandals are a must-have in every girl’s collection of shoes, whether they have a shoe fetish or not. To be a little more specific, these sandals have straps that go as far up as your calves.

You can get strappy sandals that are flat, with kitten heels or with high heels-whatever suits you best. This particular pair of sandals are bound to give you a more chic look and make you feel beautiful at the same time. They are perfect to wear with a posh Eid kameez and Patiala pyjamas!

For men, sandal shoes are very common during Eid. The trick that sandal shoes play is that they look good with a pair of jeans and they look just as pleasing with panjabi and pyjama. To get good pairs of sandal shoes, the store for you to go to is Bata. Apart from Bata there’s Apex, where it might get a little pricey but once you purchase a pair of their leather sandal shoes you’ll know it was all worth it!

 

Men also love flat sandals. Of course, their flats have a more masculine look and don’t have glitters, straps and so on, but they’re just as trendy and fashionable. Flat sandals for men serve the same purpose as the ones for women. They go with anything apart from formal apparels.

Jenny’s section for men can give you a good deal on men’s flats and they don’t just add trend to your outfit but they’ll serve you for a very, very long time too! Bata, Apex, and stores in Elephant road will give you good offers on flat slippers too.

Kolapuri sandals have been one of the most common for men’s footwear. They give off a very ethnic yet very deshi look. Kolapuri sandals usually have eastern ethnic designs on the straps that give you a very Asian feel.

Kolapuri sandals recently made their way through to women’s fashion as well. Now women not only wear panjabis but also wear good looking pair of kolapuris to look the part! The best kolapuris can be found in the stores of Elephant road and the market in Gulshan 2. They serve their exact purpose of giving you the deshi look you want and are comfortable to wear.

Nagras are also something that men and women both own. Nagras don’t just make you look fashionable; they tend to give you more of a royal look.

A big part of our subcontinental history has to do with Mughals and even back then they were fashionable and trendy! One of the main things that made them look their part was nagras. Yes, they date back to the 1600s!

Rakhi Shoes on Elephant Road is a store that sells good pairs of nagras. Apart from that, Bashundhara City and Rifles Square have countless shoe stores that offer nagras. These shoes are great for big occasions and sometimes go perfectly with Eid apparels.

Now, for people who don’t like dressing up too much and prefer to buy a new pair of jeans and a brand new trendy shirt or t-shirt for Eid, you would definitely want something strikingly fashionable and yet very cool and suave to go with your outfit.

Girls and boys, what you’re looking for is a pair of converse or vans shoes! I know people who literally treasure their pairs of vans or converse. They go well with skinny jeans, baggy jeans, straight cut pants, whatever it is! They give you a very cool yet trendy look and are perfect for people who like keeping things simple and chilled out.

You’ll get good pairs of converse or vans in stores around Elephant Road. A lot of stores in big malls will have what you want as well. Pick your kind to suit your style and make your feet look as fabulous as the rest of you for Eid!

Source:Daily Star

Exclusive collection from Rang fashion house

Classy multi colored handloom  sharee and salowar kamiz with beautiful design.

Sparkling Beauty With Dark Colours !

Source: Daily Star

Bangladeshi Fashion

 








































Source: New Age