November 2012 Issue

NOVEMBER 2012 $4.99 CAD | Dh 18.47 AED | £3.18
HOW INTEGRATED MUSIC PROJECT BLUEFROG IS REVOLUTIONIZING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN SOUTH ASIA
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Specializing in:
Modern yet Traditional Pakistani Wear
Casual, Semi, Formal and Bridal Wear
Pakistani Jewelry now available
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2980 Drew Road Unit 121
Mississauga, Ontario L4T0A7
647-402-5584
[email protected]
facebook.com/sequence.byroohi
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Editor/Publisher KAMRAN ZAIDI
Associate Editor PRIYA KUMAR
National Account Manager CHIRAG PATEL
Art Layout Coordinator DANYL GENECIRAN
Styling Coordinator SAIMA HASAN
Fashion Assistant LIZ GUBER
Travel Correspondent ROBIN ESROCK
Health & Wellness Contributor YAFA SAKKEJHA
Special Features Correspondent SIJAL REHMANE
Special Features Correspondent FRANCES DU
Pop Culture Contributor YVETTE NANIUZEYI
Beauty Contributor MYRTLE JURADO
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SHE MAGAZINE CANADA IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF KAMRA ON PRODUCTIONS INC.
COPYRIGHT © 2012 KAMRA ON PRODUCTIONS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN PAKISTAN
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IN EVERY ISSUE:
STYLESCOOP 12
HE 86
∙ That’s what HE said, That’s what SHE said
∙ Musa Shah: Euro-Asian Street Smarts
HEALTH/WELLNESS 90
∙ Reap the Benefits of a South Asian Diet
SHE CARES 92
∙ CARE Canada shows us how to “Walk in her Shoes”
ON THE ROAD 94
∙ The Philippines: Bohol & Bicol
BEAUTY 96
∙ What germs are lurking at your local beauty bar?
∙ Jean Nicola Salon & Spa
DESI GIRL PROBLEMS 100
HOROSCOPES 101
∙ Psychic Lisa Moore, NYTimes
"QUOTE/UNQUOTE" 102
∙ “Talk to us about your love of South Asian music. What is your favourite?"
FEATURES:
MAWI Neckpiece
(p 78)
FASHION CENTRAL 18
∙ NorBlack NorWhite
∙ Hidesign by Dilip Kapur
∙ The Secret Garden
BUSINESS 40
∙ AMMARA by Harvard Business School alum Ammara Yaqub
SOUTH ASIA 44
∙ Lawn in Peshawar
∙ Ritu Kumar's Panchvastra Couture Collection
COVER STORY 56
∙ Nadia Ali: The Queen of Clubs
THE ARTS 70
∙ blueFROG: At the helm of the South Asian Music Revolution
∙ Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Exclusive
∙ Midnight’s Children’s Deepa Mehta
∙ Book Review: The Reluctant Fundamentalist
JEWELRY 78
∙ Mawi Exclusive
∙ Lakshmi Jewellers
NIGHTLIFE 84
∙ Chai Bar
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With the US election season upon us, this month we’re bound to see everyone’s political side come out. Despite being America’s reserved neighbours to
the North, we as Canadians will be more impacted by the outcome of the ominous ballot count on November 6th, 2012 than any other nation. Specifically
taking Mitt Romney’s remarks about 47% of the nation being reliant upon the
government, this got us thinking. To recap, at a Republican fundraiser back
in May, Romney was recorded on a cell phone camera making the following
statement: “There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president
no matter what...who are dependent upon government, who believe that they
are victims, who believe that government has a responsibility to care for them,
who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to youname-it. And so my job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince
them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”
Canadians—try to get your mind around this statement. A man who is one
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blueFROG MUSIC
PROJECT
federal election away from potentially being the leader of arguably the most
powerful nation on the planet, does not believe it is his job to “worry” about
these people. Let’s look at South Asia. With the finite resources governments
have there, NGOs such as Oxfam, CARE and SOS Children’s Villages have
stepped up to bridge the gap. Is Romney suggesting these charities set up shop
in the good ol’ US of A due to their “equally” finite resources? Actually, that’s
exactly what he’s suggesting.
One has to bear in mind that given the situation in South Asia, many locals
would be happy to have a government ensure a roof over their head, food on
the table and health care that doesn’t break the bank. After all, healthy citizens contribute to a thriving nation. This notion is instilled in us as Canadians and watching the pre-electoral mud-slinging going on down south, Canada increasingly resembles a political utopia we can be proud to call our own.
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NADIA ALI:
THE QUEEN OF CLUBS
The bottom line—it is evident that both men running for presidency are
intelligent, especially considering their pre-election platforms. As a print publication it is our duty to point out the f laws in their race for the White House
and hope that our friends south of the border are being equally vigilant. And
let’s all hold our breath in hope that the States does not see poverty of South
Asian proportions.
In closing, I hope you enjoy this issue! This month we have an exclusive
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MAWI ANNIVERSARY
EXCLUSIVE
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with Pakistani-American songstress Nadia Ali. Read on to discover how she
balances her career and identity as a South Asian celebrity in the Western
world. We also offer an insiders look into the blueFROG music project based
out of Mumbai. We find out how it started a music revolution in South Asia.
Finally, if you’re looking for that unique Diwali gift, you can’t miss our exclusive interview with iconic jewellery designer MAWI. We discuss how her
South Asian heritage inf luences her design sensibility, her upcoming collaborations and her thoughts on being a crossover star. Politics aside, this issue
offers the best editorial, layouts and photography SHE Canada has featured
to date.
EDITOR
S.M. Kamran Zaidi
New on the Website…Behind the scenes with Nadia Ali
http://shemagazine.ca
Need your daily SHE Canada fix? We’ve got you covered. Our site is
updated with up-to-the-moment South Asian fashion and luxury
lifestyle news. This month, don’t miss our behind the scenes pictures
and videos from the Nadia Ali cover shoot! These raw images will
take you to Pikto Studios in Toronto’s renowned Distillery District and
show readers what a real fashion shoot is made of.
Cut this out and mail it in! Attn: Subscriptions, 1999 Avenue Road, Suite 202, Toronto, ON, M5M 4A5
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CONTRIBUTORS
Associate Editor
As Associate Editor, Kumar caught up with
cover girl Nadia Ali to discuss her wildly
successful career as an EDM vocalist. Read
on to find out why Ali is known the world
over as the Queen of Clubs. (p. 56)
Styling Coordinator
Hasan breaks the mold again this month as
Style Coordinator. Besides styling the Nadia
Ali cover shoot, you can also find her work
in The Secret Garden. This Renaissance
woman also reviewed Mohsin Hamid’s The
Reluctant Fundamentalist. What can’t she
do?
Beauty Contributor
Fashion Assistant
This month Guber catches up with
legendary Indian designer Anita Dongre.
She discovers what it takes to become one
of the most enterprising women in South
Asia.
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Jurado wrote the piece “Make-up Sampling
Revealed”— this is apt because she has an
irrational fear of germs. What she doesn’t
fear is trying out new trends or styles—
especially when it comes to beauty or
fashion (p. 97).
Travel Correspondent
Esrock’s success as a global adventurer, travel writer, TV producer and international TV
personality was no accident, although it did
start with one. Esrock continues to write,
blog, tweet and film his ongoing adventures. He is living proof that sometimes life
is just an accident waiting to happen. This
month he takes readers to the Philippines.
Special Features Correspondent
Health & Wellness Correspondent
Sijal Rehmane is recent liberal arts grad
released into the world to ‘find herself ’. This
quest brought her to SHE Canada, where
in November she contributed the CARE
Canada piece about the “Walk in Her
Shoes” campaign. Read all about it here.
Sakkejha is a Palestinian who was born
in Toronto, Canada. She currently runs
the House of Verona, a health retreat
company in Collingwood, Ontario. She
also is a partner at Beneplan, a customerowned health insurance company. She
became passionate about health when
she met a whole community of people
who successfully reversed diabetes, mood
disorders and other diseases through
advanced nutrition. This month she walks
readers through maintaining the healthiest
South Asian diet possible.
Layout Coordinator
Danyl is an aspiring Graphic designer
currently studying at OCADU. While
pursuing his career in school, he
joined the SHE Canada team as the Art
Layout designer. You will see his touch
throughout the issue.
Pop Culture Contributor
Naniuzeyi wrote about the music revolution
of South Asia and legendary leather brand
Hidesign and how Dilip Kapur brought it to
the forefront of international fashion.
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From Paris to London to Mumbai; celebrate the festival of lights with looks right off the runway!
Marchesa’s recent Spring 2013 Ready-to-Wear
collection took the audience on a Passage to
India with this beautifully designed collection
Chanel’s Pre-Fall 2012 collection
inspired by the rich culture of South
Asia left us in absolute awe
Hermés
A look from Louis Vuitton, who took the
opportunity to have a Diwali party hosted by
Waris Ahluwalia, back in 2010 in New York
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Kallol Datta
One of India’s top fashion weeks Lakmé Fashion
Week F/W 2012 debuts the latest trends from
Mumbai to put us in the festive mood!
Pankaj & Nidhi
Pernia Qureshi
Anita Dongre
Christian Louboutin created a colourful collection of
his signature red-soled pumps, celebrating all things
South Asian
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Jimmy Choo
Leather Biker Boots
$950
Every Fall/Winter
season we see a
barrage of boots
hit the runway, and
this year SHE has
narrowed down the
TOP 3 Boot trends
of the season –
don’t worry, we’ve
got you covered!
Givenchy
Fall 2012 RTW
Over the Knee Boots
$1695.00
Get it
for less!
Zara Biker Boots $99.00
Zara
Studded Ankle Boots
$99.00
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Alexander Wang
Fall 2012 RTW
Sofia Over the Knee Boots
$904.13
Chloe Studded
Ankle Boots
$1290.00
Peplum made a splash on the runways for Spring 2012
and show no signs of slowing down. This holiday season use a peplum accent in a dress, blouse or skirt to
be party-ready!
Pair this with the
ALDO Gabay Pump
in Burgundy to seal
the fabulous deal!
Emma Watson at TIFF 2012 donning a
gorgeous Jason Wu peplum ensemble
(price on request), so elegant yet on
trend.
Prabal Gurung Resort
2013 Collection
Who doesn’t love a one-piece, easy and FAB outfit?
Jumpsuits started out as casual, lounging gear but
designers are now creating jumpsuits with the utmost
sophistication.
Get it for less!
Zara Studio Dress with Leather Peplum Frill
$159.00
Get it
for less!
ASOS Jumpsuit
$87.53
More Party Wear
Trends Next Page
Emma Stone looks uber chic in
this Elie Saab jumpsuit (price on
request)
Accessorize with a statement
necklace or stacked bracelets to
complete the look! (Necklace: Aldo
$18.00 / Bracelets: Aldo $18.00)
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With the likes of Prabal Gurung and Bibhu Mohapatra showcasing this printed trend in their latest collections, we have no doubt
that it will make for the hottest party-wear trend of the season!
Get it
for less!
Zara
Printed Sequin Dress
$119.00
Check out First Lady Michelle Obama in a
Bibhu Mohapatra dress at her appearance
on Jay Leno (price upon request)
Bibhu Mohapatra
Spring 2013 Collection
Pair it with classic black
peep-toes in velvet to
balance the print!
(Zara Velvet PeepToe $59.00)
A good coat is essential for the colder seasons and
really is one of the perks of freezing our noses off! Let
us help you look fabulous AND stay warm. In coats this
season we’re seeing fur accents, lots of leather and luxe
jacquard fabrics
Get it
for less!
Burberry Fur Collar
Herringbone Top Coat
$6750.00
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H&M Jacket $79.95
Marc Jacobs Single Breasted
Tailored Jacket with fur accents
$2100.00
Get it
for less!
DVF
Leather coat
$1630.88
Danier
Leather Coat
$249.00
Giselle rocks Alexander Wang’s
full leather trench coat Fall 2012
$3287.24
Who better than the Duchess of Cambridge
to sport this luxurious trend?
Sentaler Grey Wrap
with Hood
$940
Get it
for less!
Kaleidoscope
Jacquard Coat
$2800
Zara Jacquard
Coat $139.00
And of course we can’t forget our Canadian designers!
Check out Canadian brand Sentaler’s chic designs found in
our very own backyard
Sentaler Beige
Cape with Belt
$740
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SAIMA HASAN interviews Toronto-born,
Mumbai-based designer duo Amrit Kumar
and Mriga Kapadiya behind the colourful
label NorBlack NorWhite. Inspired largely by
Indian textiles, NorBlack NorWhite seamlessly
combines the Eastern design tradition with
a Western aesthetic to create a uniquely
universal fashion line.
H
ow often have we heard of
artistic attempts to combine
both Eastern and Western
cultures? As globalization
becomes
increasingly
pervasive and borders are progressively
transcended through Internet access,
intercultural expression is fast becoming
the new face of fashion. NorBlack NorWhite
(NBNW) is championing this cause as their
mantra “Designing through Adventure”
suggests. Their exciting adventures take them
through remote regions of India, gaining
inspiration as they go, with these experiences
literally becoming woven and hand-painted
into the fabric of their designs.
The attempt to showcase authentic Indian
textiles can come across as stereotypical
or clichéd, but NBNW manages to avoid
artistic potholes and create new and exciting
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fashion for us to see, touch, and wear. Even
their name NorBlack NorWhite suggests that
they occupy a liminal, in-between space that
prevents them from falling into the trap of a
simplified label that can so often spoil artistic
vision. Their creations are not shamelessly
copied from other artists or borrowed from a
Google image or YouTube video. Kumar and
Kapadiya personally travel to remote villages
and spend time not only learning traditional
techniques from the local craftsmen but
befriending them in the process. Through
their adventures the pair have learned ancient
textile practices such as the tye-dye technique
called “Bandhani” from the Khatri dyers in
Kachchh, India. By incorporating these timehonoured practices into their designs, NBNW
helps preserve a rich culture and history of
Indian textile design that is increasingly
threatened by the more popular mass
manufacturers. So how did two young SouthAsian girls from Toronto go on to become
such socially conscious designers? Well, let us
allow the girls to answer for themselves:
What started it all? What motivated you to
start this NBNW journey?
We moved to India 3 years ago without a clear
plan in mind. We just knew we wanted to create
here and explore the country. We had curated
art shows, thrown together fashion shows
before but did not have a strategy when we
moved. On a trip to Kachchh we were exposed
to beautiful textiles and met artisans with
superb skills. We had been admiring Indian
textiles for years without really even knowing
what it involves. With this trip we began to
learn more. Things began to take shape and
become clearer. We realised the importance of
meeting the source and learning the history of
these practises. We wanted to document and
tell stories, and textiles happened to be the
format we chose to do so.
Talk about the inspiration behind NBNW.
We’re imspired above all by people - our friends
who create their own art and the collective
energy that it brings. Travel and movementwatching people and how they interact with
the world around them.
Why did you choose Mumbai as your homebase?
Bombay (as we still like to call it) is exciting.
It’s a centre of movement, of migration, fusing
together of different cultures, and full of
history. The sheer energy of so many people
coming together is exhilarating and almost
too much to bear sometimes but it fuels our
creativity. You don’t know what you’ll see
walking down the streets. It also has a lot of
amazing people creating amazing art.
It is clear that you have a love for indigenous
textiles and craftsmanship, which you
incorporate beautifully in your clothing, how
did that love for pure textiles come about?
It all started with our moms’ wardrobes! We
learned to recognise the beauty of craftsmanship
and the value of something original and pure
from observing what they wore and collected.
It comes down to respect. And the more we’ve
learned through traveling and collaborations
in different parts of the country, the more we
respect the immense amount of history and
work that goes into these creations.
You have a real knack for seamlessly combining
different cultures in your clothing, is that
always a conscious decision? Or does that come
naturally?
It comes out of the places we’ve lived in,
traveled to and the people we’ve met along
the way. Even when we were growing up in
Toronto, we would wear our moms’ shawls,
and enjoyed mixing Indian textiles with our
Toronto wardrobes. At the same time we were
listening to hip-hop, we were rocking that gear.
We design pieces we would like to wear and our
friends would be excited about so it’s definitely
a natural outcome. It’s part of the reason
behind the name NorBlack NorWhite. Nor
East, nor West but something that’s both, and
in between the two at the same time.
Through your travels for each collection, you
have had the rare and special opportunity to
witness ancient practices in textiles. What is
your take on the current status of these artisans
in India?
We are obsessed with old things, and feel most
of the gems come from the classic, handmade
traditional arts. There are so many ancient art
forms in India and generations of accumulated
learning and skill.
more employable skills, it’s saddening. But at
the same time there are kids who are so eager
to learn and continue their family art. We
can’t predict how it’s going to evolve, but we’re
lucky to be able to witness and document these
ancient practises before they are diluted.
If someone was looking to purchase NBNW
items in Canada, where would they go?
We have regular popup shops at Miracle
Thieves in Toronto. People can also check out
our online store at www.wetheppl.in
Whats next for NBNW?
We’re looking to focus on a lot of minicollections. Moving beyond just womenswear
and also experimenting more with creating in
mediums other than textiles. We have a lot to
share!
And yet these skills are in danger of dying
out. Fewer and fewer artisans are passing on
this learning to their children, either because
their skills are no longer valued as they once
were or because they’re being edged out by new
technology. There is a shift towards gathering
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HIDESIGN
IN THE
MAKING
S
ince 1978 Dilip Kapur, founder of Hidesign, has consistently kept
business booming. He initially had no idea that his hobby of leather
crafts would turn into an established fashion label. Kapur studied
International Relations at Princeton and the University of Denver,
with plans of pursuing a career in politics. However, he discovered
his true calling was in leather craftsmanship. He went from having one artisan
worker in the late 70’s, to becoming a business with $22 million in revenues
in the 2010 fiscal year. Hidesign values natural beauty and all their products
are created using the finest leathers, tanned with vegetable dyes, bark and
seeds. Additional paint and artificial dyes are not added to correct mistakes
in the manufacturing process. Finally, each of their pieces is accented with
sand cast, hand polished brass buckles reflecting old saddler traditions.
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Dilip Kapur never thought a hobby
would turn into Hidesign, one of
South Asia’s most renowned luxury brands. YVETTE NANIUZEYI
looks into how Hidesign started,
its innovative flagship department
store/factory and what separates it
from the competition.
In Hidesign’s early days, the brand was sold primarily to retail
outlets in the United Kingdom, United States, and Europe such
as Selfridges, Liberty, and John Lewis. But all that changed as
soon as Indian consumer consumption increased with incomes,
resulting in a fashion industry boom. Hidesign is now one of
India’s best-known brands. It has 56 stores across the country
and 16 international stores in Vietnam, Russia, Oman, Sri Lanka,
Nepal, Malaysia, and the United States. The
Hidesign flagship store in Pondicherry is one of
India’s largest concept stores by a luxury brand.
Not only is it a retail store, but also serves as
a museum of sorts, displaying Hidesign’s
milestones throughout history. Both the first
bag ever designed under the label and the boxy
bags that won Hidesign the ‘Accessory of the
Year’ award by the UK’s Accessory Magazine are
on display as a selection of the pieces Kapur has
decided to curate.
This retail space is spread out on four
different levels. The first level displays all of
Hidesign’s latest collections that carry the
iconic features of the leather brand: luxury,
heritage, and craftsmanship. The second level
showcases all the men’s bags while the third, the
travel collection. The fourth level has a small inhouse café where guests can take in the view of
Pondicherry over a cup of espresso.
What attracts shoppers and fashion
enthusiasts alike to this flagship store is not
only the newest collection of the season, but
also the interior design of the retail haven. Covered wall-to-wall
with ornamental filigree work in gold, antique furniture, bluecut glass chandeliers and contemporary installations bring out
Hidesign’s vision of global luxury. You can also walk through the
gallery of the “People of Hidesign” which displays the individuals
who have helped build the brand across the globe.
Ray Meeker, an American ecological building architect, built
and designed The Hidesign Factory. Since then, Hidesign sees
great value in natural beauty. In fact, more than 1200 workers
in Hidesign’s factory cut, sew, and hand-make the finest leather
material products. Beautiful streams, ponds, and waterfalls are
built into the layout of the factory. All the water, including other
waste materials that are used in the factory goes through filtration
and gets reused.
The unique natural look that the handbags offer allows the
company to collaborate with many well-known international
fashion designers as part of its growth and expansion. Louis
Vuitton happens to be among their international collaborators
and has even had a 20% stake in Hidesign since 2007. President of
Louis Vuitton, Yves Carcelle, was initially attracted to the brand
for it’s diligent handiwork. To Hidesign’s many collaborations,
Kapur says, “We are delighted to bring to the spotlight our
craftsmanship through yet another avenue, which seems a
natural growth for our brand. Our clientele is upwardly mobile,
discerning in its style and maturing in its sensibility—similarly
we are growing with this loyal clientele and are
also foraying into a new arena of customers.
Hidesign has forged the best creative alliances
to mark the debut of its luxury label and we are
looking forward to the response.”
It looks like Kapur’s affinity for entrepreneurship
runs in the family. Ayesha, his 16-year-old
daughter, paved her way to fame in the accessory
market as well. The brand titled Ayesha is South
Asia’s answer to Claire’s Accessories. It is also
the perfect avenue for the young accessories
designer to test the fashion retail waters before
taking the plunge into luxury. It is with great
excitement that we await a grown-up Ayesha’s
designs on the runways of New York, Paris, and
Milan in the future.
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Anita Dongre Lets SHE in on her
Fashionable Upbringing, Designing
for Men and Having it All
By: Liz Guber
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Anita Dongre is a member of India’s
fashion elite. A dominating power in
the industry Anita has six lines under
her creative control: 3 main brands, the
eponymous label, Global Desi and AND,
3 sub-brands, Anita Dongre Timeless,
Grassroot— an eco-conscious label— and
Interpret, a line Anita describes as “fussfree occasion wear.” Merely listing Dongre’s
many ventures leaves one overwhelmed.
Not so for Anita, who it would seem was
conditioned from an early age for such
a prolific career. “By the time I was 15 I
knew I wanted to design clothes. My father,
a fabric trader, used to bring wholesale
material, while my mother would cut, sew
and stitch clothes for us.” Anita graduated
from Shreemati Nathibai Damodar
Thackersey (SNDT) Women’s College in
Mumbai and went on to work at a garment
export firm, becoming the first girl to work
in a family of 48 cousins.
Anita Dongre’s forward way of thinking extends to her design
mentality, her Interpret line perfectly balances Indian and Western
wear, while Grassroot embraces the green fashion movement.
“I believe that every person should play a role in protecting the
environment. I have been supporting the fair trade of the organic
cotton movement. My Grassroot line encompasses handlooms and
handicrafts that support farmers and artisans.”
With a newly launched menswear line, a soon-to-launch jewelry
line titled Anita Dongre Pink City and a host of other projects, the
question begs to be asked ‘how does she do it?’ Anita answers, “I try
[to] spend one day in the week on each brand. My family who are
also involved in my business take care of all the retail, expansions
and marketing. I’m lucky in that way to be able to concentrate on
design.”
Beyond helping to save the planet and dressing women for all
occasions and price points, Anita Dongre has taken the leap into
menswear with AD Man. She describes the venture as “a personal
goal” adding, “I wanted to create a line that was fashionable and
comfortable at the same time. The line consists of a wealth of ready
to wear options.” The finest of Guttermann threads are used, the
fluid cotton and linen shirts are constructed using a 22 stitch per
inch method, the common standard is 12. This uncompromising
attention to quality and detail is comparable to fine bespoketailoring methods.
When asked which celebrity she would most like to dress – not
to say that her clothes haven’t been donned by countless famous
faces – Anita’s answer evokes a very pleasing visual. “ I would love
to dress Angelina Jolie in a beautiful gown woven with handloom
silk by weavers in Bendras. It seems like [Angelina Jolie] displays
herself as a global ‘it’ woman and her interest in different cultures
gives me appreciation to dress her in an Indian authentic piece.”
Although she makes it sound easy, it would seem that with seven
fashion lines (and counting!) a day off is not in Anita Dongre’s
vocabulary. Amateurs take note: even when you’ve made it to the
top, hard work is still necessary to stay there.
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§
'The Secret Garden was what Mary called it when she was thinking of it. She liked the name, and she liked still
more the feeling that when its beautiful old walls shut her in no one knew where she was. It seemed almost
like being shut out of the world in some fairy place. The few books she had read and liked had been fairy-story
books, and she had read of secret gardens in some of the stories.”
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Head Stylist SAIMA HASAN
PhotographerSTEVE RHODES Stylist Assistants MUNA HASHMI
Make-up MARISSA CLEMENCE Model ERIN (ELITE) Hair LUC ORNSBY (SALON ESCAPE)
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School Girl Blues
Blazer: H&M $39.99
Brocade Skirt: Zara
Sheer tank: Zara
Hairpiece: Sussman’s Bridal
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Lacey Longings
Lace tights: American Apparel
Sheer tank: Zara
Shoes: Spring Shoes
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This Page
Rose-Coloured Nights
Blouse: Zara
Shorts: H&M
Shoes: Steve Madden
Opposite Page
Dressed for Dinner
Lace skirt: H&M
White Blouse: Zara
Shoes: Spring Shoes
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How does an impeccably educated,
Pakistani-American mother of one
become the talk of the New York
City fashion scene? PRIYA KUMAR
catches up with women’s wear designer
Ammara Yaqub behind flourishing
luxury label AMMARA to discover
how she has redefined contemporary
style.
Business School is a training ground for CEOs.
After completing the two-year MBA program,
one inevitably comes out with an understanding/
awareness of all aspects of running a business, be
it marketing, accounting, product development
or strategy.” For an entrepreneur such a degree is
ideal. When Yaqub founded AMMARA she wore
many hats and everything she learned in Business
School came into play.
You would be hard pressed to
attend a New York City fashion
industry party without bumping
into yet another South Asian
design virtuoso. Their Eastern
inspired prints and less-is-more
silhouettes have caught the eye of
style influencers across the world with
their prevalence at red carpet events as
testament. Although Ammara Yaqub
can be counted among the gaggle of
this new class of style makers, there’s
one element that distinctly sets her work
apart—the brain behind its beauty.
She also attributes much of her design
sensibility to her Pakistani heritage. Although her
collections are predominantly western in style,
she says her “upbringing certainly influences me
in a variety of ways. Growing up in Pakistan, I
shopped the market extensively for high quality,
beautiful fabrics with my mother and my sister.
My love for fabrics continues till today and I’m
always looking for the most interesting and
unusual fabrics to work with.”
The Harvard Business School (HBS)
alumna noticed there was a distinct void
in the women’s wear market. “It seemed
that the market either skewed very young/
contemporary or very old/bridge. For
the woman who wanted fashion forward,
high quality clothes that did not break the
bank, there weren’t very many options
out there. AMMARA fills that void and
caters to women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and
up who want to be trendy and look great
without being overly youthful or boring.”
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Yaqub attributes her creative aptitudes to
her undergraduate experience at Smith College
in Northampton, MA. “Being in an environment
that defines curriculum and success in very
broad terms, really helped open up my mind.
I began to value different opinions and develop
a balanced view of the world.” Being a women’s
college, she felt it also built her confidence,
which was especially useful when she launched
her business. She furthered her education at HBS
where she matriculated with an MBA. “Harvard
Her mother also played a role in her career
early on by instilling certain criteria in her that
consumers look for in their fashion choices. “My
mother always places great emphasis on fit and
that has probably become the biggest focus for
me. I work on fit almost to the point of obsession.
My philosophy is that if the garment doesn’t
fit well, it doesn’t matter how beautiful it is, the
consumer will not buy it.”
In recent weeks she has added a social conscious
element to AMMARA. Incidentally Sharmeen
Obaid-Chinoy, her former Smith roommate, went
on to become an Oscar-winning documentarian.
Yaqub was always impressed with her filmmaking
work but was particularly moved by Saving Face.
“Saving Face was in a different category altogether.
It wasn’t just how well the documentary was
made or Sharmeen’s fearlessness in tackling a
controversial topic, it was the impact that the
movie made on me when I watched it. I knew I
had to do something to help the cause. I thought
about it a great deal and decided that a scarf
that could potentially be continued season after
season would be a great way of establishing an
ongoing stream of revenue for the fight against
acid violence.”
She told American Vogue that she decided to do a scarf as
opposed to the pervasive t-shirt because, “T-shirts mean nothing
to the people of Pakistan.” Furthermore, scarves are worn by all
women in South Asia, not just those who have been attacked. The
scarf comes in three colours and features an abstract eye print to
represent the one visible feature of women in the Muslim world.
The Noor Scarf is available on AMMARA’s website for $85 USD.
For her Fall/Winter 2012 line,
she took a timeless approach to
design and drew her inspiration
from Hollywood legend Marlene
Dietrich. “Marlene could be overthe-top glamorous one day with
sequins and fur and wear a little
boyish suit the next day. I think
the modern woman does not have
one look – she dresses to suit her
mood and likes to look feminine
and sexy but also unexpected and
fresh.” Yaqub does not shy away
from modern textures and colours
to change the tone of a look. “In
my opinion a little shine goes a long
way! Another favorite of mine in [my Fall/
Winter 2012 collection] is a silver metallic menswear
inspired jacket which is a great way of changing a day time denim
and t-shirt look to an evening ready look!”
Her preferred textiles include silk, silk cotton voiles and wools
for basics, and for outer layers, “exciting prints and textures such as
tweed, crochet, lace and lurex blends.” She has always had panache
for using leather in her collections. “I will do a full leather piece
here and there but I mostly utilize leather (in all colors) to add a
little edge to more conservative pieces.”
The future of AMMARA is certainly looking bright. Yaqub is
currently working on her Spring/Summer 2013 collection and
plans on expanding to include children’s wear. Inspired by her
4-year-old daughter, she hopes to also include a line of shoes with
the collection. With bigger design houses catering to children like
never before, her pieces for miniature sartorialists are sure to be a
hit.
AMMARA is available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Fred Segal and online
at http://shop.ammaranyc.com.
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RITU KUMAR UNVEILS HER
PANCHVASTRA COUTURE
COLLECTION IN NEW DELHI
K
PRIYA KUMAR offers his take on the designer’s
manifestation of an age-old myth
nown as the empress of
South Asian fashion,
Ritu Kumar did not disappoint with her latest
couture collection titled
Panchvastra. Literally
translating to “five threads” in Sanskrit, the
collection revolves around the five heroines
in the Mahabharata. For you non-history
buffs out there, the Mahabarata is one of
two Sanskrit epics written in the 4th century BC in South Asia, the other being the
Ramayana.
Known as one of the longest mythologies
every written, the Mahabarata tells the tale
of five women— Ganga,Draupadi, Kunti,
Amba and Gandhari—as they face trials
and tribulations that have served as religious allegories for centuries. Kumar’s col-
lection is her interpretation of each woman’s
plight and her inner strength to prevail.
Gota, a type of metallic embellishment,
is predominant in the collection. Lenghas,
anarkalis, phulkaris and saris are front and
center. The collection is split into five with
each segment representing the disposition
of each woman including themes such as
purity, seduction, swayamvar, exile and
darkness. Purity was represented by hues
of white and peach, while seduction was
depicted by all shades of burgundy. Swayamvar, or the Palace of Illusions segment,
displayed the opulence of Swarovski crystals embellishing the garments. Exile, counter intuitively, was denoted by a rainbow of
bright traditional colours like fuchsia, orange and gold. Finally, the most dramatic
pieces in black, gold and indigo were repre-
sentative of darkness.
The show was held at the luxurious
Aman in partnership with American Express. The relationship between Kumar and
the financial giant has spanned decades.
The presentation employed various uses of
textile, theater and film to give the characters meaning to its contemporary audience.
For such a grand show, four legendary
Bollywood actresses of past and present
walked the ramp as showstoppers—Sushmita Sen, Kirron Kher, Dia Mirza and
Seema Biswas each appeared in a different
segment. Kumar speaks of her show stating
that “Panchvastra is a collection with a rare
synthesis of fashion, craft and inspiration.
The costumes have a rich feel, which emanate from India’s oldest and richest crafts
researched over the last 45 years. What adds
a newer dimension to the
collection is the more
contemporary yet aesthetically sound interpretation of the same idiom by Amrish Kumar,
[my son]. This takes the
collection from vintage
costume to an aspirational younger offering
giving it a rare synergy
recreated for a newer
generation.” What a
synergy it is; Kumar’s
collections never fail to
dazzle.
Visit http://www.ritukumar.com for more information.
Dia Mirza, Kirron Kher, Anita Ratnam, Seema Biswas and Sushmita Sen with Ritu Kumar
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SPLENDID
OPULENCE
OF A
BYGONE
ERA
Ritu Kumar’s Vintage Collection photographed at Toronto’s iconic landmark, The Sultan’s Tent & Cafe Moroc
Canadian Contributing Editor S. M. Kamran Zaidi
Photographed by ZVONKO ZUPANCIC Fashion Editor PRIYA KUMAR
Hair/Make-up SHIRLEY WU Stylist Assistants LIZ GUBER, CHANTELLE HENRIQUES, SHIRLEY WU
Models TARA ELIZABETH SINGH
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Ritu Kumar creates pieces that
have a certain timelessness. Her
fashion house has truely has
endured the age since its founding in 1968.
Opposite Page: Rainbow
Churidar,
Vintage Ritu Kumar
First & This Page: Forest Green
Bridal Lengha,
Vintage Ritu Kumar
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By PRIYA KUMAR
Fashion Editor PRIYA KUMAR Head Stylist SAIMA HASAN
Photographer DAVID WILE Stylist Assistant LIZ GUBER Hair/Make-up NATALIA ZURAWSKA Model NADIA ALI
Cover Dress ALICE + OLIVIA STACY BENDET (WHITE SPACE AT THE BAY) $625 SHOES CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
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id-morning on an unseasonably hot September day in Toronto, I pensively wait for
Nadia Ali, world-renowned singer/songwriter. We are scheduled to meet at 10:45AM
sharp in the CityPlace cul-de-sac for our SHE Canada cover shoot in the Distillery
District. After having relished her music for more than a decade, I am anxious for
her arrival. Ali is best known for her long line of Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
smashes that have been released, remixed and re-released, garnering her a coveted
Grammy nomination last year. The EDM scene went from underground raves when
she first began her career in 2000 to full-blown mainstream festivals across the
world that have capacities of up to half a million but still manage to sell out in mere
hours. Being in a class of such genre greats as Avicii, BT, DJ Sultan, Ned Shepard
and Armin van Buuren, MTV branded Ali the “lasting empress” of the principally
male dominated genre. Wondering a mile a minute where she could be—did I get
the address correct?, could she have missed her flight into Toronto?, did I confuse
the meeting time?—I flinch as each minute passes. All of a sudden the pint-sized
songstress pushes her way through the glass doors of the sleek high-rise, profusely
apologizing for her minor tardiness. I exhale a huge sigh of relief.
Truthfully speaking, my interview with Ali feels more like a long overdue catchup with a school friend than work. Although I am supposed to be conducting the
interview on her career and accomplishments in the music industry, she is eager
to learn about me first. This is equal parts perplexing and disarming, but speaks
volumes about her charm.
Born in Libya to Pakistani parents in the early 1980s, Ali relocated to Queens,
New York with her family as a young child. Having grown up in a traditional
Pakistani household, music was perceived as a hobby as opposed to a career. She
says, “[singing] wasn’t necessarily the most promoted thing in the house. My parents
wanted me to study and go on to become a lawyer or a doctor, but I really didn’t
have much interest in that. I always really loved music.” As an 8-year-old schoolgirl,
a friend complimented her hummed rendition of a Madonna melody. “After she
planted that seed in my head, I began volunteering to sing at every opportunity I
could just to try it.”
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By the age of 15, she began penning poems for friends to
cheer them up when they were depressed. The poetry was so
touching, they encouraged her to keep doing it. It was her first
step towards songwriting.
went on to say ‘check category 53.’ I started shaking and was
like ‘there is no way.’ I had been told a couple of years ago that
some people on the committee were big fans of my music, but I
didn’t know it was that big.”
Soon, as a 17-year-old ingénue, she joined the ranks of
Versace’s New York headquarters. Her coworkers were delighted
with her vocal stylings at office holiday parties. Although prior
to breaking into music, Ali also served as an Executive Assistant
to Eileen Ford at Ford Model Management, it was a colleague at
Versace who introduced her to the record producer with whom
she would eventually launch her career in music.
Although she’s an artist who has been inspired by so many
other music greats before her, such as Stevie Nicks, Bono and
Sade, she attests there is always an Eastern influence found
in her work. “I grew-up listening to Bollywood/Arab music.
I think that’s why Eastern people relate to it—they sense the
Eastern influence.”
At the age of 20, when Ali’s singing went from a part-time
passion to a fulltime career, she joined forces with Marcus Moser
to form the famed Electronic Dance Music duo iiO. The pair
soon became best known for their club anthems Rapture and
At the End. Named after the Sony VAIO she used to write her
lyrics on, iiO became a household name on the nascent EDM
scene. What sets Ali apart from her contemporaries is the fact
that she writes everything herself from scratch. “Rapture I wrote
about a personal experience. Pressure I wrote about working in
the industry. Believe It was actually not even written for me. I
was writing it for another person to sing. But I wanted it to be
about what it’s like when you’re working hard all day and kind
of visualize your goals. I think the more authentic a song is the
more people relate to it.”
Although Ali left iiO in 2005, the music she wrote is still
released under her former group’s name to this day. When
pressed for information on the break-up in the media, she says
that she has not spoken to Moser since, but will not comment on
whether the split was amicable. Regardless, Ali has since proven
to be a powerhouse in her solo career.
Despite her incredible range and capacity to select the music
genre of her choice, she opted for EDM because, “it just so
happened that I used to love going out dancing. Whenever I
used to listen to the music in the nightclubs, I used to be like
‘Wow, this music is the coolest genre ever.’ I wanted to be a part
of it. Originally, it was just to do a song or two. It was never an
intention of mine to do it as a career and have it be my identity
in this career. Life presents opportunities to you if you’re open
to them, then they can become something. There are benefits
in being in the industry and then there are obstacles. For me, I
think it was because I just loved to dance that I wanted to be a
part of it.”
Confucius once said, “Choose a job you love, and you will
never have to work a day in your life.” After working incredibly
hard for over a decade, Ali received a Grammy nod in 2011 for
her collaboration with top American DJ, Morgan Page on the
track Fantasy. She remembers finding out about the nomination
in detail— “I was on the Armin van Buuren tour at the Paris
airport waiting for my connecting flight to the Ukraine. I know
it was wintertime. Morgan texted me ‘check Grammy.com.’” She
wondered, “What would I have to do with Grammy.com? He
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She wholeheartedly acknowledges the significance of
her heritage and the impact it has had on her career. “Being
Pakistani I feel like it is very important to set an example that
[we as] women are intelligent and capable of taking our careers
into our own hands. Not just in music but in any kind of art,
any kind of professional field. I feel like I have a responsibility to
all women who are stereotyped and oppressed. I’m proud that I
have been able to achieve things that may not have been possible
before”. Many fans of South Asian origin have approached her
in the past to let her know her career as a musician has inspired
them to follow their own dreams.
Alas, over the course of her professional career she has
received some backlash from irate individuals and groups who
have expressed their unhappiness with her public persona.
Far from reserved, Ali rocks the hottest fashion on stage that
does not necessarily conform to the conservative nature of her
homeland. This has resulted in a flurry of online comments and
even complaints about her position as a role model to youth.
We quickly discovered this attitude is entirely unwarranted. At
the SHE shoot, Ali was very vocal in our portrayal of her. She
expressed her desire to be respectful of her fans sometimesconservative beliefs and set certain guidelines for our stylist
to abide by.
Over the course of the day I spend with Ali, it is easy to
forget the level of fame the tiny chanteuse commands. Her fans
regularly wonder in disbelief via Facebook and Instagram how
she is able to venture out in public without being recognized.
Ali integrates so well with our team, sharing laughs and
amusing anecdotes about her travels over a large catered
Indian meal, it’s easy to forget we are shooting one of the most
influential vocalists of the dance music genre. All of a sudden,
her hit Pressure blares over studio sound system. Not unlike
how I might have referred to an *NSYNC jam at the age of 13,
Ali remarks, “This is my song!” It was in that instance the rest
of us were transported back to our mortal lives. When asked if
it was a strange sensation to hear her music played on the radio
or TV, she responds, “No, not really. What’s weird is to see is
people in the clubs reacting to the music, but in a good way. In
a great way, actually.”
Days after our interview and shoot with Ali, BT released a new track
featuring Ali’s vocals titled “Must Be The Love.” She is currently on tour
in the Middle East and Asia.
This and Previous Pages
Dresses:
Cara Chung,
Price on Request,
Shoes:
Christian Louboutin
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This (and First) Page:
Dress:
Cara Chung,
Price on Request,
Shoes:
Christian Louboutin
Opposite Page:
Dress: Codeglam,
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
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This page and opposite:
Dresses:
Cara Chung,
Price on Request
Shoes:
Christian Louboutin
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Black Sequined Dress:
Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet $625
(available at The White Space, The Bay
Queen Street)
Faux Bordeaux Jacket: Trina Turk
$498.00
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Hair/Make-up Credits:
TREsemmé Haircare
Eyeshadow by M.A.C in Vex
Lips by M.A.C in Russian Red
Lipglass
Blush by Elizabeth Arden,
Mascara by Cover Girl Fusion Blast
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blueFROG is changing the face of music in South Asia, YVETTE NANIUZEYI discovers. Previously dominated by Bollywood,
blueFROG is giving the music scene an alternative. From Indie to Electronic, artists who are signed to blueFROG are becoming
the talk of the town.
A
revolutionary music project based out of Mumbai,
blueFROG is a hub for artistic collaborations for both
international and local musicians. Besides boasting four
state-of-the-art recording studios, a production house and a record
label, it is home to the country’s premiere live music venue. One
could say that blueFROG is at the epicenter of South Asia’s music
revolution. The club runs six nights a week featuring international
artists regularly, having hosted the likes of Armin van Buuren,
Nadia Ali, BT, Talvin Singh, LCD Soundsystem and Dirty Vegas to
name a few. With locations in Mumbai and New Delhi, this music
project works with all types of genres. From jazz, blues, and funk to
Afro/Latin, and electronic, blueFROG creates a diverse atmosphere
for partygoers and musicians. It also encourages musical theatre
performances with the club’s very own “Gold Nights.” BlueFROG
embraces all types of theatre arts such as stand up comedy, poetry,
and film nights. The Mumbai space even includes an art gallery
featuring modern South Asian artists’ works. The space is not only
one of a kind in South Asia, one would be hard-pressed to find
another project like it in any major metropolis across the world.
For artists, its intelligent sound consultancy, integrated music
production, and custom-designed audio experiences are what keep
them coming back to the label. Artists involved with “the FROG”
as it is fondly known, include the most popular indie musicians in
India. Here are some of our picks:
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Shaa’ir + Func
This electronic band formed in 2005. In Mumbai, India at 5am,
Randolph Correia and Monica Dogra had no idea they would be
forming one of India’s most successful bands in the indie music
community. Their records, “New Day,” “The Love Album,” “Light
Tribe,” and “Mantis” allowed The Sunday Guardian to brand them
India’s “Most Important Band” and one of the defining indie Bands
of our generation.
Something Relevant
The name of the group sums them up to a tee. This group became
relevant in 2003. In Mumbai, the members of the group met at
various colleges. The band soon became regular performers at the
legendary Mumbai Jazz club called, “Jazz by the Bay” near Nariman Point. From 2003 to 2008, they’ve been able to pave their way
to success by performing at jazz clubs, charity and rock concerts,
weddings, music and arts festivals, colleges and even military stadiums. In 2009, the band was picked by the Indian Council for
Cultural Relations to perform at the Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta,
Indonesia. After that, music became a fulltime job for the boys. In
2010, YRF Studios and blueFROG recorded and released their first
album. They came out with numerous hits such as “City in a Situation,” which aired on VH1.
Anushka Manchanda
Anushka’s rock-n-roll ways were genetic. She grew up with parents
who played killer rock-n-roll at home. In her final year at school,
she made it into Viva, India’s answer to the UK singing competition
Popstars. When the band broke up, she decided to go on to music
television. She hosted shows in India such as On the Run, First Day
First Show, and Channel Hotline. Her knowledge of music made her
pursue her solo music career. Since then, she has collaborated with
the hottest music directors in India: Vishal-Shekhar, Salim-Sulaiman, Printam, and Anu Malik just to name a few. She now performs
with an indie electro-rock band Shkabang and she is also the voice
behind advertisements for brands such as Levi’s, Vodafone, Sony,
Nokia, Dove, and Lakme and Nivea. Her rebellious attitude is what
makes her one of the hottest voices in the Indian film industry.
DJ Antrixx
DJ Antrixx dropped his first tune banger, “Greece 2k,” in 1997.
Since then Kolkata, India has never been the same. He has swayed
and enthralled clubbers all around. For over ten years, his music
has been playing at top-notch shows and nightclubs all around
Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Goa, and Hyderabad. His sound has
catapulted him into the who’s who of EDM internationally.
It is evident that blueFROG has become a stepping-stone for many
amateur performers as well. Although their location in Mumbai
was initially a derelict textile mill, they have revitalized the complex as the place to be in the city. Their neighbours now include
high-end eateries, cafés and boutiques. And in case you miss your
favourite artist at either blueFROG’s Mumbai or New Delhi locations, live video is available for streaming at any time on their web
portal. Calling blueFROG a revolutionary concept is, in fact, an
understatement!
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Basking in her Post-Oscar Glow, Saving Face Filmmaker
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Plots a Revolution Against Acid
Violence in Pakistan, while PRIYA KUMAR listens
F
rom a young age Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was taught the
importance of speaking her mind on issues she holds dear. Born
one of five girls in Karachi, she was already investigating human
injustices as a teen and even went on a hunger strike when her
father would not give her permission to go to an American university. She
did eventually attend prestigious Smith College in Northampton, MA for
her undergrad in Economics and Political Science followed by Stanford
University for two Masters degrees.
Although the documentary put Pakistan on the world stage of
filmmaking, film subject Rukhsana alleges she was short-changed for her
role in the production. She told The Express Tribune (a subsidiary of The
International Herald Tribune) that Obaid-Chinoy promised her both a
house and 3 million Rupees (approximately $31,000 USD) but received
She launched her film career in 2002 with Terror’s Children, a
documentary about Afghan refugees in Pakistan for The New York Times
Television. What’s almost unknown about Obaid-Chinoy is that she is
a dual citizen of Canada and Pakistan. When she married her husband,
financier Fahd Chinoy, she relocated to the well-heeled neighbourhood of
York Mills in Toronto—a stone’s throw from the SHE Canada office.
More than a dozen hot-topic documentaries soon ensued and Obaid-
Chinoy was receiving international accolades for her work. Earlier this
year she received her first Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences—the highest honour awarded in film. It was under the Best
Documentary Short category for her film Saving Face. The award was also
a first for Pakistan. When the winners were announced by the stars of last
year’s smash-hit comedy Bridesmaids, locals in Obaid-Chinoy’s hometown
of Karachi were seen passing around mithai in celebration.
Saving Face follows Dr. Mohammad Jawad, a UK-based Plastic Surgeon,
to his homeland of Pakistan. He goes with the purpose of performing
reconstructive surgery on victims of acid violence. Acid attacks are an
increasingly common form of domestic violence abusive husbands and
scorned suitors use against women across the Middle East and South Asia.
Although the ideology behind the act is barbaric beyond comprehension,
Dr. Jawad’s jovial personality brings smiles to his patients’ faces during
what might be the grimmest period of their lives. The film also trails two
acid violence survivors in particular—Zakia and Rukhsana—allowing
audiences to empathize with their harrowing ordeals. The film is divided
into the medicinal aspects of their recovery and the legal proceedings that
follow.
neither. She also claims her family have since excommunicated her for
appearing in the documentary. Obaid-Chinoy cites she would have never
promised something of that magnitude because it is unethical to do so.
Although a lawsuit against the filmmaker has been filed, Obaid-Chinoy
made a very valid point; “Her parents were interviewed, her husband was
also interviewed. If they did not know about the film, how come they are
interviewed in it?”
Controversy aside, the win was not just a victory for the filmmakers and
Pakistan, but also for hundreds of acid victims who have been left without
a voice. Having accepted the award in a Bunto Kazmi salwar kameez,
Obaid-Chinoy made it clear in her acceptance speech with Hollywood and
the world listening that she dedicated the award to “everyone in Pakistan
who fights against terrorism every single day.” At the Vanity Fair afterparty she was approached by producing heavyweight Harvey Weinstein
and actress Cameron Diaz separately to express how touched they
were by her words.
How has life been post-win for the Academy Award-winning
filmmaker since Saving Face? Obaid-Chinoy exclusively told us,
“Life has been busier than ever! I am in the midst of producing my
next film while continuing to raise support for the effort to counter
acid violence. The Oscar win was a blessing in that it brought acid
violence to an international platform and garnered the support of
countless individuals and organizations. I hope that this international
dialogue will continue in the direction of social change!”
When asked if Saving Face, the Oscar win and all the publicity
that ensued will put a stop to acid violence, Obaid-Chinoy says,
“No, but it is a great way to start a movement!” She hopes to use it
as a platform to educate a larger audience. By showing the film in
areas where this type of violence is most pervasive, it will uncover
the issue to those who would have not previously been aware of acid
violence. She goes on to say, Saving Face has started a conversation,
now it is our job to sustain it.”
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s this issue was going to press, Deepa Mehta’s highly
anticipated film adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s
Children (2012) premiered at the Toronto International Film
Festival (TIFF). I attended the red carpet gala as a guest of Ms. Mehta
herself—as it so happens, she is a distantly related aunt of mine—and
over the years it has been a thrill to see her groundbreaking work and
the impact she has had on Canadian filmmaking.
My first encounter with Mehta was over ten years ago on the
set of Bollywood/Hollywood. As I sat behind the scenes with a then
20-something Lisa Ray, I discovered how involved Mehta was (and still
is) with her projects. Although it had been pouring rain for the majority
of the shoot, she pressed on well into the chilly, Fall Toronto night. As
I casually chatted with the cast and crew about their experience with
the film, my teenaged-self had no idea the significance this film would
have on Canadian cinema (let alone that of the South Asian Canadian
variety).
Mehta was born and raised in Amritsar in the north-western state
of Punjab in India. With a father deeply involved in film distribution,
she was privy to innumerable films growing-up. “My father being a
film distributor was absolute heaven. Before going to school and after
going to school, all we did was sit in movie halls. I was watching Hindi
films [mostly] and once a week in Amritsar, they’d have what they call
Western films. “Blue Hawaii” was my first Hollywood film. Strange
film but it was good fun.”
She attended the prestigious boarding school Welham Girls School
in Dehradun followed by the University of Delhi where she graduated
with a degree in Philosophy. Given the nickname “Dolly” growing-up,
her peers included equally famed filmmaker Mira Nair and renowned
74 SHE CANADA
fashion designer Ritu Kumar—there was no shortage of creative
thinkers in her circle of childhood friends.
Soon after Mehta matriculated, she began making short
documentary films in India. She made many invaluable contacts doing
so, including the Canadian filmmaker Paul Saltzman, who incidentally
became her future husband. After marrying in 1973, they relocated to
Canada.
Mehta’s early career included screenwriting for children’s programs
and documentary filmmaking. She made her feature-film directorial
debut with Sam & Me—a touching story about an elderly Jewish man
and a young Indian boy living in Toronto’s west-end neighbourhood of
Parkdale. The film garnered many accolades including an Honourable
Mention at the Cannes Film Festival in 1991.
Although she has been recognized for many critically acclaimed films
since, including Republic of Love (2003) and Heaven on Earth (2008),
she became somewhat notorious amongst Hindu fundamentalists
for her Elements trilogy. Each film was a social-drama that covered a
controversial topic in India involving women. Fire (1996) chronicles
the boredom and restlessness of two housewives in India that results
in an erotic affair with one another. Mehta vehemently denies the film
is about homosexuality; “I have no idea why they have labeled it a
lesbian film. Maybe because people like to talk about sex? I don’t know.
Lesbianism has become the simplest way to raise a discussion about
the film. I just don’t care now. I used to care a lot, because Fire is not a
film about lesbians. But now they can talk about any aspect of the film.
I just don’t care…I didn’t make Fire for the section of audience who
can’t understand the film and just talk about sex; there are audiences
in India who will understand Fire. India is not a monolithic society.”
CANADIAN FILMMAKING LEGEND
Upon its release, Hindu fundamentalists were up in arms. Cinemas
screening the films in metropolises across India were attacked and
audiences were scared away from purchasing tickets. Government
ministers were quick to side with protesters and the film was yanked
from theaters. Mehta held a candlelit protest to demonstrate her right
to the freedom of speech and a year later the film was re-released uncut
by India’s Censor Board without incidence.
Fire was soon followed up by Earth (1998) and then the muchanticipated Water (2005), her undisputed masterpiece. Water was
honoured with being the Opening Night Gala of TIFF in 2005. The
New York Times called the film “Exquisite...Serene on the surface yet
roiling underneath, the film neatly parallels the plight of widows under
Hindu fundamentalism to that of India under British colonialism.”
It even garnered an Academy Award nomination in 2007 for Best
Foreign Language Film.
This year’s TIFF Gala for Midnight’s Children opened a new chapter
for the Canadian filmmaking icon. The film is based on Salman
Rushdie’s book of the same name. Penned over thirty years ago, the
Booker Prize-winning tome is narrated by main character Saleem
Sinai (voiced by Rushdie). Although born poor the night of India’s
independence, Saleem was switched in the hospital with another baby
boy from an affluent Mumbai family. The story traces how Saleem’s life
unfolds and how it will remain forever entwined with his changeling,
Shiva. Much of South Asia’s history is covered both literally and
allegorically in this film from partition to the independence of
Bangladesh, but it is the portrayal of Indira Gandhi that has caused
the most controversy. Between 1975 and 1977—a period known as
The Emergency—Gandhi took control of impoverished areas. Her
portrayal in the book was so dark that she sued Rushdie for defamation
back in the 80s. This is one of the many aspects of the film that have
Indian distributors shying away from it.
Although there have already been whispers about the Indian
Censor Board not allowing the film to be screened there, Canada
has welcomed it with open arms. Throughout the making of the film,
the cast and crew were constantly under threat—so much so, that
production had to be moved to Sri Lanka although the majority of the
film is set in and around Mumbai. Mehta is not in the least fazed by the
possibility of a foreign relations nightmare. “We were told that the Sri
Lankan ambassador to Iran was scolded by the Foreign Minister and
said that, ‘We are told that Salman Rushdie’s book is being shot in Sri
Lanka and we want you to stop it.’”
To Mehta, her films are not about issues, but emotions. “All art is
political. We know that. And it should be, but it has to be about a story.
It has to be about real people within that story that are maybe dealing
with an issue. It has to be owned and represented by something that
is living, breathing, that talks, that stops, that decides to sit in a corner
and weep. Issues are boring. Feelings are important.” She plays on her
audiences’ emotions when putting together a film to evoke thought
about a particular topic. Her message is less a partisan one than a
human one. As a filmmaker, she simply tells the story and ultimately it
is up to the viewer to decide what they feel. For Mehta, the making of
her latest work has been somewhat of a cathartic experience—“When
I think of Midnight’s Children, I think of finally being at peace with
India.”
—Priya Kumar reports
SHE CANADA
75
By SAIMA HASAN
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
By: Mohsin Hamid
Random House
Price $19.95 CAD (Paperback)
akistani born author, Mohsin Hamid
released his debut novel Moth Smoke in
2000. It made quite the splash on the
literary scene, garnering international acclaim
for himself and his childhood home of Pakistan.
The attraction of Moth Smoke, both domestically
in Pakistan and abroad, was largely due to
the revealing nature of the story, delving into
a secretive and privileged world of drugs and
tumultuous romance in Pakistan’s elite youth.
Following the success of Moth Smoke, his
subsequent novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist,
was so highly anticipated that any seasoned writer
would have been overwhelmed. However, despite
the pressure, Hamid prevailed in capturing the
complexity and convulsions of the ever-elusive
Pakistani-American identity, particularly post
9/11, all the while resisting the need to resolve
these complexities in a palatable package for
reader consumption. It is no surprise then that
The Reluctant Fundamentalist has since become
an international bestseller and was short-listed
for the Man Booker Prize in 2007. It was recently
made into a film directed by Mira Nair debuting
at the Toronto International Film Festival. The
film includes an ensemble cast of Hollywood
heavyweights such as Kiefer Sutherland and Kate
Hudson, while protagonist Changez is played by
Riz Ahmed. Pakistan’s sweetheart Meesha Shafi
makes a cameo as Changez’s sister Bina.
The story begins in an outdoor café
in Lahore. As the narrator, Changez tells an
American tourist about his antithetical past life
in New York and the events that cause him to
return to his birth country. Like many privileged
Pakistanis, Changez is schooled abroad at
Princeton which leads him to land a dream job at
a top valuation consultancy. A picture is created of
the protagonist’s “American Dream”— living in Manhattan,
working on Wall Street and frequenting multiple aprèswork bars on the company’s dime. Enter Erica; she's the
willowy brunette from the Upper East Side, the poor little
rich girl, who’s free-spirit has been stifled by a lost love and
76 SHE CANADA
the ever-keen Changez takes on the task to liberate her.
Therein ensues an awkward yet sweet romance between
two lost souls that complements yet further complicates
Changez’s sense of belonging in his home away from home.
This novel is groundbreaking in many ways as it is
the first time for many readers to vicariously experience the
tensions many Muslims in North America faced (and still
do) following the horrendous events of 9/11. In the novel,
while watching the falling of the twin towers, Changez’s first
reaction is to smile at the audacity of the event, admittedly
in self-disgust. This becomes potentially the most jarring
statement in the entire narrative, foreshadowing the
eventual disintegration of Changez’s American Dream.
Changez’s conflicted Pakistani-American identity becomes
the common thread for the remainder of the novel. Hamid
captures this conflicted state wonderfully through seemingly
minute details like facial hair; when Changez doesn’t shave
for two weeks alienating him from his co-workers and the
general public at large. The significance in this detail is
further challenged by Changez admitting that he cannot
clearly grasp his motivations for growing a beard, but that he
is angry and refuses to conform to North American society
which regularly alientates him post 9/11. This growing anger
coupled with a newfound introspective attitude spurred by
a wise Chilean publisher he encounters during a corporate
evaluation, eventually leads him back to Lahore where we
learn that he inevitably becomes a ‘reluctant
fundamentalist’.
Certain parts in the story seem all too
contrived, like his work trip to Valparaiso, Chile
meeting the sage, a Juan-Batista, who eventually
encourages Changez to address his internal strife.
Even the set up of the novel is a single monologue
with an unnamed, silent American tourist and this
one-sided conversation becomes quite redundant.
These artifical moments undermine Hamid’s
mostly honest writing. They create a lack of
believability, interrupting the reader’s experience
and take us out of our ficitional fantasy. However,
despite these glitches, Mohsin Hamid’s strength
is in his honest revelations of the internal struggle
of a Pakistani in America, living in a world that once
accepts and then rejects him. It is a formidable task
that Hamid so bravely takes on and delivers to
the best of his ability as we continue seeing these unresolved
tensions between Muslims and Non-Muslims, enacted
through individual stories much like Changez’s narrative
and further exacerbated by American foreign policy.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist 3.5/5 stars
SHE CANADA
77
FASHION’S SILVER (AND
ROSE GOLD) BULLET
By PRIYA KUMAR
I first came across MAWI last year as a luxury brand PR Executive in India. My agency represented a high-end concept store in South Mumbai that happened to stock the eclectic jewellery brand. The first MAWI piece I ever set eyes
on quite literally took my breath away. Bold, elegant, polished and chic, Mawi Keivom designs using modern materials
such as rose gold and gunmetal embellished with crystals, pyramids and spikes. Worn by style influencers such as Emma
Watson, Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller and even Rihanna, MAWI has perfected the fusion of old and new, western and eastern
design traditions. This year the Indian-born, London-based designer celebrates her iconic jewellery brand’s 10th anniversary. I
had the opportunity to catch-up with Keivom to discuss her heritage, the impact it has on her brand ethos and what exactly is in
store for MAWI’s silver anniversary.
A
lthough from India originally, you spent a good deal of
your formative years living elsewhere. How have your
travels influenced your design sensibility?
I was a lucky kid. I got to travel the world and experience places,
people, cultures, situations and most of all the creativity in all
these amazing places. It’s made me see the world from a different
perspective. My diverse upbringing has been a defining influence.
There’s always a collision of cultures and underlying influences. I
like to mix elements from different cultures, eras and genres all at
once. My work is all about the juxtaposition.
You enjoyed a wide variety of artistic pursuits growing up.
How did you eventually settle on jewellery design over, let’s say,
apparel?
I never set out to be a jewellery designer. It was quite organic. I
studied Women’s Wear and fate led me up the trinket path and
I have not looked back. It’s been like a rollercoaster ride. Early
on in my childhood my mum was instrumental in my creative
development. She stressed the importance of crafts. I had to learn
how to knit, sew, crochet and bead from a young age and by the
age of 12 I knew I was going to be in fashion. This early exposure
for the appreciation of art and beauty and workmanship has been a
key influence and has continued to shape and define my aesthetics.
Being based in London, what exactly about the city inspires
your work?
I’ve always been drawn to London. It’s a creative hub and the
fashion capital of the world. It’s such an inspiring city to live in.
78 SHE CANADA
It’s definitely the city that gives me my mojo. London allows you
to be who you are and it’s all encompassing. I’m hugely influenced
by British culture, history and music. I also met my husband and
collaborator Tim here and it’s the birthplace of MAWI. London has
embraced me and given me the platform to do what I do - plus I
love British humour and fish and chips!
Explain how your two main lines came about (Heirloom and
Costume Luxe).
The two lines are distinctively different whilst still being signature
Mawi. The Fine Costume Luxe is all about statement pieces inspired
by mechanical elements, architecture and sculpture whilst the
Heirloom Collection harks back to the past with vintage inspired
pieces that are like treasured family jewels.
Designing the two collections comes very naturally to me and it
keeps things exciting and diverse.
We loved the Disney Couture collection! Can we look forward to
any collaboration in the coming months?
This season we are collaborating with Mark Fast (a Canadian designer based in London) and Ryan Lo a new emerging talent who’s
a real name to watch. Last season we collaborated with Alice Temperley and Hugo Boss.
Congratulations on your 10-year anniversary! What are some
other highlights you can share about the past decade? Where do
you see the brand in the next decade?
Opening our first flagship store [in the Shoreditch neighbourhood
of London] was a milestone
and a testament of the hard
work we have put in. We have now set
up the foundations for growth. The
next decade will be about expansion,
growing the online business, growing
the retail arms and opening more stores,
expanding the men’s line (which has just
launched exclusively at Lane Crawford) as well
as growing the consultancy side of our business. We are also
launching MAWI handbags this season at London Fashion Week
and will be expanding and growing this angle of the business.
MAWI has brought unprecedented innovation to the luxury jewellery and accessories world. The detail and intricacy with
which Keivom designs are staggering to comprehend. Owning a MAWI piece is not just a fashion decision; it is an investment in a piece of art. Whether in the market for some arm candy or a bold neckpiece that makes a look, fashionphiles
will be thrilled to know contemporary vintage is no longer an oxymoron.
MAWI can be purchased at http://www.mawi.co.uk.
SHE CANADA
79
80 SHE CANADA
SHE CANADA
81
I
n Hinduism, Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth. There
could not be a more fitting name for a jeweller. With
Diwali and wedding season just around the corner,
PRIYA KUMAR discovers South Asians based in
the GTA need not look any further than this Mississauga
institution for Holiday trinkets and Bridal statement pieces.
Back in August 2011, I had the opportunity to attend
India International Jewellery Week (IIJW) at Mumbai’s
lavish Grand Hyatt Hotel. While many groan at the
prospect of an accessory having its own fashion week
in South Asia, one must consider the sheer breadth and
depth of the South Asian jewellery market. Jewellery
is not merely worn on a special occasion such as one’s
wedding or religious festival. Rather, it is passed down
and inherited for generations. When a bride shortlists the
jewellery for her bridal trousseau, she must keep in mind
the pieces she selects need to be timeless enough to be
worn by her daughters and their daughters.
82 SHE CANADA
Every Bride’s Trousseau Essential
Sandeep Anand, owner of Lakshmi Jewellers
of Mississauga, is one of the many international
buyers who attend this prestigious annual
showcase. He describes the event as “an array of
different jewelers to pick from, offering the best of the
best to our North American [clientele].” The week of shows
not only features a smorgasbord of top South Asian jewellery
designers, but also the A-list showstoppers who represent the
brand in the media such as Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor,
Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone. Buyers and designers are
welcome to mingle and make business transactions at the event,
thus allowing for the globalization of the South Asian jewellery
industry.
Admittedly, outside of South Asia, a bride’s options are limited.
Twice a year a variety of wedding trade shows in the GTA offer an
outlet for brides to get as much local shopping done as possible.
Quality goes by the wayside given the slim pickings available.
Anand goes above and beyond to offer his clientele options from
Mumbai, Kolkata, Dubai and Karachi. By coming back from
IIJW with the most inspired and intrinsically designed jewellery
available, Lakshmi keeps Toronto-based brides abreast of the
latest styles and designs fresh off the runway.
He says the Canadian market has evolved quite a bit over the
years. Twenty years ago, yellow gold was in vogue, but a bride in
2012 might opt for a rose gold or platinum setting as her metal of
choice. He acknowledges this shift in taste and curates Lakshmi’s
collection accordingly. Furthermore, because antique pieces
are also becoming increasingly popular with vintage making a
comeback, Lakshmi offers customers a wide selection of older
pieces that one would be hard-pressed to find in the current
marketplace.
Finally,
truth be told,
it takes two to
make a marriage.
Thus a wedding isn’t only
about the bride. Lakshmi also
offers a generous selection of men’s
regalia as well including engagement/
wedding bands, bracelets and chains.
Admittedly, Lakshmi is much more than the average
South Asian jewellery store in Toronto. Anand not
only offers pieces available exclusively in South
Asia, but he will also customize pieces for clients
with their own distinct taste. For a sneak peek of
what’s currently available at Lakshmi, be sure to
have a look at their website—its innovative virtual
showroom includes beautifully photographed
shots of their latest collection.
Lakshmi Jewellers
7152 Airport Road
Mississauga ,
ON, L4T 2H1
Canada
T : 905 678 1500
F : 905 678 1501
Web: http://www.lakshmijewellers.ca/
SHE CANADA
83
IN SEARCH OF
GREAT CHAI
LIZ GUBER Seeks out the Traditional Beverage, and Discovers One of Toronto’s Greatest Culinary Legacies
T
hose that know me well are quick to call forth
my addiction to sweet, milky beverages. Be it
the rice milk and cinnamon concoction from
Mexico, known as horchata, bubble tea, or a good
chai latte, I’ll drink them all with equal delight. It was my
pursuit of an outstanding cup of chai however, that led
me to Indian Rice Factory’s recent addition of Chai Bar,
conveniently located in the barn next to the restaurant.
Indian Rice Factory, a Bloor Street Annex institution, has been around for an impressive 40 years and boasts
an equally extraordinary story. In an unimaginable time,
when there were only two Indian restaurants in all of Toronto, Mrs. Amar Patel was having lunch at the Four Seasons.
She was intrigued by the day’s buffet theme, titled “From the
Chafing Dishes of India.” Mrs. Patel was served a cautiously
prepared array of meats in a modified béchamel sauce, coloured a feeble shade of yellow. She called the chef forth to tactfully explain that the meal was sub par.
Embarrassed by this calamity, the head chef invited Mrs.
Patel back the next day, this time into the kitchen to teach the
staff what masala (a blanket term for South Asian spice) is really all
about. She left the chefs stunned and spent the next year teaching
the staff everything she knew. She then moved on to the Bombay Bicycle Club, where willowy, sari-clad waitresses served her creations
to eager patrons, before becoming a chef at the luxurious Hyatt Regency.
In 1970 Indian Rice Factory was born, and along with it, Toronto’s love of South Asian spices. Eleven more Desi restaurants opened
3 years later, and as the city continued to embrace exotic cuisine, Mrs.
Patel’s presence grew. She was always eager to share her recipes with anyone who asked. After a lifetime of culinary genius, master chef Mrs. Patel
passed away in 2011, leaving behind a legacy.
84 SHE CANADA
In bustling, present-day Toronto Indian Rice Factory is still alive and well. Now run by Mrs. Patel’s son
Aman, the restaurant prides itself on dishes that are neither
generic nor pretentious. In an effort to gain back the love
of the neighbourhood following Mrs Patel’s passing, Aman
opened the Chai Bar. “My mom was very sick for some time,
and we concentrated more on her obviously, and the price
we paid was losing contact with our neighborhood again, so
this was an ideal opportunity to find a way to re-establish
that contact.” Aman goes on to add that Indian influences
were used sparingly in the new space, “bottom line is we actually set up the chai bar not to hoist Indian themed food
and product on people, but rather have it as an accessory.”
The preparation of a masala chai
at the Chai Bar is unlike any other in
the city. Aman describes the protocol behind the preparation, “Start with high quality ingredients. Use the principle of less
is more; you don’t have to put in more
things to make it tastier. If you are deft
with your hands, you [will] make something tasty without having to overuse any
one particular ingredient.”
the beverage is near boiling, so I must wait a few minutes
before indulging. The taste is both smooth and piquant and
no spice overpowers the other. When I ask Aman how close
this is to the chai had in India he replies confidently, “It’s
bang on.”
Other temptations at Chai Bar include toasted
marshmallow ice cream and tarts that taste like a homemade
interpretation of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. If the steady
stream of customers is any indication, the neighborhood has
embraced Chai Bar wholeheartedly. Aman agrees, “It’s been
excellent. We’ve been really warmly received by everybody.”
It is standard practice at SHE to ask individuals
featured in our issues the question “Which South Asian inspires you?” When Aman answers “my Mom” it is easy to
understand why. Had it not been for Mrs. Patel’s ingenuity,
Toronto’s Indian food scene may look very different than it
does today, and I wouldn’t be writing this while sipping on
the best cup of Chai I’ve had yet.
As the barista muddles cardamom, black pepper, cloves and other spices with a mortar and pestle, I cannot help but
lean over the marble counter, enthralled with
the process. Once the perfect blend of spices
has been achieved, milk and pre-steeped black
tea is added. I am warned by the barista that
SHE CANADA
85
I
n this new feature, SHE takes everyday scenarios that have
two dividing solutions. Below you will find more than just
creative problem solving, but a look into the workings of the
male and female minds and the differences between them. Write
in to SHE with your own dilemmas and see them dissected by two
opposing viewpoints in an upcoming issue.
Scenario 1. A couple has been in a serious, committed relationship for
over a year. Increasingly, the woman is feeling that her boyfriend’s
jealousy is starting to border on irrational. He expresses feelings of envy
even when she spends time with relatives or girlfriends, and a recent
brief trip abroad without him left the boyfriend feeling extremely
lonely, furthering feelings of jealousy and extreme co-dependence. All
of this is starting to wear on the woman.
He Said: Women don’t seem to ever know what they want. Would
you rather he pays no attention to you? Doesn’t it feel nice to be
missed? Consider the opposite for a second and then think about
whether or not this is a real problem or a silly nuisance that can be
rectified with a simple adult conversation.
She Said: Do not underestimate the power of personal space and
separate interests. If the jealousy is described as “irrational” it’s
a problem. It seems like the boyfriend is in some serious need of
friends and interests of his own. The simple explanation for the
jealousy he’s feeling is his own social laziness or insecurity.
Scenario 2. After a few years of marriage a woman has become unhappy
with her husband’s fitness (or lack thereof) and weight gain. She feels
that women are unfairly scrutinized for their bodies
yet men can get away with being less than perfect.
86 SHE CANADA
He Said: The unfair scrutiny women’s bodies receive in media or in
the real world often come from other women. Face it, girls can be
very cruel. So don’t just blame this on a double standard and realize
that perhaps women’s expectations of men are as unrealistic as the
one’s placed on women.
She Said: Yes, this is unfair. Would the man still be attracted to his
wife if she gained 20-40 pounds? Women are constantly scrutinized,
more than men, just look at any famous female who has recently given
birth. She should speak up so that both of them can stay fit, healthy
and attracted to one another.
Scenario 3. Fall temperatures are a favourite among the fashioncrazed. One man however, is finding his partner’s experimental
clothing choices a bit much. He’d like to tell his girlfriend to “take it
down a notch”, however fears offending her.
He Said: Men have been putting up with the mystifying garments
women wear for a long time. Leggings, Uggs, pretty much everything
worn at Coachella…There’s nothing wrong with constructive
criticism. Said with respect and her best interests kept in mind, the
girl should at least hear him out.
She Said: Not all girls want to dress for men, but rather for themselves.
Her clothing choices are making her happy, and they show that
she’s secure about who she is. Isn’t one of the perks of being in a
committed relationship that you can dress for YOU and not the
man you’re desperately trying to get? Just look at Carrie Bradshaw,
all the wacky outfits she could ever want and the man of her dreams.
Let’s all aim for that, shall we?
ell men, Movember is upon us. In order to
garner support and shore up awareness for a
disease that will affect 1 in 7 men throughout
the course of their lifetime (and this is
expected to rise to 1 in 4 within a decade) a
great many men will be trading in shaved faces for a
mustached visage.
Here at SHE we want our men to look and feel their best
while donning their seasonal duster. Here’s a step-bystep guide to selecting and caring for that mustache,
gentlemen:
Grow that canvas
Simple enough. Enjoy a break from the rigors of
grooming and let it grow, baby. It’s always wise to
hit the ground running so enact a little foresight and put
the razor on the shelf during the final days of October.
Select a style
What suits you? Will it be the Fu Manchu, the
Chevron, or the Handlebar? Feel like having
fun with it? Then maybe it’s the Dali. Keep
in mind your features and select a style that balances
and complements your face. For instance, a man with
a prominent nose will likely benefit from a medium to
large-sized moustache (the Chevron, the Walrus). On
the other hand, if you have a small mouth or prominent
upper lip then a smaller moustache is called for (such as
the Painters Brush or the Lampshade).
Grooming
In short, keep it clean. Once you’ve selected your
style be vigilant about maintaining the shape and
volume of the mustache. Pairing scissors, a razor
and comb are your weapons of choice. Take pride in
sculpting your moustache to perfection.
Styling
Now, you have your ‘stache and it’s tended to.
Time to add the finishing touch. Men, it’s as
simple as wax, in fact, it is wax. So, find your way
to the supermarket and grab some styling wax. Products
exist specifically for this enterprise. This will allow you
to give permanent shape and finesse to your mustache
style.
Care
The most common complaint amongst bearded
and mustached men, especially newcomers is
the resultant irritation associated with lengthy
facial hair. This occurs because facial hair tends to
wick moisture from the skin, which subsequently
evaporates. So, be sure to massage the skin under the
‘stache with moisturizing creams or agents on a regular
basis. Another solution is at hand, as well. Work a little
conditioner into the mustache while showering and you
will be delighted to trade that thicket of bristles in for a
gentle bushy brush.
SHE CANADA
87
Distinctly Modernist and Decidedly South Asian, expect to see
Musa Shah’s designs hit the street very soon. Sijal Rehmane reports.
Within two years of graduating with
a degree in fashion design, PakistaniDutch menswear designer Musa Shah
has already had a taste of success. The first
class honours grad has had his work featured
in two fashion weeks, namely Amsterdam
and Shanghai.
The collections from these shows display a
distinctly modernist sensibility, with some
silhouettes bordering on the outrageous, but
always with a wearable, real-world appeal.
Many— if not all— of the pieces also flaunt
a decidedly South Asian influence. Shah
explains that this influence is usually an
unconscious one that comes into play when
selecting materials and colours and he
attributes it to his mother’s love for clothing,
fashion, and experimenting with
materials. “It’s something
which I have seen every
day so I don’t think it’s
surprising that I use
influences of my Eastern
roots.”
Shah firmly believes
that “clothes should be
easy to wear yet they should
have a very clear shape,”
since he is a self-professed
“fan of simple geometric
shapes.” He therefore
88 SHE CANADA
prides himself on producing clothing that is
comfortable, and goes out of his way to select
natural fabrics that can be worn effortlessly
such as silk, wool, and cotton.
At the same time, Shah feels it is important
to express one’s individuality, and that fashion
is a great outlet for such expression. “To
me, it was and is always important to look
different than others.” Shah has been acting
on this desire to stand out since he was a
teenager, when he started making his own
clothing. The collections showcased in the
Shanghai and Amsterdam fashion weeks tell
us that this desire to be different is still alive
and well today. Shah’s work stands out with
its amalgam of European street style blended
with unmistakably South Asian detailing. “I
am a big fan of the Kameez. This is something
which I always have in every collection. I also
love East Asian collars and necklines.”
Indeed, East Asian collars and necklines
feature heavily in Shah’s collections. As well,
he often draws inspiration from other artists,
who may guide him with their simple use of
shapes or colour.
While Musa Shah’s products are only available
to private customers thus far, he is hopeful for
international expansion that will eventually
see his clothing on sale worldwide.
SHE CANADA
89
Our South Asian diets incorporate some of the healthiest foods on the planet - but we sometimes overcook them or add a little
too much sugar to our desserts, thus out-weighting the healthy properties. Here are some guidelines to keep our bodies trim
and healthy without deviating from our traditional diets. All facts have been derived from peer-reviewed medical journals or
interviews with college-registered professionals.
By YAFA SAKKEJHA
All spices have benefits; cinnamon reduces insulin and
thus fat storage, allspice, cardamom, curry, turmeric have
anticancer benefits, cayenne increases metabolism and burns
fat and cumin is anti-aging and anti-wrinkle.
Focus on cooking with more green vegetables versus root
veggies for higher nutrition with less calories and starch.
Don’t over stew vegetables because it kills all nutrition.
Instead, steam them on the side for just 3 minutes and then
add to the food at the last minute.
Use brown rice instead of white basmati rice - more fiber and
B-vitamins and you feel fuller faster.
Avoid drinking liquids at the same time as eating - this dilutes
the digestive enzymes, makes it more difficult to digest, and
poor digestion leads to fat storage.
It is ideal to wait 2 hours before having dessert. This allows
your body to process the heavy insulin load that has just
taken place from a big meal with lots of types of food groups.
Therefore causing less fat storage. If you eat dessert right
away, it stores more fat. This has to do with how our body
deals with excess glucose coming into the body—if it’s more
than the short term stores can take, it puts it aside for fat
storage.
You only need 4 tsp. of sugar in your body in order to trigger
fat storage. That’s 1 to 2 bites of a dessert!
If you choose to eat meat, always buy an organic hormone
free version. Non-organic meats have been linked to breast
cancer says Shushma Shah N.D. in Toronto.
Vegetables should be 50% of the plate. If you are serving for
your kids, increase the veggies as much as possible.
Avoid using dairy since it has hundreds of problems. Use a
dairy free yogurt such as an almond based one from a health
food store. Problems with dairy:
1. Linked to cancer
2. Full of hormones and antibiotics
3. Full of mucus
4. Pasteurization denatures calcium and other nutrients
leaving it not a nutrient rich food
5. Can initiate diabetes
Kid-friendly tip: Hide veggies in your desserts. zucchini in cake.
avocado in pudding. kale in a chocolate pie—the options are endless!
SOURCES:
http://houseofverona.com/how-milk-initiates-diabetes/
http://houseofverona.com/how-cumin-prevents-wrinkles/
SHE CANADA
91
Darcy Knoll, the Communications Manager
for the humanitarian organization CARE
Canada tells SIJAL REHMANE about the
Walk in Her Shoes campaign, and what the
8,000 steps represent for women a world away
92 SHE CANADA
D
efending the rights of women all over the world
is no easy task, but it is certainly one that CARE
Canada takes very seriously. With their roots
originating from post-World War II relief efforts in
Europe, CARE established its Canadian identity in 1977 when
they formed an autonomous agency locally. In 1989, CARE
Canada became fully private and has since been responsible for
the “implementation, management and evaluation of a portfolio
in more than 35 countries,” states Communications Manager
Darcy Knoll.
CARE International operates in 84 countries worldwide,
making CARE Canada a significant part of an organization
that has its sights set on making big changes in the world. “It’s
essential that CARE’s mission to defend the dignity of people and
fight poverty is reflected in everything we do,” Knoll continues.
CARE started out as simply an emergency assistance organization
operating out of Europe in 1945, sending out upwards of a 100
million “CARE packages” in the 20 years that followed World
War II to those who were most in need. Gradually, the company
began to make more and more commitments worldwide,
eventually moving on to establish offices in several locations the
world over, including Canada.
Among the causes, all CARE operations have in common
are food security, climate change and economic development.
However, the main focus of the company now lies in
empowering women and girls. CARE attributes this focus to the
overwhelming evidence indicating that women are the greatest
agents for change. As Knoll points out, “[CARE’s] experts on the
ground have seen time and time again that, when equipped with
the proper resources, women have the power to help lift families
and entire communities out of poverty. We really feel that they
are a fundamental catalyst for change.”
As a result, all CARE operations worldwide maintain a heavy
focus on running campaigns that benefit women, such as the
“four signature maternal, newborn, and child health programs
in Africa” and a “$15.2-million project in Pakistan to empower
women in targeted rural areas to become economically and
socially empowered,” Knoll tells us.
The goal is not to provide women with an unfair advantage over
the men around them but to simply level the playing field. The
ideology behind CARE’s mandate is that the female population,
as stated on the company website, is “disproportionately affected
by poverty and discrimination. Not everyone starts from the
same place on the path out of poverty. Lack of education for
girls contributes to early marriage, higher birth rates, and lower
income. Discriminatory laws prohibit women from owning
or inheriting property, holding bank accounts, or prosecuting
abusers.”
For those concerned that the organization’s seemingly
unbalanced emphasis on women may ignore the root cause of
their plight by focusing merely on the symptoms of oppression,
the CARE Canada website assures the public that they work with
“both women and men to create more equitable relations” and
they work to “enable more girls and boys to attend school.”
CARE Canada’s “Walk in Her Shoes” Campaign was held
across the country from March until May of this year. Knoll
explains that the campaign seeks to highlight what females
in the developing world experience daily in terms of being
“responsible for collecting water, firewood and other basic
necessities, walking an average of six kilometres a day, or 8,000
steps.” Canadians may simulate these experiences by “walking
8,000 steps a day for a period of eight days,” in a personal or team
walk while simultaneously raising funds for women and girls in
the developing world.
This year, the campaign raised $150,000 across Canada,
all of which went towards CARE’s many poverty-fighting
initiatives worldwide. The campaign also took place in other
CARE operations across the world, including Australia, UK,
and Norway, with the list set to expand for the 2013 run of the
campaign.
“Walk In Her Shoes” is just one of the many projects that
CARE has launched in their unrelenting efforts to meet their
vision of creating a world of “hope, tolerance and social justice,
where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and
security.”
For more information about CARE Canada and the Walk in Her
Shoes campaign, please visit: www.care.ca/walkinhershoes
SHE CANADA
93
BY ROBIN ESROCK
ourism in Asia is often directed to Thailand, Malaysia, Japan or Bali, and yet the Philippines are a beautiful 7000-island nation that offers great value on the dollar, and no
shortage of things to do and see. With direct flights from Canada to Manila, it’s also relatively easy to get to. Having previously explored Manila, my wife and I took advantage
of budget domestic airlines to explore some lesser-known parts of the country. Climate,
people, attractions - it’s easy to feel the warmth of the Philippines.
94 SHE CANADA
After a long, grey Canadian winter, we’re instantly refreshed by the colour and vibrancy of the tropics. Even though it’s 37°C with 96% humidity, the thrill of being somewhere so different gives us ample energy to explore the oldest city in the country, Cebu.
We visit the spot where Magellan landed in 1521, an impressive Taoist Shrine, and an
old colonial house called Casa Gorordo, with ghostly mirrors reflecting former ages on
polished hard wood floors. The streets are dusty and loud, crammed with colourful
jeepneys (jeep-like buses exclusive to the Philippines), tricycles, and cars squeezing into
makeshift lanes. It all feels so alive. At a mountain viewpoint called TOPPS, the most
romantic spot in town, we watch the city lights flickering like firebugs beneath us. On
the way down, I see a family of six seated on one scooter, and another having a picnic
under the glow of a streetlight. They pass the food around and smile generously, in that
Filipino way that makes you fall in love with the country.
After a wonderful diving diversion to world-famous
Malapascua Island, we catch the fast ferry to Tagbilaran, capital
of the region of Bohol. Bohol has some of the best beaches
anywhere in the Philippines, and some truly unusual attractions.
We check into the Panglao Island Nature Resort, with its infinity
pool blending into the bright blue sea. Our spacious room
looks over the resort’s private island, and is just a few steps from
the beach. It’s the perfect place
to unwind, with dinner on the
veranda, and the jasmine smell
of gumamela in the air.
Bohol’s biggest attraction is
the 1776 unusual formations
known as the Chocolate Hills.
Credited to erosion (or the
teardrops of a giant, if you
prefer local mythology), the hills
look like upside down teacups,
scattered across the landscape
at various sizes. They got their
name during the dry season, when they turn milk chocolate
brown. Since it’s wet season, and water roars down for a half
hour forcing us to take shelter in the restaurant, the Minty
Hills is perhaps more accurate. Steam rises off the hills when
we finally climb the stairs to the top
of a viewpoint. Although I’ve been
to over 100 countries, I’m amazed to
discover such a unique landscape.
Not too far away is Bohol’s second
biggest attraction, albeit one that is
much, much smaller. The tarsier is a
primate that looks one part Yoda, one
part Dobby, and one part Gremlin.
The world’s smallest primate is the size
of a hand, with a rat’s tail and creepy
webbed feet. Its dominant feature
is its eyes, which are bigger than its
brain, and 150 times larger than human eyes relative to its size.
Threatened with extinction, this is its only protected habitat in
the world. We walk through the lush rainforest, seeking out the
elusive creature. The tarsier is frozen to a branch, looking so
fragile and nervous that my sneeze might give it a heart attack.
We leave the primate in peace, refresh in the on-site swimming
cave back at the resort, and catch a flight to another less-known
region of the Philippines, Bicol.
Our destination is the city of Legaspi, in the shadow of the
most active volcano in the country.
Mayon is a perfectly
symmetrical volcanic cone,
with a tuft of smoke above the
crater. It looms over the city,
erupting every couple years,
with the lava flow flattening a
coconut grove or two. Today,
the scenic volcano lets us enjoy
its views from various points
around the city, including right
at its foothills with the help of
an ATV.
Atop Ligñon Hill,
we watch the lights flicker in
Legaspi much like they had
in Cebu City, many miles and
not too long ago. A tricycle deposits us at the Embarcadero
Seaside Mall, where we dine on fresh fish in the popular
outdoor restaurants. Over the course of the week, we’ve been
constantly amazed at the hospitality of Filipinos, the pride in
their country, and the little moments
that shine in our memories: a farmer
in a rice paddy with a water buffalo;
three young girls giggling at us on
the beach; the staff at hotels greeting
us warm smiles, and the fragrance of
mango and jasmine in the air. The
Philippines is not the first country
people think of when they want to
visit Asia. After several visits to the
country, I’m convinced that will soon
change.
Vancouver-based Robin Esrock is the co-host of the OLN/CityTV
series Word Travels. You can follow his adventures at
www.robinesrock.com
SHE CANADA
95
4
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5
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3
6
96 SHE CANADA
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Betty Boop for LancÔme
HypnÔse Star
$33
CHANEL Poudre Compacte
Route des Indes Summer 2012
$80
Philosphy Ooey Gooey Cookie
$21
Ecriture de CHANEL Eyeliner
$52
Dior Skin Nude
$54
LancÔme La vie est belle
starting at $72
By: Myrtle Jurado
hen testing makeup samples from beauty counters, be aware that
you might be applying a little bit more on your skin than just the
perfect foundation shade. A study ran by Good Morning America
indicates that most beauty counters, regardless of price point and prestige,
change their samples just once a year. And as far as those communal brushes
and applicators go, the amount of bacteria found to be growing on them will
blow your mind. According to GMA, at least 20% of all of the beauty counter
samples tested contained significant growth of harmful substances such as
yeast, mold, and worst yet— fecal matter.
Think back to your last visit to the makeup counter. It all seemed pretty
harmless, but when you factor in the amount of people who probably haven’t
washed or sanitized their hands before touching products, or who actually use
the products on their eyes, face, and lips without having them sanitized before
and after use, the prospect of testing the new Urban Decay lip-gloss can be
very disconcerting. Although it would be nice to believe that by now people
have realized the importance of proper hygiene, that isn’t always the case. The
bacteria that can be found on communal makeup and makeup brushes may
lead to skin irritation, rashes, and even sickness.
But it doesn’t stop at the beauty counters. Old, expired makeup that is still
circulating in your makeup routine could be just as harmful. And although it
might be hard to finally dispose of that discontinued perfect red lipstick, you
might want to reconsider for your own health. In case you aren’t aware of the
expiration date on your makeup, below is a list of products and their average
time of expiration:
Mascara – 3 months
Concealer – 6-12 months
Eyeshadow – 1 year
Powder Blush – 1 year
Cream Blush – 6-12 months
Liquid Eyeliner – 6 months
Eyeliner and Lipliner – 2 years
Lipstick – 1 year
Lipgloss – 18-24 months
Moisturizers and Skin Care – 1-2 years
Here are some SHE recommended tips to stay safe:
1. Know what it is you are looking for before entering the store—that
way you will minimize what you are trying on.
2. While many cosmetics chains offer disposable wands and sponge
applicators, you don’t know how many customers before you double
dipped into the tester.
3. Any product that you try using your finger is a red-flag—stay away!
4. Even with a disposable applicator for eye products like eyeliner
and eye shadow, only use your hand to test the colours. Your eyes are
sensitive and will get infected if the product is contaminated.
5. Test your foundation on your neck as opposed to your face that
could result in the spread of infection.
6. When testing lipstick, apply only to your wrist.
7. Testing mascara is never a good idea—ask for a description instead
8. Opt for a store’s return policy. If you’re not happy with the product,
you can always take it back.
SHE CANADA
97
By PRIYA KUMAR
Photography SIJAL REHMANE
w
Salon & Spa: Living a True Canadian Dream
98 SHE CANADA
hen I was a child I had a
fixation on my hair. Having been
cursed abnormally kinky and
unruly hair for a young South
Asian girl, I made it my mission
to tame every last strand into
place. By the time I had hit my
teens, highlights or “streaks” as
they were known, were all the
rage. As many fellow ravenhaired beauties know, bleaching
the black out of one’s hair is not
only damaging, it also proves
immensely ineffective. In my
early hair-dye experiments,
efforts to go ash blonde resulted
in something closer to Ronald
McDonald-orange (or brass
depending on who you asked).
It was during my late teens I discovered
there was a better way to dye my type of
hair. After envying an underclassman’s
tresses for years (every other month she
would show up to school with a fresh,
new colour, each time more dazzling than
the last), I had to know where she got it
done. As it turns out, it was none other
than her cousin, Jean Saliba owner of Jean
Nicola Salon & Spa.
From my first visit to see Jean over a
decade ago, I knew I was hooked for life.
All those words you hear the models and
celebrities of the moment cooing about
in L’Oreal commercials like luminosity,
depth and dimension finally became
tangible when I saw his work. He even
creates his own line of colours available
exclusively at Jean Nicola.
Although on the outside, the cozy
cottage that is home to the salon off the
corner of Kennedy and 401 seems like
your run-of-the-mill luxury day spa, it
has a backstory worthy of a blockbuster
movie. After spending innumerable
hours at Jean Nicola over the years, I’ve
really come to know Saliba as a person
and friend.
Born in Libya in the 1970s to Lebanese
parents, Saliba’s family relocated back to Lebanon when he was a
young boy. Having lived through some of the most violent decades
known to the Lebanese people, Saliba recalls the 1982 War in
detail. “Pretty much we had to live accordingly to the war and
killing. We had no water, no electricity. It was pretty tough growing
up to that especially as a little kid. Seeing your friends was hard.
One day you see them, then something would happen. It’s sad
growing up with that.” Saliba lost many loved ones in the civil war
including a brother and for a good portion of the 1980s was forced
to live underground in hiding from the combat. “We all lived
underground. In the morning, you would see a building in front
of you. In the afternoon you would come back and only half of it
would be there. The safest place to be was underground.” He would
only leave his bunker to collect necessities like gas, food and water.
Eventually he and his family were able to escape to Canada via
Syria and Cyprus. One had to have connections in wartime to do
so, and luckily a Canadian aunt stepped in to help. Saliba and his
family entered Canada in the 1990s under refugee status and began
to build a new life. Having survived a war “definitely makes you
appreciate what you have,” Saliba says. “It makes you stronger, and
smarter, and believe it or not, it makes you more successful because
you know what you have.”
Jean Nicola Salon & Spa may be a success today, but Saliba
initially was not even considering a career in hair styling. As
a teenager he took a part-time job at Medoro’s Hair Design, the
Ajax-based salon where another brother of his worked. Although
he took the job to both pass time and make a few extra bucks, he
surprised everyone with his talent. “On the weekend I was going
with my brother to work and that’s how I discovered I was good at
what I was doing. His clients would ask him if it was okay for me
to do their hair and my brother would be like, ‘well, no he doesn’t
have his license yet.’” Of course, that changed quickly.
Soon Saliba was the head stylist at the salon’s Toronto location
at Kennedy and Ellesmere. His client Rolodex continued to grow
and as time went on, he found himself able to buyout his employer
and Medoro’s soon became his. Initially he didn’t change the
name because of the red tape preventing him from doing so, but
everything came to a head when his lease expired. If he decided to
relocate, it would be a fresh start for his business but his landlord
was on his case to renew. His own distraction by the situation turned
out to be serendipitous. “I was on my way home one day, I wanted
to get on the highway and I totally missed [Highway] 401 thinking
about the lease. And I never go anywhere north of the 401 because
I lived in Richmond Hill at the time. I went straight to the light and
as I’m making a u-turn, I see this little house right in front of me
that had a “FOR SALE” sign. So I called and made an appointment
with the realtor. When I saw the place it was a dump. Inside, the
windows were all broken. There was water damage everywhere. No
ceiling. The roof was halfway down. But I had a vision. I’ve seen a
house as a hair salon before and I loved the idea of it. So I turned
it into a hair salon. It took a while to get the construction done—
about six months or so. But it happened.”
And as they say, the rest is history. Saliba has been in his current
location for six years now and could not be happier. He turned the
second floor of the house into a serene day spa, while the ground
floor remained reserved strictly for hair. In recent years, Saliba
has added another USP to his business—he is now one of the few
Toronto salons to offer full hair extension services. His decision
to branch out came to a head when a very loyal client of his was
diagnosed with cancer. She had completed a round of chemotherapy
and in the process lost a good deal of hair. She came to Saliba with
the hope of restoring her old look with extensions. To fulfill her
wish, Saliba took a course on hair extensions attachment. He loved
that it looked completely natural on her and that she wouldn’t have
to remove it like she would a hairpiece, so he kept offering the
service to other clients. Now women come to him from across the
province specifically for his work.
Saliba is worlds away from his childhood. When asked if he’s
returned to Lebanon since immigrating to Canada, to my surprise
he says he goes back every year. Although it will never be the utopia
Canada is to him, it is still his home and responsible for who he
is today. Although moving, his past is not unique. Hundreds of
thousands have fled their homelands for a better life on Canadian
soil. What separated Saliba from the rest was his ability to take a
risk and believe in himself. “You will never get anywhere in life
if you’re scared. You’ve got to take a chance. If you’re sure of your
work, if you put hours into your work, I can’t see it not working.
Anything you put your mind to. You’ve got to stay positive. Have
a vision.” With two young daughters of his own, Alessandra and
Cristiana, he has a whole new generation with whom to share his
memories of his past and also to make memories for the future.
SHE CANADA
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1. Dear SHE,
I am constantly torn about my outfit choices because of my
very strict parents! I am not allowed to wear short skirts, or
anything that reveals too much. I have tried persuading my
parents to bend their rules a bit but had absolutely zero luck. I
have a feeling while I am living with them; I’m going to have to
follow their strict dress code. I personally don’t mind dressing
conservatively; I do feel more comfortable that way but I’m
not AS conservative as my parents. In the colder months, this
is not a problem but during holiday parties and hot weather I
have a hard time picking something to wear that is somewhat
conservative. Any advice would be SO appreciated!
Cover Girl
Dear Cover Girl,
I feel your pain. When I was in high school, make-up was
my thing and let me tell you, I was experimental! One day I
came down with red eye shadow on and my mother told me
I looked like a clown and to take it off immediately. Looking
back in retrospect, I’m glad she did! It must not have been
pretty. I would suggest trying to see things from your parents’
point of view. We’re lucky to live in a place like Canada where
pretty much anything goes in terms of what’s acceptable dress.
Please do keep in mind just because your friends’ parents
allow them to leave the house wearing a tube dress and heels
it doesn’t necessarily mean they look good. There are many
ways to dress modestly yet stylishly. Here are some tips—
look at what’s on the runway for the Fall/Winter season. Now
that Fall is in full swing, covering up is not just en vogue, it’s
necessary for the Canadian winter. Colourful tights will not
only keep you warm but will look super chic under a pleated
skirt and oversized sweater. Many of my industry friends say
Fall is their favourite time of year because it’s the ideal season
to rock the best fashion possible. When the weather gets a
little warmer, switch to cooler fabrics like cotton and looser
fits to keep cool yet conservative. Dressing conservatively will
not only give you the opportunity to make more fashionable
choices but those around you will respect you more for doing
so.
2. Dear SHE,
ILLUSTRATION BY GEORGE XU
I am in my last year of high school and plan to go to a great
university next year. But before I start doing my applications
I don’t know whether I should apply to places away from
home or close to home. My parents are ok with both but have
promised to buy me a car if I stay at home. My mom especially
really wants me to stay at home with them; I’m an only child so
I think they will be bored without me! I’m so confused because
both options sound tempting. I have never really been away
from home on an exchange or anything and actually love my
house. All my friends are planning different things; everyone
seems to be going everywhere, some want to stay at home and
some want to leave but I seem to be the only one who has NO
idea what I should do!
Homebody
Dear Homebody,
Believe it or not, every high school senior deals
with this exact same dilemma. Regardless of what you’re
pursuing academically, if your hometown has exactly
what you’re looking for in terms of educational programs,
your parents’ argument for you to stay home is further
100 SHE CANADA
strengthened. That being said, the college experience is a
completely different one if you do choose to leave home.
Having experienced the out-of-town version of undergrad
myself, I can tell you moving out on your own for the first
time is overwhelming. For the first few weekends all I wanted
to do was go home to my parents’ house and I even cried
when I dropped my best friend off at the VIA Rail station
after her visit over Thanksgiving. These feelings of anxiety
and loneliness will pass by the end of first semester and you’ll
begin to wonder how you were ever able to live at home full
time. By involving yourself in activities that are dear to you
(whether it be intermural sports or student politics) you
will meet a ton of new friends who share similar interests.
Moreover, there really is nothing like learning to appreciate
your own company as well, and with the escalated course
load you will be sure to discover in university, you’ll need
some alone time. Besides, if after a year or so you do not
find yourself adjusting to this lifestyle, you can always
return home. Universities require a minimal GPA of 3.0 to
transfer—very do-able. But by not allowing yourself a shot at
early adulthood independence, you could be missing out on
discovering who you really are.
3. Dear SHE,
I have been noticing that my best friend since grade 4 has been
lying a lot to me lately about her plans. We have been friends for
over 15 years now and I only realized this over the last year or
so. The lies are fairly common and it seems like she is avoiding
me. I try to make plans with her to go out like we normally
do but I always get excuses and frankly I am sick and tired of
making all the effort. I call her and text her and she takes a
few days to reply. When I ask her why she is being so distant,
she lies about her whereabouts and why she didn’t reply, and
I’ve actually caught her in her lies to me. She says everything
is fine and it’s just her “chaotic life” but she seems to have time
for other people but not me. I am almost at the point of giving
this friendship up but I really don’t want to, what should I do?
She’s Just Not That Into Me
Dear Into Me
This is bizarre—but if I do the math you would be in your
early 20s, correct? These days one’s youth has stretched
far past the teenage years and ends well into adulthood.
That being said, you must understand that friendships and
relationships will go through many changes during this
period. Studies show children have an easier time making
friends then adults and as we grow older, our friend circles
tend to shrink into relationships of convenience. Retrace
what it is that made you friends to begin with. Do you still
share the same interests? Now before you go and end your
lifelong best friendship, have you thought to directly ask her
what the problem is? For all you know, she may in fact be
very tied up with family or work commitments. Let her in on
your insecurities and if that isn’t enough for her to give you a
straight answer, put some space between the two of you. Busy
yourself with friends who do have the time and one of two
things will happen: one, she will resurface and it is your call
whether or not you want the friendship to continue or two,
she will drift away and you will have no other option but to
press on without her friendly support. Or lack thereof. But at
the end of the day, do you really need to be around someone
you have to beg to have coffee with?
“LISA is a fantastic reader. She accurately pinpoints where
you’re at and where you’re heading. She’s direct and to the
point. She provides clarity where there is indecision.“
-- Joelle, BC
April 20th to May 20th
You will connect with the energies around you and people
around you too. These will help deal with any complex situation
that you may be in this month. Remember, you are not alone so
don’t be afraid to ask for help, it will save you time and energy
but most of all it will offset stress.
November 22nd to December 21st
You’re feeling lost and confused. Whatever you try to accomplish
seems to be tearing at the seams but it’s just a little set back. This
is your month to make changes. Start over and stand up for what
you believe and don’t be scared - you can do it!
May 21st to June 20th
Life takes a turn this month. You are likely to feel that everyone
is relying on you for advice and direction and it’s overwhelming,
but don’t be negative about these situations. It will get better if
you hang in there.
December 22nd to January 19th
Love seems to be right where you need it, so now you can finally
focus on your career. There are many changes coming this year
that will brighten your horizons and set you on the right path.
June 21st to July 22nd
This month you are more sensitive than usual and you may be
feeling all alone. This is just a state of mind, you are not alone,
and your friends have been waiting for you to reach out to them.
So, surround yourself with friends and loved ones and you will
feel much better and stronger. Good luck.
January 20th to February 18th
Finances are getting low; you need to start thinking about
investment. Talk to a broker and see what your options are. The
coming year is the time for less spending and more saving, and
there seems to be a new member of the family on their way, so
get ready!
February 19th to march 20th
A new love comes barging in that you didn’t anticipate but take
the time to see where this is going. It looks like a new beginning
and a long lasting relationship. Something you have been waiting
for and your time is finely here.
March 21st to April 19th
It’s wonderful to feel appreciated and loved but you can’t help that
there are friends, family or co-workers who want to stick their
noses into your relationship business. You feel like as soon as
you’re happy everyone has an opinion.
Services Include: reuniting loved ones, aura cleansing,
bringing happiness, peace of mind, palm readings, dream
interpretations, picture readings and more.
July 23rd to August 22nd
Time, time, time, something you don’t have on your side. You
have been waiting too long to put your life in order and now
your time is up. Winter is coming and you need to change the
things that are going awry around you and clean up. Out with
the old and in with the new.
August 23rd to September 22nd
Family and friends are feeling that you’re spending too much
time on work and not enough time with them. They are right,
take time for your loved ones. The present workload is not going
to change—it will always be there.
September 23rd to October 22nd
Even if the path before you looks wonderful don’t charge
forward until you are really certain about where you want to
go. Appearances can be deceiving; some things look better than
they really are. So don’t be fooled, take your time, you will get
there. Fools rush in. You were born to be a leader not a follower.
AS SEEN IN
Lisa has the powerful knowledge in negative reversal
and can help you overcome all problems.
There is no problem too big or too small she can’t handle. Lisa will call out your issues one by one without asking a single question. She has helped
people from all walks of life worldwide; don’t be fooled by other Psychics giving false hope! Lisa tells you what she sees not what you want to hear!
If you are ready for the truth, Lisa the psychic is for you! Don’t stay stressed! Help is a phone call away! Office 416-972-5000*ALL CALLS ARE 100%
CONFIDENTIAL*WALK IN WELCOME – 475 BLOOR ST. WEST (WEST OF SPADINA)
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