SHE CANADA 1 2 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 3 Editor/Publisher KAMRAN ZAIDI

MAY 2013 $4.99 CAD | Dhs 18.47 AED | £3.18

Associate Editor PRIYA KUMAR

Advertising & Marketing Coordinator MUNIRA QURESHI

Art Layout Coordinator DANYL GENECIRAN

Fashion Assistant LIZ GUBER

Travel Contributor ROBIN ESROCK

Social Media Manager ERUM ZEHRA

Features Contributors ELOISE ALBA, AUSTIN ZAKARI

Pop Culture Contributors EKTA MUKHI, PARVEEN SINGH

Social Media Assistant BONNIE MENDEZ PIZON

Subscription Inquiries: Please to go http://shemagazine.ca/subscribe To Contact SHE Canada: Write to SHE Canada, 1999 Avenue Rd, Toronto ON, M5M 4A5 Or [email protected], Facebook: SHECanada Twitter: @SHECanada For Advertising Inquiries: Please contact Kamran Zaidi, 416 644 7788, 416 878 0SHE [email protected]

4 SHE CANADA IN EVERY ISSUE:

EDITOR’S NOTE 6 SHE ONLINE 7 CONTRIBUTORS 8 LETTER TO THE EDITOR 9 STYLE SCOOP 10 HE 62 ∙ Bomb Girls’ Gabe Grey ∙ Te Dad-Mom in Consumism ∙ HE Said, SHE Said ∙ Fashion Ideas for HIM SHE CARES 74 ∙ Lady Fatemah Trust SHE DEBATES 76 ∙ Are Internships the New Normal? HEALTH/WELLNESS 78 ∙ FitWall: Vertical Workouts ON THE ROAD 82 ∙ Pura Vida, Costa Rica Surf Camp ∙ Cambodia BEAUTY 86 ∙ Beaty Buzz ∙ Backstage with Maybelline BROWN GIRL PROBLEMS 93 QUOTE/UNQUOTE 94 ∙ Famous quotes on Mothers

SOPHIA WEBSTER FEATURES: Hold Me Speech Bubble Leather Clutch $450 FASHION CENTRAL 18 SPECIAL FEATURES 44 ∙ Pernia Qureshi’s Pop-Up Shop ∙ Religious Harmony in Morocco ∙ Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2013 Couture Show: ∙ Rick Mataru Fusion Chef Indian Gypsies ∙ MAX Agency ∙ Vera Wang Spring/Summer 2013 Show ∙ Parisian in America ∙ Bibhu Mohapatra Fall/Winter 2013 NYFW SOUTH ASIA 36 ∙ Falguni & Shane Peacock Fall/Winter 2013 NYFW ∙ Pantene Bridal Couture Week 2012 ∙ Naeem Khan Fall/Winter 2013 NYFW ∙ Miss Supermodel ∙ Prabal Gurung Fall/Winter 2013 NYFW THE ARTS 54 ∙ Dans La Vie by Rira Sugawara ∙ South Asia today versus Downton Abbey COVER STORY 32 ∙ Punam Gill Filmmaker ∙ Tena Desae: Te Latest Bollywood-Hollywood ∙ DJ Pearl Crossover Starlet RESTAURANT REVIEW 68 ∙ Brunch at Brassaii

SHE CANADA 5 ay is a month in bloom. Afer overcoming the past eight months of winter, Canadians more than anyone can appreciate the pleasant prelude to summertime. SHE celebrates the shif in season this issue with a wrap-up of some of Europe and North America’s most established names in fashion including Vera Wang and Gaultier that have all called upon the South Asian subcontinent for inspiration EDITOR behind their Spring/Summer 2013 collections. Besides the S.M. Kamran Zaidi heavyweights, we also examine South Asians at New York Fashion Week. From Falguni & Shane Peacock to Prabal Gurung, it is clear South Asian design talent is here to stay in the West.

Speaking of the West, it has become commonplace for local traditions to be adopted by second and third generation Canadians. One such tradition synonymous with the month of May is Mother’s Day. An American invention, Mother’s Day was frst celebrated in 1908 by Anna Jarvis for her late mother. She then began campaigning for its recognition as an ofcial holiday and by 1914 it was. In celebration of the holiday it is customary to ofer a gif, fowers or a card in praise of one’s maternal fgure. In SHE’s May issue we pay tribute to the maternal fgure’s role in all our lives with the newly added SHE Parenting section.

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

6 SHE CANADA MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE It’s that time of the year again! Te tulips are in full bloom, the air is losing its perpetual chill and we’re beginning to shed the multiple layers of clothing from the past two seasons. It’s also time to celebrate the most important women in our lives—our mothers and grandmothers. What do you get for the woman who tells you she already has everything? SHE Online is happy to share. We’ve put together a very scientifc focus group of several mothers and found some surprising insights into what they really want. So skip the fowers this year—these ideas will last much longer than 3 to 5 days. Visit http://shemagazine.ca for more!

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

SHE CANADA 7 “What is your most cherished childhood summertime memory?”

PRIYA KUMAR LIZ GUBER ROBIN ESROCK Associate Editor Fashion Assistant Travel Contributor I won a scooter at my school’s annual Spending summers at my grandparents’ Growing up in a big city away from the sea, Winter Fair when I was 10. Being winter, farm, getting my knees covered in dirt I can still feel the salty ocean breeze of my it sat in the garage for months, but that while crawling through vegetable patches frst summer holidays at the beach, and the summer scoot was the new walk. It was and watching the cows come home. warm, fragrant wind shaking the coastal black with ‘90s pink graphics—I was all palm trees. Summers were hot, fun, and full that and a bag of chips. of adventure.

DANYL GENECIRAN AUSTIN ZAKARI BONNIE MENDEZ Layout Coordinator World Issues Contributor Parenting Contributor Most memorable childhood summer was My most cherished childhood summer Going to the beach and sitting right at the my reunion with my parents afer an over- memory would be when I went on a sum- edge where the sand hit the water, hearing night all-alone separation. I was lost in a mer mission trip to Venezuela. We built the sound of the waves and seeing everyone small unknown railway station. a school, had many adventures and I got dive into the water. to witness a new culture first hand. It was fascinating and that was when I fell in love with food, travel and people of the world.

8 SHE CANADA SHE Canada is a fantastic combination of East meets I enjoyed the Missoni x Holt Renfrew feature, especially West. In your February issue there is one piece about in light of all the headlines the Missoni family has been Bollywood legend Madhuri Dixit followed by the making lately. It really seems like Margherita Missoni cover story on Hollywood actress Noureen DeWulf. isn’t just another bored, privileged it-girl. SHE manages to fuse the two worlds efortlessly and I applaud the refreshing take on South Asian-Canadian Daania, Karachi, Pakistan culture. Owais Lightwala’s story was a nice read, but to say that Gayatri, Hamilton he’s breaking down cultural boundaries in Toronto’s theater scene is a bit of a stretch, no? I was thrilled to read about Yasmeen Ghauri afer all these years. Having been one of the few ethnic faces in Sehrash, North York fashion back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, she really did change the game. It would be amazing to see her back on the I loved the theme of the February issue. It’s truly amaz- scene again! ing to think that South Asians have conquered so many diferent industries, from fashion to business. Maia, Pickering Yasmine, Los Angeles, CA Tis month’s article that caught my attention the most was Noureen DeWulf, I am actually a big fan of her work and currently a big fan of Anger Management. It was interesting to know more about her life and her work. I am defnitely a bigger fan now that I know much more.

Sana, Lahore, Pakistan

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

Sherin, Scarborough

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

Alina, Bufalo, NY

SHE CANADA 9 Who has time to DIY? If glue and wire aren’t your things, these fower crowns are the perfect accessories for spring. Whether you’re planning on frolicking 1 through a meadow or just want to spice up a Sunday brunch outft, these foral oferings are sure to add woodland whimsy to any ensemble.

1 Etsy Alternative Blossoms $65

2 ASOS Rope Flower Crown $35 2 3 William Chambers Millinery $660

4 ASOS Marigold Crown $7.04

5 Eugenia Kim $310 3 6 Etsy Rose Crown $60

7 Cult Gaia $120

10 SHE CANADA Naeem Khan Proenza Schouler Rag & Bone

Gucci

Ralph Lauren Tommy Hilfger

SHE CANADA 11 2 6

7 3

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

1 Gucci Interlocking Watch $1,240

2 Cartier Tank Watch $20,860

3 Chanel J12 White, $6,900

4 Vivienne Westwood $494

5 Reed Krakoff Gold $2,690 Gucci $1,240 6 5 7 Charriol St. Tropez $1,470

8 Marc by Marc Jacobs $364

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

1 Roberto Cavalli Snake Necklace $785

2 Asos Rosegold Snake Bracelet $109

5 3 Fendi Gold Snake Cuff $310

4 Alkemie Intertwined Snake Cuff $209

5 Pamela Love Snake Ring $750

6 Elise Dray Bracelet, Price on Request

7 Aurelie Bidermann Three Snake Ring $750

SHE CANADA 13 1

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

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

2 Charlotte Olympia The Dolly Suede Platform Pumps $945

3 Jimmy Choo + Rob Pruitt Wheel Loe Embroidered $850

4 Giuseppe Zanotti Bow-detailed suede sandals $895

5 Christian Louboutin Anita 85 buckled Tartan Pumps $1,395 7 6 Charlotte Olympia Delphine Suede Platforms $895

7 K Jacques St Tropez Epicure multi-strap leather $305

8 Sophia Webster Lula Hologram Vinyl and Leather sandals $450

9 Red Valentino Sequins Cherry Flats $325

10 Nicholas Kirkwood Neon Printed Silk-satin Pumps $695

11 Stella McCartney Holographic Faux Leather Pumps $760

SHE CANADA 15 Tese cool crewnecks are the perfect bait for streetstyle photographers, letting you channel your inner model of-duty without sacrifcing comfort. Embellished, embroidered, appliquéd or printed, sweatshirts have never looked more polished. Te best part? You can wear them with absolutely anything!

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1 Proenza Schouler Embroidered Sweater $566

2 Emma Cook Embellished Cotton Sweatshirt $305

3 3.1 Phillip Lim Sequined Silk Sweatshirt $995

4 Three Floor Crazy Paris Top $136

5 Kenzo Tiger Embroidered Sweatshirt $255

6 Givenchy Fall/Winter 2013

7 Zara $80

8 Jonathan Saunders for Topshop $80

16 SHE CANADA 1

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

3 5

Proenza Schouler Embroidered Sweater $566

Emma Cook Embellished Cotton Sweatshirt $305 1 Lanvin Asymmetric Crew Neck Ruffe Dress $3,340 3.1 Phillip Lim Sequined Silk Sweatshirt $995 2 Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2013 Three Floor Crazy Paris Top $136 3 Chloé Spring/Summer 2013 Kenzo Tiger Embroidered Sweatshirt $255 4 Elizabeth And James Crepe Dress $345 Givenchy Fall/Winter 2013 5 Mila Kunis in Alexander McQueen Zara $80 6 Comme de Garçons Angle Dress $1,587 Jonathan Saunders for Topshop $80 7 Gucci Spring/Summer 2013

SHE CANADA 17 By Priya Kumar

hether you’ve embraced the change as an assistant stylist in New or not, retail shopping has undergone York for Ann Caruso, a Con- a revolution of sorts in recent years. tributing Editor at Harper’s Ba- Tere was a time when it was the norm zaar. Ten I continued on my Wto spend a Saturday or a few hours afer school at the lo- fashion journey by doing some cal shopping mall. Even if you weren’t looking for any- freelance work with Condé thing in particular, it became such a pastime in the ‘90s, Nast in New York. Generation Xers quickly became synonymous with the term “Mall Rats”—Kevin Smith even made a movie in “I decided to come back 1995 starring Ben Afeck satirizing the subculture. But to New Delhi in 2008. Every- just like the flm, shopping malls too have become vin- thing about India attracted tage snapshots depicting a way of life that made sense me back to it. India is big only in another time. on fashion and I wanted to create my foothold in the Today the retail experience has moved to the digi- industry here.” And create tal sphere with shoppers focking to online shopping a foothold she did. Fash- portals in droves. Te United States Commerce De- ion in Bollywood was partment (USCD) put out some staggering numbers in forever changed when the support of this shif—shoppers spent $194.3 billion in Sonam Kapoor flm Aisha hit 2011, up 16.1% from the $167.3 billion spent in 2010. theaters. Aisha was groundbreak- ing in regards to fashion’s presence With e-commerce increasingly becoming an every- in a flm—branded Bollywood’s Clue- day part of life, it just makes good business sense that less (it was heavily inspired by the Amy retailers target banner ads to specifc consumers that Heckerling flm), Aisha showcased the may be interested in the wares they sell. I was recently runway-ready side of Delhi’s elite, one a target of one of these e-retailers in particular. While inspired outft at a time, fawlessly fusing browsing the luxury section on Forbes.com, I noticed Eastern style with Western designer la- an banner for Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop. Having spent bels. “Aisha was an enriching experience. some time working in Mumbai’s fashion industry, I was It was a whole new take on fashion in Bol- familiar with Pernia Qureshi, her epic career as a styl- lywood movies. I worked around my per- ist and her latest foray into the realm of e-commerce. sonal style and used a lot of vintage wear. Knowing the online retail portal is now available to in- Moreover, working with Sonam Kapoor is ternational clients as well, I had to fnd out more from always great fun since we both have a sim- Qureshi herself. ilar fashion sense and she is never afraid to try something new.” It’s a little known fact that prior to becoming Indian fashion’s “it” girl, Qureshi pursued a career in law. She Speaking of something new, Qureshi’s tells me: “As much as I enjoyed law, fashion has always latest venture has broken down retail barri- been extremely close to my heart. I have always been an ers for consumers around the world, allowing extremely creative person and it was afer my intern- them to get their hands on top Indian fashion. ship at Cosmopolitan that I realized this was the path Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop is a one of a kind online I wanted to follow.” With the wheels set in motion, experience for both local and international cli- Qureshi set of for New York City where she landed entele. She felt there was a disconnect when it some of the most coveted positions available in the came to shopping for Indian designer fashion fashion industry. “I interned at ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar outside of South Asia. “Te designers were un- and Catherine Malandrino all in New York afer gradu- able to reach their targeted customers and vice ating from George Washington University in Washing- versa. With Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop we aim to [fll] ton D.C in 2006. Following my internships, I worked this void and to create a one stop shop for Indian

18 SHE CANADA designers. To set us apart, each product on the website is carefully tiative and we are working on doing our bit for society at large in the picked by me. Another reason that brought out the idea for Pernia’s future as well.” Pop-Up Shop was the lack of time and the difculty in accessing the designers. Trough the website, Indian fashion is just a click away for So what does the future hold for Qureshi and Pernia’s Pop-Up everyone from New York to Lucknow.” Shop? “For now my prime focus is to expand Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop and make it the num- Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop has perhaps the ber one destination for online shopping all most expansive selection of top Indian de- over the world. Ensuring that the crème de signers available on the Internet, interna- la crème will be available to the masses, the tionally or otherwise. Now if one has a wed- website guarantees to ofer not just garments ding to attend in Sydney, Australia wearing but will provide the consumer with my point an outdated outft from three seasons ago is of view on beauty and fashion.” no longer the only option. Qureshi has selected only the top pieces from India’s most Qureshi is a prime example of the re- coveted designers including Alpana & Neer- nowned Confucius quote “Choose a job you aj, Manish Arora for Amrapali, Masaba and love, and you will never have to work a day in of course her in-house line Pernia’s Pop-Up your life.” She lef behind a career that guar- Shop. anteed a steady pay cheque for an unknown she only knew she had a passion for. Armed As a charitable gesture over the Holiday with a degree from a top international uni- Season, Qureshi and Sonam Kapoor teamed versity and a sharp eye for style, Qureshi up again to auction of some of Kapoor’s sec- took her talents to Bollywood and beyond. ond hand outfts for charity. “Sonam turns Te future of fashion retail is undeniably on- Santa was an endeavor to give back a little to line and Qureshi has found a corner of the society. Sonam Kapoor volunteered to give industry not yet saturated by competitors. As away 60 pieces from her personal wardrobe; an international shopper of South Asian high we put them up on sale on Pernia’s Pop-Up fashion, it is certainly a relief to know I can Shop and the proceeds were donated to the now shop for my cousin’s upcoming nuptials Smile Foundation. Tis was just a small ini- from the comfort of my bedroom in Toronto.

SHE CANADA 19 Spring 2013 Couture By Priya Kumar

ndian Gypsy was the theme of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring 2013 Couture show. On a visit to Rajasthan Gaultier realized Gypsies originated in India. He watched a bride up-top an elephant with relatives celebrating around her to a soundtrack that sounded like Tzigane music from Eastern Europe. He asked, “Why Tzigane music?” IIt was not, in fact. It was actually Rajasthani wedding music. Te experience made him realize the connection between Gypsies from Russia/Romania and Indian culture.

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

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

Te efort was a unique look at the infuence South Asian culture has had on European history and epitomized East/West fusion fashion.

20 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 21 Spring/Summer 2013 By Eloise Alba

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

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

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

Te cuts and shapes were distinctly American— structured peplums were paired with Bermuda shorts while brocaded lapels preceded densely folded of-shoulder blouses. Some jackets were reminiscent of traditional men’s sherwani suits but were cropped at the bottom to appeal to the modern. And while tunic-like silhouettes made an appearance, they were simple and almost austere. “Remember, these clothes have a sense of India but aren’t Indian,” Wang noted. “Tis was a very layered thought process.”

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

It was a contemporary collection indeed grounded by elements of a rich and vibrant land. Perhaps it was missing the art— the paisley and Latifa Buti of the Mughals, the ancient techniques of the Jamdani, Kasika vastra, or the IIkal sari. A faithful apprehension was not expected but a little majesty— that, which comes from only the Indian mystique would have excited.

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

22 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 23 By Priya Kumar

t takes real business prowess for a fashion house specializing in gowns to succeed during these trying times. Yet somehow, India-born Bibhu Mohapatra has done just that and then some. “I Iam all about really getting this of-ground. Because we can make beautiful things here but if it doesn’t really sell at the end there’s no point…Tese products, I would love for them to have a life that’s more than a season. Tey need to live longer, so that’s my goal,” Mohapatra said back in 2010. Refecting back on his words several seasons later, his success is no surprise. Afer spending 8 years at the helm of J. Mendel—a renowned house specializing in gowns and His Fall/Winter 2013 Ready-to-Wear collection furs—Mohapatra was well versed in the needs brought to the table more of what his buyers and of his target clientele. Te Council of Fashion clientele love. Structured skirts accented with layers Designers of America (CFDA) saw so of tulle, intricate beading, embroidery work on much promise in him, he was the borders of the gowns done in India and sharp one of 12 designers selected for geometric shapes were pervasive in the collection. We their coveted Fashion Incubator could not imagine these looks being more appropriate program that allowed him to for political dignitaries, Oscar nominees and the be mentored by top industry upper 1% of the 1%. professionals and make use their expansive garment district studio space. Lisa Smilor, Associate Executive Director of the CFDA said, “It’s modern and mature. He’s really a new voice on the scene. I could see him in 10 years becoming one of the preeminent eveningwear designers. I could see him becoming an international brand; bridal wear seems like a natural spin-of down the road.”

24 SHE CANADA By Priya Kumar

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

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

SHE CANADA 25 By Priya Kumar

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

Back to the NYFW show, the line-up of ensembles transitioned efortlessly from gowns exuding New York high society chic to rich velvet cafans featuring gold brocade. Of the theme of the show, Khan says it is, “Art Deco. Te feeling of the 1920s. How do you mix it with the embroideries and embellishments? I looked into the Ottoman and Byzantine era. Tese shapes are molded. Te patterns are forming to the body.” Te colour palette, although subdued, radiated elegance and reminded NYFW why patrons including Michelle Obama keep coming back to Khan. In regards to hair/makeup, the look was meant to be reminiscent of Downton Abbey’s Lady Mary Crawley—dark, defned brows, luminous cheeks and just concealer on the lips. Simple fnger waves were achieved using Bumble & Bumble BB Gel. Te collection highlight? Te cowl necked gowns dressed with a border reminiscent of Indian zardozi work using crystals that glistened with every camera fash. Khan slayed with this exquisite collection. From the front row, friend Matt Damon was heard murmuring, “Wow.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

26 SHE CANADA omen in Combat— besides being a hot- button issue in the news as of late, it was also the Wtheme of Prabal Gurung’s New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013 Ready- to-Wear show. Military is a trend that never really goes out of style, and given its use of tougher fabrics and darker colour palettes, it serves as the perfect inspiration for any Fall/Winter collection. Gurung took his cue from the news: “Te whole collection is inspired by the idea of empowerment. I read this article in Time Magazine about the best invention in 2012—it was [by] the US military. Tey’re reinventing body armour for women because all this while they’ve been wearing men’s uniforms. Ten I read this article about the Pentagon lifing the ban on women in combat. So that set the tone for the whole thing.”

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

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

SHE CANADA 27 LIZ GUBER catches up with experimental London designer Rira Sugawara of Dans la Vie to discuss the importance of heritage, risk taking and the evolution of her brand.

mong the year’s four major Sugawara’s Japanese heritage fashion weeks, New York, blends perfectly with London’s Milan, Paris and London, the new school aesthetic. Te result is latter is typically labeled the a slick, glossy and busy collection wild child, ofering its own that manages to both shock and innovative mix of boundary- delight. Snakeskin slithers across pushing designs to contrast skirts and risqué bodysuits while with the comparatively more traditional Japanese imagery is tame oferings of its international counterparts. used in a completely unexpected Tom Ford’s latest superhero glam-rock runway way when contrasted with PVC and show was full of unabashed excess, with loud sharp angular cuts. Tere’s plenty of star-shaped explosions straight out of a comic peplum too keeping the collection strip with zebra-prints running wild. Ten there’s on-trend. “Tere are some amazing Mary Katrantzou, one of the most celebrated and print cultures that have come imaginative designers to come out of London, out of Japan, such as Sotatsu, whose digital prints and otherworldly silhouettes Jakuchu, Hokusai and Kabuki. have made her a global fashion phenomenon. With Te Japanese fashion culture countless trailblazers such as Christopher Kane blurs the boundaries of reality and and JW Anderson getting their start in the fashion fantasy,” says the designer, adding, “I capital, it would seem that London continues to wanted to express the relationship be a city that produces its own quirky brand of between the prints and the outlines genius. Tere must be something in the water and of the silhouette to incorporate whatever it is, Rira Sugawara must be drinking it. movement.”

Sugawara studied print design at Waseda As the ferce Samurai glamazons pound University in her native Japan, going on to work the runway it becomes clear that Sugawara as a textile designer at an atelier in France before is at her best when referencing traditional launching her own brand Dans la Vie in London. When asked about the meaning behind the label’s name Sugawara says “When I set up my brand, I wanted to fll all aspects of life with my original prints and I feel that my collections portray real scenes from life, through my eyes.” Te Tokyo-based silhouettes of her homeland. Obi belts and designer has shown four collections in London kimonos have never felt more current, and are to date as part of Fashion Scout—an international some of the most commercially viable in the showcase that brings fashion designers from collection. Everyday sensibility does not seem to be around the world to show during London Fashion Sugawara’s objective however. Te designer’s vision Week. Not unlike Toronto’s own Fashion Incubator, is that of fantasy and escape, and the Dans la Vie Fashion Scout has nurtured such talent as Peter customer is someone Sugawara describes as being Pilotto and is championing the next generation of an “intellectual, independent, strong women who fashion design talent though its innovative runway want to express themselves.” shows and serving as a platform for increased industry exposure. Sugawara added further Dans la Vie creations are currently only accolades “It’s such a massive experience showing available by appointment. Sugawara is working at Fashion Scout, I’m so happy to be showing with on establishing stock lists around the world while them for the fourth time.” continuing to evolve as a designer, print maker and industry rebel.

28 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 29 Besides being one of the most recognizable names in talent representation, MAX Agency is also a one- stop shop for all of your promotional needs. Whether putting together a fashion show, print advertisement or marketing campaign, MAX has you covered for a fraction of the cost of an ad agency. MAX also has access to an extensive roster of art directors, choreographers, photographers, make-up artists and hair stylists available to complete your project from start to fnish. Regardless of the size of the project budget, we are available to you.

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

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

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Talent Shop Academy 1999 Avenue Road, Suite 202 Toronto, Ontario M4M 4A5 Tel: (416) 644-7790 | Fax: (416) 482-4109 [email protected] | www.talentshopacademy.com SHE CANADA 31 By Priya Kumar

ena Desae has accomplished something few since featured in more than 100 commercials and of course made Bollywood starlets have before her; last year she her Hollywood debut in Te Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I recently seamlessly transitioned to a Hollywood leading had the opportunity to catch up with Desae about her success and lady. Cast as call centre ingénue Sunaina in Te Best she candidly flled me in on fame, Hollywood and her triumphant Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011), Desae plays Dev Patel’s return to Bollywood. paramour in the star-studded flm. Based on the 2004 Deborah Moggach novel Tese Foolish Tings, the flm sees a group of British Congratulations on the success of Te Best Exotic Marigold Ho- retirees in search of something new in India. Teir fnal destination tel! Tell me a bit about your experience being discovered for this is Te Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a retirement home run by the coveted role. ever-optimistic Sonny (Dev Patel). Featuring an ensemble cast including Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Thank you very much! The casting director of the film, Seher Penelope Wilton and Celia Imrie, it is no surprise the flm turned Latif, is somebody I’ve known from my ad days. She called me out to be a commercial and critical success, grossing $134 million in for a test, though I was slightly hesitant about the project as internationally. For a flm with a budget of just $10 million, the I wasn’t given many details about the film except my audition comedic-drama outperformed producers’ wildest expectations. scenes, which included my notorious bedroom scene. But I gave it my best because I never take auditions lightly. John Madden was Half Gujarati, half Telugu, Tena Desae was born in Bangalore. in the country for pre-production, so he watched my audition, Modeling and acting were never a part of Desae’s original career liked it and called me in for a second test. That was a fun day as plan. She initially pursued fnance as a student at the National we laughed and joked our way through the test. From that day Institute of Management with hopes of eventually going into on, I really wanted the project because of how much fun John and business. Her plans took a detour when she was selected to Seher were to work with. There was a third and final audition participate as a contestant on Channel [V]’s Get Gorgeous—India’s during which I had to perform ALL my scenes in the film. Finally, answer to America’s Next Top Model. Similarly to ANTM, the Get I shared my work profile, a few scenes from my Hindi films and Gorgeous fnalist wins a contract with Elite Model Management in was then finally confirmed for the part. I screamed so loud, I bet India. Although Desae ultimately did not emerge the winner, Elite I frightened my neighbours! [Laughs] signed her before the competition even came to a close. She has

32 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 33 34 SHE CANADA Working alongside so many flm legends in Te Best Exotic But working with diferent cultures can be refreshing for obvious Marigold Hotel, what did you learn from your co-stars? reasons, and helps open your mind up to new possibilities. Table No. 21 released in India back in January— as a thriller, how Work-wise, everything they did was a pleasure to watch mainly did you prepare for your role? Did you flm on location in Fiji? Tell because of the cultural diferences—body language, intonation, me about the experience. dialogue delivery, so I watched them do their thing and I was amazed at how they managed to add so much to the scene even when they Table No. 21 was shot almost entirely in Fiji. It was wonderful to didn’t have lines! flm a thriller in gorgeous locations by the sea because I’m a water baby and was always in my best mood thanks to it. Tere is a strong You were a business student back in Bangalore—how did your connection between Fiji and India, and a history, so it felt like you participation on Channel V’s Get Gorgeous come about? Do you were in India—not 17 hours away! see your business degree coming into play in the future? Preparing for my role was fun because it was about how an ordinary girl reacts when stuck in an extraordinary situation. My director and Modeling and acting was always my frst choice, but I wanted to I discussed all possible options for playing a scene, based on instinct make sure I had an education to back me. Right afer college, my and what would work best in drama. I had a few workshops in acting sister saw an ad in the paper for the Get Gorgeous auditions and so I just for confdence, but mostly based it on instinct, environment, co- tried out for it. Luckily, I was selected for the contest and even though actors interpretation, and shooting requirements. I enjoyed the part I didn’t win the contest, I was ofered the winner’s contract anyway, where I would note down all possible options of how to work a scene as the panel of judges felt I had a future in commercial work. Elite and discussing that with my director and his ideas. Since the options Model Management backed my move and supported me hugely as I were endless, it made the discussion great fun! was trying to make my way around Mumbai. My degree helps me do my own taxes now, as well as manage my According to the starlet, Te Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was not investments. But in the future, I hope to do my MBA, just so I will only her frst international big-budget flm, but also included her equal my friends who already have it, and also to clear my conscience frst ever onscreen kiss. “We don’t kiss in public [in India]. It’s not [Laughs]. Degrees aren’t good enough anymore anyway. I may just done. So I was concerned at frst,” she says. “I didn’t know how to choose to use my education somehow, in my other endeavours, if I do it, and I was very nervous, but Dev was wonderful and behaved decide to do something besides acting later. like a gentleman.” We see a bright future for Desae and anticipate many more frsts coming her way. Having been the face of Fair & Lovely in the past, what are your feelings toward whitening creams?

Luckily, the product I was selected for was for skin clarity and not whitening. It was a cream that targeted pigmentation and scars. Te need for girls to be fair is huge in small towns and villages—I’ve even heard that they use their savings to buy these creams. Even matrimonial ads still ask for fair girls. It is, obviously, ridiculous that skin colour is still a deciding factor for people. I understand if people want clear skin, not when they want bleached skin.

Who do you look up to acting-wise? (Hollywood and Bollywood)

Hollywood—Julie Andrews, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Jessica Chastain and Helena Bonham Carter are my favourites. Although if you allow me, I will go on to name half the industry. Bollywood—Madhuri Dixit, Kajol, Karisma Kapoor, Rani Mukherjee, Vidya Balan.

From your own experience, how do you fnd working in Bollywood difers from Hollywood?

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

SHE CANADA 35 36 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 37 38 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 39 40 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 41 42 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 43 A Crossroads for Muslims, Jews and Christians

By Austin Zakari

orocco is a nation known for its colorful spice markets, has been globally tested, as the country has been the victim of specifcally the bustling Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech. terrorist attacks on several occasions in both the capital, Casablanca, What tourists may be less aware of is its acceptance and the city of Marrakech. Political observers have commented that of both Jews and Christians—an uncommon policy in the King’s approach to openness, instituted almost a decade ago, was Ma Muslim nation. India for instance, has been a nation of religious a forward thinking and bold move for a small Muslim nation. It has dissent since the British separated the land into two nations—India been proven successful in countering religious extremists, such as and Pakistan. Religious terrorism and general intolerance has been an Al Qaeda, and has also broadened the country’s economic, political ongoing issue, escalating over recent years. Te 2008 terrorist attack in and social stability. So much so that today, Morocco is recognized Mumbai, undertaken by Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani-based militant as a progressive, economic, touristic and cultural bridge to Africa, organization, lasted for several days and resulted in 164 casualties Europe and the Middle East. and over 300 wounded. In many countries, people from other religions are seen as threats and are not tolerated. Bosnia is a further Historically, Morocco has been a melting pot of cultures, example of neighbours killing neighbours over religious intolerance. increasingly enriched by each successive newcomer. Inhabitants, A horrifc war that lef many families separated and resulted in including Berbers, Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs lef cultural economic instability and general chaos in a once peaceful nation. remains that can still be identifed today. Advanced architecture, While nearby countries struggle to reach acceptance, Moroccans are language, unique artistry, technology and cuisine are all remnants generally a welcoming people. And while proselytizing is illegal, the of their former occupants. Tis mixture of diversity and richness practice of one’s own religion is not discouraged. King Mohammed came together to form the exotic, colorful and lush culture that is VI continued the legacy of his father Hassan II and his grandfather found in Morocco today. Tourism in the country is increasing yearly Muhammad V by accepting religions other than Islam in his nation. as visitors seek out unusual yet friendly destinations. Tourists of all In fact, in his Accession Day speech, the King stressed that Islam, religions are made to feel welcome as Morocco not only contains which is practiced in Morocco, emphasizes tolerance, advocates synagogues but Christian churches as well. As a Muslim country, compromise and outlaws extremism and fanaticism. Tis philosophy their policy of inclusion and acceptance is extremely attractive

44 SHE CANADA to Westerners especially in a time of global terrorism, religious Further testimony to their inclusive nature is the history of extremism and general insecurity. Morocco has long espoused their Muslim- Jewish relations. To honour the relationship, prominent doctrine. In fact, they were the frst country to recognize the United Jewish leaders in Morocco nominated Muhammad V of Morocco to States of America. In 1786, John Adams and Tomas Jeferson signed be the frst Arab admitted to Yad Vashem’s list of Righteous Among the Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship. Te treaty, which is Nations. During World War II, the Moroccan Sultan also protected still in force today, is the longest unbroken treaty in U.S. history. It Jews from the Vichy occupation. Te Sultan rejected orders by the is a testament not only to their long standing friendship with the then occupied French government to force more than 200,000 Jews West, but a strong signifer of their recognition of diversity, both living in Morocco to identify themselves by wearing yellow stars. He was famously quoted as saying: “I refuse to make any distinction between my subjects.” Jews in Morocco thus fared far better than Jews elsewhere in France and throughout Europe. In fact, his protection of Jews living in Morocco is supported by many stories of Muslim ofcials who handed out matches and told Jewish leaders to burn damming lists of names, addresses and assets that had been compiled, protecting them from deportation and not allowing for the confscation of their assets. As a result of his support, Sultan Muhammad V is seen as one of the fairest and most tolerant rulers Jews have ever known. Moroccan Jews in Morocco, Israel and around the world continue to speak of his heroism and honour him as a hero in their community.

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

Today, Canadians, whether Muslims, Jews or Christians, are welcomed in Morocco. Canada and Morocco established diplomatic relations in 1962 and since then have formed close ties. Scores of Moroccans have immigrated to religious and cultural. Morocco is also committed to honouring Canada—an estimated population of more than 100,000 are living those people that contributed to their past and present success. In here presently. Most have settled in the Montreal area, due to 2001, Te Royal Institute of the Amazigh Culture was created. Te language, and are made up of both Muslims and Sephardic Jews of institution recognizes the Berbers, the frst inhabitants of Morocco, Moroccan decent. as an integral part of the nation in both language and culture. Te non denominational atmosphere encouraged in Morocco allowed A visit to Morocco today, regardless of religious afliation, is a step for religious freedoms that have promoted progress and peace into an exotic and vibrant culture. Te country welcomes tourists throughout all areas of the country over the course of history. and as it looks to globalize and increase its world presence, it remains committed to honouring its rich past while welcoming friendly faces the world over.

SHE CANADA 45 HOMEGROWN CHEF Recipe to Riches Canada winner Rick Matharu

By Parveen Singh

And the winner is (drum roll please)…Rick Matharu and his Butter show until he saw the advertisement for season two while watching Chicken Lasagna! television with his wife. It interested them both and when auditions were open he went in and hasn’t looked back since. “Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined this would be happening to me. Tis has been a life-changing experience, and “I love experimenting in the kitchen. It’s like a science lab for me,” I’m so honoured that so many people across Canada chose me and explained Matharu on his enthusiasm to create new twists on classic my recipe as their favourite among all the amazing category winners dishes. Matharu attributes his passion for the kitchen to his mother, and their dishes.” Tese were the sentiments expressed by Brampton who exposed him to cooking at an early age. We South Asians grow- native Rick Matharu afer snagging the $250,000 prize for his fu- ing up in the West know this feeling all too well— afraid to open our sion meal—Butter Chicken Lasagna. Matharu garnered the highest lunch boxes because we’re not sure what intense aromas will fll the number of online votes across Canada for his Indian inspired dish classroom on any particular day. Afer continually being ostracized on the Food Network Canada reality series Recipe to Riches. “Taking by classmates for his curry smelling lunches, Matharu says he de- Indian and Italian food, I’ve combined it together to make a fusion manded he be given regular Canadian lunches. Matharu’s mom gave dish—Matharu’s Butter Chicken Lasagna. him the ‘Canadian lunch’ he wanted but It’s full of favour, it’s happening, it’s good, not without her own special touch. (She tastes amazing—it’s the best of two worlds would sneak Indian spices into his peanut combined in one and when you try it butter sandwich!) It wasn’t until years you’ll be doing the light bulb!” It’s also a later that Matharu grew to appreciate the win he dedicates to the Canadian South importance of his mother’s persistence to Asian community that supported him introduce her children to Indian favours throughout the competition. in creative ways, something that he now attempts to do through his own culinary skills, “If young kids don’t want to eat Indian or Punjabi Recipe to Riches is a competitive reality series, where amateur cooks food, I’ll fgure out a way you can introduce it to them, just like my from across Canada compete in two rounds. In the frst round, con- mom did. Growing up, we didn’t always like to eat Indian food and testants present original recipes in categories ranging from frozen en- she would fnd a way to throw it into ordinary cooking. Tat’s how trées to desserts. Weekly winners take home a cash prize of $ 25,000 she introduced us to Indian food and that’s what I want to do nation- plus the chance to have their dishes featured as a President’s Choice wide for Canada.” product in select outlets. Te grand prize of $ 250,000 is decided by an online voting system and is awarded to one of seven winning chefs Since the show is based on cooks using their own original recipes, from the preliminary round. Matharu says he was unaware of the Matharu says he did a lot of research about the range of products President’s Choice already carries. He knew he wanted something everyone could enjoy and since PC is known for their lasagnas, it was the perfect ft.

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

46 SHE CANADA Besides Butter Chicken Lasanga, how about Kababs in a Blanket, Indian Bruschetta or even a Spicy Indian Caesar? Intrigued? Tese are other concoctions Matharu has created. For these and other recipe ideas, you can visit his food blog at ricksgoodeats.com. Trough his East-meets-West blend of cooking, Matharu is not only introducing others to Indian cuisine but also reviving it for South Asians. His recipes are a great way for parents to get picky eaters to eat more Indian food and inspire those stuck in a cooking rut to try adding more spice into their daily meals.

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

What you’ll need for the Kebabs: Small pack of ground chicken 1 Small/medium red onion, finely chopped 1/2 cup chopped coriander 1 Tablespoon salt 1 Teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon Fenugreek, finely crushed 2 Tablespoon garlic (or more) 1/2 Tablespoon ginger 1 Teaspoon red chili flakes 1 Teaspoon chat masala 3-4 dashes Worcestershire sauce 1 Large egg 1 Cup bread crumbs

Crescent Rolls

For Crescent Rolls you can both make them yourself or head to your local grocery store and grab a ready-to-make package. Matharu rec- ommends using weiner crescent rolls as they work best.

Green Chutney

The chutney can be store bought but is also easy to make at home! You will need 2 bunches of green mint, 1/2 lemon, salt/pepper, chat masala, extra virgin olive oil and a 1/2 of a red onion. Blend all ingredients, and that’s it.

1.Mix together all the kebab ingredients in a bowl. Cover and let it sit in the fridge for 1 hour. 2. Pre heat and lightly grease your oven tray or grill on medium-high heat. Form the meat into finger sized kebabs. Cook each side for 6-7 minutes (or longer, depending on your stovetop). Remove and let cool. 3. Flatten out your crescent rolls on a baking tray. 4. Place one spoon of green chutney on the roll and place your kebab on one end. Roll the crescent roll around the kebab, and place on sheet seem side down. Don’t worry if the chutney seeps out of the roll. 5. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown.

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

SHE CANADA 47 48 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 49 Branding Not Just Talent, But Companies Too

In Howard Schultz’s words: “Authentic brands don’t emerge from marketing cubi- cles or advertising agencies. They emanate from everything the company does...” By Ekta Mukhi

50 SHE CANADA Today, MAX Agency is one of the most successful model and talent to be involved in the industry. While fashion and beauty is one management companies, representing people from diverse races, area we specialize in, it is not the only one. Our talent roster is cultures and ages all across Canada in Toronto, Montreal and truly diverse, and it is something we are very proud of. We are also Vancouver. Scouting and further cultivating new talent, servicing a great company to work with if you are looking for a specifc or a diverse clientele and successful marketing of the company keeps unconventional talent. MAX Agency on top of an ever-changing industry. 4) Who are some of your past corporate clients? We spoke to Jennifer DeFaria, Senior Agent at MAX Agency, to gain a little more insight into the workings of such an experienced and Max has worked with some of the biggest campaign producers today accomplished Canadian agency. such as Rogers, TD, Coca- Cola and Nike. We also work alongside independent photographers and flmmakers to help them develop 1) Tell me a bit about MAX Agency as a creative production their craf and to kick start their careers. company. 5) If I have a small budget will you be able to accommodate me? Max can ofer the unique service of a one stop–shop package. Having Max do all the work for you is the most cost efcient and Max will work with you to make your small budget dreams a reality. most organized way to have your ideas realized. We can relieve You are already lowering the cost substantially by cutting out the you of the headache of having to hire a bunch of diferent people middleman and leaving all the work to us. to do diferent things. Max will do everything, from concept development and creative direction to talent booking and post- 6) Is there anything else about MAX that I may not already know? production services. Max Agency has been in the business of talent representation for 13 years and we have all the best contacts and We love to get involved with fun events and trade shows and can talent required to do an amazing job. provide talent for those kinds of projects as well. We are also huge advocates and supporters of charitable giving; we have been involved 2) What sort of services could I, as a major corporate brand, with great charities like Sick Kids, Lady Fatema Trust, Covenant expect? House and Te Canadian Cancer Society.

Our talent roster is Toronto’s fnest! We represent a diverse range With their experience in the ins and outs of the fashion and of models and actors of every age, from ages two to eighty seven. modeling world, along with their dedication to provide collaborative Whatever your request- we can provide! What distinguishes us from branding opportunities to companies, MAX serves as a beacon to the average agency is our ability to accommodate your needs for guide projects in the right direction and to efciently communicate stylists, photographers and creative directors as well. the envisioned message. Organized with their broad spectrum of talent: from brand ambassadors to actors, to art directors, 3) Tell me a bit about your roster of creative talent. photographers and choreographers, MAX undeniably have all of their bases covered to suit any tasks. It’s a common misconception that you have to look a certain way

SHE CANADA 51 Whilst the Indian culture shaped her values (humility, helpful nature and spiritual progress), the French culture enriched her with art, language, fashion, food and the ability to take pleasure and satisfaction from everything in life.

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

A Parisian in America

By Ekta Mukhi

Appearance provides immediate insight on an individual. Beyond the apparent, superfcial bearing, clothes represent 3 important C’s: comfort, class and confdence. Clothing was never something Rama just wore, it was something she loved and today she fnds herself pursuing her passion: playing with clothes.

lpa Rama has that certain je ne sais quoi about her. Blogger, Personal Shopper, and Fashion Consultant are some of the common titles she holds today. Rama’s journey with fashion began in Grade 10, at the young age of 15. As with most teens that grow to be conscious of their looks, she was an advocate for the latest trends and had always pos- sessed a keen eye for fashion, allowing her to be creative and stylish with her wardrobe. “I’ve always been picky, sometimes annoyingly picky about my style,” she confesses. “I still remember being upset with my Mum because she would buy me these hideous looking jogging pants! Love you Mum!”

Te 25-year-old, who was born in Paris to parents of Indian origin goes on to tell us about her childhood and the perks of being exposed to elements of both European and Asian cultures. Schooling in France had a huge impact on Rama’s style as she explains: “It’s part of French culture to have an ‘appropriate style’. But the concept of ‘throwing something on for school’ wasn’t the case for me. It was about being unique, trendy and appropriate for the weather, surroundings, and environment.”

52 SHE CANADA Rama successfully incorporates her intelligence (she is currently majoring in Marketing at the ESLSCA Business School in Paris) and her impeccable taste and style. She is the proud co-founder of Osiyan—a trendy Parisian clothing, jewellery and accessories label. “My brother had the idea to leverage his import/export skills into the fashion world,” she explains. “I came up with the name and did the marketing pieces. It helped that I lived in India for a year and now live in the U.S.A. I received the opportunity to advertise and introduce the brand across the Atlantic,” she explains. We started small with a collection of T-shirts and then came up with a collection of bracelets inspired by the Shamballa bracelet. It’s going great so far and we are confdent that with the right attitude, spirit, hard work and creativity, we’ll continue to make progress with Osiyan in the coming years.” Rama is on a career trajectory heading up. She manifests her dedication to helping others through fashion consulting, personal shopping, blogging and is now set out to launch new clothing and jewelry collections for her line. Rama also shares with us her secret ardor for healthy eating: “It’s not just about the outer image.” Te latest addition to her multi faceted resume is Cookbook Author. She employs the same techniques in cooking as she does in fashion—combining elements to get the right consistency. “I am working on a cookbook!” she proudly exclaims. I use the same mix and match mentality in fashion to the food I cook and the food is turning out to be really tasty!” With so many endeavors up her sleeve, Rama stresses the importance to help others. “It is something that I love to do with my heart (fashion) and I am passionate about it. So, I feel excited when I am helping someone go to the next level of fashion. It’s amazing to see the results and the impact it makes in the diferent areas of people’s lives; physically and mentally.”

When it comes to giving her followers advice. Comfort is Rama’s number one priority. “Tere is a misconception that we can’t be trendy and comfortable but both can be incorporated in style”. She certainly

manages to do so, and her cultivated style continues to inspire those around her—urging them to get creative without sacrifcing comfort.

As we come to the end of our very inspiring conversation with Rama, she leaves us (women who want to be stylish but don’t know where or how to start) with a few words of wisdom: “I think all women have some kind of preference. When you go shopping for clothes just walk through a department store and pick whatever you like and try it on. See how it feels, how it looks and if you feel great in it. If all that is fulflled, don’t think twice. Don’t ask yourself if your husband or boyfriend is going to like it or of other people will see you a certain way. If you feel great in it, it will look good no matter what. Confdence is key!” Rachel Zoe once said: “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” Rama’s dressing style speaks a thousand words. From her we’ve come to realize that fashion and style are ofen misunderstood—It is not about enhancing a woman’s beauty, but rather to reassuring her of it. SHE CANADA 53 “It’s beautifully made—handsome, artfully crafed and acted. [Maggie] from Mumbai, there are certain instances while watching Downton Smith, who plays the formidable and disdainful Dowager Countess, when I fnd myself thinking, “Tis would happen in India today!” has a lovely way of delivering words, always spaced to perfection. Tis While the similarities are endless, I’ve broken down the fve most is going to be a treat if you like a lavish period drama of a Sunday obvious in regards to being a young woman then versus now: evening.”—Te Guardian 1) Te distinct, impenetrable class divide between the Upstairs/ It’s undeniable. Downton Abbey has caused a stir in the television Downstairs world. Besides the innumerable accolades it’s received internationally, one need only go to Hufngton Post, CNN or BBC Online on a Tis seems like an obvious one, but take a look at the one man who Monday morning to bear witness to the social media inferno managed to go from a supposed life in servitude to a resident of the surrounding the previous night’s episode. In North America, PBS manor itself on Downton. In season two, Lord Grantham’s youngest is Downton’s parent network. Almost 8 million viewers tuned into daughter, Lady Sybil falls in love with the family chaufeur, Tom Season 3’s premiere in January; the public access channel is not Branson. Tey decide to marry against her parents’ wishes. Afer accustomed to ratings this high, catapulting the home of Sesame Sybil’s untimely death during childbirth, Branson is lef to fend for Street into the same viewership league as NBC and ABC. Debuting himself as a socialist, Irish outsider amongst his new blue-blooded back in 2010, Downton Abbey has become one of the most successful family. Season three even sees poor Branson being lef out of a and well-received series to come out of the UK, quite possibly, ever family trip to Scotland as the guests to a distant relative’s hunting and with good reason. Besides the beautiful (and equally talented) lodge. Although such social ostracism would be unthinkable today, ensemble cast, breathtaking scenery and opulent costumes, the especially given his station as a recent widower, we at SHE chronicled clifanging plot is what has kept a loyal following the world over a very similar situation when we interviewed the Maharajas of Jaipur. ravenously coming back for more. Set at a fctional Yorkshire County Princess Diya Kumari, nicknamed Chubs, fell in love with the son estate called Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle, in real life), the series of a palace servant named Narendra Singh Rajawat when she was chronicles the lives of Lord Grantham, his family and the estate’s staf just 16-years-old. Te ofcial union that ultimately ensued sent a who live below stairs during the turn of the last century. Tere are shockwave through India’s social elite—not only did Diya have the intrigues, torrid unrequired love afairs and well-timed zingers from nerve to choose a commoner, but he was also a member of the palace the cunning Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, played by Dame staf. His role in society was quickly and quietly rewritten to keep Maggie Smith who has since won two Emmys and a Golden Globe up appearances, not unlike the Dowager Countess’ active search for for her portrayal. Being South Asian and having recently moved back distant relatives with the name Branson to pass of as Tom’s family.

54 SHE CANADA 2) You’re 25-years-old and single. It’s all downhill from here. 3) [Arranged] marriages come with a stamp of parental pre- approval Poor Lady Edith. As the middle daughter on Downton Abbey she has neither the beauty nor charm of her elder and younger sisters, Mary Seasons One and Two of Downton Abbey sees the unrequited ping- and Sybil. Te following dialogue is typical of her character, while pong match of love between Lady Mary and distant cousin, Matthew arranging a cousin’s wedding gif deliveries: Crawly (the legal heir to the Grantham title and estate). If Mary is able to accept Matthew Violet, Dowager Countess of as her husband, the title Grantham: “Your turn will will remain within Lord come.” Grantham’s immediate family for the foreseeable Lady Edith Crawley: “Will future. Mary, in her own it? Or am I to be the maiden words, claims she will aunt? Isn’t this what they never love anyone she is do? Arrange presents for the told to. Side note: the two prettier relations?” do end up together.

Violet, Dowager Countess Although love of Grantham: “ Don’t be a marriages are celebrated defeatist dear, it’s terribly in the South Asian media middle class.” and Bollywood, it’s interesting to note the vast While there are several majority of marriages in Bollywood comparisons to the subcontinent are of be made here, it is Turning the arranged variety. Te 30 starring Gul Panag that reason behind this is that best illustrates this similarity. Hindus and Muslims alike Panag plays Naina, an live in complex social advertising account executive spheres where the forming who’s dating a banker. Days and maintaining family before she turns 30, her alliances are a key part of banker boyfriend leaves society’s evolution. Ofen her for another girl with times these marriages connections to fnance his are arranged from birth father’s fedgling business. with the promise of Te flm is chronicles the engagement being agreed difculties Naina encounters upon by the families. In now that she’s about to the twenty-first century, hit the big three-oh and a South Asian living in is not yet happily married the West may partake in with children. It should speed dating or marriage be noted that Turning 30 conventions, specifically is a mainstream, modern geared towards what they Bollywood movie and is not are looking for. Shaadi. trying to be ironic in its plot in any way. com has become an increasingly popular digital portal for South Asian parents to post their adult children’s stats, hoping for a good match. Truth be told, looking into the history of South Asian arranged marriage makes even the Crawlys seem progressive.

4) Looking to socialize in the evening? Be prepared to sneak out of the house

Young cousin Rose is only 18 years old when she arrives at Downton Abbey—her mother Lady Flintshire has had it with her antics and chose to ship her of to her relatives in Yorkshire than deal with Rose herself. But Rose has plans of her own— when Lady Edith is called to London to meet with her Editor at the newspaper Te Sketch, Rose tags along and disappears into the metropolis.

SHE CANADA 55 run rampant in the developing world. If I hadn’t the fnancial backing of my parents and a home to live in owned by extended family, a career in editorial, PR or event planning would simply not have been feasible. Although I’d made the decision to work in Mumbai, regardless of the ultimate beneft the experience would have on my career in the West, many young women from afuent families could not imagine spending their days in an overheated ofce, slogging away at a computer. Teir days consist of waking up at 9 or 10 for an in-living room personal yoga class, followed by a leisurely lunch at any number of the world-class eateries in and around Mumbai. By afernoon they attend a chic strawberry and champagne cocktail put on by a luxury French beauty brand followed by a party hosted by a D-list celebrity at one of the aforementioned restaurant hotspots. Yes, these ladies do exist. Tey were on my clients’ guest lists and make up a good chunk of South Asia’s elite. What is a weekend, indeed?

I think the take-away from all this is, besides South Asia having perhaps a century ahead of itself before socially catching up with the developed world, that change will come. Downton Abbey will see the fall of its way of life—this is inevitable. Tese grand estates, while they still stand today, are no longer the lucrative employers and tenancies of the past. It’s said that Highclere Castle would have employed up to 60 servants at any one time inside the house. A large part of the reason this lifestyle no longer exists is due to the prohibitive costs of maintaining such a feet of staf. Once South Asia is able to better protect employee rights such as the minimum wage and doing away with the stigma surrounding the caste system, it too will see the fall of regal living for the everyday man. Whether it’s for the better or worse, it’s a part of the evolution of society, a society where equality and civil Unfortunately she leaves a paper trail and is discovered at a local rights appear more and more universal buzzwords now than ever. nightclub canoodling with a married man. Catch Downton Abbey on Vision TV on Wednesday at 9PM and on I could ofer up a number of personal anecdotes similar in nature PBS as a part of Masterpiece Classic on Sunday at 9PM from my time in Mumbai, but for the sake of my relations, I won’t. Needless to say, when living with elderly relatives, make plans to spend the night at a girlfriend’s before heading out on the town. Or else expect 13 missed calls by 10:30PM on a Wednesday. True story.

5) Te perplexed looks of bewilderment that follow the mention of your career

“What is a ‘weekend?’” – Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham

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

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

56 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 57 By Parveen Singh

“We as South Asians, whether newly immigrated me was brewing quietly and I suppose it hit a boiling point. As a or here for a few generations, are all individually woman, I also felt I had a window of opportunity to take the risk of making flms before having a family. So I grabbed it and haven’t fguring out what traditional values we want looked back.” Tere were ideas brewing and Gill felt there was to keep, which ones are no longer working, and something she needed to say; she would fnd her voice behind the which new ones we want to adopt. Even the most lens. traditional person has changed a bit with the times, Her initial venture into the realm of flm and artistic expression and the most modern among us still have some lef her weary of telling people about her new career path. She traditional Indian sensibilities. My flms are a didn’t want to be plagued with the stigma associated with making movies for a living. As she delved further into her work, she refection of this dance, and I think South Asians see soon realized afer all the blood, sweat and tears that go into themselves in the stories.”—Punam Gill bringing a story to celluloid, she no longer feared what people thought because she was proud to say she was an artist. Her frst flm hit close to home and paid homage to her father—a simple Punam Kumar Gill, a prairie girl at heart, has been making man who began a driving school to teach new immigrants in flms since 2006. Te director’s journey of creative expression a predominantly South Asian neighbourhood in Edmonton. began at an early age. As a child Gill would write poems and Te Lesson released in 2007, received numerous accolades and stories, make costumes for her dolls and perform skits. She is even continued to do so thereafer. Unfortunately Gill’s father, Ramesh trained as a Bharatanatayam dancer. Giving herself permission to Kumar passed away in 2009. Te flm served as a great tribute to a follow her dreams has been the greatest challenge in her journey man who had a profound impact on its creator. thus far. Te inner struggle faced when trying to break free from societal expectations and the challenges that come with a career No starving artist in the arts are things many South Asians can relate to. However, Funding for independent flmmakers can ofen be a concern. in 2006 Gill who previously kept her love of the arts strictly as a Bodies such as the Canada Council for the Arts provide grants hobby knew she could no longer live the lie. “Te artistic desire in but it’s not always enough. Gill tells me how she fell into the world 58 SHE CANADA of fundraising. “I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree, and of producing highly creative and collaborative. Someone told me course had very little idea of how I would apply it in the real recently that Hitchcock was like this also – he loved all the stuf world. Having no fxed plan made me very open to any job ofer, leading up to the shoot and all the stuf afer because those are even ones in ‘fund development’ or ‘non-proft.’ My frst job was the two times where the flm is created. Te time on set is just a for a big fundraising campaign for a skateboard park.” bridge between those times.”

As with all artists, Gill takes a great deal of pride in her work. Take 2013 With the mantra “save money, fnd money, make art,” Gill has Tis year has already begun with a bang. She coveted a 5Q in- refused to buy into the notion of a starving artist. With persis- terview with Amrita Singh as well as another 5Q session featuring tence, and the a newly developed background in fundraising, she Ahluwalia+Abbasi Unplugged. Te latter, which is due for release now fnds ways to fund her projects. “Te fundraising I do now in April, will be set on the Upper East Side and focus on artists is on a much smaller scale, but because it is for my own projects, Kiran Ahluwalia and Rez Abbasi. Unmentionables: Confessions it’s meaningful and daunting at the same time. Believing in yourself is one thing, but asking others to believe in you and back you is something I take very seri- ously. I have a very special relationship with my supporters. I feel that each one of them becomes part of the fabric of my flm. Teir story weaves into the story I’m telling on camera.”

Te 5Q interview “Five is a number we can easily wrap our heads around. It’s not tiring for the subject, it’s manageable for me as a one-woman production shop, and it’s easy for viewers to watch and share.” Te 5-question interview format unique to Gill are short interviews (less than ten minutes) meant to provide insight on an individual’s career, life and wisdom with an end result that is captivating, short and easily shareable. Some artists that Gill has conducted 5Q interviews with include Canadian chef Vikram Vij, NYC photographer Punam Bean and painter Chantey Dayal. “I am interested in the great minds of our times. I am drawn to people who have a unique outlook, a new way of seeing old things. Teir ideas have shaped them into pretty from a Bra Boutique is another. Te flm is stationed at a bra colorful characters. It sounds a bit voodoo, but I also feel that my boutique and revolves around a number of intermingling women’s subjects fnd me.“ Recently, Gill had the opportunity to unveil her stories. I’m told Gill is waiting on fnancing for the documentary latest 5Q interview session with New York City-based jewellery and that it should be underway shortly. designer Amrita Singh at New York Fashion Week. When I asked her how such an exciting opportunity came about she tells me As for future plans, my love for classical dance prompted me about her NYFW adventure. “My friend, who’s got a successful to ask when we could expect a dance documentary. I’m happy to fashion blog, and I decided to take on New York Fashion Week announce that Gill indeed has plans to return to her roots as a on a bit of a whim. We managed to get some ofcial tickets and classical dancer and make a dance documentary. “I like to call my we also covertly snuck in to some events. It was only natural that I flms ‘creative non-fction’, a hybrid of documentary and flmed some great designers and artists while I was there. I discov- drama. I would like to take my documentaries even further into ered Amrita’s jewellery the year before, while I was on maternity surrealism and fantasy.” With more great stories to tell and Gill leave—online shopping got me through cabin fever during the ready to take her vision further, the year(s) ahead looks bright winter months. I was very nervous to flm her; I almost forgot for this talented flmmaker. to wear my Amrita Singh earrings! But she was a class act—so humble, so intelligent and of course, so stylish.” Fans interested in learning more about Gill, her work or just wanting to share their stories/ideas can visit punamarts.ca or connect On top of being an accomplished flmmaker, Gill has also with her via Twitter @punamarts or Facebook. donned the producer’s hat with the flm Te Baby Clif. “I actually see myself as a producer frst, director second. I fnd SHE CANADA 59 By Priya Kumar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SHE CANADA 61 By Priya Kumar

62 SHE CANADA eing South Asian is the new really wasn’t much opportunity. Tat’s what I However a few years into “doing what was currency in Hollywood for ac- really loved about the role. It brought to light expected” I wasn’t happy so I decided to tors these days. From Hannah a historical fact that we haven’t seen dealt get back into acting and it just kind of grew Simone’s Cece on New Girl to with in flm/tv before. organically from there. I did a play, a casting every role Mindy Kaling has director saw me, from there I got my agent ever played, South Asians have A career in the arts is generally not what and then it all just kind of happened. gone from being extras milling about in the Pakistani parents push their children into— But, I don’t think I ever had that “AHA! EU- background to front and center of just about how has your family reacted to your recent REKA!” moment where I was like “I must be every major network television show you can success? an actor!”—It was just something that I loved imagine. Canadian television is no exception. doing, so I did it. I recently had the opportunity to chat with I actually went to U of T and did a Major BOMB GIRLS’ Gabe Grey. Besides boasting in Biology with Minors in Psychology and Tell us a bit about your name—it doesn’t ancestral roots in Pakistan, he’s also tall, dark Professional Writing with the plan of going sound like the most Pakistani! and handsome. Oh and he happens to play a to med school. Afer university, I worked doctor—sounds like a certain ‘90s-era salt- in the scientifc feld on the corporate side Muhammed Yusuf Khan became Dilip and-pepper ER physician. Grey tells us all of things. I wasn’t happy so I when I told Kumar, Krishna Pandit Bhanji became Ben about his career, what’s in a name and where my parents I wanted to act full time they Kingsley, and Syed Fuad Ahmed became we should look for his rising star next. were cautiously supportive. It’s a career with Gabe Grey! lots of uncertainty and ups and downs and, Tell us a bit about your role on Global’s understandably, no one wants that for their Tere are a lot of reasons behind the change. Bomb Girls. It’s hard to imagine there were children. I was fortunate to start booking I hit a few obstacles in my early career— any Indian doctors in World War II era work quickly so they were quite happy. some not so fun—my agent at the time rec- Canada—how did you prepare for this role? ommended a neutral Screen/Stage Name. At When I got the part on BOMB GIRLS they frst I was uneasy with it, but then I started I play Dr. Narendra Patel—but you can were really happy and proud and are always booking jobs from my headshot versus not call him Ned. He’s comes from an upper telling everyone they know about it. Teir being called in at all. Now it’s been so long class family in Bombay and is educated in Facebook feeds are full of BOMB GIRLS this that it’s a part of who I am. London. Due to the war and the bombings in or that. I love it! London, Ned comes to Canada to complete Tere has been an infux of South Asian his training. While here, he ends up meet- Which actors do you look up to (Hollywood characters on both Canadian and American ing a nurse’s aid, Sheila Corbett (played by and Bollywood)? television—what are your thoughts on why Natasha Greenblatt) and well, I’ll just leave it this is occurring? at that. I am a huge fan of some actors like Leon- ardo DiCaprio and Irrfan Khan, but I don’t I think it refects a few things. I think the To prepare for the part I did a few things. I look up to them as role models or anything industry realized just how large the South re-watched Gandhi to understand the era because I don’t really know them! Maybe Asian market was and that there was desire and to fnd Ned’s voice. I started doing lots it’s a funny way of thinking, but the actors to see more diversity on screen. Tere were of research about Indian Immigration to that I do look up to are my peers. We are all South Asians working in the entertainment North America. Surprisingly, Indians have in the same boat with diferent challenges industry behind the lens as writers, agents, been here since the 1600s—originally as and we are all trying to fnd our way in this and directors and it was only time before slaves and servants. A large infux of Sikh crazy industry. I know their stories and their we trickled in front of the lens. Also, I see Punjabis came in the 1800’s to work in the struggles and how they have to deal with it it in the audition waiting rooms too. Tere mills and farms. And lets not forget, the all. Tat’s what I fnd inspiring. Tat’s what I are way more South Asian actors now than aristocratic families in India sent their sons look up to. when I frst started—which is amazing. It’s to boarding schools in the UK. With Canada amazing that we portray genuine characters being part of the British Empire it’s under- Tell us a bit about your past—when did you with depth now and have graduated from the standable that Dr. Patel would continue his leave Pakistan for Canada? When did you bumbling, head-bobbling stereotypes of the training here. realize acting was your true calling? past. At the end of the day, I’m always excited to see any type of diversity on screen. I also put out the word out on social media I was a few weeks old when my family lef —trying to fnd any South Asians that might Karachi—for Hong Kong. We spent 6 years So what’s next for Grey? He just wrapped have migrated to the US/Canada/UK in the in Hong Kong and then moved to Taiwan Te Haircut, a short flm that will be screened 40’s, but it turned up dry. And then I realized and then Tailand. In 1993 we moved to at a flm festival in Toronto, although he’s un- my brother’s father-in-law was an Indian Atlanta and then fnally in 1996 to Toronto. able to divulge too much. Tis spring he will doctor that came here in the ‘60s—so I asked also be returning to the stage in Flengarry him a lot of questions and asked him about I caught the acting bug in middle school Glen Ross at Te Factory Teater in Toronto. how life was and how he dealt with discrimi- and it got stronger in high school. However, nation. it was just a hobby and I put it on the back You can follow him on Twitter @gabe_grey burner while I went about fulflling the status and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Gabe- I always wanted to do a period piece, but quo—going to university, getting a good job Grey. And ladies, he will respond. short of playing a Raj or something, there etc.

SHE CANADA 63 As companies attempt to penetrate the new demographic, they are continually halted by their misconceptions. “Te payof is huge if you get Dads right,” says Jin Lin, Vice President and Digital Strategist at Ketchum Public Relations. Te question is: “[Do you] get Dads right?”

Last year, there was an outrage in the online Dad community when Huggies released a commercial depicting a group of fathers and their babies with a voice over that said: “To prove Huggies diapers and wipes can handle anything, we put them to the toughest test imaginable: Dads, alone with their babies, in one house, for fve days.” Outraged bloggers (who were also Daddies) dispatched numerous petitions and reports stating that the brand’s campaign entailed Fathers were incompetent, inefcient, and incapable (in diaper changing skills). Several other advertisements also failed in their attempt to reach out to Dad. A 2011 ad for Tide referred to a stay-at-home Father as a “Dad-Mom,” adding to the misdoings from the advertising side of the sphere.

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

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

As marketers pursue their attempt to grasp the Dad audience, roles and expectations are critical. Creating a positive identity is crucial; men don’t want to be viewed as By Eloise Alba inept and they certainly don’t want to be viewed as a “Dad-Mom.”

Dad-mom /dad:mom/ n: A slang term given to males who adopt the role of a mom, which are, but not limited to tending to the children, Rob Candelino, VP of Marketing in Unilever once described household chores, and general good keeping of the home. With an the target customer as: A Father, or an expectant one, in his late increasing market for fathers with purchasing power on family-related 30s and married, cares deeply about his role as a Father and needs, brands face the challenge on how to approach the growing mentor, and is comfortable having a tea party with his daughter consumer group and tackle the role reversal trend. as he is having beer with his friends. It makes perfect sense. Afer all, a Father’s multi-faceted resume also includes just being a man. It is a prevailing belief that matriarchs are the signifcant mark in marketers’ aim to sell consumer goods. An online survey in 2001 revealed that women were responsible for 80% of household purchases and 85% of brand acquisitions. Apart from established facts, customary ideologies would also lead one to conclude that home is where the Mom is.

Recent research however, shows a drif in the women-home orientation. Nielsen reported an average expenditure (per grocery trip) by men of $36.26 in 2012 compared to the $27.49 in 2004. Another study conducted by Yahoo sampled 2,400 men and found that a signifcant percentage classifed themselves as the primary buyers for the household.

64 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 65 Recently, I got a new job at a friend’s business. Tere are a lot of you’ve had some time to adjust to new motherhood, you’ll feel more young people working there so it’s a great environment. I’m a and more comfortable spending short periods of time away. Your firt by nature, as is my friend’s younger brother. It’s completely husband and friends will understand the steep learning curve you’re platonic and I like the attention. However, I have been warned he dealing with and will certainly understand if you plead your case in does have a tendency to become attached and to be careful but as this manner. long as it’s firting, I don’t see the harm. Is it firting really that big of a deal? HE Said: I think your husband has the right idea and should be Punam, Richmond Hill applauded. It’s natural to be protective of a child however it may impede our thought process at times. You say your priorities have SHE Said: Forget your friend’s brother for a moment and think changed but it doesn’t mean your old life has no place in your cur- about your friend. While she’s all stressed out about the fnancial rent one. I would go out, because a few years down the road you success of her business, a friend that she has enlisted the help of may long for similar nights out, moreover its not fair you make during this tumultuous period of her life is hitting on her brother? excuses when the people in your life are trying to include you and Tis is where South Asian culture difers. Let’s be honest, when it give you a break from the new changes. comes to firting and dating things can get pretty weird. My advice is, keep your relationship with your friend’s brother strictly profes- Tere is no nice way to say this but my friend’s boyfriend makes sional at work. If you both mutually decide to meet outside the of- me uncomfortable. Te past few times we have all hung out fce for a platonic or more than platonic reason that’s up to you but together, he’s made inappropriate remarks towards me. It began at least you can’t be called unprofessional—just a bad friend. with him telling me how I was attractive to where he has said that he would ask me out if he had the chance (always with a laugh). I HE Said: Walking a thin line is a tricky thing. If you know the guy’s haven’t said anything to my friend because I don’t have anything tendencies then it’s obvious firting will make for a toxic mixture. concrete to say. Am I overreacting? You have been employed by his sister thus keep it professional. You Rhea, Bufalo may not see the harm but you may feel hurt when your job and friendship are in jeopardy. Moreover, ask yourself a question, what SHE Said: You’re defnitely in the right keeping your distance. do you get out of or gain from firting? Here’s what I see going down in the long run. Chances are if he’s like this with you, he acts the same with her other friends. Remember I’m a new mother with zero time or energy to do anything. My the phrase don’t shoot the messenger? When it comes to love the husband keeps encouraging me to have a girls’ night out and messenger is always shot and you’re not going to be the exception. even attempts to set up date nights. I’m not comfortable leaving So I recommend you do what you’re doing. Take a step back and my child in someone else’s care just yet and always fnd excuses to wait for this relationship to play out. Unfortunately the best thing cancel plans. Tis has led to my friends and husband feeling ne- you can do for your friend in this situation is absolutely nothing. glected—which is not my intention. Why can’t they understand my priorities have changed and not take it personally? HE Said: It depends on what the remarks are and in what context. Amina, Oakville However, if you feel uncomfortable in any situation you should be able to approach your friend or the boyfriend if you feel a line has SHE Said: Oh early motherhood. It really is a change in priorities been crossed. Moreover, brushing it of sometimes does not ensure isn’t it? Why don’t you meet your husband in between? Plan your the action won’t be repeated— it only leaves you hoping it won’t time out earlier in the evening at frst and bring baby with. Afer happen again.

66 SHE CANADA Florals, rich paisleys and luxe velvets are the new spring mix. Our favourites this month are bold Burburry Prorsum accessories from Jimmy Choo and Givenchy and SS 2013 Etro’s Kashmiri inspired collection.

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Jimmy Choo Paisley Slippers $750 SHE CANADA 67 Brassaii is located in a cobblestone courtyard just of the hustle and bustle of King West. With an extensive patio, the space seamlessly transitions from a Winter to Summer venue. Once inside, the space exudes Brassaii Restaurant and Lounge has been a nightlife destina- architectural heritage with its white-washed bare brick walls and tion on Toronto’s King Street West for years now. What many do heavy oak furnishings. Lighting is kept minimal as to not disrupt not know about is their weekend brunches. Recently I had the Brassaii’s character. Bottom line: great ambiance, but we came opportunity to visit the eatery during daylight hours and found for the food. myself pleasantly surprised. Our marathon brunch began with a plate of their famed Sug- A good friend of mine had just returned from Nepal afer ice ared Donuts (cinnamon sugar, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce). climbing to Mount Everest Base Camp. She suggested our epic A true guilty pleasure, there’s no better way to start the day of catch-up be at Brassaii on a Sunday morning, having been well- than with dessert. I’ve heard the donut is the new cupcake, but acquainted with their expansive and inventive daytime menu I was skeptical about its trendability—Brassaii’s presentation and knew it would not disappoint. of the donut certainly put my concerns to rest. It is a very cool pastry.

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

My brunch companion ordered the Duck Conft (Muscovy duck leg, summer bean cassoulet, rosemary, mustard sauce). Looking to keep her carbohydrate intake low (more for me), she loved this gourmet alternative to an egg white omelette. Te duck was fall-of-the-bone delicious (her words, not mine), spiced with just enough rosemary and mustard.

Brassaii is a great location for both personal and professional occasions. Te food is impressive without being complicated or pretentious. Do stop by during the day on a weekend. Teir patio is goes on for days with a beverage menu to match. Brassaii is located at 461 King Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 1K7, 416.598.4730.

SHE CANADA 69 Syed Asif Raza Mortgage Agent FSCO Lic. M08000668

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70 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 71 72 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 73 September Lodge, Village Way, Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, HP7 9PU Tel +44(0) 1494 762 063 [email protected] Website: www.ladyfatemahtrust.org

UK Reg Charity No: 1072270 www.ladyfatemahtrust.org

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

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

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

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

74 SHE CANADA Tese young eyes were witness to the atrocities that befell the Your concern and support will restore some hope for their residents of Kerbala and live their lives emotionally scarred and future. ofen without one or both parents. You can reach out to an orphan in Kerbala today and change a As a result of several wars and years of summary execution life for the better. Te Lady Fatemah (A.S.) Charitable Trust has under Saddam’s tyrannical rule, millions of innocent lives were worked in Kerbala for over 10 years and has overseen several denied the love and care of their parents. If our children have a such projects. By signing the Gif Aid Form you are assured that rough day we read them a bedtime story to lull them into sleep. for every $1.59 dollars donated up to $2.03 is actually received But these children would fall asleep alone only to be woken up by the needy with no deductions made for administration or to the sound of gunfre and exploding bombs to be instantly any other associated cost. reminded that they had lost their father or mother or worse still, both. Tese young minds must have wondered if this was how they will live the rest of their lives as once again they realise that their loved ones are gone forever.

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

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

SHE CANADA 75 By Liz Guber

76 SHE CANADA npaid internships haven’t been getting a lot of Los Angeles. Te blog touts itself as “a testament to the hope, love recently. On fashion’s world stage, New York excitement and despair of three ambitious girls in an unstable job Fashion Week, Occupy Wall Street protestors were market. To paraphrase yet another show glorifying the struggles busy rallying against the maligned phenomenon of twenty-somethings, HBO’s Girls’ resident pragmatic Ray tells the fashion industry has become known for. An the recently down-sized Marnie, who has dreams of running an op-ed in Dissent Magazine declared Interns the new housewives art gallery “the world already has the three curators it needs;” “compliant, silent and mostly female” and damning industries that substitute curators for fashion editors, designers and buyers and seem to operate and even fourish on the backs of an unlimited you paint a realistic picture of just how saturated the industry is, pool of willing unpaid workers. with more starry-eyed hopefuls joining the entry-level ranks each day hoping for their big break. Not very long ago, I was a student in the creative feld. Although not a requirement in my program, internships, largely A recent piece in the New York Times glumly summed up the unpaid ones at that, became everyone’s unofcial co-curricular plight of Interns and entry level workers as they struggle to break activity. Compared, competed for and heavily endorsed by into what the article has dubbed “rock star professions.” Te professors and alumni alike, internships were considered a rite article was particularly accurate when describing the expectations of passage and a standard component of a post-grad resume. for young workers: “‘We need to hire a 22-22-22,’” one new-media Academic advisors and program directors never saw any problem manager was overheard saying recently, meaning a 22-year-old with the internships’ lack of compensation; in fact, I still receive willing to work 22-hour days for $22,000 a year.” Te numbers internship postings from the alumni relations’ ofce on a weekly are shocking, but sadly, not completely exaggerated. So-called basis. As a formally unpaid Intern working at a company that “helicopter parents” encourage their children to follow their prides itself on ofering meaningful learning experiences to professional dreams to the point of almost impossible sacrifce. students and recent grads, my perspective on unpaid internships “Children who have been overscheduled since nursery school in the fashion sector is decidedly diferent from those holding up might fnd it especially hard to set professional limits.” protest signs at Milk Studios. At their best, internships should provide an invaluable learning Te fashion industry is notoriously ruthless. Te Devil experience, giving Interns opportunity and responsibility to Wears Prada and Te Hills tell us that fashion is not for the balance out the more mundane tasks that are bound to come meek and idle. “A million girls would kill for that job” is the with the territory of any internship. Many employers report generally accepted mentality. With such a cutthroat axiom to go that although recent graduates possess the necessary knowledge by, internships aren’t just a learning experience, they are a real and hard skills, they lack proper ofce etiquette, work ethic and world competition for the few coveted spots in an increasingly teamwork abilities. Whether it’s the fault of the education system unforgiving industry. Of-screen the popular blog Te Eternal or simply boils down to individual inexperience, the internship’s Intern chronicles the journeys of three well-educated young role is to provide knowledge that cannot be obtained in a women as they climb career ladders in New York, Paris and classroom. Young workers can also learn what they do and don’t want to do in their careers while engaging in a real-world “post grad” learning exercise. Making mistakes, fnding a mentor and maybe even proving oneself to get hired are all part of a well- rounded, justifable interning experience— take it from someone who’s been there.

From a legal perspective, internships in both the United States and Canada are legal as long as the Intern in question is a student receiving school credit or if the company is a non-proft. Putting an internship label on an entry-level position is never legal, however it is done by countless companies who have come to count on free labour. What if unpaid internships disappeared from the fashion industry completely? It’s a scenario that doesn’t bode well for the industry or those trying to break into it. Instead of paying inexperienced interns, companies will surely put the funds toward more experienced candidates— ones who’ve no doubt gained said experience in part from unpaid internships. Hiring an unpaid factory labourer to work at an assembly line for 8 hours a day is as unethical as it gets, and slapping an “internship” label on a job for the sake of free labour is equally questionable. Perhaps Ed Keenan, senior editor at Te Grid said it best “Tension in the unpaid internship debate stems from diferent views about the function of the role: free labour vs. free education.”

SHE CANADA 77 Why Toronto’s newest workout trend is worth all the hype.

By Liz Guber

On the morning of our scheduled workout at Fitwall—the latest In addition, because we are involuntarily engaging so many muscles ftness craze to hit Toronto—I awoke feeling a little scared. My great- while using the Fitwall, the body’s weaknesses and strengths are bal- est fear was falling of the vertical ladder-like contraption feeling anced out,” said Jennifer. From the tips of my fngers through my core out of breath, out of patience and pathetically out of shape. Yet a few and all the way down to my feet, I was defnitely feeling the burn. At hours later as my sweaty fngers gripped for dear life and Psy’s Gang- Fitwall, members can do more than just feel the results of their hard nam Style blared from the corner of the studio, I was feeling good and work. With the ability to hook up to a heart-rate monitor I could see much to my surprise, having a great time. just how close I was to performing at my maximum heart rate, and what the calorie burn added up to at the end of the 30-minute ses- “You’re at 80 percent of you max heart rate and we haven’t set foot sion. on a treadmill” announced Jennifer McKeogh, my Fitwall trainer for the day. Maximizing every muscle in my body and combining cardio Te FitWall contraption has the appearance of a bookshelf-ladder with strength training without the repetitive nature of regular gym hybrid with rungs to hang on to and stand on. Te basic principle workouts is all part of the Fitwall draw. Jennifer flled us in on work- is as follows: the closer your hands are to your feet, the harder the out’s origin; “FitWall got its start in Denver Colorado, invented by an workout you are getting. Te tagline “You are the Machine” met me exercise physicist, Doug Brendle. Doug discovered Vertical Training at eyelevel, motivating me during those near-impossible fnal reps. in the lab by accident approximately 12 years ago and dedicated eight To keep things interesting, various attachments such as straps, bands years to its development.” Fitwall was recently brought to Canada, and rings were incorporated into the workout. Te half-hour few by, with two locations operating in Vaughan and Leaside. and with over 9,000 (yes, you read that correctly) exercises available on Fitwall, the workout was anything but boring. Jennifer went on to As SHE’s Associate Editor and I performed squats, leg extensions, describe a typical Fitwall session as “fairly quick, yet modifable for and pull-ups while hanging a foot of the ground, we felt our bodies any level of ftness. Fitwall exercises are performed in one-minute engaging almost every muscle in order to stay on the wall. “A typical intervals, not in number of repetitions so that one individual may ground-based exercise will engage a maximum of 10 to 12 muscles stay on the wall for the full minute, one may come of at 45 seconds at once, whereas on the wall, upwards of 200 muscles are being for rest and another may come of at 30 seconds depending on their used at once. Tis results in a total body workout that incorporates level of ftness. Te beauty of working at a pace that is this fast is that cardiovascular training, resistance training and fexibility training. the workout fies by— before the participants realize it, the workout

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

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

SHE CANADA 79 any don’t understand this disorder. In fact, my husband months and stops at the age of 5 years and is associated with tem- believes I’m overreacting when my son gets sick. As every mother peratures higher than 102° F or 39° C. Family history also plays knows, when your child gets sick your mind fies through the a role as the disorder is believed to be genetic. According to the millions of possible remedies to alleviate their symptoms. Even National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the older if the doctor reminds you that the most important thing to do is the child, the less likely he/she is going to experience another keep calm, the reality of the situation is that calm is simply not seizure. Te best way to avoid a quickly rising temperature is to an option. It’s as if you’re willing to travel to diferent dimensions administer the right dose of Tylenol or Advil as both medications in order to fnd a solution and more ofen than not, you wish you are proven to help with fevers. Doctors also recommend that if could exchange places with your ill child. your child is having a seizure, put them on a fat surface on their side to avoid any choking and just let it pass. Embrey Jordan rec- It’s hard as a new mom to cope with this kind of situation espe- ommends talking in a sof voice to calm your child as well. Do not cially coming from a diferent culture in which a small fever can put any objects in their mouth as they could break it and choke. make a turn for the worse and become a debilitating illness within If your child has gone through a seizure in the past and you are days. For me, the frst thing that pops into my head is the doctor, more aware of the situation, and it is best to let them go through it and not just any doctor. If my family doctor is not available I will on their own. Do not attempt to move or restrain the child. When go to the ER; it is a scenario that has played out multiple times the seizure starts he/she will become lethargic and unresponsive, thus far. And if anyone asks if it’s embarrassing, I simply answer so it is best to clear the area of any furniture and call 911. “Absolutely not.” I am very familiar with the initial panic moms go through When I was a child I never understood why my mother wor- when dealing with a sick child, but a trip to the Emergency Room ried so much, but now that I’ve found myself in her shoes, it is not doesn’t constitute an overreaction; it simply means you are human so much about worrying, as it is about fnding a way to allevi- and acting in the best interest of your child like any good mom ate your child from pain even if only from a minor cold. We live should. through our children, and we live for them. Dear Baby by Melissa Embrey Jordan can be found at A few weeks ago as I dropped my child of at daycare, I learned http://dearbabyblog.com. that one of the other little girls (18-month-old) had been sick with pneumonia and had sufered a seizure that was caused by a quick rise in temperature. Called Febrile Seizures, a staggering one in twenty fve children experience the disorder.

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

Febrile seizures are usually harmless, they last for about 5 minutes and it is recommended you call 911 if it last longer than that. In my opinion, even if it is not your frst time you should still seek medical help. Tis type of seizure happens between the ages of 6

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SHE CANADA 81 By Priya Kumar

While living in Canada certainly has its perks when it comes to and this next part I still can’t believe, there was a dolphin doing fips winter vacations, putting together a unique beach vacation is not underneath the center of the rainbow. One of the long boarders yelled as easy as it seems. One can only travel to Mexico or Cuba for the out, “Tere is a God!” Just then a perfect right [-breaking wave] came all-inclusive experience so many times, and beyond that what else straight to me; I took it and felt the breeze on my face as I few down does our continent have to ofer within a four-hour fight? Years ago the line. Tis is the very reason I LOVE SURFING. Magical moments when I was about to graduate from high school, I set my heart on like these.” In Hawaii she met a likeminded travel companion named learning how to surf. But not just surf—I wanted to take a vacation Arzum at her hostel. Davis persuaded her to join her in Costa Rica that included my other passion of yoga (strange combination, right?). by saying, “I will teach you how to surf. We will have so much fun Anyway, I found a few amazing retreats ofered in and around Bali, meeting hot surfer boys.” Arzum couldn’t say no. Indonesia. Barely being able to aford a trip to Florida at that age, I put this dream aside and moved on. Now much older and gainfully “Our quest in Costa Rica was fnding a beach town with endless employed, I have restarted this search for the perfect surf retreat. In waves. When we arrived in Malpais, I thought that I found a little doing so, I chanced upon Pura Vida Adventures in Costa Rica. piece of heaven and realized I had never felt so alive and present in my entire life. My type “A” personality stood no chance in Malpais Pura Vida, translating literally to “pure life,” ofers an all-inclusive where I learned to slow down and enjoy every moment of life. I also surf/yoga experience for women. Founded in 2003 by Tierza Davis, learned so much from the local Costa Rican people. Tey taught me Pura Vida is located of the scenic coast of Malpais, Costa Rica. At to appreciate exactly who I am, and focus on the positive aspects of the time of its founding, Davis had been working in IT when all of a my life instead of what I perceived as faults. sudden the dot-com bubble burst and she found herself with a bit of free time on her hands. She used this opportunity to go out to Central “Afer two months in Malpais we decided to explore more of America for the frst time to pursue surfng, a long-time passion of Costa Rica, visiting dozens of other beach towns. In my heart I hers. Although she’d made several attempts in the past to take up the knew that Malpais was where I really found myself and when I lef, sport, she usually found herself frustrated and exhausted, unable to I cried because I felt like I was leaving part of myself behind. I knew keep up with the lessons. “I actually frst attempted to surf when I I wanted to return to this idyllic location and it was at this moment was around 20-years-old in Southern California; but my third day that I started formulating the idea for Pura Vida Adventures,” Davis trying, I got pummeled by a wave and the board hit me and tore up confesses. all my thigh muscles. I became absolutely afraid of the surfoard and swore of the sport entirely, or so I thought. Years later I moved to San Afer returning to San Francisco afer so many months abroad, Francisco and took up boogie boarding, because even though I feared Davis spent every second working toward making Pura Vida a reality. surfng, I never lost my passion and love for the ocean. It wasn’t until “I had no desire to return to corporate America and every move I I was 32-years-old that I was fnally convinced to try surfng again, made towards establishing Pura Vida Adventures brought me one and this was only afer I received surf lessons as a gif. I took my frst step closer to realizing my newfound dream. Tere were countless lesson in Santa Cruz, California and it changed my life. I was hooked moments that I felt overcome with fear, but when things are meant the moment I stood up on my frst wave.” to be they are pretty seamless. Te main thing that kept me going was the thought of being able to surf every day in Costa Rica and She attributes a single moment that changed her life forever. Prior introducing this amazing feeling, culture and people to others.” to heading out to Costa Rica, she spent some time on the North Shore of Oahu to watch the Triple Crown of Surfng, one of the Pura Vida specializes in teaching women, just like her, how to surf sport’s most prestigious events. “On one of these days I experienced in a patient and non-competitive environment. She added yoga into a moment out in the ocean that inspires me every day. During a lull the fold because it was not only decades-long passion of hers, but also between sets one of the most beautiful, brilliant rainbows appeared... because it ofers the balance and awareness one requires to properly

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

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

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

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

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SHE CANADA 83 By Robin Esrock

I’ve climbed inside the pyramids in Cairo, seen the sunrise over ruins can easily soak up a week for the historically inclined. Te Macchu Picchu, walked the marble boulevards of Ephesus, and scale of Angkor is what sets it apart—it’s like cramming many witnessed the sun set on the Taj Mahal. As for the sprawling ancient wonders into one theme park. Constructed over a fve complex of temples in Cambodia? It beats them all. Afer three hundred year period, they vary in design with the bas-reliefs and days of exploring ruins that cover one thousand square kilometers carvings revealing both Hindu and Buddhist infuences. and once housed over a million people, it is impossible not to be overwhelmed by the architectural legacy and sense of history to be Crossing a stone bridge lined with the carvings of angels and found here in the Southeast Asian jungle. demons, seeing the enormous heads of Angkor City gate pointing in the four cardinal directions of the compass, it is impossible not Angkor is what remains of the once powerful Khmer empire that to get giddy. Angkor Wat is the largest and most famous temple, encompassed Cambodia, Tailand, Laos and Vietnam from the with towers that rise 60 metres, lined with stunning carvings and 9th to the 14th century. Although advanced for the age, their cities surrounded by an enormous moat. Orange robed monks and were primarily built with wood, and all that survives today are white robed nuns walk amongst thousands of tourists, adding their hundreds of majestic stone temples. Tat Angkor remained intact colour to photographs. afer decades of civil war and the bloodthirsty dictator named Pol Pot is a miracle in itself. Siem Reap’s dusty Pub Street is lined with century-old French colonial buildings, converted into lush, modern bars and dishy Siem Reap is the nearest town, located just a few kilometers from restaurants. Boutiques, bookstores and bars cater to the crowded foot the temple gates. Although Cambodia might seem like an exotic trafc. Political stability, and the fact that that tourism is conducted destination, it packs in plenty of foreign tourists, many of whom in US dollars, has caused tourism to boom. Five years afer my frst fy in directly via Siem Reap’s slick new international airport. Te visit, the airport road is now lined with dozens of new hotels, built for dusty town is sprinkled with temples, markets and parks, but the a steady infux of Japanese, Korean and Chinese visitors. Te prices, temples are the main attraction. A pass to the Angkor complex fortunately, have remained relatively the same. Tree dollars for a costs $20US for one day, or $40US for three days. Two days would meal, $1 for freshly squeezed juices, tuk-tuk rides for under $1, and be ideal for most people, but wandering about so many ancient my clean guesthouse just of the main road was a steal for $11 a night.

84 SHE CANADA Tere are various ways to explore the temples, and given the jungle heat, walking should not be one of them. Hire a driver or tuk-tuk, rent electric bicycles, or a scooter. Guesthouses are happy to arrange everything for you. Whatever you choose, you’ll see lush green felds where coconut trees spring from the rice paddies. Local children smile and wave, monkeys chatter cheekily, elephants stand in the shade, their masters ready to take tourists for a literal, and fguritive ride.

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

While most historical wonders are safely protected behind ropes, the fact that you can clamber over the steppes, pyramid-shaped towers and temples of Angkor means you can literally touch the past. Breathe the air in dark, forgotten passages, and see candlelight ficker in rooms where ancient Buddhas still sit. Cambodia is no longer of-the-beaten-path as it once was. If you have a penchant Vancouver-based Robin Esrock is the co-host of the OLN/CityTV series for history and adventure, defnitely add it to your bucket list. Word Travels. You can follow his adventures at www.robinesrock.com

SHE CANADA 85 MOROCCANOIL BODY BUFF

FRUCTIS FRUIT SENSATION SHAMPOO/ In a word, this product is lovely. Moroccanoil is known for their hair products, but now CONDITIONER IN GRAPEFRUIT TONIC they’re undertaking some major brand extension by entering the world of argan Billed for Normal to Dull Hair, Fructis Fruit Sensation in oil-infused skincare products. Moroccanoil Grapefruit Tonic smells fabulous. Sourced from natural plant Body Buf is has a gelatin like formula— origins, the product is made with Pink Grapefuit extract, which was unexpected—and contains known to be an antioxidant. It tones the hair, bringing out its various exfoliants and moisturizers like natural shine. Te end result is hair that healthily shines from Argan oil and dried orange peel. Orange within. SRP: $5.29 (384 mL) / $7.99 (750 mL) peel is a known natural exfoliator and gently bufs away dead skin cells. Other essential oils including sweet almond oil, safower oil, sesame oil and grape seed oil hydrate and replenish the skin’s moisture. Without even a drop of moisturizer afer using Body Buf, my skin feels super smooth, even in the dead of winter. SRP: $42 (180 mL)

OPI BOND GIRLS

Te latest Bond Girls collection from OPI features six distinctive new liquid sand lacquers. Te unique polishes have a pretty refective sparkle combined with the season’s hottest trend—a matte fnish! I love the textured feel and fnish of these lacquers; they’re perfect for any night out or great to spruce up any look and best of all, no top coat’s required! My personal favourites are Vesper, Pussy Galore and Honey Ryder but you honestly can’t go wrong with any of the six shades- a must have for the summer season! SRP $10.95 IMPRESS PRESS-ON MANICURE BY ALL GLOSSED UP BY HARD CANDY IN LOVE BROADWAY NAILS BITE I can count the occasions I’ve gotten my nails done on one (un-manicured) hand. Te new press-on nails from Broadway You would never guess that a bright shade of magenta would suit had me curious to give talons a try. Te process couldn’t have South Asian skin, but apparently HARD CANDY has formulated one. been easier. Each nail comes pre-coated with adhesive and All Glossed Up is a chubby crayon-like product that goes on super application is completely mess-free. Afer I pressed on each smoothly and hydrates for hours. Although the stick doesn’t look like a nail, I fled them down to a length I was comfortable with gloss, it shines and moisturizes for hours. A little background on HARD and no one could tell that my nails weren’t real. Te next time CANDY—it was founded in 1995 by Iranian-American sisters Dineh and I feel like indulging in a manicure, especially for a special Pooneh Mohajer. Dineh created the line’s frst product when she mixed occasion, I’ll use these nails again. her own colour of nail polish to match her baby blue Charles David Sandals. Called “Sky,” the colour shot to fame when Alicia Silverstone wore it on Te Late Show with David Letterman and he complimented her on it. LVMH later bought the brand out in 1999 only to sell it years later to Falic Fashion Group. HARD CANDY’s full product line is now is available at Wal-Mart. I’ll say it now; I’m thrilled HARD CANDY is back in my make-up bag!

86 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 87 By Liz Guber

On a very snowy week in March, World Master Card Fashion Week returned to David Pecault Square in downtown Toronto for another round of fearless fashion, outrageous personalities and as always, trend-setting beauty. Maybelline’s Head Makeup Artist Grace Lee broke down the look she created for David Dixon. “David Dixon is known for really pretty womenswear; every season he really likes his women very feminine, so we wanted to keep it classic.” Maybelline Fit Me Foundation was used to keep the skin looking naturally radiant. A youthful, full brow was achieved using Maybelline Master Shape. On the eyes, a mix of two Maybelline Colour Tattoos was used to create a silvery white highlight on the lids. Maybelline’s latest Big Eyes Mascara was applied onto well-curled lashes. Finally, the lips were coloured with On Fire Red Color Sensational VIVIDS Lipcolor topped with Gleaming Grenadine High Shine Gloss. Grace Lee summed up the entire look as “simple, beautiful...Tey’re just going to look efortless and chic.” Once the show began and the beautifully dressed models were fung down the runway, the on-point makeup was hard to miss. Te dewy skin radiated under the lights and the red lips provided the perfect pop of colour to contrast David Dixon’s timelessly tailored creations.

88 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 89 By Liz Guber

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

90 SHE CANADA By Liz Guber

With the clothing exuding androgyny and equestrian infuences, fresh and efortless makeup was on the menu as well. Charlotte Tilbury worked her mag- ic once again to create a look suited for a cool girl with a tough streak. Te season’s must-have lip colour, SuperStay 14 HR Lipstick in Wine, was slicked onto the lips of each model while the skin was kept fresh and youthful with the help of Dream Fresh BB Cream and Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer. A natural beige shade was specially mixed for the nails using Color Show in three diferent colours.

SHE CANADA 91 Review by Liz Guber

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

e’ve all experienced the rush and thrill of new purchases; with a reckless swipe of a credit card we walk out of the store, treasures in hand and a feeling of satisfaction so feeting, it’s no wonder we’ll be right back in the ftting rooms and at the cash register within the month. As the sheen of newness fades from a dress, a micro-trend passes and threads begin to unravel, we don’t hesitate to buy more and more, and with the mass fashion industry pumping out new styles and trends at unprecedented speeds quantity over quality is becoming the sad reality of Millennials’ collective closets. It’s little wonder that each day a woman stands before an expansive walk- in closet in a state of undress exclaiming in exasperation, “I have nothing to wear!” Although the book starts with Cline tallying up her wardrobe Elizabeth L Cline’s Overdressed exposes the sad and shocking and reading the labels on all of her garments, her research went far realities of clothing consumption, from factories in China and beyond cataloguing her own spending to derive sobering truths. Te Bangladesh to draconian design headquarters in North America to author went so far as to create a fake fashion line and travelled to our overstufed wardrobes. I picked up the book seeking the fnal China under the pretense of fnding a manufacturer. She also visited push I needed to once and for all step away from the vicious cycle of the fedgling garment and textile mills in the US and provided rich fast-fashion. Tired of sub-par quality hiding beneath too good to be historical context to today’s clothing conundrum. While a thoroughly true price tags and horrifed afer the news of garment factory fres in researched and thought-provoking work, Overdressed falters when Bangladesh, I was ready to change my ways. it comes to convincing the reader to walk away from the mall and seek more sustainable alternatives. Cline mentions a few grassroots As an avid thrif store and vintage shopper, I predicted that a fashion retailers and forays into making her own clothes but what’ s portion of the book would be dedicated to this shopping alternative. ultimately missing is the shock value. Perhaps it’s more of a refection I was not wrong; Cline only touched on the value and timelessness on my jaded state of mind rather than a criticism of the book itself. of vintage apparel. Most notable however were Cline’s fndings I was lef wanting more—more hard-hitting facts, more gruesome on the state of thrif store donations. It never crossed my mind accounts of labour conditions, more tales of evil executives with their that not every item that is donated fnds a second home. In fact, eyes only on the bottom-line. overwhelming amounts of goods go unsold and if charities resort to disposing of the unsold goods in a way that isn’t satisfactory to the Te greatest success of Overdressed is its power to let the readers very same people that over-consumed in the frst place, trying to decide for themselves. Although the book advocates local sourcing alleviate guilt by making the said donations, they receive a lot of fack. and manufacturing, it doesn’t condemn the occasional fast fashion So what are they to do? Well, a portion goes into post-consumer indulgence. On my frst visit to a mass fast fashion chain afer products, another to cunning vintage clothing dealers, and the rest? fnishing the book I was amazed at how diferent the merchandise It goes on an oceanic journey and lands in Sub-Saharan Africa. Bales looked. Te sweaters, denim and accessories no longer beckoned to are purchased by eyeing only what is on the outside, then they are cut be taken home, having gone from glittering objects of desire to sad, open and a crowd of eager shoppers search for hidden gems. grey refections of corporate greed.

92 SHE CANADA MARRIED WITHOUT CHILDREN I guarantee you later in life Mr. Fun will be married. Tat said, you’re only just getting to know these guys. A few months down I am a 29-year-old woman who has been happily married for the line you could fnd out your fy guy is actually madly in love four years. I grew up in a traditional South Asian household, with you and couldn’t see himself with anyone else. BUT, con- with very strict parents; I was never allowed out so I missed sider this: All of you are in the same position. You didn’t specify if all the parties and would have to hear about them from my you’re using a predominantly South Asian dating site or a general friends. As soon as I met Mr. Right, I got married so I could one, but if you are in fact using a South Asian portal, think about have my own life and it has been great. My husband thinks that the intent many of the sites members might have. Tis may sound it’s time for the family planning to begin but I don’t want to like a generalization but South Asians don’t mess around when it give up my freedom. Tis is the cause of many fghts between comes to being set up. Saying he’s unsure of marriage is a massive us because he thinks I’m trying to make up for all the experi- red fag and you should take this into consideration when making ences I missed out on and need a reality check. How do I make your decision. Finally, what are you looking for in a mate? You him understand that I love my life right now and bringing a haven’t listed out why you think both these guys are so great, so I child into it when I’m not ready isn’t right? urge you to do so.

Te simple answer is “your body, your choice” but you haven’t Regardless of what comes of your research, I urge you do continue given me enough information here. Firstly, besides having a ball, seeing both for a while longer. Te very fact that you’re having what else are you doing with your time? If you do have a career, trouble making a decision signifes that you need more time. Te it’s more than acceptable that this be a reason to put of a family, last thing you want to do is rush into something you probably but if taking care of the house is your prime responsibility, maybe should have thought out more carefully to begin with. he feels that it’s best a family be started while you’re young enough to invest the energy full time into some children. I assume you do eventually want a family, but consider this: as you enter your 30s, it becomes increasingly difcult to conceive. While emotionally and fnancially you may be more prepared, you’ll fnd yourself biologically completely unprepared. While I can’t go into detail on what you should or should not do because of this above missing information, I’ll leave you with this: give him a time line as to when you feel most comfortable about thinking about children. Tat way, you both know what’s coming and you’ll still be able to enjoy your child-free home (and non-chocolate stained uphol- stery).

ONLINE DATING CONUNDRUM

I recently started online dating and it’s been going well. I have met two really great guys through the experience but I am now at a point where I actually have to choose between them. Although both are cool people; one is more outgoing and fun, while the other is more of a grandpa. I would probably choose the one I have more fun with except that he isn’t sure about getting married in the future, while the other one is looking for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage. I don’t want to invest my time and emotions in someone who may bail on me later but at the same time I don’t want to settle on my feelings. How do I make a decision?

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

SHE CANADA 93 “All women become like their mothers. Tat is their tragedy. No man does. Tat’s his.” OSCAR WILDE

“Do not use the sharpness of your speech on the mother who taught you how to speak.” IMAM ALI (PBUH)

“[A] mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.” EMILY DICKINSON

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

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

Te Man pressed on: “Ten Who?”

Te Prophet (pbuh) said: “Ten your mother. “Mothers are fonder than fathers of their children because they are more certain they Te man asked again: “Ten who?” are their own.”

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

Te man asked once more: “Ten who?” “A mother’s arms are more comforting than Te Prophet (pbuh) said: “Ten your father.” anyone else’s.” LADY DIANA

94 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 95 96 SHE CANADA