SAYING GOOD-BYE TO PHOTOGRAPHY LEGEND PRABUDDHA DASGUPTA YASMEEN GHAURI: THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY CHARLIE SHEEN’S ANGER MANAGEMENT CO-STAR

HOW PRINCESS JASMINE CHANGED ARE YOU SUPERMARKET DISNEY SAVVY? FOREVER FEB 2012 $4.99 CAD | Dh 18.47 AED | £3.18

SHE CANADA 1 Specializing in: 2980 Drew Road Unit 121 Modern yet Traditional Pakistani Wear Mississauga, Ontario L4T0A7 Casual, Semi Formal and Bridal Wear 647-402-5584 [email protected] Pakistani Jewellery now available facebook.com/sequence.byroohi

2 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 3 Editor/Publisher KAMRAN ZAIDI

Associate Editor PRIYA KUMAR

Art Layout Coordinator DANYL GENECIRAN

Fashion Assistant LIZ GUBER

Travel Contributor ROBIN ESROCK

Correspondent/In-house Photographer SIJAL REHMANE

Social Media Manager ERUM ZEHRA

Health & Wellness Contributor ROXANNA KASSAM KARA

Features Contributor SUMMUN JAFRI

Pop Culture Contributor PRIYANKA RAJ, PARVEEN SINGH

National Advertising Director PATRICIA BUTLER

Marketing 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 Patricia Butler, 416 644 7788, 416 878 0SHE [email protected]

SHE MAGAZINE CANADA IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF KAMRA ON PRODUCTIONS INC. COPYRIGHT © 2013 KAMRA ON PRODUCTIONS INC. ALL RIGTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN PAKISTAN

4 SHE CANADA IN EVERY ISSUE: STYLE SCOOP 10 HE 66 HE Said, SHE Said Valentine’s Day gif Ideas for HIM SHE CARES 72 IDRF Plan Canada SHE DEBATES 76 Te Blood Garment Paradox HEALTH/WELLNESS 80 Are you Supermarket Savvy? ON THE ROAD 84 Slowboat down the Mekong BEAUTY 88 Tria: Rejuvenating Laser review Vasanti Cosmetics: Meeting the Skincare Needs of South Asian Women Everywhere DESI GIRL PROBLEMS 93 QUOTE/UNQUOTE 102 Famous quotes on Love

FEATURES FASHION CENTRAL 18 Soigne K: the Upper East Side’s frst taste of Indian fashion Paria Shirvani: Fashion’s Next Generation Pavlyn Boutique is Canada’s online fashion fx Amrapali x Manish Arora Sentaler Coats keep us warm and stylish COVER STORY 28 Noureen DeWulf: Comedy’s New “It” GIrl GAME CHANGERS 44 Business: Indra Nooyi Sport: Sania Mirza Politics: Tulsi Gabbard Photography: Prabuddha Dasgupta Disney: Princess Jasmine Music: MIA Modeling: Yasmeen Ghauri Film: Madhuri Dixit Fashion: Narendra Kumar SOUTH ASIA 34 Pantene Bridal Couture Week 2012 Miss Supermodel THE ARTS 60 Spoke Word, Poet Sheniz Janmohammed Owais Lightwala and making a diference through theatre arts at home and abroad Kalamkaar: Furniture as Art Book Review: Narcopolis by Jeet Tayil RESTAURANT REVIEW 76 Blowfsh Restaurant and Sake Bar AROUND TOWN 70 Margherita Missoni meet and greet at Holt Renfrew for OrphanAid Africa

SHE CANADA 5 hen we decided to put the wheels in motion for SHE Canada’s launch, there was much research to be done on you, our reader. Te following questions continuously danced above our heads in the months leading up to our inaugural issue: Who are you? What do you do for a living? How old are you? And most importantly, how do you identify with your roots?

We aimed to put out a magazine that identifes the items, people and lifestyle choices that you most relate to and have an interest in reading about. For this, our ffh issue, we have settled on the South Asian Game Changers of the world. What do we mean by the term Game Changer? Tey are the individuals that have changed what it is to be South Asian in their particular felds.

Politics have played a major role in international debate this past year with the US election. Incidentally, the state of Hawaii also elected the frst Hindu to Congress in the history of the United States—although not South Asian in origin, Tulsi Gabbard will bring with her the values and customs common among those from the subcontinent. Keep an eye out for tennis champion Sania Mirza who is not only India’s frst woman to win a Grand Slam at Wimbledon, but also broke down social barriers by marrying a Pakistani cricketer of equal fame. Finally, we take a journey back to a simpler time—specifcally a time when Disney movies reigned supreme. Chances are, if you’re a South Asian woman in your twenties there was no Disney Princess you identifed with more than Jasmine. Did you know that not only was she the frst identifable Muslim Disney Princess, but also the frst of non-European ethnicity? Her introduction in 1992 added some much needed diversity to Te Magic Kingdom’s royal court, paving the way for other exotic EDITOR heroines including Pocahontas, Mulan and Tiana. S.M. Kamran Zaidi Finally, I cannot conclude this note without mentioning our trail-blazing cover girl, Noureen DeWulf. Having launched her career almost a decade ago, with her frst project going on to win an Academy Award, DeWulf has created a niche for herself in Hollywood starring opposite some of the biggest names in the industry. Currently, you can fnd her on CTV’s Anger Management, (a.k.a. Charlie Sheen’s post-Two and a Half Men comeback) playing Lacey, a bombshell LA girl sufering from a violent case of road rage. Needless to say, the budding comedienne is the series’ scene-stealer.

Afer going through this issue, I hope you realize that as South Asians we have what it takes to make it in any feld. Although it goes without saying that we have already conquered the worlds of science, mathematics and technology, arts and sports are still our oyster. If you take anything from this issue, I hope it is the inspiration to pursue whatever it is you’re most passionate about in life.

6 SHE CANADA WHAT GOES ON IN THE SHE OFFICE

Ever wonder what it’s like to work at the fast- paced, creative ofce of a fashion/lifestyle magazine? From free swag to tight deadlines to thrilling photo shoots, visit our website http:// shemagazine.ca for a peek into SHE headquarters and behind-the-scenes of our fashion shoots. It’s just like Te Devil Wears Prada, except everyone’s much nicer!

MURANO 10 issues for $12 BY ANU (plus $3 shipping and handling) RAINA 20 issues for $20 (plus $6 shipping and handling) Best Deal!

YASMEEN Lagerfeld Channels NAME (PLEASE PRINT) GHAURI: theONE British DIRECTION’S Raj for The One And Chanel’sZAYN MALIK Pre-Fall AND that Got WHAT RELIGION ADDRESS APT#/SUITE Aziz Ansari Show MindyAway Kaling MEANS TO HIM Haider Ackermann SaniyaINDIVA BRINGSKhan FIT FOR A PRINCESSE: CITY PROV./STATE SOUTH ASIAN Karishma Shahani’s COUTURE TO Label Democratizes TORONTO COUNTRY POSTAL CODE/ZIP CODE FASHION LuxuryIN for All EMAIL

SPRINGTORONTO TRENDOCTOBER 2012 $4.99 CAD | Dh 18.47 AED | £3.18 & our favourite places to fnd it Payment enclosed Bill me later FOUR SEASONS HOTEL & RESIDENCES TORONTO GRANDREPORT FLAGSHIP LAUNCH SHE CANADA 1

SHE CANADA 7 “What are the three things you absolutely cannot live without?”

PRIYA KUMAR LIZ GUBER ROBIN ESROCK Assosiate Editor Fashion Assistant Travel Contributor Uggs, milk chocolate and my pets, I could not imagine a world without My alarm clock, without it, I’d sleep all Whistler and Kela. funny cat videos on the internet, black morning, and I never, ever trust a hotel tea with milk and vintage clothing. wake-up call. My Macbook, on which I write, edit and watch videos, listen to music, and keep in touch with the world. My attitude: no matter what’s going on, I know everything is going to be fne, because it is always is.

SUMMUN JAFRI PRIYANKA RAJ DANYL GENECIRAN Features Contributor Pop Culture Contributor Layout Coordinator My Smartphone, reruns of Te Ofce and My music (whether on a cell phone/mp3 Phone, wallet and car keys. I feel naked black eyeliner. player), bufets, my glasses. without them.

8 SHE CANADA Editors’ Notes: December/January 2012 Issue

High Tea During the British Raj: Shalwar Kameez with gold and turquoise beading on model Reena by Alia K.

A Winter’s Tale: Coats by Sentaler, for more information see page 26.

Most of the time when I look through a magazine I fip through the pages and just look for the clothing pieces and sometimes a story or two. SHE Magazine has sparked my curiosity to learn about diferent cultures, and for the frst time, I actually wanted to read all the articles. Erin

I found the piece “Maintaining a Healthy South Asian Diet” (November 2012) puzzling. Te author suggests veggies in dessert (avocado in pudding, zucchini in cake) yet does not provide detailed recipes to achieve this healthy balance. And let’s face it, dessert is meant to be an indulgence, eating kale in my chocolate would likely ruin the dish. Everything in moderation, right? Nausheen

As a Jain, I’m always disappointed when I see the glorifcation of leather and fur in fashion, both of which Your feature on MAWI was an accessory lover’s dream come true. were featured in your issue. Animals sufer for our frivolity, Te necklaces are so beautiful and innovative, and your Q & A and I hope to see more animal/eco-friendly options featured in was very interesting. I’ll defnitely be saving up to buy a MAWI future issues. piece. Anonymous Anum Your monthly beauty picks didn’t feature a single item under $20! Te Diwali fashion page was stunning! No other magazine ofers As a frugal-minded girl, I’d appreciate some expert input on the such a comprehensive dose of South Asian fashion. I’m also drugstore products that work as well as the high-end ones. pleased that designers such as Chanel and Marchesa are taking Anonymous inspiration from our rich culture. Priyanka You have no idea how excited I was to see my favorite singer on your cover! I loved reading about Nadia Ali’s story, its nice to I enjoyed “In Search of Great Chai” (November 2012) and know that she’s such a cool, down-to-earth girl. learning about Toronto’s Desi food history. I do wish that you Anonymous wrote not just about one beverage, but about the food at Indian Rice Factory as well. We’d love to hear from you! Please send us your questions, Amit comments and criticisms to [email protected]

SHE CANADA 9 Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s or Gal-entine’s Day, these prêt-à-porter looks will turn heads wherever you go. In a good way, of course!

Lanvin Embellished Clutch $2350

Red Valentino Ruffe Dress $178

Mason Valentino Leather Sheath Strapless Wool Dress $782 Blend Twill Jumpsuit $670

Alexander McQueen Lace-Up Snake Sandals $2075

Rag & Bone Tuxedo Jacket $535

10 SHE CANADA Alexander McQueen Cherry Trompe L’oeil Panel Mini Dress $1700

Lanvin Lover Serpent Draped Maxi Dress $1050 Skirt $4260

Valentino Patent Valentino Leather Bow Strapless Wool Clutch $995 Blend Twill Jumpsuit $670

Lanvin Knotted Dress $801

Charlotte Olympia Love Me Heart Appliqué Suede Pumps $1450

SHE CANADA 11 Spring/Summer is synonymous with nautical stripes, colour blocking and fresh foral prints. Optimism is usually the subliminal message as the trees and fowers burst into bloom afer the long and gloomy winter. According to the SS13 runways, this year is breaking the mold. Te never-ending chill is carrying into the subsequent seasons as we see black and white making a return for the mild-weathered months. Here is the breakdown of the Spring/Summer 2013 runways from New York, London, Paris and Milan into the colourful and not-so- colourful trends this season!

CÉLINE CHANEL

PRABAL DIOR PRADA GURUNG

12 SHE CANADA PETER PILOTTO

PRABAL GURUNG DIOR ALTUZARRA

MARY HUSSEIN CHALAYAN DRIES VAN NOTEN KATRANTZOU

SHE CANADA 13 ADIDAS by Stella McCartney Leggings $140

February might mark the end of the ADIDAS by Stella winter season, but the ski slopes are McCartney bustling well into March, especially high Ski Jacket $500 in the mountains of Whistler Blackcomb! You may feel the need to bundle up, but there’s no need to sacrifce looking great while trying to keep warm. Check out these picks that strike the fne balance between practicality and style.

Calvin Klein Collection Jacket $1695

ROXY Goggles James Perse $69.95 Cashmere Cardigan $201

Lucas Hugh Performance T Shirt $195

Karl Donoghue Ear Muffs $160

Mulberry Tiger Intarsia Angoria Blend Beanie $250

ROXY Ally BTX Pixel Snowboard 14 SHE CANADA $459 Acne Shorts $230 Tis month universities and colleges across Canada celebrate Reading Week— we don’t know about you, but reading was not what we celebrated at our schools. Bird by Juicy Couture Whether heading to the beaches of Mexico Kaftan Dress $57 or to Ultra Music Festival in Miami to Euginea Kim Straw Hat catch all the latest DJs, one can never $165 be too prepared which is why we’ve put together this killer collection of pieces screaming for some fun-in-the-sun.

Missoni Bandeau Bikini $305

Thierry Lasry Sunglasses $400

ROXY Tunic $44

Current Elliott Shorts $159

The Row Sunglasses $395

Totem Salvaged Tote $300

K Jacques St Tropez Sandals Miu Miu Floral $262 Appliqué Bikini $410

SHE CANADA 15 SECRETS TO THE SUCCESS OF ASPIRING ACTORS AND MODELS BY LIZ GUBER

16 SHE CANADA or dreamers with stars in their eyes, the path to becoming a successful model or actor can seem daunting. Without proper guidance and training, going at it alone can ofen result in disappointment and frustration. Enter MAX Agency—one of Toronto’s best known model and talent management companies. Under the guidance of their experienced team, the path to success becomes much easier to navigate. SHE had the pleasure of sitting down with MAX model Angela Dudler, to hear all about her experience under the Agency. Dudler’s journey started like that of so many others before her. She was discovered on the street in Toronto when a scout “came up to me asking if I was a model. She was very friendly and asked me to give her some information. I didn’t really hope for a call or anything but a couple weeks later I got a call from an agent asking me to come in.” MAX instantly saw potential in Dudler and ofered her a spot as a model on their roster. Part of what makes MAX Agency so vital to newcomers to the acting and modeling industry is the training and mentorship provided to their talent free of charge, which Dudler found “extremely generous” adding “the classes didn’t only help me with how to behave during auditions but they also gave me lots of confdence, which is very important as a model.” MAX Agency places its talent with an extremely wide spectrum of companies such as Nike, CBC, GM, Coca Cola, Sony, McDonald’s , Hugo Boss, TD Canada Trust, L’Oreal and Motorola, and shortly afer signing with MAX, Dudler was part of a fashion show with designer Baby Steinberg. “Te atmosphere was amazing and it was so much fun being part of it.” Te future is looking bright for Angela Dudler, who is hopeful that with MAX Agency’s help she will book more auditions and jobs. “I realized how much fun [modeling] is and how confdent I suddenly became which is clearly visible on the pictures. I also hope to stay with MAX Agency because I feel well represented by them.”

MAX Agency is located at 2063 Yonge Street, Suite #202, Toronto Ontario, M4S 2A2 | 416-482-5392 | [email protected]

SHE CANADA 17 THE UPPER EAST SIDE’S FIRST TASTE OF INDIAN FASHION BY PRIYA KUMAR

oigne Kothari moved from Mumbai to New York City for love. Having grown up and trained in fashion design in India, she quickly realized there was something absent from Te Big Apple’s expansive fashion scene, namely, access to “the vibrancy and intricacy of design, quality and crafsmanship that is possessed by many Indian designers.” Armed with a degree from the renowned Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and a good understanding of retail trends both locally and back in the old country, Kothari ventured into a brave new world of fashion retail by bringing some of the most celebrated Indian labels directly to the backyards (better yet, stoops) of the world’s most infuential tastemakers. process behind opening Soigne K. Soigne, which means polished Had I not experienced the efervescence of Mumbai’s fashion in French, could not be a more appropriate title for the Madison scene for myself, I wouldn’t believe it. India is now globally Avenue boutique. Carefully curated to include only the most renowned for its high-end, multi-brand concept stores. Inspired by coveted labels out of India, Kothari’s unique buying aesthetic is what Armani has done at its fagships around the world, this type evident throughout the space. of fashion retail aims to be a one-stop-shop for all things luxury. Revolutionary concept stores including Colaba’s Bombay Electric, Being based in New York City, I had to know about her buying New Delhi’s Ogaan and now Manhattan’s Soigne K, ofer clientele process. She tells me, “Each season I draw inspiration from a well crafed, intricately designed and, more ofen than not, one-of diferent era of India’s history and our rich Indian cultural heritage, pieces that they won’t have the misfortune of seeing anyone else places, people and trends. When I visit temples, stately homes or in during “the season.” I recently had a chance to chat with Soigne Indian palaces I am always absorbing the crafsmanship of the Kothari, founder and owner of Soigne K., about the launch of the architecture of ancient India.” She speaks almost poetically; “Lines groundbreaking boutique and how she anticipates ofering New are fuid as well ferce like the waves in the ocean. I then sit with my Yorkers an alternative to generic high-end fashion. designers and convey my vision for the upcoming season fusing the look from their current collection with mine and have each “I realized that New York is THE place to be a launching pad piece with the one ‘wow factor’ that is synonymous with Soigne K.” for such a unique concept given its amalgamation of diferent cultures. Te New Yorker is always looking for something diferent “Her designers” she refers to are a part of the cherry-picked and unique given the jetsetter lifestyle,” Kothari says of the thought cohort that make up the new generation of India’s international

18 SHE CANADA couturiers that include Manish Arora, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Rohit clothes and jewels.” Making reference to larger designer houses like Bal and of course Hollywood favourite Falguni & Shane Peacock. Chanel and Marchesa, Kothari continues, “International couture Besides the lovely imported garments carried at Soigne K., Kothari fashion houses have started to take notice of the rich Indian heritage also designs an in-house jewellery line with which she hopes to aid and crafsmanship. Tey are boldly using Indian motifs on a wide in the preservation of South Asia’s centuries-old jewellery design range of clothing, accessories and stationary. Fashion Shows are tradition. “I draw inspiration from the jewellery that had been being themed around Indian infuence and are being accessorized worn by the Maharanis and Maharajas of India. I then sit with my with touches of India. Te richness of heritage [and] mythology women artisans in rural India and collaborate with them while at with the vibrant use of colours are fnding loyal patrons not only the same time incorporating their traditional jewellery making among the Indian community overseas but also international techniques,” Kothari explains. “Tis not only helps the artisan customers. India’s crafsmanship is like a hidden treasure trove achieve self-reliance but also contribute to preserving traditional that is yet to be discovered; once opened it will be addictive and techniques that have been handed down through generations.” will take the world by a storm.” Refusing to mince Kothari’s words, I could not have said it better myself. Kothari sees a bright future for South Asian fashion internationally. “Indian designers are bursting on to the scenes of Soigne K. is at 717 Madison Avenue (near 63rd Street) in New York fashion all over the world. India for centuries has been known as the City; (212) 486-2890. land of Maharajas and their grandeur. Teir legacy has been kept alive through our Indian designers that draw inspiration from their

SHE CANADA 19 LIZ GUBER visits Paria Shirvani, an up-and-coming Toronto-based designer making pieces with modern cuts and fabrics for a new class of consumers

recent report released materials together to create a garment.” Afer by Greenpeace titled three years of working for the Canadian “Toxic Treads: Te mega-brand, Shirvani lef the job to start Big Fashion Stitch her own label, describing the transition as Up” revealed shocking “seamless and intuitive”, adding “I was ready levels of toxicity in the to branch of and create a line that embodied fbres of the fast fashion my personal aesthetic and allowed me the garments (i.e. product from Forever 21, GAP opportunity to have full creative control.” and H&M). Chemicals banned in North America, but not in countries where the Shirvani’s frst collection, titled Zephyr, is cheap garments are produced, reveal harmful, the designer’s brave venture to independence. sometimes even carcinogenic or hormone As the well thought out and carefully disrupting properties. If that’s not enough edited collection hangs on a rack before to make you think twice about heading to me, with its colour palette limited to dove the mall to load up on peplum tops (only to grey, dusty nude and bone it displays the be relegated to the depths of our closets a kind of mature restraint and efortless season later), perhaps a trip to Paria Shirvani’s cool that begs comparisons to Alexander downtown Toronto studio just might do the Wang and Isabel Marant. Te collection trick. also displays silhouettes varying from sharply tailored to fuidly draped—design Paria Shirvani is by no means an elements generally mastered by only the environmentalist; she is however, a part of most seasoned of designers. Being a fan of the growing movement of local, conscious dressed-up sweatpants and moth-like colour designers who care about resurrecting dying palettes, I’m an instant fan, vowing to make notions of quality and artistry. Born in Iran, the asymmetrical jersey skirt a part of my Shirvani’s family came to Canada in the wardrobe come spring. 1980s, opening up endless opportunities for Paria and her two sisters. Shirvani fell in love Shirvani describes her dream customer with fashion in high school, where she was as someone who “likes comfort without the in charge of the costumes for school plays. compromise to design and aesthetic. She has A George Brown college alum, she honed in a strong sense of her own style and is able on her understading of garment production to merchandise her wardrobe into efortless at Joe Fresh—a vocation considered to be a chic.” Te items in the collection refect a dream job for many fashion school graduates. modern sensibility, yet also boast a season- “I have always been passionate about the less appeal, the styles will stay fresh and construction of clothing and, from a young current for years to come. age, have enjoyed the process of piecing

20 SHE CANADA Shirvani’s approach is very grassroots; she sources fabric from Montreal— noting that there is a lack of quality wholesale textiles in Toronto—drapes the silhouettes and drafs the patterns herself, and then cuts the fabric and makes the muslins (sample garments made from cheaper fabric that act as mockups). Te sewing of the garments is then contracted out. “Te process is more hands on and there is high control over quality, building a garment that is made to last.” Te entire line is produced in Toronto, making it part of a burgeoning industry of homegrown labels. Zephyr was revealed to the public this past fall at OZ Studios, a contemporary setting that was well suited for the young designer, as it allowed for complete control of the production and instant feedback from the audience. “It was terrifc. I could respond to questions and do on-the-spot interviews while the collection was on display in front of them.”

Paria Shirvani’s clothes are sure to be snatched-up and styled to the nines by fashionphiles, once they are able to get their hands on them that is. Upcoming pop-up shops around downtown Toronto are in the works for this year. Shirvani also has plans to make everything available online. Next up for Shirvani: her frst-ever Fall collection. Although she didn’t reveal any details about her plans, something tells me to expect more expert tailoring, interesting angles and a deliberate lack of print.

Standing in the designer’s small, very neat space really makes one think. Two sewing machines, one table, rolls of fabric in a corner and some illustrations leaning against a wall, all in a space no bigger than 300 square feet—this is where the entire collection of fresh, inspiring ready- to-wear is born. I peek at the price tag of one item, noting that it is on par with similar pieces at ZARA, convincing me to think twice before indulging in fast fashion again.

SHE CANADA 21 Pavlyn Boutique has changed the game for Canadian style-seekers. As opposed to shopping from US-based e-retailers, Pavlyn ofers a local alternative source to the hottest looks, straight of the red carpet. ASHLEY KYRON discovers what led to Maria Litvintseva and Anna Petrov‘s entrepreneurial spirit and what they hope Canada will get out of Pavlyn’s presence on the Net.

Living in Canada has its perks: four full seasons, boundless natural background in fashion but instead attended top business programs resources and of course poutine. It’s hard to complain really, but at Laurier and York University respectively. “We have always had when it comes to comparing the fashion retail scene with our a passion for celebrity style and been into shopping, trends and neighbours to the south, we always come up slightly short changed. especially celebrity watching,” says Petrov. Armed with a close-knit As we press on into a new era of shopping where the internet is friendship that spanned the past decade, they were keen on starting proving to be the busiest mall of them all, we cannot help but be a business together but wanted it to be in a feld they were equally irked by the fact that those impossible to get Isabel Marant high- passionate about. Fashion always came naturally to the two, so top wedges come with a $45 shipping fee in addition to another beginning there was a good start. 15% of duties. Cash on delivery. It almost takes away from the elation we should be feeling for making such a deep investment in Modern Family’s footwear. Wouldn’t it just be easier if there were a Canadian answer Sarah Hyland in to Gilt Group (that cuts the guilt out of the fnal price tag of this Contrarian. month’s hottest celebrity endorsed accessory)? We discovered that the answer to this frustrating conundrum was right under our noses all along—Pavlyn Boutique (http://www. pavlyn.com). Te website refects exactly what our generation is looking for in an online retailer. Besides ofering up some of the hottest pieces from New York City, London and Paris, the items are also accompanied by a celebrity rocking the piece in their own unique style. I sat down to meet Maria Litvintseva and Anna Petrov, the girls behind Pavlyn, to discuss what led them to starting the site.

Petrov and Litvintseva began Pavlyn knowing there was a void in the marketplace. Te 27-year-old duo surprisingly had no

22 SHE CANADA As a user of the site, I have to make one thing clear: this isn’t your Litvintseva says, “We both come from a Russian background and average e-commerce portal. Besides peddling the hottest, hard-to- we wanted something that’s kind of relevant to who we are. Also the fnd pieces, it also has a very user-friendly layout that rivals Style. word Pavlyn signifes the celebrity of all [birds].” Petrov continues, com or WhoWhatWear. Te editorial touch is the secret to what “Pavlyn means a beautiful, ritzy bird and that’s the idea we were sets Pavlyn apart from the competition. “Te editorial concept going for. And we also like the way it sounds—it’s a pretty word.” came from a lot of what is happening in the industry right now. A clothing website [has become a place to get] fashion style advice, Originally, the two wanted to open a boutique but as they worked on a business plan, it became evident that online shopping is huge in the States but severely lacking in Canada. Tus, the girls decided why limit themselves to just sales in Toronto when they could sell to clientele across the country? Better yet, the world. Pavlyn also ships internationally.

So being budding entrepreneurs in the fashion scene, what are their latest fashion obsessions? Litvintseva jumped right in, “I love my new Eyes Wide Open skirt, in fuchsia pink. Te skirt has two cut outs, like slits that go up really high, made from sheer material with a mini underskirt. I wore it to Toronto Fashion Week and was well complimented on the statement piece. It must be my favorite item right now” As she looked at Petrov, Litvintseva continued on to talk about her favorite piece “I don’t know what is yours? Maybe your black leather tights? You are kind of in love with them.” Petrov agrees with Litvintseva and goes on to tell us how “black leather tights are all I am wearing at the moment because they with a blog feel and a bit of celebrity gossip. People want to know are so versatile, you can wear them with anything – a dressy blazer what the celebrities are wearing and they want to know the trends,” or a casual t-shirt.” explains Petrov. “You can’t just have a website and be like, ‘Here are the clothes – now shop!’ Tey want to see the whole look put As the interview with Petrov and Litvintseva neared the end, I together and in terms of celebrity style.” Petrov took us back to asked them about their overall impression of their online store thus when she was growing up, “I would see all the great fashion that far. “We look at it as if were solving a problem for millions of girls the celebrities were wearing, but wasn’t available in Canada. And across Canada to be able to fnd those celebrity-worn items. Te when I would watch shows like Te Hills and Keeping up with the girls in Whitby or a small town in Edmonton don’t have the Queen Kardashians I would always want to know what they were wearing Street or Bay and Bloor Streets that we have in Toronto, so now they in the episodes but it was always so hard for me to fnd out and can, with a click of a button, have the dress that Reese Witherspoon that’s why we wanted to go in the direction of celebrity style.” was wearing.” To Petrov and Litvintseva, fashion should not just be accessible to people in the US but to everyone that wants it; they are With so much competition both online and of, coming up living proof that two heads are better at problem solving than one. with the right name can be the trickiest part about starting your business. With a name like Pavlyn, it’s hard to get lost in the crowd. Be sure to visit Pavlyn Boutique at http://www.pavlyn.com

SHE CANADA 23 When the biggest name in South Asian jewellery collaborates with India’s hottest fashion export, one takes note—then proceeds to Amrapali’s nearest location to reap the fruit of this once-in-a-lifetime alliance

Manish Arora has come to be known in the West as a creative visionary. His work is so distinct, it boasts the patronage of many of the world’s preeminent trendsetters including Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, M.I.A. and Lady Gaga. His collaboration with Amrapali could thus, not be more appropriate. As the most respected name in jewellery in India, Amrapali has been creating luxury collections using the fnest precious and semi-precious stones and metals for clientele that include the likes of royalty, celebrities and industrialists.

24 SHE CANADA Fast forward to Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013. Amrapali X Manish Arora debuts at Arora’s runway show. Te pieces complement the jewellery designs printed on the kurtas, mesh leggings and even rompers creating a surreal, in-your-face result typical of Arora’s work.

Tis project has been on-going since May 2012 and includes a wide range of necklaces, earrings, bangles, cufs, rings and hair accessories. Te pieces are inspired by the decadence of Indian royalty with antique Meenakari jewellery from Amrapali’s archives in mind. Coupled with contemporary elements including a pastel colour palette and 18K gold plating with stone and crystal settings, these pieces obliterate the barrier between Eastern and Western fashion.

Whether you call the bejeweled headpieces diadems or maang tikkas, there is one thing everyone can agree upon; Amrapali’s timelessness crossed with Manish Arora’s trail-blazing ingenuity are sure to make this capsule collection one not soon to be forgotten.

SHE CANADA 25 BY PRIYA KUMAR

BOJANA SENTALER is the Last month, SHE shot two pieces from this name behind the exquisite extravagant collection and the response outerwear brand Sentaler. we received was overwhelming. Te She has scoured the world contemporary cuts, subtle seams, unique over for the warmest, hood designs and exquisite fnishes including most luxurious textiles custom corozo buttons make a statement with which to create without sacrifcing warmth in the process. her pieces. Organic in origin, her Fall/Winter 2012 collection is primarily alpaca in fbre that make up the set of women’s coats, capes, shawls and scarves. Alpaca is amongst the world’s warmest fbre due to its thermal properties created Sentaler, Wrap Coat with Hooded Collar, $940, by microscopic air pockets that also Available for Purchase at www.sentaler.com prevent pilling and matting. Model: Julia (Elite)

26 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 27 Noureen DeWulf has been scene stealing in Hollywood for only a handful of years now. Yet, she’s played opposite some of the biggest names in comedy including Matthew McConnaughey (Ghosts of Girlfriend’s Past), Jennifer Lopez (Te Back-up Plan), Hugh Grant (American Dreamz) and most recently Charlie Sheen (CTV’s Anger Management). PRIYA KUMAR catches up with DeWulf in L.A. to fnd out what it takes to be comedy’s pin-up girl.

PHOTOGRAPHER: www.collinstark.com STYLIST: Ashley Zohar HAIR: Adam Campbell MAKEUP: Agostina

28 SHE CANADA We all have that friend. Admit it—you do too. She’s that loquacious chatterbox that will even pick-up her phone at dinner and is always the loudest voice at a party. Actually, she’s rarely seen not talking. You know what else she does, don’t you? She ofers up her thoughts blow-by-blow in a movie theater during that blockbuster flm you’ve been dying to see. It’s annoying, but sometimes she’ll say something that will strike a chord. For me, it was when she and I went to see Te Back-up Plan starring Jennifer Lopez. Te movie was your run-of-the-mill romantic comedy, but during one of the opening sequences when J-Lo was discussing her “back-up plan” with a sassy coworker, my friend leaned across two theater seats and said out loud, as opposed to whispered, “Tat actress is from Pune!” I looked back at the screen and recall being surprised at this assertion. Daphne, the character in question, was obviously supposed to be non-descript, albeit exotic, Caucasian, but I digress. Afer a bit of research, I discovered she was hilariously portrayed by Noureen DeWulf, 28, who has made so many appearances in A-list movies, TV shows and comedy specials, it was hard to believe at the time I didn’t know she was South Asian.

SHE CANADA 29 30 SHE CANADA OSCAR TO A GOOD START defnitely the wildest character I’ve gotten to play.” It’s uncanny how Born in Georgia, DeWulf’s well suited the role is to DeWulf— surname is not one you’d expect of Lacey is a member of an anger a girl whose parents are from the management support group lead middle of Maharashtra, India. In by a therapist played by Sheen. She fact, her name stuck afer marrying attends these sessions to deal with earlier in life when she was just her road rage and quickly becomes launching her career. A Boston the series eye-candy. Lacey’s charm University graduate, DeWulf got her is a result of both well-timed jokes frst big break when she was cast couples in sport. Given the timeliness of our and her expressive demeanor, not as the lead for the short feature West Bank interview, I couldn’t help but ask about her to mention DeWulf’s ability to make Lacey Story—a musical-comedy loosely based on thoughts on the NHL lockout. “I just hope the most loveable and hateable character West Side Story. Like the name suggests, it that there’s a quick resolve. I think players in the series. About being cast as the tells the tale of the romance between Fatima, should be able to play, and fans should be show sex kitten, DeWulf humbly admits, a Palestinian falafel shop cashier (DeWulf) able to watch,” she says. “It’s a great sport, “Tey defnitely didn’t write it for me. It’s a and David, an Israeli solider whose family and it already struggles to be popular [in the character I’ve been trying to do for a long owns a rival falafel shop. Although based on States], so I just hope that it doesn’t go on time. I’ve been trying to get this character an ominous, age-old confict, the flm still too much longer. I know that my husband out. I think it fts in that regard, but I went manages to be funny. So funny in fact, afer wants to play.” and auditioned for it against several hundred premiering at Sundance and working the Despite being one half of such a well- actresses.” flm festival circuit around the world, the known couple, DeWulf has never let it defne Obviously we couldn’t discuss Anger short went on to win an Academy Award in her career. As an actress, she is recognized Management without touching on Charlie 2007 for Best Live Action Short Film. “I had as an on-screen chameleon. Comparing Sheen. “I really enjoy working with him; just moved to LA,” DeWulf tells me about her in the role of Fatima to that of Melanie, he’s very eccentric and interesting and as far being cast for the role, “and I submitted my Matthew McConnaughey’s sharp assistant/ as sitcoms go, he’s one of the great sitcom own photo for the job. Te director called ghost of the present in Ghosts of Girlfriends actors. He’s really great to work with,” she me in and I went and auditioned. It was one Past to Shazzy, the Middle Eastern Valley says with a hint of nonchalance. “I am a of the frst auditions that I’d ever been to. I Girl from X-Factor spoof American Dreamz, fan. He’s really established himself as a TV went for several auditions, he kept calling one would be hard pressed to fnd some comedy guy.” Sheen incidentally was also me back and I sang and danced and did a commonality except for Noureen herself. To the highest paid actor in television history, bunch of stuf.” Ultimately, she won the role prepare for such a rainbow of characters, she netting $1.8 million per episode of Two and and shot the flm. “Te Oscar defnitely will certainly goes above and beyond to research a Half Men. He carried his star power onto always be a high point but it didn’t really each and every role. “I just think about the the set of Anger Management, resulting in afect my work too much, although it is such characters a lot,” she says. “I think about the series premiere boasting a viewership an honour. It didn’t come until three years what they would do and how they would of 5.74 million—an all time record high [afer flming], but when it did it was pretty be, and I try to work on that by myself a lot for cable television. Starring opposite an amazing.” before I go and read for the director. Afer I actor of such legendary proportions speaks DeWulf went on to land a pilot on the get the job then I talk to wardrobe and hair/ volumes about DeWulf’s career and future as WB called Mindy & Brenda. If it seems makeup. Tey have their own opinions. I try a leading lady in Hollywood. almost too coincidental that another Indian- to incorporate that all together.” American actress would be cast as a girl WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS named Mindy, that’s because it isn’t. Mindy CHARLIE (SHEEN) IN CHARGE & Brenda was written by Mindy Kaling and At the moment, DeWulf is working on a her best friend Brenda Withers, about their DeWulf’s current role as Lacey on Anger flm starring Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd and early-twenty-something lives in New York Management is, without a doubt, her most Ed Helms called Tey Tink Together. “I play City. In her bestselling autobiography Is high profle to date. Given the media storm Paul Rudd’s assistant Melanie, who I [also] Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And surrounding Charlie Sheen’s departure from played in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. [She’s] Other Concerns), Kaling makes mention Two and a Half Men, fans and critics alike the archetype of the assistant rather than the of her disappointment with the producers’ waited in anticipation for Sheen’s triumphant actual assistant, so it’s really funny.” Until decision to cast another girl in the return to television last summer; they were now, just about every project attached to eponymous role. Although, the series was not lef disappointed. Anger Management DeWulf’s name has proven to be a hit. One eventually not picked-up, both Kaling and was so well received that afer its frst wouldn’t expect any less of an actress whose DeWulf both went onto bigger and better 10-episode season, FX (its parent network freshman efort garnered top honours by things. in the States) renewed the series for 90 more the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and episodes. To be signed to an acclaimed series Sciences. ON A PERSONAL NOTE for such an extended period is no small feat. About the role of Lacey, Dewulf says she Catch Anger Management on CTV on A little known fact about DeWulf is that is, “probably my favourite character I’ve Tuesday 9/8 Central. It is scheduled to start she is married to iconic Bufalo Sabres goalie ever played. I don’t feel like I’m closest to its second season on January 17th on FX in Ryan Miller. Te pair married back in 2011, her [in comparison to past roles], but she’s the US. making them one of the most high profle SHE CANADA 31 32 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 33 34 SHE CANADA 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 BUSINESS GAME CHANGER

By Summun Jafri

What does it mean to be the most powerful was through much determination and Forbes “World’s 20 Most Powerful Moms” woman in the business world? Just ask perseverance that she made it through her list. Nooyi has been famously quoted for Indra Nooyi. As the current Chairman and frst few years in America. She even recalls saying “I’m a mother frst, then a CEO, then CEO of PepsiCo, the second largest food wearing a sari to a wife.” She recognizes and beverage company on the planet, she is some of her frst job that it’s a tough behind the $66 billion revenue generated in interviews as a Yale balancing act, and to 2011. Besides achieving, maintaining and graduate, because at take it on successfully, propelling PepsiCo as the most proftable the time she had yet a woman must play food and beverage company in North to buy a suit. many diferent roles. America, Nooyi is also testament to what Like so many women South Asian women in North America are Nooyi began struggling to balance capable of accomplishing. her career in India, a career with family, where she worked for she can relate to the Over the past several years, Indra Nooyi Johnson & Johnson added responsibilities has earned spots on both Forbes and Fortune as a Brand Manager. of being an Indian Magazine’s lists of the most powerful Upon graduating daughter-in-law, as women in the world. From 2006 to 2010, from Yale, she she acknowledges the she was consecutively ranked as Fortune’s landed her frst duties of cooking and number one “Most Powerful Woman in job in the States at caretaking, which are Business.” Her story is not unlike those of Boston Consulting most ofen dropped millions of South Asian immigrants to the Group, followed by onto the woman of West, with the exception of fnding herself positions in Strategy the household. In at the helm of one of the world’s most at Motorola and Asea an interview with renowned brands. Brown Boveri. Greenwich Magazine, her advice regarding how best to balance a career with a family Nooyi was born in Chennai (then known Since joining PepsiCo in 1994, she has is to “marry the right guy!” as Madras), Tamil Nadu, India. In 1976, she taken on various roles in the company. In earned her frst MBA at the esteemed Indian 2006 she was named CEO. She has achieved Now in her ffies, Nooyi shows no signs Institute of Management. With a couple of great success in the areas of global fnance, of slowing down. She is also a Successor years of work experience under her belt, strategy, and restructuring under PepsiCo Trustee at Yale University, a board in 1980 she earned a second Masters in and has also guided the transformational member for both Te Lincoln Center Public and Private Management from Yale mergers and acquisitions of brands such as for the Performing Arts and the World University. “It was unheard of for a good, Tropicana and Quaker Oats. Economic Forum. She was also appointed conservative, South Indian Brahmin girl to to the U.S-India CEO Forum by the Obama do this,” Nooyi explained in the Financial She currently resides in Greenwich, Administration. Just like the movie starring Times. At that time, such a decision spelled Connecticut with her husband Raj and Sarah Jessica Parker muses, “I don’t know trouble for young women in regards to two daughters, Tara, 19, and Preetha, 28. how she does it!” their marriage prospects. However, it In 2012, Nooyi was number three on the

44 SHE CANADA SPORTS GAME CHANGER

By Summun Jafri

Professional tennis player Sania Mirza is at the top of her game. recognition of her accomplishments in sport, and in 2006 with the Having reached professional heights of unprecedented proportions honour of a Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India. in tennis, she’s certainly not your typical South Asian success story. Instead, she’s opened a world of possibilities for South Asian women, Aside from her tennis career, Sania is perhaps best recognized as proving that we too, can succeed as professional athletes. the wife of 30-year-old Pakistani Cricket captain Shoaib Malik. Te couples’ Islamic nikkah ceremony was performed on April 12, 2010. I can’t help but recall the movie Bend it like Beckham when Te paperwork was followed by receptions in both Malik’s native researching tennis great Sania Mirza. Growing up, I always felt Punjab, Pakistan and Mirza’s native Hyderabad, India. When asked there was a serious lack of South Asian women to look up to and if marriage has afected her career at all, Mirza says that her husband connect with in sport. When Beckham hit theaters in 2002, the has helped her become more patient, as patience is an important character Jess (short for Jesminder, of course) created an entirely quality as an athlete. new type of heroine to idolize. Te character was unlike any typical Bollywood starlet, and a welcome change. Her image was one that Unfortunately, being one of today’s most high-profle Indian- wasn’t based primarily on her appearance, including a lifestyle that Pakistani couples hasn’t spared them from discrimination for trying was more relatable for girls in the Western world. She struggled with to burry the archaic feud between the countries. India’s right wing convincing her family that Indian girls could become professional nationalist party BJP was quoted asking Mirza to “reconsider” athletes too. Tis movie was the frst I’d seen that portrayed a South the marriage (to a Pakistani), an opinion similar to politician Bal Asian woman breaking the mold of what was expected of her. What Tackeray’s editorial stating that “Sania will not remain Indian.” Mirza has done is fll the void for Jess’ real-life equivalent. Meanwhile centrist parties on both sides of the border either remained neutral or congratulatory. While a picture of Mirza was Mirza, 26, was born in Mumbai, where she began playing tennis burnt on the streets amidst this news, the couple gained plenty at the age of six. Her father, a sports journalist, was and still is her of support as well. Te Pakistan Cricket board and former Miss trainer. Her professional tennis career began in 2003, and since then Pakistan World Ayesha Gilani gave the couple their well wishes, in she has become India’s highest ranked female tennis player. She is addition to plenty of support exhibited by the Pakistani and Indian the frst Indian to win a Women’s Tennis Association title, and the public. Political opinion on this marriage stems from wider issues third to win a Grand Slam (in this case, for Mixed Doubles with regarding the culture, egos and history of the relationship between Mahesh Bhupathi at Wimbledon in 2012). She most recently won the two countries. Te happy couple demonstrates a valuable lesson the 2012 French Open Mixed Doubles event, in addition to her 2009 – that Indians and Pakistanis can live in unison afer all. In fact on a Australian Open Mixed Doubles win, and her 2003 Wimbledon lighter note, according to India Today, the couple will be contestants Girl’s Doubles Grand Slam. She also participated in the London in the ffh season of India’s hit television show Nach Baliye in 2012 Olympic tennis games. She most recently competed in the 2013 (India’s equivalent to Dancing with the Stars). Te two are 2013 Australian Open with partner Bob Bryan, one half of the undoubtedly the athletic power couple of South Asia; they currently famed Bryan brothers from the States. reside in Dubai, U.A.E.

In 2005 she made it onto TIME Magazine’s list of Asia’s Heroes, and Years away from turning 30, Mirza is the most accomplished was even on the cover of TIME’s South Asia edition. Te Economic female athlete to emerge from India. She has proven to be an Times, an Indian daily business newspaper, featured Mirza in the inspiration to young women, as even she has recognized that it’s 2010 edition of ’33 Women Who Made India Proud’. Te Indian not easy for the new generation of South Asians to break out of government has recognized Mirza in 2004 with the Arjun Award in traditional expectations of becoming doctors, lawyers and engineers.

SHE CANADA 45 POLITICS GAME CHANGER

By Priya Kumar

In early November as Hawaiian voters extended President anything, about the religious beliefs, values, and practices of India’s Obama’s stay in the White House by four years, they also elected a 800 million Hindus?” she said to Te Hufngton Post. new Congresswoman for the sunny island state. Tulsi Gabbard, 31, In fact, other South Asian-Americans already in Washington was an ideal candidate if there ever was one—not only at the age of such as Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (R) and South Carolina 21 was she the youngest legislator ever elected to ofce in the state of Governor Nikki Haley (R) both converted to Christianity from Hawaii, but as an army veteran, she served twice in the Middle East Hinduism and Sikhism respectively. Although Haley has kept close under the Hawaii National Guard Unit. She also happens to be the ties with her Indian roots, Jindal has distanced himself from his very frst Hindu-American to enter Congress. When she is sworn in ethnic ancestry and has even been called uncomfortable in his own January she will take the oath over the Bhagavad Gita. skin. A strict vegetarian, Gabbard began to embrace her religion Perhaps the disparity in behaviors is a classic case of bipartisan in her teens and has made provisions for it in her life ever since. boundary lines; the Democratic Party is known for its acceptance of Despite being blessed with the looks of the next big Bollywood diversity including religion, race and, increasingly, sexual orientation. starlet, she’s in fact not South Asian. When we spoke to her she said, On the contrary, the GOP tends to live up to their acronym “Good, “I am a practicing Hindu, but my ethnic heritage is Pacifc Islander. Ol’ Party”. It’s no surprise Obama’s campaign slogan simply read I have no Indian/South Asian ethnic connection.” Her father is “FORWARD.” It’s because of politicos like Gabbard, who insist their half-Caucasian, half-Samoan and her mother is Caucasian and a diferences be recognized, there will be more diversity in the US practicing Hindu. Government and, as a result, a better understanding of other races, Her religion has recently come to the forefront, not only for cultures and religions other than the countless denominations of setting a precedent for Hindu-Americans, but also because her Christianity that currently reign supreme in Washington. opponent Republican K. Crowley had the audacity to state her religion “was incompatible with the Constitution.” Gabbard made a valid point to Te Hufngton Post about the situation stating, “It is stunning that some people in Congress would so arrogantly thumb their nose at the Bill of Rights. When I volunteered to put my life on the line in defense of our country, no one asked me what my religion was.” Born in American Samoa, Gabbard moved to Hawaii with her family at the age of two. Toroughly Hawaiian, she started her email to us with a friendly “Aloha.” However, as a member of Congress, she hopes to utilize her religious leanings to strengthen ties between the US and India. “It is clear that there needs to be a closer working relationship between the United States and India. How can we have a close relationship if decision- makers in Washington know very little, if

46 SHE CANADA PHOTOGRAPHY GAME CHANGER

By Priyanka Raj

“His work was a game changer” -Atul Kasbekar, Te Hindustan Times

pon Prabuddha Dasgupta’s death, Sushmita Sen tweeted them for a book was raised, he went to each model for her permission she never had felt beautiful until she sat for a photo- to publish the book. However, all refused. He then approached them shoot with the famed photographer. Similar messages with the idea of having portraits of their faces, separate from the of condolences, in the form of tweets, Facebook posts body shots, to which they agreed. and blogs, poured in from former subjects, well- Dasgupta’s role as a mentor was evident from the outpouring of wishers and fans alike. However, all of these messages had one condolences from his protégés upon his death. Many famous Indian thing in common—that Prabuddha Dasgupta was one of the best photographers, such as Dabboo Rattani, Atul Kasbekar and Bharat photographers to come out of India. Sikka, commented in the press about the impact Dasgupta had on It is not surprising Dasgupta hailed from a family of artists; his their careers. Tey were joined by models, stylists and journalists, all father was a well-known sculptor. Planning on becoming a historian, of whom were inspired by his work. Arjun Bhasin, noted Indian stylist he later landed a copy-editing job, before becoming a self-taught who recently designed costumes for Ang Lee’s Life of Pi, frst met photographer. However, it was a single photograph of Feroze Gujral, Dasgupta on the set of Mira Nair’s flm Kama Sutra. “I took him some for a Suneet Varma fashion shoot that cemented his career as a images that I had shot for his opinion,” recalls Arjun. “Prabuddha photographer. Tis photograph won Dasgupta the 1991 Yves Saint responded, ‘You have an eye,’ and I blushed in appreciation. Over the Laurent Grant for photography. years he became a close friend, colleague and mentor. He was helpful, Te ‘90s brought Dasgupta much commercial success, capturing supportive, and encouraged me to continue to shoot.” iconic images for ad campaigns. Te earliest was a risqué shoot Dasgupta leaves a legacy of photographs which will no doubt for Kama Sutra condoms. William Mazzarella noted in his book, be cherished for ages. However, as a legacy, perhaps Mira Nair Shoveling Smoke: Advertising and Globalization in Contemporary described him best at his memorial, as an artistic activist who pushed India, that company ofcials wanted the ads to be “erotic, without boundaries, in a gentle manner. He was a game changer for Indian crossing that line of accepted social decency”, zeroing in on Dasgupta photography, not because he looked for controversy, but rather, for the job. Te company tried to sway Dasgupta into making the shots because he looked for the perfect shot. more “Western” and “stylized” by pulling out pictures from Western magazines. He maintained that he didn’t want a full commercial shoot resulting in glossy colourful images, but rather one in his trademark black and white, unusual for advertisements at the time. Dasgupta diferentiated himself from other fashion photographers, who typically had a legion of assistants and photography accessories. Instead of staging a photo-shoot with music or using complicated equipment, his philosophy was to “let the shot happen”. He even surprised company executives who met him at the airport because he had so little luggage and equipment. His next major commercial shoot was for Tuf Shoes, featuring Milind Soman and Madhu Sapre, both nude with a python wrapped around them. Tis advertisement sparked protest from women’s groups, resulting in legal woes for the photographer. But not surprisingly, when asked in a later interview if he’d take that shot again, he quickly said “yes”. While his commercial work garnered attention, he admitted to feeling straddled between the commercial and art worlds. He loved the discipline of commercial photography, and was able to pursue personal projects as a result. By pursuing both commercial and personal artistic photography, he revealed that he never had the chance to become bored of either. One such passionate project was his collection of nude pictures of urban Indian women, published as a book by Viking Press in 1996, titled Women. Dasgupta had these photos on hand and never RITU KUMAR AD CAMPIGN intended to publish them. However, when the possibility of compiling

SHE CANADA 47 CARTOON GAME CHANGER

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest Disney Princess of them all? We did an extremely scientifc poll at the SHE Canada ofce and Princess Jasmine took the title by a landslide. PRIYA KUMAR discovers as the frst ethnic Disney Princess created by the Mouse, she in reality stood for so much more than yet another pretty face

As Aladdin hit theaters 1992, I recall as a judicious 8-year-old, not being entirely happy with Disney’s decision to revamp the tale based on Aladdin and his Magic Lamp from original One Tousand and One Nights. Having been so character familiar with the fairytale myself, I wondered was written what an American rendition of the story to be incredibly would bring to the table, and more importantly vain and spoiled. Believing what Badroulabdour would look like afer the these faws would make Jasmine Disney Princess treatment. Succeeding Te unlikable, Disney only maintained her Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, predicament to fnd a suitor in Aladdin. Aladdin was the third installment of a series of movies known as the Disney It was veteran Disney animator Mark Renaissance—a period that brought Henn who was behind the physical character public interest back to Disney with the development of Princess Jasmine. He initially release of annual, big-budget animated was inspired by a guest to Walt Disney World in flms based on fairytales. Ultimately, Orlando who had long, fowing black hair and wanted the ensemble of characters from to incorporate the feature into Jasmine, but had quite a bit Aladdin would be the Studio’s of trouble conceiving her face. Afer extensively researching frst ethnic endeavor, preceding celebrities of the day and trying out diferent features, he was still both Pocahontas and Mulan. Finally at a loss. It was not until he looked into his own wallet to fnd afer catching the flm’s opening matinee in a graduation photo of his younger sister Beth Allen that things late Fall 1992, I overwhelmingly approved of began to fall into place. It was she who eventually became the the latest induction into the Pantheon of Disney Princesses and inspiration behind Jasmine and ultimately the envy of every little proceeded to purchase Jasmine Barbie Dolls for all of my friends’ girl who ever loved Disney. birthdays that year. Other elements of Jasmine quickly came together once the Apparently my reaction to the flm was not unique; the House face was decided upon. Her harem-pant ensemble was selected of Mouse did not create another royal princess for 17 years until to be blue to represent the colour of water—the rarest and most Tiana in Te Princess & Te Frog in 2009. Jasmine was certainly valued substance found in the desert. Te character of Aladdin a hard act to follow. Conceptualized in a pre-9/11 world, the was eventually re-sketched to better match Jasmine’s beauty and character’s animators were not quite as concerned with ethnic have their romance be believable. Although initially Aladdin was and cultural sensitivities as one might expect in the creation of written to be only 13-years-old, he was later made 18 with Tom a Muslim princess. Besides changing Badroulbadour’s name to Cruise rumoured to be the inspiration for his face. Jasmine thus the more relatable Jasmine—a name that so happened to be very infuenced the end-result of the flm’s hero. popular in the early ‘90s—they also eliminated the fact that the

48 SHE CANADA Te concept of Jasmine escaping the palace in the middle of the night, cloaking herself in a brown hijab closely mirrors the plot of the 1953 Audrey Hepburn classic Roman Holiday. Hepburn plays the jaded Princess Ann, from a non-descript European country on a visit to Rome. Her escape from the Embassy, followed by her falling in love with an American journalist, leading to their running through the streets of Rome from her bodyguards is cartooned in the Disney fick. In fact, Roman Holiday is said to have inspired every Disney flm since Sleeping Beauty.

Similar to the animation of Sleeping Beauty being infuenced by medieval tapestries, Disney Art Director Bill Perkins wanted to incorporate Arabic art and scripture into the characters of Aladdin. Jasmine’s palace was inspired by the Taj Mahal in Agra, evident in the fctionalized name given to her kingdom, Agrabah. Jasmine’s clothes, jewellery, hair and eyes were created to complement the curves of her palace, while staying true to what one might expect to see in Arab royalty.

Jasmine is far from your cookie cutter Disney Princess. Besides fghting for what she believes in, she is also the only Princess to marry a commoner of her choosing, perhaps making her the frst “Princess Charming” in that she pulls Aladdin out of poverty. She represents the fght for civil rights, the end of archaic law and the pursuit of ultimate happiness, allowing each of her impressionable fans to learn something new about human nature and that anyone of any ethnicity can be a Princess. Below: Princess Jasmine’s face was inspired by the features of Mark Henn’s sister, Beth Allen. Above: Aladdin was created in the likeness of Tom Cruise to mimick Jasmines’ beauty SHE CANADA 49 MUSIC GAME CHANGER

By Priya Kumar

he frst time I heard a track by M.I.A. was 7 summers ago in 2005— her video for “Galang” had rightfully made its way into MuchMoreMusic’s regular adult contemporary rotation. It was a time that pre-dated the reality show’s pervasive takeover, when music networks still played music, albeit dominated by the Pussycat Dolls and pre-meltdown Britney Spears. Te very fact that this Sri Lankan sprite had the audacity to wear her signature oversized tie-dye zip-ups against a background of retro airbrushed murals spoke volumes about what set her apart from the status quo. Te music industry labeled her unique sound something between hip-hop and dance with little else to go of of as reference for this obviously novel genre M.I.A. pioneered.

50 SHE CANADA MUSIC GAME CHANGER

Born in London in the mid-‘70s to Sri Lankan Tamil parents, publications including Rolling Stone and Blender. “Kala” also Mathangi Arulpragasm went by her nickname Maya. Her father included her most known song to date,“Paper Planes,” which Arular was an engineer, activist and poet who moved the family is actually about the trouble she’s had with visas to the States. back to Sri Lanka when she was just a small child. Sri Lanka It was also featured on the soundtracks of Pineapple Express, was, at the time, ravaged by a fercely violent civil war between Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story and most famously, the Tamil Hindu minority seeking independence from a nation the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire thus introducing M.I.A. also home to a Sinhalese Buddhist majority. Arular soon to a whole new audience. became a voice in the Tamil independence movement, dodging the Sri Lankan authorities throughout M.I.A.’s childhood. Two albums later, she signed to Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation However, he was also at odds with the infamous Tamil Tigers— in May 2012. Tis followed a highly publicized featured who were known to attack all Sri Lankans, Sinhalese and Tamils appearance on the Super Bowl XLVI with Madonna for “Give alike, in addition to recruiting child soldiers. Arular steered Me All Your Luvin.” She was caught gesturing profanity on clear of these rebels, knowing the destruction they were capable camera, resulting in profuse apologies from NBC and the of. Life in Sri Lanka was precarious—Maya’s elementary school NFL, particularly because the episode was so soon afer Janet was even attacked and burned to the ground. She recalls having Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction,” an incident which to run to the English school next door to hide from rebel forces. set the two organizations back almost $8 million in fnes. Even Her father would disappear for long periods of time fghting Madonna spoke out against M.I.A. in this case stating her for the cause of independence. Afer a brief move to Chennai, action was, “Out of place” at the Superbowl. To be able to set India, the family once again returned to the UK under refugee Madonna of is only further proof of M.I.A.’s refusal to conform status. Her mother landed a seamstress position with the to what mainstream music expects of her. British Royal Family, foreshadowing the infuence her daughter Maya would have on fashion later in life. Politically, perhaps the most curious move on M.I.A.’s part has been the use of tiger imagery in her branding, music videos Although given the tough time Maya faced growing up, she and web presence. Her activist father avoided the Tamil Tigers, excelled in the arts as a young adult. By the time she graduated yet M.I.A. has chosen to align herself with the radical group. from art school at the renowned Central Saint Martins College She once said in a New York Times Magazine cover story titled of Art and Design in her mid-twenties, she began to go by “M.I.A.’s Agitprop Pop,” “I don’t want to make the same music, M.I.A. creatively. Te acronym stood for both “missing in sing about the same stuf, talk about the same things. If that action” and her name, Maya—it also paid homage to Acton, makes me a terrorist, then I’m a terrorist.” the suburb of London in which she grew up. It was through her success in the art world, she was eventually introduced to a While the music industry has welcomed M.I.A.’s rebel-with- sequencing drum machine that ultimately led to her interest in a-cause façade, political analysts have raise eyebrows. In the music. same New York Times Magazine article, Ahilan Kadirgamar at the Sri Lanka Democracy Forum explained, “People in exile Afer putting together a demo recording with only six songs tend to be more nationalistic, and Maya took a very simplistic that included a heavily remixed club mash-up of “Galang,” explanation of the problems between Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese M.I.A. solidifed herself as the next big thing on the Indie music government and the Tamils. It’s very unfair when you condemn scene. She did not even do an ofcial release, nor perform one side of this confict. Te Tigers were killing people, and the a single show before her tracks caught on over the Internet government was killing people. It was a brutal war, and M.I.A. and went viral. Tis brushfre of popularity led to her signing had a role in putting the Tigers on the map. She doesn’t seem her frst real record deal with XL Recordings—they ofcially to know the complexity of what these groups do.” What these released “Galang” with a video directed by M.I.A. herself. Her groups, including the Tamil Tigers, do is massacre Sinhalese smash hit “Sunshowers” soon followed in 2004. villages with a terrorist agenda. Te Sinhalese government thus retaliates with similar measures on Tamil villages, continuing a Te following year, when I frst stumbled upon her work, vicious cycle of violence in Sri Lanka’s already fragile political she released her album “Arular”—named for her father. What climate. sets M.I.A. apart from her contemporaries, beside her tracks’ infectious backbeat, is her ability to keep her music socially Regardless of her political positioning, in an industry where relevant. Her song lyrics describe the plights of Tamils, African- image is everything, M.I.A. has gone from the darling of the Americans and Palestinians in addition to the struggles of her hipster movement to making activism chic. Her music has own tumultuous childhood. opened her vast audience to what she has to say about the unjust state of the world. It would just be preferable, given her Her sophomore album “Kala,” named for her mother, was powerful position as a political mouthpiece in a bubblegum both a critical and commercial success. Te album boasted pop world, that she backs the cause of an alliance less into the A-list collaborations with the likes of Timbaland and Blaqstarr rape and pillage of an entire nation. and was branded album of the year by several top music

SHE CANADA 51 MODEL GAME CHANGER

By Priya Kumar

here are a thousand girls who could be doing my job,” the Canada-born, modeling legend Yasmeen Ghauri once said. Although fashion world would beg to difer, her modesty is a refection of her Pakistani-Canadian heritage. Born to a Pakistani father and German mother, Ghauri had a strict upbringing and was discouraged from entering the modeling industry. “My father is an Imam which is an Islamic priest. Muslims aren’t supposed to dance. You’re not really supposed to show your skin. You’re supposed to be covered, you’re supposed to be modest. And all these things are completely the opposite of what I’m doing now,” she said in an interview with E! back in the ‘90s. “My father was not really happy with me modeling. [According to him] I’m putting him in jeopardy of going to hell. It’s very dramatic.” Strict parenting aside, the Montrealer had a less-than-idyllic youth. Much of her time in grade school was spent being teased and tormented for her remarkable proportions. As a result, Ghauri chose to associate with older neighbourhood kids, causing her to mature quicker than peers her own age.

By the age of 17, Ghauri was discovered by Joseph Del Tortoon, a Montreal-based hairstylist. She was working behind the counter at a local McDonald’s at the time. Although voted employee of the month, the fashion world had other plans in store for her.

52 SHE CANADA Contrary to what she believes, the secret Demarchelier, who photographed her for the When contacted for comment, her to her success has been her exotic Pakistani- cover of Vogue Italia, once called Ghauri his representation told us she is no longer German look. She entered the fashion world at favourite subject. active in the industry and wishes not to a time when designers were looking for more be approached with any media requests. than the average Californian blonde. She got She became the face of Chanel and Jil Sander Although disappointing, it refects how her start with a Montreal-based agency in at the beginning of her career and later Hermés Ghauri deals with her fame and fortune. Her 1990 and soon moved to New York City— and Lanvin. Her luxury brand clientele read favourite expression is, “You can’t take it with the epicenter of the fashion world—to model like the stockist list at Barneys—Anne Klein, you.” Apparently she didn’t— despite having for Versace (top right image). Her naturally Bruno Magli, Christian Dior Haute Couture, been one of the world’s top supermodels, she dark features and expressive personality were Escada, Etinne Aigner, Gianfranco Ferre, has since elected to shun the spotlight and is immediately noticed by the insiders across Gianni Versace Couture, Givenchy Organza now far removed from the hustle and bustle of the industry. perfume, Laura Biagiotti, Sonia Rykiel, and the industry that made her a household name. Valentino. To top it of, she was also a regular Although Ghauri rebelled against her father’s She spent most of the mid-nineties in Victoria’s Secret’s campaigns—a massive wishes earlier in life, she now shares some pounding the runways of Milan, Paris and New coup for any supermodel. of his philosophies. Keenly involved with York in addition to appearing on the covers of charity and assisting those less fortunate than Elle, Shape, Marie Claire, German and Italian Rumours of her retirement began to swirl she, Ghauri is active in fundraising for Breast Vogue, although it was her appearance on the in June of 1996 when she pulled out of a major Cancer initiatives and saving Germany’s highly coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Yves Saint-Laurent runway show. Tere was Black Forest. Today she raises her children Edition—a cover that has also propelled some truth to these whispers—she ultimately Maya and Victor far away from the life she the careers of Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum did take time of to pursue a business degree once knew and although now a dedicated among countless others—that really turned before marrying Financier Ralph Bernstein. mom, her legacy as a top ethnic supermodel heads. Even famed photographer Patrick is far from being forgotten.

SHE CANADA 53 FILM GAME CHANGER

By Parveen Singh

“You can’t have a wedding without a Madhuri song or dance!” I remember saying to my best friend, while we were planning her wedding in the summer. I wouldn’t call myself obsessed or even a fanatic, but it’s a fact, just like the sky is blue. And I know millions of others would agree.

Madhuri Dixit, a.k.a the Julia Roberts of Bollywood, is one of the for their new movie, which required a fresh new face. Dixit, went few leading ladies in Indian Cinema who has established herself to the audition and won the role. In 1984, Abodh was released. And as a legendary starlet. With her captivating beauty, grace, screen even though it didn’t set any box-ofce records, it was a valuable presence and incredible talent for dance, she has been capturing learning experience that introduced Dixit into the world of acting. the hearts of millions for over 25 years. Afer consecutive fops, Dixit would fnally have a breakthrough Growing up, I was mesmerized by Dixit. I wish I could tell in 1988, as Mohini in Tezaab. Te movie starred Anil Kapoor and you how many times I saw her flms and imitated her moves and it would be the frst of many unforgettable flms the pair would expressions. I remember practicing “Channe Ke Khet Mein,” do together. It also marked the beginning of her association with endlessly until I got the moves down pat, but let’s face it, I lacked renowned choreographer Saroj Khan, with the song “Ek Do Teen.” that certain oomph that Dixit has. I can honestly say that my Te success of the movie and “Ek Do Teen” made Dixit a household passion for dance began with her. And that ladies and gentlemen, name. is the Dixit afect. So naturally when the chance to write about her presented itself, I jumped at the opportunity. Dixit would follow up the success of Tezaab with the hits Ram Lakhan, Prem Pratigyaa, Tridev and Parinda. And even though, Trained as a kathak dancer, Dixit never dreamed of the bright she played small parts in the male dominated movies, Tridev and lights of Bollywood. Instead, she pragmatically wanted to be a Parinda, she managed to be a scene-stealer with her enormous microbiologist. However, at the age of 17, a family friend who knew screen presence. Ten, in the early ‘90s came superstardom for the Barjatiya family of Rajshri Productions, suggested she try out Dixit. In 1990, she starred in Dil with Aamir Khan and Saajan

54 SHE CANADA with Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt. Both movies were the highest Tey say that imitation is the best form of fattery, so in 2003 grossing flms for that year and she won her frst Filmfare Award when the movie Main Madhuri Dixit Bana Chahti Hoon (I want for Best Actress with her performance in Dil. She followed up to be Madhuri Dixit) released, there could not have been a greater with Beta, where she played a woman married to an illiterate man compliment to Dixit’s accomplishments. It starred actress Antara and Khalnayak, as the fery police woman, Ganga. And let’s not Mali, as a young girl who dreams of becoming a star just like her forget, these two movies included the songs that cemented Dixit as idol Madhuri Dixit one day. the Dancing Queen forever- “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga” from Beta and “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” from Khalnayak. “Dhak Dhak” is In 2011, Dixit embarked into the world of television by becoming considered to be the most sensual dance in Hindi Cinema history, a judge on Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, India’s answer to Dancing with the whereas the dance moves of “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai,” raised Stars. Te show is a huge hit and she recently completed her second many eyebrows, as they were considered too risqué for the times. season.

It was however in 1994 when Dixit starred in one of Bollywood’s So what’s next for the Bollywood legend? Tis year, Dixit most celebrated blockbusters, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, a musical and her family moved back to India to pursue new projects and love story opposite Salman Khan. Her performance as the vibrant opportunities. She is also set to begin work on two new movies, Nisha brought her many accolades and a third Filmfare Best Dedh Ishqiya, a sequel to Ishqiya and Gulab Gang. Her return Actress Award. She was also nominated that same year for her role to India is the latest volume in the epic that is Madhuri Dixit’s of a woman seeking revenge for her husband’s murder, against her formidable career. crazy admirer in Anjaam, where she was paired with Shahrukh Khan for the frst time. She would end the ‘90s with two more runaway hits, Raja and Dil Toh Pagal Hai.

In 1999, Dixit decided to take a new journey in her life. It is one that many actresses prolong for fear that it will end their careers early- marriage! Dixit has never been an actress surrounded by scandal. Besides a brief relationship with Sanjay Dutt in the early ‘90s, she has kept her personal and professional lives separate. On October 17th, 1999 Madhuri Dixit tied the knot with Dr. Shriram Madhav Nene, a cardiovascular surgeon from Denver, Colorado. Te couple was introduced through family and instantly hit it of. Afer marriage, Dixit decided to move to the US, where she lived for nearly a decade and began a family. She continued to work but was more selective about her flm choices, which led to her powerful woman-centric performances in Pukar, Lajja and Devdas. Afer Devdas in 2002, Dixit would return to the screen afer a fve-year hiatus in 2007 with Aaja Nachle. Although the flm didn’t fare well at the box ofce, the title song became hugely popular and fans were happy to have the Queen Bee back.

SHE CANADA 55 By Priya Kumar

56 SHE CANADA Fashion Editor PRIYA KUMAR Assistant Stylist MILENA RASKOVIC Photographer ROHAN SHRESTHA Hair/Makeup CHIQUE SALON & SPA, MUMBAI Models DEEPTI GUJRAL, ARYAN VAID

SHE CANADA 57 58 SHE CANADA he frst time I met Narendra Kumar, he was dressed in Asian sartorialists. Boldly playing with structured pants, dresses chaiwallah attire serving the sweet milky concoction to the front and skirts, he introduced silhouettes to a region of the world still row of his Fall/Winter 2010 Lakmé Fashion Week show at Mumbai’s deeply entrenched in the design traditions of the past. His pieces exclusive riding club, Tote on the Turf. Almost overshadowing the include vastly diferent textiles quilted together in such a way that eclectic collection itself, the theme of the show paid homage to a iridescent metallic satin plays efortlessly of of graphic prints on Mumbai where kitsch meets couture. It was the frst show I can silk to create the perfect bodycon mini-dress of the future. recall seeing the runway stylized as a set—in this case, a train, symbolic of the expansive railway system that runs throughout In 2011, Kumar broke into South Asia’s bridal market. India’s fashion and flm capital. Something that stood out to me Unarguably the most powerful niche in the subcontinent’s fashion about Kumar, was his down-to-earth willingness to interact with industry, a designer has not truly conquered the country without the crowd doing a job that would have most likely been assigned having a presence in this market. His frst efort in 2011 did not to an Intern. Afer all, Kumar is without a doubt one of the most go unnoticed—his contemporary touch was seen throughout the recognizable names in South Asian fashion today. collection including ombré dying and geometric draping coupled with ancient Indian crafsmanship techniques such as appliqué, Kumar began his career in the early ‘90s. A member of the frst zardozi and chikkan embellishments. ever National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) graduating class, he paved the way for a new cohort of contemporary designers to emerge from India. Fresh out of college, he landed his frst gig designing for Ensemble— India’s frst luxury boutique.

Kumar’s pioneering eforts in Indian fashion caught the eye of international editorial heavyweights. So much so that in 1996 he was approached to be the founding Editor of ELLE Magazine’s Indian edition. In a region of the world that had not yet been fully recognized by international tastemakers, the launch of ELLE was a step in the right direction. Afer several years at the helm of the fashion editorial icon, Kumar remained involved in the publishing world by later becoming the Consulting Fashion Editor for Verve Magazine.

However, it’s his career as a designer that has truly earned him the title of fashion industry game changer. For years he has served as a fashion consultant to many mass-market brands including Raymonds, Reid & Taylor, Wills Sports and Levi’s. Although such Nari, as he is fondly known by friends, once gave me some sound a concept is commonplace in the Western world with fast fashion advice about achieving one’s career goals. He stood by the fact that like H&M, Zara and Forever 21 teaming up with fashion greats besides knowing what it is you want out of your career, you must including Missoni, Karl Lagerfeld and Jimmy Choo, the democracy be willing to persevere in whatever it is you do. Once over coming of luxury is still a long way of in South Asia. What we consider the early years of drudgework, it will pay of in the end. Nari would inexpensive in the West is still a luxury in the old country. Tat know better than anyone—from the countless honours he receives being said, Kumar taking the reigns of such labels was a huge step from esteemed panels internationally (he is currently India’s brand into the future for garment retail—his vision of what South Asians ambassador to SwissAir) and the speaking positions he has taken want in their wardrobes will be omnipresent for decades to come. up at NIFT year-afer-year—what it is newbies to the fashion industry need to make it. Te conviction with which he dispenses In 2008 Kumar took the plunge every designer dreams of—he his pearls of wisdom is hard to forget in itself, but knowing it comes launched his eponymous label “Narendra Kumar” with fagship from a source of true self-made success is what really made his stores in both Mumbai and New Delhi. His designs brought a words stick. whole new concept of contemporary fusion fashion to South

SHE CANADA 59 A writer and poet whose warmth is exceeded only by her sincerity, Toronto’s very own Sheniz Janmohammed is a very busy lady. She was nice enough to lend SIJAL REHMANE her time on a Wednesday afernoon to discuss her career aspirations

quick email questionnaire may have sufced but, Afer the frst event, Sheniz was hooked. Shortly thereafer, she admittedly, it was personal curiosity that urged me to was asked by a Kenyan poet to support his poetry movement in arrange a meeting with this poet. Not just any poet, but Kenya. Tis saw Sheniz planning the entire event from Toronto. one who has made a name for herself in the Toronto “I had no idea what the poets would be like, nothing. I just had spoken-word scene while always maintaining a sense of her complete faith in it, showed up, and it was amazing. Tere’s so cultural identity, namely, her South Asian ancestry. Why wouldn’t much talent in Kenya. It was an awesome experience.” anyone want to hang out with her?

It was over vegan fare on Bloor West that Sheniz Janmohammed told me that her roots could be traced back to India, although she is a born and raised Torontonian. Janmohammed completed her undergrad in World Religion and English at the University of Toronto, where she discovered the wonders of spoken word poetry at the open mic evenings that took place just up the street from where she lived. Te venue gave her a place to share her own words.

Sheniz has been writing her own performance pieces since high school, when she found the material provided by her drama teachers was not up to par with her standards. What better way to overcome that than to come up with one’s own material? While she was not privy to the spoken word at the time, her experience at U of T served her well in this regard and by her second year, Sheniz had formed Ignite Poets— an initiative aimed at bringing together spoken word artists to share their words in a more scripted format than most spoken-word events allow. “I was seeing a lot of open mics and I wasn’t seeing a lot of integration between poets’ works and I wanted to create an actual scripted show instead of having just one poet go up and then another poet go up and that was kind of it… What I’m trying to do is combine poetry, spoken word, and music all into a series. So, imagine having a qawwali musician and a spoken word artist doing something together. It’s that intersection that I’m interested in.

“For my frst show, which was at El Mocambo, what I did was get all these poets to submit their poems and then I linked them all together so that one would fow into the other, and then we had rehearsals which was kind of weird for a spoken word event.”

60 SHE CANADA Ignite Poets is an initiative that includes “individual poets who At present, Sheniz is teaching spoken word for the Forced do their own thing, and come together if asked.” Most recently, Marriage Project, an initiative of the South Asian Legal Clinic of Sheniz organized the frst of the Suf Poet Series for Ignite in early Ontario (SALCO), in an eight-week seminar. She is also working on November, where several poets came together to honour and the follow-up to her frst book Bleeding Light, a collection of English celebrate the Suf Rabi’a of Basra. With this series, Janmohammed Ghazals following a woman’s journey through the night. January aims to “take Suf poets in history and revive them through new of 2012 saw Janmohammed making a trip to the Jaipur Literature poets. So, how do spoken word artists interpret Mirza Ghalib or Festival—one of the largest and most renowned literature festivals other old Suf poets? Tey don’t necessarily have to be Suf to do in Asia— where she was invited to speak at the fve-day event that that, so I wanted that universal message to be there and that’s how takes place at a palace in India. You can also catch another Ignite I started the series.” spoken-word event this March in Toronto.

Her interest in Sufsm lies in the universality of it. “I think Clearly, Janmohammed has got a lot on her plate. Proving a force because I was brought up in the Islamic faith, it’s always what to be reckoned with on the spoken-word scene, and her events you’re inherently drawn to. For me, the initial appeal lay there, and even being featured on the popular Toronto event site BlogTO, she the universality of it kept me exploring further—just the fact that shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. It’s not everyday in lots of Sufs were considered heretics. If you look at the lives of our modern world that one can truly call themself a professional Suf poets or saints, they were always opposing, they were never poet, yet Janmohammed has done just that. stagnant, they were always challenging and questioning, and a lot of that was seen as heresy. Troublemakers!”

Sheniz’s own work, while never limited to anything too specifc, is ofen inspired by “injustices that are happening in the world. Tat seems to be my focus, or what I’m drawn to talk about.”

SHE CANADA 61 KALAMKAAR: OLD WORLD CHARM WITH A CONTEMPORARY STYLE SENSIBILITY

Located just of the Don Valley Parkway on Queen Street East, SIJAL REHMANE visits Kalamkaar and discovers how it has been adding a South Asian touch to Toronto homes with their high-quality, solid wood furniture since 2006

Run by Karachi native Zahid Hak, Kalamkaar prides itself on reviving the art of Pakistani crafsmanship, by proudly faunting the tagline, Furniture as Art. “We wanted to show people that the crafsmanship we bring from South Asia is amazing, it’s out of this world,” he explains. Indeed, a quick stroll through his store is a testament to this, with fne examples of technique, artistry and splendor exuding from every corner of the showroom. Highly intricate and detailed inlays make an appearance on almost all of the pieces, with Hak’s masterful woodwork found in abundance.

62 SHE CANADA “In this part of the world, people are getting more attuned Hak takes great pride in this particular aspect of his work, to fast food, fast furniture, that kind of thing. Te diference asserting that it would not be too much of a stretch to call him [in Kalamkaar products] is that you can pass it on through the unofcial cultural ambassador of Pakistan. “I am showing generations.” Hak attributes this to the high quality of the [Canadians] what we do— the culture, the art! Tese things wood used to build Kalamkaar creations. “Te wood we use matter a lot.” is farm wood. We farm our wood for almost 10-15 years.” He stops to emphasize that they do not cut the forests in India and Pakistan. “We are an environmentally conscious and friendly company, and wish to preserve [the forests in India and Pakistan]. We farm our own wood [and by doing so, this also helps us] guarantee the quality of our product.”

In the six years since opening the Toronto fagship, Kalamkaar has managed to tap into many segments of the interior design market, boasting clientele of varying cultural backgrounds, with an appeal that speaks to “anyone who has an association with hand-crafed, one-of-a-kind pieces.” He points out that the furniture is not entirely ethnic and always maintains a modern touch and strives for the ever-popular ‘fusion’ feel, with wares’ elements of the East and West blending nicely. “So it’s a mélange and collage of furniture because we really just want to give a fresh vibe to an interior.”

Many of the pieces at Kalamkaar pay homage to diferent eras in South Asian history. One piece that stood out in particular was a striking royal blue diwaan sofa that blatantly hearkens the decadence of the subcontinent’s Mughal era. Fabrics used to upholster the pieces are always of the fnest quality, with raw silk and jamawaar— a silk and cotton blend— ubiquitous throughout the space.

Kalamkaar has also taken it upon itself to showcase the works of emerging South Asian artists. Hak feels it is of great importance to bring sub-continental art to the North American public, and invites both new and established South Asian artists to display their works. “For young artists who have just entered the market, I usually give my walls for free as a community service… on the whole, we try to bring something positive to the South Asian community.”

SHE CANADA 63 Owais Lightwala, 22, is breaking down cultural barriers in Lightwala has been hard at work proving his parents wrong, Toronto’s theater scene. Besides being Associate Producer at Why starting with Soulpepper’s Youth Mentorship program, where a Not Teater, the player is a young renaissance man of the stage. handful of youth are placed in a “six week long intensive program LIZ GUBER discusses his career with him over a cup of tea in North where young people explore and create art” Lightwala goes on to York and discovers the importance of one’s roots in any career describe the program as “ a fantastic thing to do to young people, to have that kind of stimulation.” Over the course of a leadership I’ve kept Owais Lightwala’s story in my bag of editorial tricks program taking place the following year, Lightwala and a handful for quite some time now. Afer a friend informed me of his rising of other aspiring theatre novices banded together and formed their infuence on the Toronto theatre scene, I knew I had to write about own troupe. him and his delightful take on life, both onstage and of. Te eclectic ensemble of young people came together, and We meet for morning tea, both being rather fanatical about the without a solid plan or even a preliminary script, applied to the beverage, and the conversation becomes a free fow of anecdotes Paprika Festival, a popular theatre festival for youth. “We had no and banter, with the interviewer/interviewee roles switching play, we were improvising the entire thing. We wanted to see if we without us noticing. I knew prior to the meeting that Owais had a could get in, and we did! We did really well, actually! We wrote a worldly upbringing, and he shared the details with me, “I was born play and by some miracle we put it on. Tat earned us a spot at the in hustling and bustling Karachi, Pakistan. I lived there for about Fringe Festival.” six months afer my birth, at which point I decided to make the move.” He adds with sarcasm, “I thought about it long and hard and Earning a coveted spot at Toronto’s Fringe Festival is an I just didn’t think that it was a good place to grow up and so I made impressive feat. Te festival, being one of the largest in North the move to Dubai.” At fourteen Owais arrived to Canada, where America, attracts over 90,000 patrons, and is unique in that all he started high school, where he found himself “bored out of [his] proceeds from ticket sales go toward the actors, producers and mind” explaining, “I didn’t have anything to do, and I was looking directors. Te Fringe takes place at theatre venues sprawled across for something to kill time with. So I went and I tried everything. the city, as well as more adventurous locations such as parking I didn’t make it onto the soccer team, I didn’t have enough money garages and lingerie shops, including the Bathurst Street Teatre to do karate, the student council was very polite and said I was too where I had the opportunity to see Lightwala and company’s young.” Ten along came the drama club, and as they say, the rest delightful collage of vignettes, most of them circling around the is history. theme of young infatuation, titled Te Hurt is Astounding. It was also Lightwala’s frst pay cheque as a producer. Te saying goes “if at frst you don’t succeed, try, try, again.” Te phrase was taken literally by Lightwala, who was denied a part in the school play on his frst attempt, undeterred, he settled for selling tickets for the play. “I did that the frst year, and the second time I auditioned again and I didn’t get the part, and this time they said, ‘do you want to run the lights for the show?’ and the next thing you know, I fell in love with the world of theatre tech.” Following what Lightwala admits was a less than stellar on-stage debut, he allowed his unwavering love of theatre take him to York University, much to his parents’ chagrin.

Anyone who has ever dealt with even a shred of parental disapproval can identify with Lightwala’s experiences of a father who routinely asks, “When are you going to bring home a real pay cheque?” Lightwala adds, “my parents were mortifed, they spent a year railing and wailing and banging their heads against anything they could fnd.” Shrugging he goes on to say “that’s just the way it goes.”

64 SHE CANADA Toronto Star singled the play out as one of the festival’s hottest shows, and NOW Magazine added further accolades; “With strong acting, well-defned characters, a cohesive script and intricate lighting, this show is an impressive Fringe debut by a talented, young collective.” Following the runaway success of Te Hurt is Astounding, Paprika was eager to have the ensemble back, ofering to make them a Resident Company, along with mentorship and funding. As it sometimes happens to the young and the mildly egotistical, the group “got drunk of of our own success” and at the end of their residency, they came out with a play Lighwala is not ashamed to label a disaster. “At the time I blocked it right out of my memory, you feel very protective of anything that you do, especially when it’s out there and people can criticize it. My ego was hurt a little bit. In the long run, I learned what not to do, and it was in a safe environment, there was nothing to lose. We moved on.”

And what did moving on mean for Lightwala? Producing a series of plays with legendary Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah, aptly titled Beyond Bollywood. “Beyond Bollywood was a mini series of two plays, one in English and one in Hindi, [performed] at Why Not Teatre.” Te two plays, Dear Liar and Ismat Apa Ke Naam, were both sold out shows, and received critical acclaim. Dear Liar was adapted from the passionate correspondence of playwright George Bernard Shaw and Mrs. Patrick Stella Campbell, a famous actress of the time, who inspired the character of Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion. Te lauded Ismat Apa Ke Naam was based around a collection of short stories by Ismat Chughtai whose strong feminist ideology made her one of India’s most beloved, successful and controversial poets.

Te duality of East and West is evident in all facets of Lightwala’s life. I’m impressed by his knowledge of the Bombay television industry, “Out of 30 days in a month they work 28 days, they’ll be shooting in the morning, it will get edited in the afernoon and it will air that night, it’s that crazy. It’s a fascinating world.” When asked if he would ever consider a Bollywood cross-over he answers, “it’s not my calling.” Lightwala does have aspirations of someday making a diference, through theatre and the arts, in his native Pakistan. “Tere are stories to be told there, there is so much richness and vitality and culture and history and so much going on, in a way there’s a texture. Tat’s where they need art the most.”

For now, Lightwala is happy to be working in his beloved feld, and his upcoming projects include directing a Canadian Stage production under acclaimed director Daniel Brooks. Be it abroad or right here in Toronto, Lightwala’s mission statement is clear “A lot of good art, unfortunately needs to be recognized by people who have four years of art school, and I think that’s not the kind of work I want to do. I want to do the kind of work that people with no arts background, like my parents, could look at and really understand and appreciate.”

SHE CANADA 65 I’m getting pretty serious with the guy I’ve been dating traveling, he should be able to make time for the people he for over a year now. We’re both desi and we have an thinks are important. He might just be leading you on. I say understanding that we would both like to be married in the break up with him and fnd someone who DOES have time near future. My only concern is the fact that he lives what for you. feels like a million miles away in Ottawa, Ontario. I’m from Toronto and the last thing I want to do is leave this city, but SHE Said: he’s hell-bent on staying in Ottawa for at least the next 5 If he’s acting aloof and hard-to-get, then beat him at his own years. Should I have to move to be with him? game. Stop being the frst to call or text. Let him ask you on the next date or be the one to initiate the conversation. If that HE Said doesn’t work, and he lets the relationship deteriorate, let that Te answer is simple, either one of you moves, or you break be the sign that he is, sadly, just not that into you. up. If you do end up compromising and moving to Ottawa, make him promise to re-locate in a few years, or when you two I recently landed my dream job in the marketing industry decided to have kids. Have you ever been to Ottawa? Make a afer years of working hard and doing other odd jobs. When few weekend visits, you might fnd it to be a nice place to live. I told my friend who is also in the industry, I expected him to be happy for me. Instead he didn’t say much and has SHE Said chosen to ignore the subject since. Why is my friend acting Perhaps the reason there have been so many romantic like this? comedies based around this common conundrum, (most recently Te Five Year Engagement) is because it’s a universally HE Said: relatable problem. Te only way to get what you want in this Perhaps your friend feels that you weren’t qualifed for the job case, then, would be to stand your ground and hope that the to begin with, and is having a hard time accepting what he more time spent apart will make your boyfriend realize that thinks is unfair. On the opposite end of the spectrum, he could you are worth moving to Toronto for. also see you as a threat in his own career, as you’ve mentioned that you two are in the same industry. Te man I just recently started seeing is sending me majorly mixed signals and I don’t know what they mean! We’ve SHE Said: only been out a few times but he’s indicated that he would Try to think back to the last time one of your friends shared like things to get serious and thinks we should get engaged their good news with you. Sure, you were very happy, but within the year. Te problem is, we e-mail and text back you were also just a little bit jealous. Most of us are good at and forth but he barely has time to call or see me. I don’t concealing any hidden feelings of envy, but maybe your friend understand how he expects this relationship to progress so isn’t one of those people. Perhaps he got used to you always quickly if he can’t even put in the time! working odd jobs, and it made him feel slightly superior, now you two are even, and that could be a hard thing for him to HE Said: come to terms with. He’ll get used to this change eventually, Does this guy have any legitimate reasons to be extremely just try not to mention your new job for a little while. busy? Unless he’s an Emergency Room doctor or constantly

66 SHE CANADA TOMS Sunglasses $139

It’s so easy to be a girl on Valentine’s Day. Tere isn’t a girl in the world who wouldn’t like a dozen long-stem roses, a box of trufes or a cute, stufed animal. But what about for him? Technology changes so quickly and what is it that men really like when it comes to fashion? Tis month SHE has you covered. Here DARK KNIGHT are some of the hottest products out this TRILOGY February that any fashion forward, tech- $52.99 savvy guy would be thrilled to receive.

EAU DE LACOSTE $62

NIKE+ Fuelband $149

SAMSUNG CHROMEBOOK $249

ROOTS GRETZKY DUFFLE PRINCE BEATS BY DR. LEATHER BAG $388 DRE PILL $199

H&M JUMPER $49.95

IPAD MINI from $329

JOHN VARVATOS FOR CONVERSE $125

SHE CANADA 67 By Priya Kumar

Tere is no shortage of culinary gems in Toronto. Visitors to Executive Chef G. Q. Pan has successfully combined Japanese our fne city are always in awe of the depth and breadth of choice and Pan-Asian cuisine to suit European and North American taste available, while us locals take the whole scene for granted. However, buds and let me be the frst (or n hundredth) food critic to say he’s on a very special occasion, it’s worth indulging. Recently, I had the done it seamlessly. Known for their “Blowfsh Giant Ebi Shooters” (a opportunity to do so at Blowfsh Restaurant and Sake Bar. sushi cornet role with a mélange of exotic Japanese fare placed in a shot glass for efect), the menu is both inventive in its presentation Te landmark upscale fusion eatery is far from new to downtown and daring in ingredient combination. Into gourmet Mexican? Try foodies. Founded in 2003, its King Street location is housed in a their Tuna Taco (diced tuna, negi, frieze, daikon sprout and Japanese beautiful, historical bank building at the corner of Bathurst Street— tartar served in a crispy wonton taco). For the herbivore types there the place to be any night of the week. Blowfsh provides ambience is the Goji Berry Greens (baby greens, gobo, tofu, lotus root, snap unlike any other Japanese restaurant in the city. Designed by peas, Asian pear, pine nuts and goji berry; tossed in kombu orange architect Johnson Chou, the space has infused the old with new vinaigrette), a salad to die for. And how could we forget the sushi? using modern materials on the walls balanced by oaky fnishes. My favourite has to be the Trufe Albacore roll (spicy albacore tuna Te overall ambiance of the space is high-energy and aesthetically paste, tiger shrimp and avocado; topped with a garlic chip and trufe contemporary, but let’s not forget we haven’t even gotten to the food. oil drizzle.

68 SHE CANADA Te occasion I visited Blowfsh in particular was my late twenty-something birthday a few weeks ago—a DJ was on hand spinning some old school hip-hop/EDM mash-ups, including tracks by our November cover girl Nadia Ali. Tak, one of the partners, went above and beyond for me and my party of 6 by seating us at the best corner table and bringing by birthday favours like the most divine Flourless Chocolate Torte (topped with coconut mousse and spiced orange Chantilly cream) I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting. Te experience was unforgettable and I can’t urge our readers enough to experience it for themselves. Blowfsh is fusion in every sense of the word; it strikes the fne balance between contemporary and classic, exotic and local to give every palate, whether adventurous or fastidious, the best dining experience possible.

Blowfsh; 668 King Street West, 416 860 0606; $72/head on average SHE CANADA 69 IF (STUFFED) ANIMALS COULD TALK By Liz Guber

On an early November evening, MARGHERITA MISSONI graced Toronto with her presence. What ensued was a frenzy of photographers, fans and de- signer stufed animals

“I have never seen so many beautiful people assuming (correctly so) that the stiletto-clad, in one room” was the exact sentiment I shared glittering ladies were headed to the same place with SHE’s Associate Editor via text mes- I was. It was only when one of women imme- sage as soon as I walked into Holt Renfrew’s diately commanded the attention of the entire second foor event space. Te evening’s guest room that I realized that on the escalator ride of honour was none other than Margherita up to the event I was standing directly behind Maccapani Missoni, scion of one of Italy’s none other than the fashion heiress herself. most celebrated luxury labels. Her presence at Holt’s Bloor Street fagship resulted in an In an instant all eyes were on the lady of impressive turn out of the city’s most stylish the evening, the air seemed to leave the room, and infuential people. with quiet murmurs flling it instead. Her freshly cut hair into a sculpted bob compli- Arriving in my usual style—that being mented Missoni’s porcelain skin and crimson early—I opted to wander around the luxury lips perfectly. She donned a knit skirt from department store’s frst foor, pausing briefy her family’s eponymous label and as soon as to take in some of the merchandise. Continu- she took of her embroidered Proenza Schoul- ing in my aimless trajectory, I was met at the er jacket, revealing her top to be completely entrance by the aforementioned beautiful backless, the crowd erupted in a harmonized people coming through Holt’s gleaming glass gasp. doors. I decided to tag along behind them,

70 SHE CANADA A visit to Toronto by a member of Italian fashion royalty isn’t an pledge of their love for the label. Missoni took her time signing everyday occurrence. Missoni, a newlywed having married race each one, personalizing the box with hearts and messages of car driver Eugenio Amos at a gypsy-inspired wedding this past cheer. She didn’t shy away from a single photo, her radiance and summer, arrived with good reason— warm glow was made all the more to promote her latest collaboration endearing when contrasted with with Holt Renfrew in support of “To see the changes and impact the blank expressions and nervous Orphan Aid Africa. Together the two we have made to better the lives demeanors of the Holt Renfrew fashion powerhouses designed a pair staf. Te number of people in of adorable stufed animals, a bear and of children is incredible and attendance easily reached the an elephant, in the signature Missoni hundreds, but things remained print. Missoni started volunteering rewarding,” calm and civilized, with plenty of with the organization nine years ago, macarons and hot chocolate to going on to become the president of Orphan Aid Africa’s Italian comfort those excitedly waiting for their moment to meet THE chapter. Te charity benefts vulnerable children and their families Margherita Missoni. I remained on the sidelines, a vantage point in Ghana, West Africa, caring for orphans and working to reunite that allowed me to witness dozens of delightful exchanges between children with their lost families. Proceeds from the stufed animal Missoni and her fans. sales will go toward helping this cause. “To see the changes and impact we have made to better the lives of children is incredible With a $50 price tag, the bear and elephant duo launched just and rewarding,” Missoni told press at the event. in time for the holiday shopping season, but the charitable work done by Orphan Aid Africa and Margherita Missoni will far It was then time for eager fans to get their stufed animals outlast any fashion fad. signed by their creator. A few people wore Missoni scarves as a

SHE CANADA 71 SIJAL REHMANE talks exclusively with IDRF’s youngest board member, Seema Rizvi, about the important work the organization carries out in their quest to battle poverty and famine the world over, and how important and easy it is for you to join the movement.

he International Development and Relief Foundation project, is doubled by CIDA… IDRF’s long standing relationship (IDRF) is a Canadian registered, charitable with CIDA demonstrates the high degree of confdence that CIDA organization, with its roots dating back to 1984 when has in IDRF’s ability to deliver efective, accountable and reliable three concerned Canadians came together to form the projects in diferent parts of the world.” International Refugee and Relief Program (IRRP) to help rehabilitate war refugees from around the world. Tese three IDRF also receives considerable support from what they call men— Dr. Fuad Sahin, Muin Muinuddin, and Ebrahim Sayed— local and international “partnerships” whereby any business or soon realized that fghting the symptoms of poverty, famine, and individual hoping to get involved and make a diference in the lives confict does not go quite as far as attacking the root causes of of others can do so simply by “planning their own creative events these issues. It was in 1986 that the organization ofcially renamed or activities that could help raise awareness about the work IDRF itself to include the pivotal word “Development” in its moniker, does and raise funds for causes dear to them.” Rizvi highlights and made it their mission to “help people organize themselves that “it is with this support that [IDRF has] been able to provide to work collectively for their own economic betterment,” board help to those in need in remote regions of the world…Most of member Seema Rizvi tells us. our projects are initiated by our local partners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the particular context they are Operating out of Toronto and Calgary, IDRF adheres to a vision living and working in. Tey have the ability to respond directly to of a more just world, by providing the means of sustainability the needs of the people, allowing IDRF to implement projects that and dignity to those most in need. Rizvi tells us that their ensure long-term sustainability for the local community.” projects cover many sectors, including “education, emergency relief, environment, water & sanitation, gender empowerment, Rizvi also reminds us that IDRF is constantly on the lookout healthcare, infrastructure/housing and livelihood development. for new partnerships, encouraging everyone, “children, teenagers, To date, IDRF has implemented development and relief projects college and university students, young professionals to get involved in over 32 countries and/or territories in South and Southeast and plan your own fun event and partner with IDRF!” What better Asia, Africa, the Americas, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and way to give back to the community? Canada.” In November, IDRF held its Gala Dinner, where CBC’s foreign With a focus as broad as theirs, IDRF relies heavily on correspondent Nahlah Ayed delivered a rousing talk on her fundraising events and dedicated volunteers. “Volunteers are the experiences travelling through the Middle East as a correspondent backbone of our organisation and we are always excited to have and also conducted a book signing. While the dinner is simply new participation!” says Rizvi. Additionally she says, the Canadian a general fundraiser, IDRF also hosts a Golf Tournament in July, International Development Agency (CIDA) plays a pivotal role with the proceeds allotted to a specifc project each year. in many of IDRF’s initiatives. “IDRF has implemented long term development projects in certain countries like Afghanistan, For more information on the work IDRF does, and to fnd out how Pakistan and Bangladesh where every dollar contributed for that you can get involved, visit their website at http://www.idrf.ca/

72 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 73 By Summun Jafri

Founded by Plan International, Because I am a Girl is a global initiative aimed at changing the future for girls around the world by lifing them out of poverty through the promotion of gender equality and human rights. As a result, the ripple efect created by this endeavour to educate and protect a girl in an impoverished part of the world, will ultimately beneft her whole family and community

f you’re ever in the downtown Toronto area, chances Tis year, Because I am a Girl welcomed Indian actress are you have come across volunteers campaigning Freida Pinto on board to take part in global initiatives to for Plan’s Because I am a Girl. Tey are ofen help girls and strengthen communities. Given her role in the seen out at main intersections in the city creating Academy Award winning Slumdog Millionaire, there could awareness for the cause. Although street campaigns not be a better advocate for the cause. Over the summer, such as this one are perceived as nuisances, let me Pinto traveled to Sierra Leone in Africa as Because I am a assure you, this one’s worth the small investment of your time. Girl’s ambassador to witness the initiative frst hand. On the website’s blog she mentions that she was asked by a journalist Because I am a Girl is not a small initiative; it’s an in Sierra Leone what hope she can give these girls to which international social movement created by Plan International she said: “To be very honest, these girls have given me hope.” to empower females of all ages to fght for their rights as She has expressed her amazement with the sincerity of the human beings. Te goal is to give girls the most basic human organization’s work, and mentioned always wanting to be rights that many of us in the frst world take for granted. By involved in some way. Once in Sierra Leone she said that the creating sustainable projects in developing countries, girls strength of people there made her realize that she couldn’t can gain access to clean water, food, healthcare, education, be weak, regardless of what information or situations she fnancial security and protection from violence and encountered. In an interview she did following her return exploitation. Teir motto “Invest in a girl and she’ll change with Parade Magazine, she highlighted the importance of the world” speaks volumes about what the initiative does. Te education. In order to afect change in the community as a awareness and funds this project generates are used to directly whole, and “to have the parents understand why these girls change the lives of young girls, the communities they are should stay in school and not get married at 14,” they must brought up in and ultimately the world’s perceptions of them. be rightfully educated. On the other hand, we, sitting across Tis campaign helps us unveil many truths, as underprivileged the world have a diferent role to fulfll. “You watch and read girls afect more than just their own well-being. Te economic about some of these troubled countries but the frsthand loss in countries that do not level the playing feld for girls experience is an eye opener. Tings are so much deeper, richer and boys is an estimated $92 billion. In a survey done in and you uncover layers of stories beyond what you watch on India, 60% of children interviewed agreed that if resources are news channels or read in books.” Pinto’s words emphasize a scarce, it’s better to educate a boy than a girl. Among other point that she and the organization cannot stress enough: the problems that this initiative is trying to alleviate in addition to need for our own education. Although not all of us may have education are those of child brides (some as young as twelve), the resources to help these communities in person, the more HIV infections, genital mutilation, and sexual violence and we educate others and ourselves on these topics, the more of a exploitation. diference we can make.

74 SHE CANADA Who is Plan?

Plan was founded over seventy years ago and has been ranked among the top ten international development agencies in the world by reputation, size, and scope. Tey visualize a world where children can realize their full potential in societies that respect people’s rights and dignity. Teir mission is to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of vulnerable children in developing countries by enabling them and their families to meet basic needs and to increase their ability to participate in and beneft from their societies. Tey have worked in communities in ffy diferent countries by emphasizing community engagement and ownership they are able to work on eight technical areas: Education, Economic Security, Water and Sanitation, Health, Sexual Health (including HIV), Emergencies, Protection, and Child Participation.

For more information on these causes and to learn more about how you can contribute, visit the following websites: http://www.planusa.org/ http://becauseiamagirl.ca/

SHE CANADA 75 THE BLOOD

angladesh has become the leading exporter of escape, the death toll would have been drastically reduced. Of garments in South Asia. In fact, it is second to only those who perished, 53 were burned beyond identifcation and China internationally. Although Bangladesh is a received anonymous burials. Although the three managers have fairly recent addition to the garment and textile been arrested for their roles in the deadly fre, many say a larger, industry, having only been in the game for about thirty-fve more ominous force was at play. Bangladeshi Prime Minister years, its factories sufer from some of the deadliest working Sheikh Hasina has stated she believes arson was involved. Police conditions the world has ever known. From 2006 to present, have yet to rule out sabotage. over 300 workers have been killed. On November 27th, 2012, tragedy struck again when a serious factory fre engulfed a Investigators also quickly discovered Tazreen’s clientele Western mass-market apparel manufacturer and claimed the included the who’s who of Western fast fashion. Wal-Mart, lives of an additional 112 factory workers. Disney, Dickies and Sears made up only a handful of major brands found in the factory’s roster of clientele. Given the sheer When Associated Press reporters passed through Tazreen size of these brands, their manufacturing methods have been Fashions Ltd. in late November, mere days afer a blaze ripped known to be dubious at times and their buying practices called through the multi-story factory, only strewn remnants of unsustainable. Wal-Mart has been called out in their “ethical women’s nightgowns and children’s shorts hinted at what sourcing” reports to downplay labour hours and the minimum the edifce used to be. Tazreen is operated by factory owner age of the garment factory workers. Delwar Hossain. Respected by his workers, Hossain would hear their requests out on wage increases and improved In this case, each brand has attempted to distance itself working conditions. When several complained about the harsh from the disaster by saying in its own words that Tazreen was treatment by upper management, it was the managers that were not authorized to be producing their garments. Wal-Mart was dismissed as opposed to the workers. Ultimately it was not even aware of the poor working conditions at the factory and Hossain who was charged in the deaths of his employees. as a result, claims to have pulled their business over a year ago. “A supplier subcontracted work to this factory without Te fre originated on the frst foor of the complex. Workers authorization and in direct violation of our policies,” stated are coming out with statements about the stairwells being a Wal-Mart press release on the situation. “Today, we have blocked with stacks of fabric and yarn, impeding their escape terminated the relationship with that supplier. Te fact that eforts. Reports are also emerging that the deaths were caused this occurred is extremely troubling to us, and we will continue directly by three managers who locked the only escape route for to work across the apparel industry to improve fre safety these workers to fee the fre. Had there been an accessible fre education and training in Bangladesh.”

76 SHE CANADA We also reached out to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and they had the following to say: “(BGMEA) will disburse compensation to the relatives of the workers killed in a fre at Tazreen Fashions. Preliminarily, every family of the deceased will get nearly Tk 6 lakh ($7,317 CAD) each. Te relatives of the deceased will collect the cheques from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Te prime minister, BGMEA and some donors have contributed to the fund.”

In last month’s issue of SHE, we reported on Hasina’s involvement in ousting Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus from his position as the head of Grameen Bank, the micro-lending bank that assists the most impoverished in Bangladesh. New York Times suggested she made this move out of jealousy of his Prize and global recognition. Going back to the issue at hand, is it really in the best interests of the victims to receive a cheque passed through a character of such questionable moral fbre? Although it doesn’t lessen the tragedy to question Hasina’s involvement, it’s certainly worth raising an eyebrow.

Tazreen employs 1,400 workers—70% of whom are women from the Northern regions of Bangladesh, the most impoverished part of the country. Over 3000 factory workers pushing for change in the industry held protests across Dhaka in the days following the blaze. Although trafc was disrupted and property pelted with rocks, there were no reports of injuries. A petition on Change.org has been circulated under a factory worker named Lovely. Lovely had been working at a factory in Dhaka at the age of 11 when a fre broke out and lef her with serious injuries. She is calling for mass-market apparel retailers such as Wal-Mart, H&M and GAP to make a conscious efort toward educating factory workers with “a real fre safety program that will save the lives of the companies’ sweatshop workers.”

To show your support for Lovely’s cause visit: https://www.change.org/petitions/walmart-h-m-gap-join-fre-safety-program-fx-death- trap-factories

Change.org hopes to draw the attention of fast fashions’ head honchos in a bid for improved working conditions for the lowest but most critical component of these retailers’ supply chains.

-Reporting by Priya Kumar

SHE CANADA 77 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

78 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 79 aybe I should go for the low-fat version. But wait - it has MADE WITH WHOLE WHEAT too much sodium. Te high fbre kind? Nix that, I see Tis claim is ofen found on packages of crackers, bread and pastas, trans fat on the label. Hmmm…perhaps I’ll stick with but it doesn’t tell you how much whole wheat is in the product. this one, it has no artifcial colours…” In fact, the frst ingredient may still be white four, with a little bit of whole wheat thrown in for colour. It’s much better to look for Tis is the internal dialogue I run through every time I visit the something that’s made with 100% whole wheat or whole grains. grocery store. Being a former processed food marketer and a dedicated label reader, I know that the array of products on the REDUCED FAT shelves can be dizzying. If I don’t catch myself, I can spend half an Tis is a tricky one. Less fat is good, right? Te answer is, it depends. hour paralyzed in front of the spaghetti sauce. All things being equal, yes, less fat is good. But remember: fat delivers favour. If the manufacturer removes fat from a product, Te truth is, the supermarket has become a battleground of they still have to make it taste good – so they may add sugar or competing claims and labels all shouting to get your attention; you salt in to replace the lost favour, and other chemicals to mimic practically need your Ph. D. in Nutrition just to decipher them all. the role of the fat. Te best thing to do is to compare the original And as South Asians, we need to make especially healthy choices and reduced-fat versions and choose the one with the simplest since we’re more likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes, not ingredient list. to mention that we’re at a greater risk of heart disease and stroke. SOURCE OF ENERGY So how can you make better choices? Luckily, I’ve done the work Tis claim is a bit dicey. Energy is measured in calories, and all for you. Here are some claims to watch out for next time you hit the food is made up of calories. So absolutely all food is a source of supermarket aisles: energy. Tis claim isn’t telling you anything about how healthy (or unhealthy!) the product is. MULTIGRAIN Multigrain sounds a lot healthier than plain old white four, but the truth is, it’s probably not. Tis claim just means that the product contains more than one type of grain, but it doesn’t tell you how much. So it could be mostly white four, with a few oats thrown in. Check the label; if the product doesn’t contain much fbre, then think of ‘Multigrain’ as more of a favour than a health beneft.

80 SHE CANADA Now that you know some of the Sneaky Peters you should be watching for in the supermarket, here are some tips to make sure that you too don’t get lost in the spaghetti sauce aisle. Below are my top strategies to cut down on that label-reading time and help you make healthy choices:

Shop the perimeter frst. 1 Te perimeter (outside edge) of the grocery store is where all the fresh food is like fruits, vegetables and dairy. Shopping here frst means you’re less likely to splurge on processed foods, which are ofen way more calorie-dense and full of unnecessary ingredients. Remember the frozen section too – frozen peas, okra or spinach are great to throw into a quick weeknight curry. Visit the ‘unsexy’ aisles next. 2

Te ‘unsexy’ sections - beans, bulk nuts, grains, canned goods – may not look pretty, but are usually a better bet nutritionally. Te products here are not as heavily marketed, so they ofen contain less claims and simpler ingredient lists. Be sure to stock up on South Asian staples like lentils, chickpeas and canned tomatoes. Be extra vigilant in 3 the ‘fashy’ aisles. If you can’t read every label, then concentrate on the aisles with lots of bright colours, slick packaging and inviting displays, like cereal, yogurt and granola bars. Tese are likely the ones where manufacturers make the most money and the ones that contain the most processed ingredi- ents.

A good way to tell if an aisle is fashy is to remember if you’ve seen a TV commercial for it lately. If companies are investing in TV ads, you can bet they’re investing a lot of dollars to appeal to consumers. Use technology to help you. 4

Apps like Fooducate, which assigns a nutritional grade and highlights important info about each of the items in its huge product database, can help you make decisions. Tough it’s an American app and ofen Cana- dian product formulations will difer, it can at least give you an idea of where the product falls on the healthy/unhealthy spectrum.

Tis may sound intimidating, but trust me – afer a few trips to the su- permarket, you’ll be shopping like a pro. And then you can ofer some sage advice to that poor soul still stuck in the spaghetti sauce aisle.

Roxanna Kassam Kara is a former processed food marketer who runs WholesomeHedonist.com, a blog that debunks supermarket claims and helps consumers navigate the aisles. You can follow her at on Twitter at @ WholesmHedonist. SHE CANADA 81 BY PRIYA KUMAR

isiting India and bored of the regular Delhi, Mumbai, Sula Vineyards is renowned the world over for its fne wines. Goa circuit? One can make only so many visits to the However, since its founding in 2000, Sula’s brand extension has Taj Mahal in Agra, so why not try something new? gone far beyond the bottled variety. Today Sula is proud to have With tourism to India at an all time high, there are its name on an eponymous music festival titled Sulafest (a.k.a. hundreds of hidden gems of the beaten path. Beyond South Asia’s answer to Coachella) and more recently, a luxury Vineyard Resort in Nasik (a four hour drive from Mumbai) boutique resort in the center of its vineyards appropriately is just one such discovery we at SHE have made—one need not titled Beyond. be a wine connoisseur to enjoy the luxuries this retreat has to ofer.

82 SHE CANADA Having visited Beyond during Sulafest last year, I recall Whether staying in a Standard Room or indulging in a being taken aback by the beauty of the property. Situated on Private Villa with a breathtaking view of the lake, Beyond ofers top of some of the most fertile land in South Asia, the 32-room a completely unique experience for those seeking a weekend luxury lodging overlooks two inviting infnity pools refecting getaway from the city. Besides the welcome quiet the country the sprawling vineyards situated around the lodging. Strangely ofers, visitors to the Resort can enjoy a leisurely bike ride on enough, the bathroom was the standout feature of the room the winding country roads or simply sitting out in the sun for me. Te sink and shower are the striking waterfall varieties while feasting on the local cuisine available at Café Rose on the that, aside from functionality, are just really cool to look at. As property itself. many travellers know, the bathroom speaks volumes about the quality of a hotel in South Asia. Packages for a night at Beyond start at a mere $100 and include a delicious breakfast and a tour of the vineyards.

SHE CANADA 83 Slowboat down the Mekong By Robin Esrock

84 SHE CANADA etween rats scurrying across the foor, the demonic artisan items on display are impressive, the peaceful tranquility is chanting, loud gongs and animal squeals, it was no wonder I had more so. No yelling or screaming, no tugging at the sleeves or wild a tough time falling asleep. Afer seven hours on a narrow, cof- hustle – just locals sitting alongside their stall, enjoying the passing fn-shaped wooden slowboat, the last thing I needed was a ritual trafc of foreigners. Tere is something tangibly beautiful about cow slaughter, taking place right outside my window. I would have the people of Laos, most clearly evident when you see children got up to investigate this cultural ceremony in the sleepy village playing in the streets. Teir greeting of “sabadee!” is yelled out of Pakbang, but rats were attacking my backpack, and leaving the with such enthusiasm it cannot help but bring a smile to your face. mosquito net would be a bad idea, because they would gnaw on me next. Tere are pockets of luxury and comfort in Laos, but I Having explored Luang Prabang’s sparkling Buddhist temples, I remember this night far better than any night at a fve star resort. almost lost my breakfast on the rollercoaster drive to Vangvieng, a small village that has quickly become a traveller favourite. Vangvi- Te infamous two-day slowboat down the Mekong River is truly eng’s primary attraction is the hiring of rubber doughnut-shaped a grand adventure. Hard wooden seats, a deafening engine, con- tubes to gently foat down the adjacent Mekong river, stopping at stant stops to pick up villagers, and yet the glorious views of the makeshif riverfront bars with wooden swings and jumps. Te jungle, mountains and tribal settlements lef my senses tingling. As clean, refreshing water meanders through incredible mountain the late afernoon sun set behind the mountains, the jungle buzzed scenery, while downtempo and reggae music echoes from the bars. with life. Locals in wooden boats waved from their traditional fsh- At one point I joined a local family on their picnic, who took great ing boats, and we gently drifed along water that, late in the af- pride in ofering me a coconut leaf flled with their homemade ternoon, took on the colour and texture of mercury. We passed vegetable curry. It was the kind of warm, authentic moment I’ll a Buddhist cave carved deep into a rock face, giggling half-naked remember for the rest of my life. kids playing in the sand banks, steep clifs and lush green thicket. Just about anyone can put up with rats, ritual slaughter, and splin- “So Robin, is this top ten day?” asked Minesh, an English travel- ters in their butt when this is the reward. ler on a tube foating nearby mine. We had met several months, and several countries ago, and enjoyed rating the quality of each A landlocked country bordering Tailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, travel day. “A top three day!” I replied, thinking back on my many China and Cambodia, Laos has a proud communist government, adventures. I wondered how long it might take before the genuinely but is the poorest country in Southeast Asia. It’s also one of the friendly Laotians become like their Tai neighbours, who seemed best-kept secrets of Southeast Asia – beautiful, friendly, and impos- more genuinely interested in separating the baht from my wallet? sibly cheap. Te local currency, the kip, is handled in large bundles As word spreads and more tourists arrive, improving the economy and shopping bags, allowing even backpackers to feel the fush of and hopefully some of the worst roads I’ve seen anywhere, I won- cash. Fortunately, credit cards have slowly made their way to some der if the Laos government will get past its notorious corruption of the more popular tourist hotspots, such as Luang Prabang. Tis and truly develop the country’s potential as one of the best places to is where I gratefully departed the slowboat, ready to explore the visit in southeast Asia. Rats, rituals, rickety boats and all. country’s second largest city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lu- ang Prabang is surrounded by stunning temples, leafy neighbour- Vancouver-based Robin Esrock is the co-host of the OLN/CityTV se- hoods, orange-robed monks and very welcoming locals. It also ries Word Travels. You can follow his adventures at has one of the world’s best night markets, and while the variety of www.robinesrock.com

SHE CANADA 85 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]

86 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.

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

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

Talent Shop Academy 1999 Avenue Road, Suite 202 Toronto, Ontario M4M 4A5 Tel: (416) 644-7790 Fax: (416) 482-4109 Email:[email protected]

SHE CANADA 87 By Priya Kumar

Being South Asian, I was blessed with oily, acne prone skin. During the two years I spent living in Mumbai as an adult, my skin was on its absolute worst behavior. As a result, I was lef with deep, rolling acne scars primarily on my right cheek. No amount of foundation, concealer or powder I would use was enough to smooth the skin out so I initially turned to the non-invasive, in-ofce cosmetic procedure, fractionated laser treatment. Popular amongst the well- heeled and high profle, the fractionated laser efectively resurfaces the top layer of the skin. Te downside of the treatment is having to go back in every month to achieve maximum results and with a price tag of up to $1000 a session it isn’t always practical. Given my busy schedule, the most inconvenient thing about the procedure was having to put aside two hours of my day to go into the clinic, have the topical numbing cream applied and then wait 45 minutes for it to set in before sitting for the laser treatment itself. None of it was worth the hassle!

Enter the Tria Skin Rejuvenating Laser. I was familiar with Tria, having used other products by the brand. I was also aware of their break-through, take home systems that have changed the cosmetic procedure game. Te Skin Rejuvenating Laser treats multiple signs of aging including wrinkles, age spots and textural irregularities (the last one is written all over my face, literally) all from the privacy of your own home, for a mere fraction of the cost.

Here’s how it works: Te Skin Rejuvenating Laser passes microscopic laser beams into the skin to stimulate the body’s own natural renewal process, regenerating cells and producing new collagen. I wasn’t sure what to expect when using it for the frst time, but when I passed it over the said problem right cheek, it felt like receiving thousands of microscopic pinpricks in succession. It wasn’t comfortable per se, but the sensation was very similar to what I felt during an in-ofce laser procedure (good thing).

Te user manual recommends treating the skin before bedtime to let redness subside before morning. Te feeling lef behind afer the procedure on the lowest setting is comparable to a light sunburn.

Verdict: Afer using the Tria Skin Rejuvenating Laser for only a week I began to notice a marked diference in the surface of my skin. Te pockmarks were clearly leveling out and the discolouration from recent blemishes looked dramatically faded, especially around the edges—again this was within a week. By the end of the 8 weeks, my skin looked like it belonged to someone else. Not only did it behave throughout the 8 weeks of treatment (no breakouts, little redness), but all the insecurities I had about my uneven skin from acne scarring vanished. It was difcult to remember what it was like prior to treating it with Tria.

Bottom Line: Tis is not a product you want to miss. Te Health Canada- approved system can be used on the entire face and defnitely will result in a signifcant improvement in the over texture of your skin.

Te Tria Skin Rejuvenating Laser is available at triabeauty.ca for $495

88 SHE CANADA Which products should you be carrying around with you at all times? Here are SHE’s picks for the month of February. Keeping in mind the most romantic time of

1 year, these beauty essentials will take you from the offce to date night without missing a beat.

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1. Volum’ Express the Rocket Blackest Black $9.99

2. Lady Gaga Fame Black Fluid $39.00

3. Even Better Makeup SPF 15 $33.00

3 4. Eye Wonder Vasanti $42.00

5. Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days Soothing Gel-Cream $7.99 (400 mL)

5 6. MAC Glamour Daze Collection $47.50 ea.

7. Maybelline Vivids $9.99 ea.

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SHE CANADA 89 MEETING THE SKINCARE NEEDS OF SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN EVERYWHERE By Priya Kumar

South Asian women are renowned for their Launching a cosmetics line isn’t like beauty consciousness. In fact, major cities such opening a boutique or becoming an as Lahore and Mumbai boast a shocking number apparel designer. Where is Vasanti of beauty parlours per capita even in the most created and how did it receive clearance impoverished of areas. With the ever-pervasive safety-wise? demand for beauty maintenance, doesn’t it go without saying We work with a few labs in Canada that that South Asian skin requires diferent treatment than what is have gone through cosmetic audits for GMP already ofered by the plethora French and American skincare (Good Manufacturing Practices) and meet all lines saturating the beauty industry? Vasanti Cosmetics has regulations for developing and manufacturing recognized this void in the marketplace, primarily in due part cosmetics. We use the fnest raw materials to the founders’ own experiences with pre-existing products. available for our formulations and I recently had the opportunity to speak with Pinki Gosal, Co- work with the leading suppliers Founder and Director of Product Development on creating in this area to provide the end Vasanti and the diference it has made for South Asian women consumer the best quality product. shopping for products that bring out the best in their skin. We also work closely with packaging suppliers and engineers to enhance the Vasanti caters to diverse skin types, thus flling a void in the performance of our products through industry—how was this need identifed and did the brand application techniques and packaging to come about? showcase the formula. I suppose everything starts when you have a personal need and can’t fnd a solution. Being South Asian myself, I was How did Vasanti Cosmetics ultimately get searching for something to conceal my dark under eye circles picked up by large retailers such as Shoppers and a foundation to match my complexion. Exhausted by the Drug Mart? search, and not fnding the right shade that matched, I knew Timing is everything; each retailer was a diferent I had to create it! Everything was too ashy, too light or even story. One retailer heard about us through word of darker than my skin tone that completely made my skin look mouth and once they saw the line and the quality of the dull and like I was wearing makeup. [Founders Mona Patel products they were excited to roll us out. Another saw the (CEO), Priti Patel (Director of Marketing) and myself] started market need and did a test run of our brand in a handful working on a few products and slowly built the line to include of stores to see how we would perform. We have been very all skin tones and now have over 120 diferent products. fortunate that our products speak for themselves.

In Vasanti’s early days, how did you initially get the brand of Tell me about the diference between South Asian skin and the ground? Caucasian skin. We started with a few products at the beginning and continued It’s not so much the diference of ethnicity of the skin but year afer year to build the brand. We were patient and worked rather the undertones that the skin has. Skin tone can vary to develop a brand that was relevant to the customer at a time from yellow, pink to red undertones. Terefore, we have when the industry was oversaturated. We did a lot of research developed our foundations and concealer to address this and surveying of many diferent women with diferent skin broad spectrum and will match the skin for fawless tones, ages and races to understand what the consumer was still coverage, no matter the undertone. We understand that looking for and what was important to them in their buying no matter what ethnicity you are you can fall anywhere decisions. Tey wanted great quality product at reasonable in that spectrum of fair to dark. prices with shades that worked well with their skin tones.

90 SHE CANADA What are some useful tips about caring for South Asian skin? in Twilight. Also aqua tones and precious stones with teals are hot Always ensure you bring out the glow in your skin. An even for the eyes like Vasanti’s Lake Louise eye shadow duo and Electric complexion gives the appearance of a more youthful glow. You Ocean shimmer powder. Te lips and cheeks are in nudes and can do this through your skincare regime and choosing the right apricot shades like Aruba, Luxembourg, Baltic Lipshine and blush foundation. Make sure you never go too dark on your foundation in Andes and Sun Peached Glow Bronzer. Te eyes lined with black products, as this will make your complexion look dull. Always and other jewel tones like rich blue. match the skin tone and work on getting an even coverage all over that matches your neck. What’s currently the best selling Vasanti product? Vasanti’s EYE WONDER - Triple Action Peptide Eye Cream What are three products you recommend every woman carry in that targets under eye dark circles, pufness and wrinkles. It is a their purses at all times? product that we cannot keep on the shelves because it WORKS! Vasanti Tinted Lip Balm; a favourite of our customers, it is the A close second is the Brighten Up! - Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator perfect lip balm that adds colour and evens your natural lip tone that dramatically improves your skin’s texture to reveal sofer, and hydrates giving the lips a fuller, plumper look. You should also brighter and younger looking skin! It brightens with powerful carry Vasanti Face Base Oil-Free powder foundation for touch-ups, papaya enzymes to give radiance, exfoliates with dermatologist as it will never look cakey and is the perfect product to brighten grade micro-crystals and gently cleanses with aloe vera, coconut your skin tone. Last but not least, is Mascara. Start the day with one and panthenol [the alcohol analog of vitamin B5]. It is a favourite coat and add a second coat for dramatic lashes that transforms your among our online bloggers. Last but not least is our Liquid Cover look from day to night. Up Oil-Free Foundation and Concealer-in-one, which ofers incredible coverage, a feather light fnish and radiant glow in a one- What is the best sort of foundation/concealer to use on acne-prone of-a-kind liquid foundation. It hydrates and brightens for fawless skin? looking skin and works on all skin types and tones. Before applying foundation or concealer, you should start with the right skincare. Use Vasanti’s Brighten Up! 4 to 5 times a week that Are there any new products we can look forward to this spring? will help with acne-prone skin and over time will reveal brighter We will be launching an incredible eye primer that will extend the looking skin. Because acne-prone skin can lead to dry skin, you wear of your eye shadow without creasing or fading. Also you can will want to use an oil-free and hydrating foundation. Our Liquid expect lots of new shades in our tinted lip balm formula. Finally we Cover Up is a hydrating concealer and foundation-in-one. Te will be launching a universal brow wax and powder duo that will hydrating properties will be great on blemishes that are drying out keep your brows perfectly in place and groomed. and will not accentuate the dry areas but will conceal and create a veil overtop. Finish of by setting with Vasanti’s Face Base and you Personally, I’m thrilled to see a line of cosmetics that is born and will have even natural coverage. bred Canadian that caters to South Asian skin. Clearly the success of Vasanti is testament to the power of South Asian Canadian What colours are hot for dusky skin this Spring? needs; by beginning with something as simple as beauty, Vasanti Tere is a strong Egyptian inspiration for Spring 2013. Te eye has identifed the niche in the broad spectrum of Canadian ethnic makeup is iridescent Jewel tones, like our Eye Shadow Duos in demographics. Hopefully other industries including fashion, Buckingham Palace and Mount Rushmore and Shimmer Powder gastronomy and entertainment will soon follow suit.

SHE CANADA 91 BOOK REVIEW By Jeet Tayil Review By Priya Kumar Penguin Books, 304 Pages $16.72 at Chapters and Indigo

“Bombay, which obliterated its history by changing its name But, just like Rome, Bombay rebuilds itself from the rubble and surgically altering its face, is the hero or heroin of this lef behind by these street urchins into Mumbai as we know it. story.” So begins the journey into Tayil Jeet’s Mumbai—but the Te story closes with Rashid’s now adult son Jamal at a hot Juhu reader must make note of how the word heroin is spelled, as it nightclub—perhaps Trilogy in the Sea Princess Hotel which foreshadows the demise of each and every character we meet in I myself am familiar—with his older fancé taking part in the Narcopolis’ pages. Set primarily in the 70s and 80s and ending new, ex-pat invaded, word class metropolis. Te reader is meant in 2004, Jeet tells a raw story of the underbelly of India’s most to see the mirrored change in both the city and narrator by the bustling metropolis through the eyes of an anonymous narrator. end. Even the writing becomes less lucid in fow to the point It is through his troubled eyes that we meet a motley crew of that it feels like a completely diferent book altogether. Mumbai walking contradictions including Rashid, the staunch Muslim went from an imperial port, to the desolate, crime riddled pile owner of the opium den on Shuklaji Street where the majority of of rubble that serves as the backdrop for the introduction of the the story unfolds, Dimple/Zeenat— the at times fragile eunuch- ensemble of characters to the shiny, dynamic and wealthy city cum-prostitute—and Rumi, a hammer wielding sociopath and it is today. Te story ends exactly as it begins: with the word perhaps one of the most disturbing characters in the book. “Bombay.”

Te narrative opens with one sentence that runs on for six pages—a true feat in itself—but manages to set the tone for the rest of the book. Each character’s life story reads as though it is foating out of the pages like smoke from a pipe, ultimately blending with the ones that came before it, standing in stark contrast to what one might expect to come out of the city of dreams, glamour and home of Bollywood. Tey are sad, poetic and desperate and display a complete lack of self-control.

Not unlike Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children, Narcopolis is set to a background of historical events including the ongoing Hindu/Muslim riots that displace some of the characters while bringing others closer together. One unforgettable chapter sees Jamal, Rashid’s 6-year-old son, being stopped by police who hold him against his will. Seeing Dimple in the distance, he tells them she is his “ma”—as she is dressed as a Christian at the time—and they let him go, thus saving his life. It is the frst time anyone in Rashid’s family acknowledges Dimple, who lives on the half landing between the opium den and family’s apartment.

Another real-life parallel between Midnight’s Children and Narcopolis is their recognition by the Man Booker Prize jury. Rushdie won the prize back in the early eighties, while Jeet was shortlisted with four other fnalists this year. Such achievement is a far cry from Jeet’s real-life inspiration for the desperate story that chronicles addiction and the destruction of characters succumbing to ‘chemical’ (or heroin as we know it). According to London’s Te Guardian, Jeet struggled with alcohol and drug addiction for twenty years of his life and was no stranger to opium dens like Rashid’s.

92 SHE CANADA Help! I haven’t been out of school for that long and I am still looking to fnd a permanent full-time job. I am working but its to gain As a Muslim, I have abstained from drinking work experience, therefore I am on a major alcohol my entire life. I still fnd it challenging budget. Te problem is, I’m having a hard is you’re able to spend I promise making the at times, to be sober and living among a very time budgeting for what is important versus decision to go out or stay home will be much ethnically diverse group of friends in Toronto what is fun. I have a few weddings coming up, easier in the future. (all of my friends drink). I want to be social but for which I need to buy new outfts, jewellery, the peer pressure and certain social situations and shoes. Plus, I want to be able to go out on Okay, so I’m in my late twenties and most of can be hard to handle at times. Should I stop the weekends and that requires spending on my friends are either married, engaged or in hanging around people that drink or is it food, drinks, parking and your outft for the a relationship. I am one of the few single ones normal to have an occasional drink to be evening. I don’t want to become one of those in the group. Tis doesn’t particularly bother social? people who can’t go out or do anything fun me, except for when it comes to planning trips Sober in the City because money is tight. How do can I balance together. My friends want to go away on a fun going out with being frugal? trip, but it has turned into more of a “couples” Dear Sober, 99 Problems but a bad boss ain’t one thing, which at this point is obviously not my scene. I’m worried about backing out because Growing up can be tough, especially in a it’s not like me to miss out on any chance to world where peer acceptance is everything. Dear 99 Problems, get away. How do I tell my friends that I would Believe it or not, I have Western friends who Tis is a tough one. Firstly, I applaud your rather not go in a way that doesn’t make them choose to abstain from alcohol, as well. Some efort to gain work experience in the feld of pity me or make me sound childish? of them say it’s to keep themselves focused your choice. It’s a competitive world out there on their careers while others claim it’s to be and expecting a plum, well-paid job straight Single in the City as healthy as they can be. In fact, here at SHE out of school with almost no experience is we recently interviewed an A-list Hollywood unrealistic. Here at SHE we have many young Dear Single, celebrity who hasn’t had a drink in over a year. ladies in your position. For this reason, we I completely understand your apprehension Why? Simply because with the speed life is only require Interns to come into the ofce two about being viewed as the eternal Carrie moving at these days, why get bogged down days a week. Te idea behind this part-time Bradshaw, but without making light of your by something that’s all in your head to begin work is to allow for enough time to work part- feelings, I truly believe you by all means with? To answer your question, you should time in retail, food service or other projects should go on this trip! Sure your friends are do neither. Unless your friends make you feel that pay (at least some of) the bills. Look for in relationships, but that’s not going to prevent downright uncomfortable with the amount of work experience like this that is fexible. Tis you from potentially meeting the love of your alcohol they are consuming, there is no reason brings us to the pricey costs of weddings—I life on vacation. I’ll tell you what will prevent you should feel out of place. Replace that fancy don’t know about you, but for some reason the chance of this happening—staying home Cosmopolitan with its virgin equivalent, or my friends love to get married in other cities in cold, snowy Canada by yourself! I have better yet, energy drinks come in every colour and countries. Tis means that not only do I several single girlfriends who enjoy the thrill of the rainbow! Tere’s no need for anyone to have to deal with the prohibitive costs of a new of possibility so much, they travel to remote question what’s in your glass. You defnitely wardrobe and gif for the bride and groom, destinations of the world by themselves just need not feel the pressure to drink once in a but there is also the hefy price tag on getting for the adventure of it all. Tis is not what while to be social. Te fact that you abstain there to consider. In order to budget all of this I’m suggesting you do—instead, you have from alcohol for religious and cultural reasons in (even WITH a full time job), I’m forced an entourage of friends with you to prevent is a part of who you are—it’s a display of strong to recycle my wedding outfts. In a world of loneliness, so you’re already bound to have will and character. For that, we applaud you! Facebook, this is not ideal. I understand that. a decent time. While I cannot expect you Perhaps the problem isn’t alcohol at all. As But if you have several outfts ready to go for to listen to my advice, I will also answer the you get older, bars and clubs just become diferent functions and plan a little ahead to question at hand. Vacations are not cheap. In less exciting than they were when we were in make sure no one you know would have seen fact, many people have a savings account just university. You might want to try trading the a particular piece (in person, that is), you’ll for travel due to the insane expenses that can club for other in-depth cultural experiences be okay. And I can assure you one thing; no be incurred from fight ticket taxes alone. By like an art gallery opening or quaint bistros one will be looking at you anyways! It’s all telling your friends that you simply cannot that specialize in anything but alcohol (bubble about the bride—which is a good thing in aford to get away this year, in this economy, tea and dessert come to mind). Regardless this case. In regards to going out, here is my nobody will blink an eye at your backing out. of what you decide, know that standing up recommendation: Do things that cost less Tat way, you’ll have more money to spend on for who you are is important when you’re in unless it’s a really special occasion. Staying your single life at home. Sound like I’m being your early twenties—you will never regret home with friends and watching movies or patronizing? Well I am. Go on the trip. You not trying alcohol under the pressure of your playing board games come to mind. Going out have nothing to lose but your single-dom. peers, but you will certainly regret forsaking to eat defnitely adds up and isn’t always worth Email us your Brown Girl Problems to your values simply to ft in with the crowd. the cost, so as long as you can budget what it [email protected]

SHE CANADA 93 “QUOTE/UNQUOTE” On Love

“A love story is not about those who lost their heart but about those who fnd that sullen inhabitant who, when it is stumbled upon, means the body can fool no one, can fool nothing—not the wisdom of sleep or the habit of social graces. It is a consuming of oneself and the past.”

“Love is the strongest force the MICHAEL ONDAATJE, world possesses and yet it is the THE ENGLISH PATIENT humblest imaginable.”

MAHATMA GANDHI

“I’m selfsh, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.”

MARILYN MONROE

“Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don’t know how to replenish its source. It dies of “You know you’re in love when you blindness and errors and betrayals. can’t fall asleep because reality is It dies of illness and wounds; it fnally better than your dreams.” dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishings.” DR. SEUSS ANAÏS NIN

94 SHE CANADA SHE CANADA 95 96 SHE CANADA