News Flash

Aneela at Nepal Fashion Week

The Himalayan Times TGIF Nepal Fashion Week is Nepal's largest glamour and lifestyle event organised by IEC School of Art and Fashion, Kathmandu. IEC, the proprietor of “Nepal Fashion Week” successfully presented Nepali Designers and IEC Fashion Students during the runway of 13-16 September, 2010 at Hotel Soaltee Crown Plaza.

Aneela Haque participated at the Grand Finale on September 16, 2010. This is the first time any international designer took part in the event.

Aneela unveiled her modern, ethnic fusion Haute Couture Ensemble, a twist of Modern and Bengal Mughal Court Ethnic Art presenting Bangladesh's golden heritage of khaadi, cotton, silk, muslin and jamdani blended with a global look.

Her thematic red, white and black theatrical signature style attires stole the stage of the finale. Her 22 fusion ensembles portrayed a reflection of East and West in solid colours, embellished with her own jewellery and accessories from ethnic brand “Maduli”.

Long jackets with asymmetrical cuts, flared pants clubbed with Chinese style neck with various calligraphy juxtaposed with motifs were quite exquisite.

Aneela's show stopper Ismet Zerin Chaity was a Bangladeshi fashion student of IEC and Miss India Pooja Chopra along with Karen from Delhi. Aneela's own music rocked the event with Bangla folk fused with varied international numbers.

Aneela's powerful presentation stole the limelight of the evening with much appreciation for being the brand ambassador of Bangladesh presenting her root, her motherland in a very high-end positive image.

A total of 112 Nepali participants colourfully walked the ramp during the 4-day glamorous event graced by many dignitaries.

The showstoppers of the Grand Finale included Miss India 2009 Pooja Chopra and other beauty queens and celebrity singers of Nepal.

Prominent invitees to the finale included the Bangladesh Ambassador H.E. Dr. Neem Chandra Bhowmik, Indian High Commissioner H.E. Rakesh Sood, and the Chinese Ambassador H.E. Qiu Guohong.

-LS Desk
Photo Courtesy: Aneela Haque

FFC at Dhanmondi

Fortuna Fried Chicken (FFC) opens its fifth branch with the assurance of fresh, halal and competitively priced chicken meals at Rangs Nilu Square, Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi on September 23, Thursday.

FFC has become a popular fast food outlet in Dhaka, not only because it is affordable but also because the food is cooked fresh and tastes great. Tasty food that maintains international standards is the distinguishing aspect of FFC. Ingredients are locally produced except for the spices, which are imported from Thailand.

Vice chancellor of the University of Asia Pacific, Dr. Abdul Matin Patwari inaugurated the new outlet. Celebrity couple Sadia Islam Mou and Zahid Hassan was also present.

The chicken meals offered at FFC leave you craving for more. It has proved popular among people of all ages. Chairman of Fortuna Group, MA Taher in his speech said, “We believe in quality. It is not true that imported foods are always good, domestic products can also be of high quality and we will prove it.''

Among others, Begum Lutfa Taher, Director and Executive Director of Fortuna Bangladesh, Jahangir Alam were present at the inaugural session.

By Mahtabi Zaman

Rang

With an offering of brilliant designs on a wide range of garbs, boutique Rang dresses up for Pooja celebrations. In the recent past, Sharodiyo Durga Pooja coincided with Eid holidays but this year around there is a gap of almost a month, which helped the famed boutique to take separate care for the Pooja offerings.

Saris and shalwar kameez sets form the base of the collection although the extensive range of panjabi and fatua makes sure that men don't feel left out. Hindu mythological motifs observe an abundant use, something refreshing and apt for the festive occasion. Designers have made ample use of hand block prints, spray, tie dye, appliqué, embroidery on cotton, silk, endi silk, sequins etc.

The colour palette is vibrant in red, orange, and pure white, signature colours of Pooja.

Also on offer are household accessories -- mugs, bed sheets and cushion covers.

Available at all Rang outlets.

-LS Desk

Check It Out

The wedding planner

In this day and age, when people actually have a hard time attending a wedding, planning it is a big hassle. On the other hand weddings are becoming more colourful and innovative. Flowers coming from abroad and crystal chandeliers have become common items. So how does one manage his/her special day the way he/she desires it?

There is a growing need for experts who will provide wedding planning services. Experts not only look into detail and smoothen out the program flow, but they also add value in terms of having a thematic plan along with using new logistics information, which can make the place look better.

Keeping that in mind, and thinking ahead of her time, Rizwana Tasneem started Ranga in 2007. It was at first just for friends and family, and then she realised that others also need expert help to plan their weddings and Ranga went commercial.

Ranga Wedding Planning provides all kinds of wedding planning and management services. From booking a wedding venue on your behalf to designing your invitation cards, from dala decorations to total management of your special days, they provide one-stop wedding solutions for you.

'Starting from providing a theme to executing it, the whole team is on it till it's done properly as per the client's specifications' said Rizwana.

They also look into details of the program and what can be done realistically. 'Clients don't always get what can be done in which venue and later its seen that many logistics are not being used but they already paid for it,' she continues, ' that's when we come into the picture and save their money.' And that 's why, after getting the brief from the client, confirming the theme, Ranga books the venue on behalf of their client.

'Innovation and smooth operation is our main focus point,' Rizwana added. They provide theme-based weddings, holud, mehendi, walima and in all these they include venue booking , floral decorations , creative dala decorations, music arrangements, photography, video-graphy, exclusive and customised wedding cards, choreography, special rituals and performances, catering services, on-site wedding day co-ordination…..and lots more.

Although wedding planning is their forte, they are also into arranging anniversaries, birthday parties, social get-togethers, etc.

Similarly, Farah Naz and Sharmeen Yusuf started Option in 2008, another one-stop solution for your events. Along with all the needed services, Option also provides make-up for brides and their near and dear ones as Sharmeen herself is a beautician. In only two years they have organised more than 30 events, which includes weddings, seminars, fashion shows, etc.

So to those who are getting worried about planning their weddings this winter, contact a wedding planner so that you can sit back, relax and just let the experts do their job while you concentrate on simply showing up looking drop dead gorgeous on your big day!

For more information, contact:
Ranga Wedding Planning at rangaweddings @gmail.com and Option at 01714079273 or option.eve@gmail.com.

By Tanziral Dilshad Ditan

Spotlight

Fashion 101 for the petite

Vnecklines, well fitted clothes and small prints will always make you look taller and smarter.

Women, five feet or less in height, are often referred to as petite in universal fashion lingo, but for us in the Asian subcontinent it is this very height which most of us have been blessed with. With the rising Western influence in our dresses, deciding on the right clothing and accessories has become a problem for women with petite frames.

The challenge is to be able to wear clothes which will make you look taller. By understanding your style, your body shape and a few of the elements of fashion; you can achieve your goal of looking taller in those Western influenced outfits.

Colour and prints
It's advisable to wear light or medium-coloured plain tops with dark coloured pants or skirts.

Also, it is preferable to dress all in one colour from top to bottom.

Choose dark colours as they have a slimming effect. Try black, navy, burgundy, charcoal, deep green, or purple. Metallic colour dresses can also provide a taller look, provided that they are not too loud and lustrous.

Always choose small print dresses for a trendy look because small prints provide a more slimming effect than larger prints.

Wear clothes that fit well
Wear garments that fit well. Simply avoid loose-fitting apparel. Fitted or semi-fitted clothing can give you a more elongated look. Don't choose garments that have extra fabric because that extra fabric adds bulk and make you look heavier. So leave out the frills and flounces and opt for clean well cut lines.

Wear clothes with vertical lines
Women with petite frames can appear taller by wearing clothes with vertical lines. Vertical lines draw people's attention from top to bottom, not side to side. Thus it makes you look longer and leaner. So, choose stripes, seams, fashion details that appear vertical or are in vertical panel fabric. Zigzag prints (in a falling way) can also enhance the wearer's height. A princess seam on your tops is a great idea for enhancing height.

Choose V-shapes
Choose tops and dresses with V-shaped necklines. V-shaped neckline styles are an aid to create the illusion of height. A little black dress with V-shaped neckline could be the best party wear for petite women.

High-heels
Almost every woman prefers to wear high heels, as they are the easiest way to look tall. Sling-backs and pumps are wonderful, but avoid shoes with ankle straps. Why? Because straps break up the wearer's vertical line and provide a shorter look. Strappy shoes look great on those who have long legs.

In a nutshell, choose tapered pants and skirts, straight pants, vertical striped clothes, long skirts and tops in short and medium lengths. Stay away from over-sized handbags, mini skirts, dresses with long sleeves and frills, wide embellished belts and bulky fabric.

These fashion tips for petite women can truly provide a taller and slimming effect.

Dear Dr. Khan,
I am suffering from gum bleeding during brushing and even while consuming certain solid foods. I did scaling two years ago and was quite all right for the first 18 months. Should I opt for scaling once again? Why is this happening?
- Azmal

Dear Azmal,
Gum bleeding is a sign of gingivitis (inflammation of gum disease cause by some bacteria, plaque/hard deposition). We usually recommend scaling and root planing once a year. As you said, you did scaling 18 months back, so it is better to do it again now.

Scaling and root planing are usually the primary dental treatments a patient receives for periodontal disease (gum disease).

Scaling is the procedure used to remove contaminated toxins, micro-organisms, plaque, tartar, cementum, dentin that is rough and/or permeated by calculus from around, below and under the gum line.

Half of the patient's mouth is numbed so that the dentist can comfortably remove any hardened food (calculus) from below the patient's gums. This is called scaling and it's like removing the scales from a fish.

In addition to hand scaling, we use ultrasonic vibrating tools to blast unwanted hardened deposits off of the patient's teeth during this phase of scaling and root planing. Scaling leaves a rough tooth surface so planing is needed next.

A carpenter planes wood so that it's smooth. Essentially we perform the same procedure on a surgical level on the surface of the teeth. This allows the gums to regenerate without irritation. The gum tissue normally shrinks and becomes tight around the teeth after this -- scaling and root planing -- because there is no longer anything there to irritate the gums. Scaling and root planing can also reduce or eliminate the bleeding gums.

After scaling and root planing is completed the gum tissue is allowed to heal.

Some early sign and symptoms of gum disease:
Do your gums bleed when you brush, floss or use a toothpick?
Are your gums red, swollen and painful?
Do you have pus coming from between your gums and teeth if you push on your gums?
Are your gums pulling away from your teeth?
Has there been a change in the way your teeth come together when you bite or chew on food?
Do your teeth look longer because of receding gums?
Are your teeth loose?
Do you have bad breath?
If you wear a partial denture does it still fit the same?
If any of these statements are true then you may have a problem with your gums. You should visit your dentist and get an evaluation and schedule an appointment. You may need more than just a routine cleaning for your teeth to get your gums healthy again.

Dear Dr Mahfuj,
Would it be wise to have a porcelain cap on my posterior teeth? My friend had capped her teeth four years ago, but a part of the porcelain has already fractured. My dentist strongly suggests that I put a cap soon after getting root canal treatment.
- Akhtara Khatun

Dear Ms Khatun,
I feel it is not sufficient to make full porcelain crown for your posterior teeth. I prefer making porcelain facing metal crown, which means the visible part will be porcelain and the part responsible for biting will be metal. But if the patient wants full tooth colour (porcelain cap) crown, we strongly recommend not biting on any hard things.

I can only assume that your friend had a history of biting on hard food, which is the main cause for porcelain fracture. “Longevity of a crown” depends on the quality of material, standard of a laboratory, skill of the laboratory technician and finally, accurate preparation of that particular tooth and taking perfect impressions (measurement) by your dentist!

Dear Dr Khan,
I have several metal fillings (silver/black colour). One of my friends replaced all ger silver fillings with white ones. Can I replace mine too? I don't have any pain or complains and the fillings are still in place. Should I replace only for the colour?
-Luna

Dear Luna,
Constant pressure from chewing, grinding or clenching can cause dental fillings, or restorations, to wear away, chip or crack. Although you may not be able to tell that your filling is wearing down, your dentist can identify weaknesses in your restorations during a regular check-up.

If the seal between the tooth enamel and the restoration breaks down, food particles and decay-causing bacteria can work their way under the restoration. You then run the risk of developing additional decay in that tooth. Decay that is left untreated can progress to infect the dental pulp and may cause an abscess.

Yes you can replace your old silver filling with white colour composite filling or inlay. Inlay is new type of cast filling, which is prepared in laboratory. Inlay is superior that silver filling and white colour composite filling. It is widely use in other countries because of its heavy strength, excellent shape/anatomy and accurate adaptation.

First of all, consider the simple physics of the situation: each bite you take puts up to 900 pounds of pressure per square inch on the surface of the biting tooth. Over the years, this kind of pressure can easily cause silver amalgam or composite filling to change their shape and contour, crack, and possibly create fractures within the tooth as well. Then, decay can creep into the fracture lines and under the loosened filling.

Furthermore, silver actually expands at an entirely different rate than tooth enamel…meaning that it's only a matter of time before the filling's changing shape fractures the underlying tooth. However, inlay isn't susceptible to these problems.

Dear Dr Mahfuj,
I heard that misaligned teeth can be fixed by using a special kind of laser light in Bangladesh. Is this true? And if it is true then does it work? Does it have any side effects?
- Tanveera Hussein

Dear Ms Tanveera
Yes, it is partly true. But a violet coloured halogen light is used rather than a laser light. We usually call this “light cure composite (resin) filling” or “bonded filling”. Yes it will definitely work and it has no side effects if properly done.