|
 |
|
|
| Home | Issues | The Daily Star Home | Volume 6, Issue 13, Tuesday, March 29, 2011 |
|
|
|
|
NEW IN TOWN Premium ice cream experience, The Cream & Fudge Factory, opened its doors in Dhaka on 12 March, 2011. The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-esque theme, brainchild of Fred Mouadad, debuted on a largely quiet affair. However, once the word spread, the response has indeed been highly positive. Of course the creaminess and brand name are only two ingredients to this successful recipe. The winning addition is the 'mix-ins' experience, where customers can choose to create their own type of ice-cream. The availability of mix-ins makes the possibilities endless. With well-over 10 mix-ins and a large number of ice-cream flavours, Cream & Fudge Factory offers something new to its customers, along with the regular favourites like Rocky Road, What's Up Berry and Strawberry Shortcake. Hence, Cream & Fudge Factory styles itself as more of an experience than just a regular ice-cream parlour. Global Franchise Architects, along with ICE Retail Initiative, brought this franchise to Dhaka, building on their success of introducing Pizza Corner and also the coffee culture in Bangladesh through Coffee World. With Dhaka's promising and growing market, coupled with the general population's love for all things icy and creamy in this heat, Cream & Fudge Factory chose this city as their next destination. Of course the question does arise, what makes this ice-cream parlour different from the rest. To start off, it is, as stated, an experience or rather an adventure. The scope of creating one's own ice-cream following the three-step process, is a new one. Imported ice-cream and a 21-day training programme for the staff, conducted abroad, ensure quality. Finally, it's the whole idea of mix-ins of course. Thus, it can easily be considered a whole lot different from the rest.
Though, in their own words, the outlook may not be picture perfect, but you will be swayed by the consistent flavour. It's not too sweet thus emphasizing on the flavour. Therefore, if one wishes to try out the Green Tea it will taste like Green Tea. Though there is not yet a selection of diet ice-creams, there are assurances of its appearance in the future. So far, it seems the clear favourite in Dhaka is also the same as elsewhere. Chocolate flavours win over the others, with Rocky Road a special favourite. There have also been assurances that there will not be a loss in brand name by merging two different brands in one place, as done with Coffee World and Pizza Corner, in order to prevent a loss in identity. Thus, it's safe to assume, that Cream & Fudge Factory will always maintain its exclusivity and with 1800 square feet of floor space in their first branch, space will not be an issue. By the year end, two branches are expected to be opened in and around Dhaka city, thus bringing this brand new experience to a whole lot of other people. Still not convinced? Well an easy trip to the food-crazed place in Banani 11, where Cream & Fudge Factory is located, will soon and easily change your mind. And make sure to leave your comments, which are digitally processed and acted upon every month, instead of being discarded. By Osama Rahman
CHECK IT OUT Hatil's 'Studio Collection'
The Studio Collection is a range of home furniture such as sofas, dining tables, chairs and beds which are solely wooden. The three designers have been working on this project for the last five months with Hatil's craftsmen and technicians. They have experimented with various textures and colours to come up with contemporary designs that will be suitable for export as well as delight locals who are inclined towards trendy interiors. According to Tibbs, although the primary aim of this project is to add a collection to Hatil that will complement the European taste for furniture there is also a secondary objective.
The new furniture range will be available in the Bangladeshi market at a price range not very different from Hatil's existing products. So if you are planning to give your home a little make-over and if you are open to the idea of adding a little bit of an international touch to it, be sure to drop by at the exhibition which will be open till March 4. By Karishma Ameen EXHIBITION
We wear the mask that grins and lies, For the third time Galleri Kaya showcases “Mukh O Mukhosh”, an exhibition on masks, featuring works by near 20 artists and rural artisans. It is a celebration of the human expression where seasoned artists young and old have experimented with the facial form. The exhibition aims to promote mask-making as an established field of fine arts and not as a mere subsidiary, as it is considered in Bangladesh. Thus Kaya presents works by painters and exponents of other arenas, experiments which have yielded wonderful results. “The exhibition, as the name suggests, showcases masks but it was also our goal to highlight 'faces' human or other. Each of the pieces on display presents a unique interpretation of facial features and expressions as seen by the artist. Thus, while you see lifelike presentations in the exhibition, others have worked with accentuated forms keeping the whole subject well within the realms of the face” said Goutam Chakraborty, Director of Galleri Kaya. For the casual onlooker the presentation may look the same, but to a more astute onlooker each of the pieces reveals its story. While you may see traditional folk motifs in one, others present a blend of cultures, prominent in their African or Egyptian elements.
“Masks have held an important position in Bengal, although its use was not rampant as in other cultures. Traditionally, poachers hunting in the jungles of Sunderbans put up a mask on the back of their heads, with a belief that it gave them a new pair of roving eyes. Thus, making them alert of the entire happenings around them.” Chakraborty goes on to say. “And of course masks were part of celebrations during Pohela Boishakh, a practice that now has gained widespread popularity.”
However, one must not forget that the exhibition is as much about 'faces' as it is about masks. Kazi Raqib's etchings on glass puts the three dimensional face on a two dimensional glass plane. The translucent glass, the colours used hinting on the duality of the human faces, some easy to read while others keep us guessing. Masks have enjoyed a special position with artists and connoisseurs alike. Picasso, Henry Moore and others have not shied away from experimenting with this form and the results are for the whole world to cherish. With fine arts now capturing a wide, young audience, it is only a matter of time before masks make their mark in our now flourishing art field. Mukh O Mukhosh 3, a contemporary group exhibition of masks, is open for visitors everyday between 11 am to 7:30 pm up to 6 April, 2011 at Galleri Kaya , House #20, Road #16, Sector 4, Uttara. By Mannan Mashhur Zarif SHOP SPECIAL Ena La Mode opens in Gulshan
The inauguration took place on 24 March, where woman entrepreneur and beautician Kaniz Almas Khan was invited as a special guest to inaugurate the opening. Model and television artist Sharmin Lucky was also present. Speaking at the inauguration, Kaniz Almas said, "Shoes and bags are two of the most essential parts of a wardrobe. As a local brand, Ena La Mode provides a high level of functionality coupled with aesthetics.” “We thought of Thai bags and shoes earlier, but Ena La Mode is a unique blend of quality and contemporary design bringing the customer closer to the brand”, said Sharmin Lucky. Speaking on the occasion Anika said, “I always want to give sophisticated and quality products to customers. We use batik prints on shoes and jamdanis and for bags. We have various sections - Designer's Collection, Festival Collection and Popular Collection in our outlets. In addition, shoes and bags in vibrant hues are available to customers from Boishakh Collection. ” The Designer's Collection is an exclusive, limited edition. The Premium Collection is made of pure silk, cotton, leather PU and natural rubber. Festival Collection focuses on Bangla New Year, Eid, bridal, Valentine's Day, etc. Monthly and quarterly new arrivals are available in the Popular Collection. Ena La Mode was established in 2010 with the mission of providing their customers with superior quality fashion products and services at competitive prices that continually meet or exceed customer expectations. The showroom also offers matching shoes and bags with dress made according to customised orders. Their new outlet is located at Pink City (Third Floor), Gulshan 2, House 4, Road 12, Sector 6, Uttara By Farizaa Sabreen |
|
 |
| home
| Issues | The Daily Star Home © 2010 The Daily Star | |
The Cream and Fudge experience
Much more than the ice cream itself, it's the presentation that really sets tongues wagging. The flavours on display look exquisite and as it playfully melts in your mouth, you can't help but savour the creamy textures while eyeing the next scoop from your gorgeously displayed choice of ice-cream. 
One of the leading furniture manufacturers of Bangladesh, Hatil has been producing furniture since 1989, for the local market as well as for small-scale export, and will be unveiling its fresh line of furniture from March 29 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center. Designed by three furniture designers from the United Kingdom -- Jonathan Tibbs, William Allen and Edward Douglas -- this brand new collection is known as the 'Studio Collection'. The project was initiated by Atif of the Design Technology Centre, Bangladesh, with the primary objective of launching a line mainly for export to European countries.
This project has the underlying objective of promoting furniture designing in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh rarely will one come across an individual who is solely involved in designing furniture because of lack of availability of training or education. This initiative will endorse furniture designing so that the younger generation may eventually become actively involved in furniture designing and have the option of taking it up as a profession.
Mukh O Mukhosh 3
Bhabesh Chandra Malakar's interesting depiction of the human face shines with colour as he tries to show jovial expressions, donned with traditional use of colours seen in rural forms. His other depiction, on the other hand, takes the form of Ravans or demons. As Malakars they have worked with “shola” -- the Indian cork -- in making deities for Puja or the “topor” for the Hindu bridegroom. But his forte extends to making masks that exhume the ominous side of human behaviour through making masks that shine in the raw ivory tint of the cork. 
Saidul Haque Juise, whose works are on display, also maintains a traditional approach as he worked with paper folding techniques to create his facial forms. Some of his recent works, on the other hand, speak of the turbulent times we are going through by careful incorporation of elements of time into his pieces of art. The facial expressions in his masks are somehow disgruntled. 
Fashion designer Anika Osman proudly launched her second outlet of Ena La Mode at Pink City Shopping Complex in Gulshan. This outlet stocks a wide range of products from handbags, laptop bags and office bags to sandals and shoes of local natural materials, imported materials, leather, cane and so on for fashionable women and men.