SHE CANADA 1

Humaima Malick

EXCLUSIVE:SUSAN LANGDON TALKS TORONTO FASHION INCUBATOR

IQBAL

THEBA

TALKS

glee

MAYBELLINE

NEW YORK’S

SUMMER BEAUTY

PICKS

SHERYL SANDBERG’S

LEAN IN

MILA KUNIS + GEMFIELDS

JUNE/JULY 2013 $4.99 CAD | Dhs 18.08 AED | £3.28

ETRO GETS EASTERN

INSPIRED

SANJAY DUTT’S FINAL LEADING LADY

2 SHE CANADA

SHE CANADA 3

4 SHE CANADA

Editor/Publisher KAMRAN ZAIDI

Executive Editor PRIYA KUMAR

Advertising & Marketing Executive MUNIRA QURESHI

Art Layout Coordinator DANYL GENECIRAN

Fashion Assistant LIZ GUBER

Travel Contributor ROBIN ESROCK

Social Media Manager ERUM ZEHRA

Features Contributors ELOISE ALBA, INGRID KWONG

Pop Culture Contributors EKTA MUKHI, PARVEEN SINGH

Marketing Assistant DIANA BABA

Subscription Inquiries:Please go to http://shemagazine.ca/subscribe

To Contact SHE Canada:Write to SHE Canada, 1999 Avenue Rd., Toronto, ON, M5M 4A5

Or info@shemagazine.ca, Facebook: SHECanadaTwitter: @SHECanada

For Advertising Inquiries:Please contact Kamran Zaidi, 416 644 7788, 416 878 0SHE

kamran.zaidi@shemagazine.ca

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

SHE CANADA 5

IN EVERY ISSUE:EDITOR’S NOTE 6

SHE ONLINE 7CONTRIBUTORS 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 9STYLE SCOOP 10

HE 62∙ HE Said, SHE Said

∙ Glee’s Iqbal Theba ∙ Fashion Ideas for HIM

∙ Car Pride Auto SpaSHE CARES 74

∙ Lady Fatemah TrustSHE DEBATES 76

∙ The College Husband HuntHEALTH/WELLNESS 78

∙ All About Cleanses ON THE ROAD 84

∙ Cruising Up the Yangtze BEAUTY 86

∙ Zen Spa∙ Beauty Buzz

∙ Backstage with RedkenBROWN GIRL PROBLEMS 93

QUOTE/UNQUOTE 94∙ Famous quotes on Friendship

FEATURES:FASHION CENTRAL 18∙ Payal Singhal∙ Mila Kunis for Gemfields∙ Etro’s Far East Movement for Spring/Summer 2013∙ World MasterCard Fashion Week

∙ Ashtiani by Golnaz Ashtiani∙ Mackage Spring/Summer 2013 WMCFW

COVER STORY 32∙ Humaima Malick

SPECIAL FEATURES 46∙ 30 Things to Have and Know Before Turning the Big 3-oh∙ The Toronto Fashion Incubator with Susan Langdon∙ MAX Agency∙ Nausheen Shah: The Darling of Street Style∙ Hafsa Lodi: Journalist in a Jumpsuit SOUTH ASIA 36∙ Manish Malhotra Visits London∙ Bollywood Update from the SourceTHE ARTS 72∙ Moroccan Film FestivalRESTAURANT REVIEW 68∙ Dining at House of Moments

6 SHE CANADA

Summer is finally here. The sun is out 14 hours a day, the 400 is packed on Friday afternoons and for us urbanites, patio season is in full effect. The brighter days and shorter nights have a euphoric effect on us Canadians. Unlike our neighbours to the south, it’s hard for us to take the warm weather for granted (see: sub-zero cold snap back in mid-April 2013). As a luxury/lifestyle publication, SHE is thrilled to make the most of the season within our pages.

June/July is packed with fashion picks, whatever your needs this summer. Heading outdoors to a music festival? Don’t miss this month’s Style Scoop. From Summer Dresses to Crop Tops, SHE has you covered.

If you’re looking for something more formal, think back to the Fall/Winter 2013 runways this past fashion month. We couldn’t help but notice South Asia is continuing to dominate, so this issue we’ve focused on Etro. A beloved label both in Europe and South Asia, they took note of who their target clientele is and paid homage to the beauty of South Asian textile design (p. 22). Speaking of the Eastern influence, the SHE office was so blown away by Mila Kunis’ new campaign with Gemfields that we simply could not help but find out more about the starlet and gem brand that prides itself on ethically sourced stones (p. 20).

That brings us to the talented, beautiful and impeccably dressed Nausheen Shah. A star on the street style scene around the world, Shah’s career has proven that success in the fashion industry has taken on a new form. She’s a globe-trotting trendsetter who happens to have several columns running in various New York City-based papers. Find out why we’ve dubbed her the real-life Carrie Bradshaw (p. 54).

Finally, there has been much discourse in the media about what it means to be a modern career woman today. With the release of Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In (p. 92), everyone seems to have an opinion about what it is “to have it all.” Perhaps the most notorious opinion came from Susan Patton, Princeton alumna, Class of 1977. She advised current undergraduate women, via Princeton’s newspaper, they ought to find a husband while in the company of the only men worthy of them (i.e. Ivy League coeds). ”Pay as much attention to building that part of your future happiness as you are in terms of building your career,” said Ms. Patton. “If you wait 10 years you’re going to be up against those real hard years in your early 30s when the men you are actually going to be interested in marrying will already have been married and probably have a baby or two at home.” It’s an interesting topic that we weighed in on in SHE Debates (p. 76).

Now that you’ve been briefed, take this issue outside with you and soak up the great weather while it lasts.

EDITOR

S.M. Kamran Zaidi

SHE CANADA 7

FESTIVAL FASHION OVERLOAD!Just because Coachella has come and gone doesn’t mean that the sun has set on music festival season. With Osheaga in Montreal and Edgefest happening a mere ferry ride away on Toronto Island, SHE Canada Online will be bringing you fashion tips, survival guides and must-see shows all summer long. All the information you could possibly need this festival season is just a click away!

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

8 SHE CANADA

PRIYA KUMARExecutive EditorHaving the best of all four seasons. It’s easy to take hot summers and snowy winters for granted. It wasn’t until I lived abroad (France and India), that I realized how great our weather actually is.

ROBIN ESROCKTravel ContributorI love being able to eat poutine, carry loonies and toonies, order a double-double, and use over 2000 other Canadian words you won’t find south of the border. Skookum!

LIZ GUBERFashion AssistantAs a young child growing up in the Ukraine, Canada came to my knowledge when it appeared as an answer to a crossword puzzle. Little did I know I would come to call this place home, and be grateful for all the joy and opportunity it has opened up for me.

MUNIRA QURESHIBeauty ContributorRyan Gosling. No further explanation needed.

ELOISE ALBA Features ContributorBeing able to live in a country inhabited by diversity, culture, maple trees, the world’s longest coastline, and the beavers that built a dam visible from outer space.

INGRID KWONGFeatures ContributorOur multiculturalism. Our equal celebration of race, religious leanings and cultural backgrounds is the most wonderful attribute of our great nation.

“What do you love most about being Canadian?”

SHE CANADA 9

Your feature on Prabal Gurung for Target was well done, however I found myself wanting to snap up every item, yet unable to do so as this collection was not released in Canada! Don’t tease us next time, SHE!

Harpreet, Scarborough

Whilst in the process of re-decorating my living room, I stumbled across your feature on Fourth Eye Gallery. What a fantastic resource for original South Asian art! I’m excited to support an artist as well as this gallery with a purchase.

Laila, Mississauga

I found your rating of the Spice Girls’ VIVA Forever musical to be extremely generous! I didn’t think 3 out of 5 was good representation of the capabilities and talents involved.

Anjali, London, UK

The highlight of your last issue for me was “The Defini-tion of Beauty” article. What a thought-provoking topic; it’s certainly sparked my interest in the controversies of the modeling world, and I was also happy to discover Cameron Russell’s inspiring TEDTalk.

Tara, Vancouver

It was a treat to see Arjun Bhasin featured for his work on Life of Pi especially the sketch of his costume design for Pi Patel after seeing the movie recently.

Farah, Lahore, Pakistan

I sat down one evening in a comfy chair, cup of tea in hand and took my time to enjoy your lengthy feature on Coco Chanel and the book review that followed. It was a fascinating journey through fashion history. Coco was certainly a polarizing and iconic figure.

Saloni, Orlando, Florida

I found your “Top 5 Ingredients to Avoid” round-up to be very comprehensive and easy to understand. Finally, I know what MSG is and will stop avoiding certain foods based on hearsay only.

Meera, Montreal

10 SHE CANADA

Sun season is here and the only thing as pervasive as the sundress is sunshine itself. From the French Riviera to the docks off Lake Jo’, these fun and flirty frocks will turn a regular Summer into an Indian one!

ROBERTO CAVALLI Printed Silk Maxi Dress, Price on Request

DAY BIRGER ET MIKKELSEN Crocheted Cotton $400

J. CREW Swiss-dot Silk-blend Dress $350

THEORY Nikay B striped Cotton-jersey Dress $245

ACNE Mallory Crepe de Chine Dress $300

1

2

3

4

5

RED VALENTINO Printed Taffeta Dress $750

MOSCHINO CHEAP & CHIC Embroidered Poplin Dress $795

CHRISTOPHER KANE X J Brand Stretch-denim Dress $486

CARVEN Molleton Jersey Dress $430

ISABEL MARANT Melissande Printed Silk-crepe Maxi Dress $1,455

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

SHE CANADA 11

5

6

7

8

9

10

12 SHE CANADA

Coachella in Palm Springs and Ultra Music Festival in Miami may already be distant memories, but Canada’s music

festival scene is just getting started. Edgefest 2013 on Centre Island and

Osheaga in Montreal bring together some of the world’s top acts for several days of

music, food and of course fashion. Not sure what to wear? We’ve got you covered.

ROXY Savage 2 Dress $39.95

3.1 PHILLIP LIM Jersey Tank $121

H&M Cropped Top $14.95

TINSELTOWN LOVE Cut Off Shorts $24.95

H&M Crocheted Cropped Top $19.95

1

2

3

4

CAMILLA AND MARC Astral Peplum Crepe top $340

H&M Denim Dress $34.95

MISSONI X HAVAIANAS $54.99

ÉTOILE ISABEL MARANT Shaper Owl-intarsia Cotton-blend Shorts $290

6

7

8

9

5

1

2

3

4

SHE CANADA 13

5

6

7

8

9CAMILLA AND MARC Astral Peplum Crepe top $340

H&M Denim Dress $34.95

MISSONI X HAVAIANAS $54.99

ÉTOILE ISABEL MARANT Shaper Owl-intarsia Cotton-blend Shorts $290

14 SHE CANADA

Simple yet chic, sandals are a summer staple for both day and night—on the beach that is. Pair them with your favourite swimwear and soak

up the sun with these open toes.

SAINT LAURENT Jerry Flat Sandal $1,115

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Vildo Flat Gold $775

TORY BURCH Metallic Tumbled Leather Emmy Sandal $195

GUESS Rana Sandal $110

MICHAEL KORS Sondra Jelly Thong Sandal $59

MIU MIU Cherry Flat Sandal $595

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

3

4

5 6

SHE CANADA 15

Forgoing the beach? With 14 hours of daylight this season, dance the night away in these gorgeous sling-backs. From two-toned Manolo Blahniks to

pinked and punked Louboutins, you can rock these heels ‘til the sun comes up.

VALENTINO Crystallized Suede $895

BCBG MAXAZRIA Pippa Pee Toe $250

MANOLO BLAHNIK Margolina $1,200

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Clou Noeud Spiked $1,195

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Flo Sling $845

1

2

3

4

5

12

3

4

5

16 SHE CANADA

Bronze, gunmetal, rose gold, copper—for every metal there is a corresponding shade.These pieces may look winter appropriate, but given the never-ending chill we’ve

experienced in Canada this year, we say go for it! Even in July.

ESTEBAN CORTAZAR Lamé and Stretch-crepe T-shirt $270

WILLOW Leather and Metallic-twill Jacket $1,640

LANVIN The Happy Medium Metallic Woven Canvas $2,590

MARC JACOBS Baroque Eugenie Metallic Quilted $495

GUCCI Studded Metallic Leather Platform Sandals $895

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

SHE CANADA 17

Tops are out on a limb, literally. Spring’s hemlines are cropped to reveal the

season’s come-hither zone. Temper the look with

festive prints, charming florals, or tints of sunlight

and sand.

THEYSKENS’ THEORY Cropped Leather Tank $425

MIU MIU Cotton and Silk Organza Peplum $530

MISSONI Elsa Cropped Crochet Knit $530

ALEXANDER WANG Cropped Silk Georgette $135

TOPSHOP Floral Jacquard Crop Top $48

CHRISTOPHER KANE Printed Silk Bustier $950

TOPSHOP Tiger Lattice Suntop $40

VERSACE Printed Jersey Bustier $1,045

PETER PILOTTO Lara Silk and Crepe Peplum $1,540

TOPSHOP Monochrome Lace Top $30

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Balmain

Balenciaga

Dolce & Gabbana

18 SHE CANADA

Presents her ‘TAJ’ Collection

at Lakmé Fashion Week 2013

SHE CANADA 19

Modern Indian Designer Payal Singhal showcases the movement of women in India today through her collection ‘Taj’.

By Ekta Mukhi

In an industry bursting at the seams with fresh design talent, Payal Singhal manages to shine through. Coming from a family of creative minds—her grandfather was a renowned painter and her father, a fashion industry pioneer—the arts ran through her veins. At the young age of 15, Singhal submitted sketches for the preliminary round of retail giant Shoppers Stop’s design competition. Her fresh and modern take on traditional Indian clothing garnered her the prestigious “Designer of the Year” award. After her national recognition and newfound talent, Payal pursued a design degree from Shreemati Nathibhai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) University in Mumbai and further continued her education at Parsons School of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. It was Singhal’s exposure to a Western sensibility that enhanced the growing global design appreciation that later on became her forte. In 2000, she officially stepped foot into the fashion world by creating her very own clothing label.

She charmed her audience at the Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) Summer/Resort 2013 when she debuted her “Taj” collection of wearable, versatile and comfortable pieces—a mantra she has upheld since starting out. The collection combined contemporary silhouettes with hand-woven textile and was inspired by the fine details, intricate filigree, jaali patterns, and floral inlays of Islamic architecture. The pieces were aimed at the trend-setting summer brides and set to a backdrop of the extravagant lifestyle of colonial India. As Singhal reveals, “This collection represents an authentic summer bride that exudes elegance and tradition—her style statement is experimental with an edge.”

Her skillfully created pieces were a mélange of swadeshi dress codes and sartorial styles. Short anarkalis were teamed up with luxurious salwars and asymmetric tunic blouses were a unique match for traditional saris in katarva cotton, banarasi or mulmul silks. Singhal also played with velvet and asymmetric kurta cholis, and matched them with three distinct coloured saris: kiwi lime, sunset yellow and cream. This is a collection that would indeed cater to the girl who dreams of having either a rustic seaside nuptial or a grand week long celebration.

Singhal also presented the famous wedding trousseau (the honeymoon wardrobe)—silk Sufi Falda pants with striking structured cholis and soft sensuous saris were paired with free flowing kurtas. Embellishments were a key component of the collection as resham, silver and gold taar, pita kora, filigree, jaali and trellis patterns dazzled on the outfits.

Actress Aditi Rao Hydari, star of London, Paris, New York and Murder 3, walked the

runway in fully encrusted red pants combined with a matching red, long-sleeved choli, and a tulle dupatta, displaying Singhal’s modern take on summer bridal wear. Singhal explained that they deliberately kept the blouse simple stating: “the main show of a bride should be her jewellery.” When interviewed about the designer and her latest collection, Aditi Rao Hydari said: “We feel that Indian clothes are high maintenance. But these clothes are so wearable. Everyone talks about swades but there was also rebellion against the Swadesi Movement by women who wanted to wear Western outfits. The silhouettes represent that.”

Apart from showcasing in India, Singhal’s collections have been shown at various other prestigious fashion weeks such as the Singapore Fashion Festival and the Fashion Week of the Americas. Her label now retails from her signature stores all over the world—from her flagship stores in Mumbai, to her retail outlets in New York and New Jersey, Hong Kong, and the Middle East. With over thirteen years of experience, Singhal’s versatility is apparent—her well-crafted pieces cater to coy Indian brides and New York “it” girls alike.

British Vogue Editor, Dolly Jones once described the designer: “Singhal creates gorgeous dresses for dressing up in downtown New York with just enough of the genuine Indian magic that designers all over the world try to recreate.”

With Payal, the possibilities are endless.

20 SHE CANADA

“If someone presents you a gift with a gemstone in it, knowing that they put thought into where it came

from gives it more meaning. It’s easy to buy something that looks impressive, but knowing that it’s ethically

sourced and that no one suffered to produce it is, to my mind, the most important thing.” – Mila Kunis

By Priya Kumar

SHE CANADA 21

These days, landing a luxury brand campaign is a sure sign of success for any Hollywood leading lady. Hot on the heels of her Dior campaign, Mila Kunis became the new face of Gemfields—the world’s leading producer of ethically-sourced rare coloured gemstones. The company selected Kunis to be their brand ambassador as they felt it was, “[a] natural fit. Mila was chosen for her natural beauty, versatility, intelligence and love of rare coloured gemstones.” Shot by Mario Sorrenti, the campaign will run in Vogue, Vanity Fair and W throughout 2013. The alliance certainly signifies a career high for Kunis, whose film Oz: The Great and Powerful opened strongly in the box office this past March. Kunis’ staggering career trajectory can be described as nothing short of remarkable since entering the industry as a young child.

Three years ago I was working in the fashion department at Blackbook magazine in Midtown Manhattan. Known for being ahead of the curve, the pop culture glossy regularly features up-and-comers before they are truly consumed by fame. For the December issue of that particular year, Mila Kunis was slated for the cover. I recall wondering why. It had been years since That ‘70s Show had been on the air and she had done little else (notable) since. That is with the exception of Judd Apatow’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008). Called her breakout film role, it was she who made Jason Segal forget Sarah Marshall.

Little did I know, the best had yet to come for Kunis. In her Blackbook interview she spoke of an upcoming psychological thriller about the world of ballet called Black Swan. She told my colleague, Ben Barna, “I just skipped about 10 years of ballerina training and started as if I’m a professional. Everyday, I tore the ligaments in my calves and I would think, ‘What am I doing to myself?’” At the time, the project was shrouded in secrecy: “It’s like a real-life version of Swan Lake…I can’t talk about it. It’s not even that big of a deal. It’s a [expletive] movie. It’s not like I’m saving the world.” She reportedly went on a 1,200 calorie a day diet for the role. Coupled with intensive cardiovascular training and four hour long daily ballet classes, seven days a week, Kunis lost 20 pounds for the role of Lily. The Darren Aronofsky film would ultimately catapult her to the Oscars—it was nominated for five gold statuettes and permanently cemented Kunis on the A-list.

Born in the former USSR (now the Ukraine), Kunis immigrated with her family to the States at the age of 7. Speaking almost no English, Kunis’ parents enrolled her in an acting class to bring her out of her shell: “I was new to America so my English wasn’t so great at that time so [my parents] were like ‘you know what? We’ll send you to a little class where you can make friends and learn English and what not’. It ended up becoming an acting class for little kids. But really an acting class for little kids just means ‘we’ll take your money and baby-sit your kids for a couple of hours’. It’s not like they’re going to teach you method! So I went to this so-called acting class. And this is where luck comes in: my manager—who is my manager to this day—was there. She showed up that one day and saw me. Long story short my parents were like ‘we don’t really want you to be an actor. We want you to be a doctor or a lawyer’ and I was like ‘that’s fine, but this’ll be an after school activity’ and they were like ‘we work full-time, you go to school full-time: let’s see how this fits in.’ Then the first thing I went out for—like the first Barbie commercial or whatever—I ended up getting. I was nine years old. And then from nine to fourteen I worked quite steadily and then I got a TV show, and so forth and so forth. So it was all pretty organic.”

By the age of 11 she’d landed the coveted role of young Gia Carangi in the Angelina Jolie bio-epic Gia. Episodes of Baywatch, 7th Heaven and a commercial for Lisa Frank soon followed, but Kunis got her big break when she landed a role on FOX’s That ‘70s Show (1998). The producers were uncomfortable casting minors for the roles of the leads, so when they asked her if she was 18, she responded she would be on her birthday. She didn’t mention which birthday. Kunis was 14 years old when she was cast as Jackie Burkhart, Ashton Kutcher’s on-screen squeeze.

Kunis soon landed the voice of Meg Griffin on Family Guy after Lacey Chabert had to drop out before the second season due to scheduling conflicts with Party of Five. While her face never appeared on screen for the role, she began to be recognized in public for it: “I’m fine if I’m walking down the street in sweatpants and a sweatshirt. No one looks twice. But if I open my mouth and start talking, that’s when I get in trouble,” she once said at a press call for Black Swan.

While Black Swan remains her most high profile endeavor to date, Kunis is perhaps best known for her work in romantic comedies. On her role opposite Justin Timberlake in Friends with Benefits, Manohla Dargis of the New York Times wrote that, “Ms. Kunis is fast proving that she’s a gift that keeps giving to mainstream romantic comedy…her energy is so invigorating and expansive and her presence so vibrant that she fills the screen.” This says nothing of her role as the disgruntled girlfriend in Seth MacFarlane’s Ted, which grossed over half a billion dollars at the box-office worldwide. When MacFarlane initially came up with the idea for the project, he felt Kunis was too young for the role, but because the film was in development for years, she grew-up and was ultimately cast.

It’s no wonder Kunis has been tapped by Gemfields to serve as their brand ambassador this year. “As a company we are passionate about colour and fully committed to ethics, transparency and the sustainable development of the communities in which we operate, and finding the right partner who shares these values was vitally important,” Gemfields CEO Ian Harbottle says of Kunis. “Mila has blown me away with her energy, enthusiasm and dedication. Her individuality and the natural way in which she expresses her humanity set her apart.”

Kunis recently travelled to the Gemfields mine in Zambia, Africa, which produces 20% of the world’s emeralds. It was here Kunis immersed herself in learning about Gemfields’ ethically sourced gemstones and environmentally-friendly mining practices. She also had the opportunity to visit community projects, schools and farming co-ops sponsored by the luxury gemstone brand. “While in Africa, I learned that the entire journey that each Gemfields stone takes is carefully considered and that the environment and the local communities where its mines are located are held in the highest regard,” Kunis says of her trip. “I truly believe in Gemfields’ mission of ethical mining, and I absolutely have fallen in love with the rarity, beauty and history of emeralds.”

Apparently, the film-going world shares a similar sentiment for Kunis herself.

On May 3rd, 2013, FHM named Kunis “Sexiest Woman in the World.” Her first major sci-fi film, Jupiter Ascending costarring Channing Tatum, is slated for release in Summer 2014.

22 SHE CANADA

Etro’s “fantasy world” of pretty, practical, and print spawns a Far East movement.

By Eloise Alba

SHE CANADA 23

24 SHE CANADA

If there’s one thing to be expected of the Italian fashion house, it’s original fabric design. Rooted in her father’s colourful beginnings (paisley being the Etro seal of identity), Veronica Etro abides by tradition and puts her modern spin to it, showcasing engineered hand-painted prints for spring.

The influence of her floral motif veered Far East—Chrysanthemums and Lotus flowers were omnipresent through the pomp. And while the designer presented curtain-raisers that were distinctly Oriental in nature—the cheong sam, the kimono, and the judo suit were rendered in shades of rust and ecru—it was clear that the entire collection enveloped culture and tradition from neighboring nations.

An asymmetrical Indian sari was reinterpreted in full glitzy regalia, complete with the season’s horizontal band trend. “The stripes came from sportswear and the martial arts,” said Etro of their use. Other pieces took a less conservative route with raised hems and exposed bustier necklines. The looks appeared balanced and uncluttered despite the busy textile that was the pièce de résistance. “I really needed to keep the shapes clean, primal, and almost rational, to show off the decorativeness of the prints,” the designer reasoned. “And with the prints I was interested to use other things than just flowers - animals like parrots and butterflies to bring them alive.”

The spectacular display of jewellery could not be overlooked. Single fissure fabrics, albeit delivered in modern spearmint hues, were highlighted by traditional gold-plated neckpieces while beaded bangles and chandelier earrings accompanied looks alike.

The razzle-dazzle in this spring’s Etro show definitely did not disappoint. Its signature combination of eccentricity and elegance made appearances from start to finish—much like the esteemed clientele during the Italian brand’s launch party in Mumbai almost 3 years ago. The flagship store’s dark walnut and gray lacquered paneling, colourful orange and fuchsia carpets, and 1,500 square feet of floor space served as the backdrop to names like Rocky S, Harman Baweja, Jacqueline Fernandez, Condé Nast’s Alex Kuruvilla and Krishna Mehta who were all in attendance that night. Sanjay Kapoor, Managing Director and Deepika Gehani, Creative Director both of Genesis Luxury hosted the night’s festivities.

Since its opening in India, Etro as a fashion house continues to showcase itself among the country’s luminaries. Actor Harman Baweja once shared his thoughts on the brand saying: “I have been an Etro male for a while, it was such a pleasant surprise when I found out it was opening in Bombay. When I am traveling I am always looking out for this stuff. He added: “It stands out of the ordinary. It is retro in a way, but it is retro with the odd colours and designs, and when I say odd, I mean it in a nice way.”

And why wouldn’t he be (an Etro male)? The boutique menswear collection is as vibrant and punchy as its women’s counterpart often seeking inspiration from the country (India). In fact, its most recent Spring/Summer 2013 collection titled ‘Milano to Mumbai’ looked to the Mahabharata for inspiration.

“To me, India means the country of colours and paisley. It’s the place of origin of extraordinary culture, with a strong influence that has global reach. Many ancient Indian stories have fascinated me and been a great source of inspiration in my work and creativity. To me, the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharata all contain intriguing stories about love and passion that manage to elevate, thrill and reveal,” confesses designer Kean Etro on his Indian inspiration for the Spring/Summer 2013 menswear collection. “The Indian market is very important; it represents the future and gives us the possibility of sharing values and aesthetics that are a combination of our culture and that of India,” he adds.

It’s no wonder the brand continues to possess a strong presence in South Asia— much of its notable aesthetic can be attributed to the charm and mystique of the land and its most recent collections are no different.

SHE CANADA 25

26 SHE CANADA

SHE CANADA 27

Immediately following the end of Fashion Month (the collective term for New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks), Toronto offered up its own brand of fashion and frivolity, showcasing Canada’s take on the Fall 2013 trends.

Toronto Fashion Week has gone through a bit of an identity crisis over the years. With countless changes in name and location, the event hasn’t always succeeded in establishing a unique platform for showcasing local design talent. When news was revealed last year that IMG would be taking over, reactions were mixed, but most were eager to see if the fledgling event could evolve into a world-class fashion showcase.

After years of taking place at Nathan Phillips Square and a brief stint at Exhibition Place, it seems that World MasterCard Fashion Week has finally found its proper home in David Pecault Square; the ample space, central location and proximity to hot dog stands for starving fashionphiles made for a natural fit for the event. Inside the tent, creature comforts were enhanced with loads of lounge seating for the high heel clad and even a manicure bar courtesy of Essie.

The week-long event presented the usual mix of industry up-and-comers as well as seasoned fashion week veterans. Sid Neigum followed up his TFI New Labels win with a stand-out collection of cool separates in vivid whites and Godzilla-like textured knits. Perennial favourite David Dixon showed a collection of expertly tailored cocktail fare, but it was his ice-crystal accessories that stole the spotlight. Fashion spectators travelled back in time at the shows of Chloe Comme Parris, who showed an unabashedly grunge collection straight from the nineties, and Kimberly Newport-Mimran of Pink Tartan, who sought inspiration from the sixties, featured swinging skirts, capelets and cocoon coats.

Elisha Cuthbert, Stacy McKenzie and Jeanne Becker were some of the famous faces in attendance, and although Toronto’s street style photographers have yet to reach a paparazzi-like presence in

the city, there was plenty of “peacocking” taking place inside and outside of the tent despite the chilly March weather subduing the flamboyance of the attendees’ outfits.

In recent years, fashion weeks around the world have swelled into circus-like performances. It seems with each round of shows the true purpose of a fashion week—to present garments to buyers and industry tastemakers and maintain a profitable garment industry—has been overshadowed by grandeur and pageantry. What Toronto needs more than bloggers in the front row or big name sponsors behind the Week is a supportive and respected environment for designers seeking their big break. With IMG at the helm, the little fashion week that could is well on its way to transforming from a municipal vanity project into a world-class Fashion Week.

From the reaction of attendees both backstage and at the front of the towering white tent, it seems that Toronto has an undeniable hunger for fashion. Even the shows held in the smaller studio venue—often by a little known designer have people lining up around the corner, willing to stand at the very back and crane their neck for a glance at the goods. This is a city fully ready to embrace a home-grown fashion culture, and with luxury boutiques like Rac and TNT Gallery picking up lines from Sid Neigum and Ashtiani, Canadian fashion is well on its way to becoming a marketable, tangible commodity.

By Liz Guber

MASTERCARD

28 SHE CANADA

Ashtiani by Golnaz Ashtiani returned to the tents at David Pecault square for another triumphant collection. Unlike seasons past, this show was a departure from the designer’s usually more optimistic offerings. A darker colour palette of deep jewel tones and sharper, more austere silhouettes made for a thoroughly grown-up collection that nonetheless retained the quirky and edgy aesthetic that Ashtiani is becoming known for.

Proportions and textures were mixed to create fresh new shapes for the Fall season including an elongated cocoon cape, triangular strapless necklines and subtle hemline flares. This collection also marked the designer’s foray into accessory design. Some of the most memorable looks were complemented by oversized fur clutches in mustard and cobalt.

One of the most prominent themes of Ashtiani’s show was the exploration and manipulation of geometry, both in print and silhouette. Panels were joined at hard angles and style details such as pockets and slits further marked this theme.

Golnaz Ashtiani, who studied at the London College of Design, has been gaining prominence on the Toronto fashion scene following her TFI New Labels win back in 2010. Her latest collection in the more intimate studio space, had the fashion-savvy crowd packed shoulder-to-shoulder. With all eyes on this young talent, there’s little doubt that her designs will be hitting the streets in a huge way come fall.

SHE CANADA 29

In case you were wondering, the name comes from the incorrect pronunciation of the French word maquillage—meaning makeup. The brand, which boasts a flagship store in the New York City neighbourhood of Soho, and presence on stocklists at Neiman Marcus, Henri Bendel, Saks and Holt Renfrew, specializes in luxury leather and outerwear. Eran Elfassy and Elisa Dahan designed a polished collection for Fall 2013 that nonetheless managed to exude street-style cool.

For any brand specializing in outerwear, the Fall runway season is the perfect time to shine. Mackage took things up several notches this season and offered up arguably the best collection of the week. With a colour palette of merlot, mustard and orange and modern, flattering silhouettes and cuts, it looked as if the models would strut straight past the runway and onto the streets if they could. Leather A-line skirts in black and a more traffic-stopping orange were paired with sleek button-downs and leather leggings. For outerwear, the design duo showed a range of classic styles including the motorcycle, the trench and the varsity jacket.

Along with stellar ready-to-wear, Mackage debuted a line of handbags. Meticulous attention to detail and classic style lines give Mackage’s handbag collection timeless appeal, with standout pieces including a black leather satchel with cobalt blue python insets and a smaller, boxy black number with an arrow shaped closure and chunky gold hardware.

With another successful collection behind them, Dahan and Elfassy of Mackage have a clear vision for their brand, and with the likes of celebrities Halle Berry, Freida Pinto and Eva Mendes wearing their designs, Mackage is well on its way to becoming an iconic Canadian label.

30 SHE CANADA

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 finish. 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 | info@maxagency.com | www.maxagency.com

SHE CANADA 31

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 4A5Tel: (416) 644-7790 | Fax: (416) 482-4109

talentshopacademy@gmail.com | www.talentshopacademy.com

32 SHE CANADA

By Priya Kumar | Photography Abdullah Haris | Makeup/Styling Toni & Guy Designers Zara Shahjahan, Mahin Karim & Quiz | Coordination Encyclomedia PR

Life Imitates Art for Bollywood’s Latest Scene Stealing Ingénue

HUMAIMA MALICK

SHE CANADA 33

Bollywood made international headlines this past spring and it had nothing to do with awards season. Sanjay Dutt was arrested for his involvement in the 1993 Bombay bombings that left 250 dead and 700 injured. Masterminded by organized crime racketeer Dawood Ibrahim, the bombing was the deadliest terrorist attack in Indian history. Dutt’s sentence of three and a half years stemmed from his purchase of weapons from Ibrahim’s gang. “There are many other people who deserve pardon. I just want to say with folded hands that when I’m not going for a pardon then there’s no debate about it,” he said in a public statement. While Dutt appears to be accepting defeat in this saga that has spanned two decades, the court approved completion of two Bollywood projects, worth an estimated Rs. 3 billion, is underway. Sher is one of these projects; costarring Vivek Oberoi and Bollywood newcomer Humaima Malick, the film ironically chronicles the life of Gujrat’s seedy underworld.

Shot in the dry heat of Rajasthan, Dutt plays gangster Sharman Munjha. Malick narrates the story as Munjha’s widow forced to take over his empire. Amid a flurry of speculation about the fate of the film, Humaima Malick has found herself caught in the middle. Back in June of last year there was much talk about the nature of her relationship with Dutt. She adamantly denied these claims of impropriety to The Times of India almost in jest: “For God’s sake. Not him, please! I already have a man and the world knows it. I respect Sanjay Dutt. Here in Rajasthan we don’t even talk….I only say ‘Salaam Sir’ when I see Mr. Dutt. In my family we’re taught to respect elders. That’s about it.”

She went on to say, “Mr. Dutt plays my husband in Sher. But we don’t have a single romantic moment to share. Thank God for that! He’s so much my senior. Unko main jitni izzat doon kam hai. I like the way he looks after the people around him. Beyond that we don’t talk. I’ve my entourage from Pakistan to give me company. Even when I did Bol, my co-star Atif Aslam and I were hardly close friends. Actually Ali Zafar, not Atif is my buddy from the Pakistani entertainment industry. I am completely bewildered by the politics of Bollywood. I want to stay out of it.” Wise words from the young Malick.

Since her TOI interview back in 2012, I managed to catch up with the leading lady. Best known for her role as Zainub Khan in Bol, Malick’s career has been a work in progress for over a decade now. She started out at the age of 14 as a model, pounding the runway for veteran Pakistani couturier Deepak Perwani. Unsure of where her career in the spotlight was going to take her, she says, “Back then even I couldn’t have imagined how great everything was going to turn out, but I always knew that I wanted to do something creative and that I wouldn’t ever be satisfied with ordinary pursuits.”

Malick comes from a relatively large Pakistani family. One of six siblings, she always had their support, especially that of her parents. “Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly my family has always been very supporting. My parents always made me feel that I could accomplish anything, and I think if it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be here today.”

With childhood aspirations of becoming Miss World, the epitome of pomp and pageantry, Malick found celebrity on a road less travelled. Her role in the Lollywood (a moniker for Lahore’s film industry) blockbuster Bol has been called less than glamorous and she goes au naturel by wearing almost no makeup in the film. Malick attests her “sheer determination” to winning the lead. “I went through the usual procedure of auditioning, screen testing etc, and initially they had a couple of other actresses in mind, but I fought hard for it, and thanks to God I got it,” Malick attests.

34 SHE CANADA

The industry wholeheartedly approved of her performance, and in March 2012 she made an appearance at the London Asian Film Festival. Alongside other A-list nominees including Freida Pinto and Shilpa Shetty, Malick had an overwhelming feeling of having made it at that point: “At first I couldn’t even believe that this was happening to me! It was such an [out of] body experience, when we got to London and I felt extremely blessed and humbled to be in such great company. Frankly, I was glad just to be nominated,” she says of her win.

Speaking of Miss World, there is another famed beauty queen Malick is said to have links to—former Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen. There have been whispers about both having been romantically involved with cricketer Wasim Akram. A recent widower, Akram has denied the relationships on both counts saying he’s too dedicated to his two young children to be worried about dating. It’s probably for the best given the more than two decades age gap between Malick and Akram.

The Akram affair isn’t the only scandal that has followed Malick to Bollywood. Having married actor Shamoon Abbasi in her early 20s, they divorced after only a few months: “I have one mantra, and that is ‘no regrets’. We are meant to go through the experiences we do to come out stronger on the other end. I had a pretty great childhood and I wouldn’t trade one day of it!”

With a second Bollywood film in the pipelines—she will be starring opposite Sharman Joshi in a Vidu Vinod Chopra directed film—Malick has her plate full. In regards to what she sees herself doing in the future, she says, “As an artist, I know there is so much more out there that I’d like to try and do, but you never know where life will lead you. For now I just feel very lucky to be where I am and to be able to do what I love. One can only hope that continues.”

I closed our conversation by asking what advice she would share with young actresses trying to break onto the scene. She succinctly advises, “Don’t give up on your dreams; it’s what makes us human.” Her ability to effortlessly court the media, coupled with her on-screen charm and radiant beauty make her a recipe for success in film. Having prevailed over both Lollywood and Bollywood by the age of 25, it really is only a matter of time before Hollywood comes knocking.

36 SHE CANADA

SHE CANADA 37

38 SHE CANADA

SHE CANADA 39

40 SHE CANADA

SHE CANADA 41

42 SHE CANADA

SHE CANADA 43

44 SHE CANADA

SHE CANADA 45

46 SHE CANADA

By Priya Kumar & Parveen Singh

SHE CANADA 47

SHE Should Have:

One old boyfriend that both she and her parents can agree was suitable.One decent set of real jewellery from South Asia. Something perfect to wear to every function should a cousin decide to marry with three months notice.A salwar kameez she’s not ashamed to be seen wearing. An ethnically involved childhood she’s not bashful about sharing with others.A past juicy enough to share in her old age—censorable for minor grandchildren.Accepted that old age is inevitable and may not include the joint family arrangement she grew-up in and is accustomed to.A Facebook/Instagram/Twitter account inaccessible to snooping cousins and nosy aunties.A resume that outlines the direction she (and no one else) wants her career to go.A plan B should things not go as planned.One aunty who always makes her laugh and one who lets her cry.A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a chiffon sari.The strength to stand up to her mother-in-law, especially if it involves the children.A parlor that threads her eyebrows to perfection and doesn’t charge more than $3.A solid start on a satisfying career both she and her closest relations can be proud of.

1

23

45

6

7

8

9

10111213

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

2122

2324

25

26

2728

2930

SHE Should Know:

How to give herself a blow-out and create the perfect corkscrew curls using only a flat iron.How she feels about the prospect of marriage, kids and living with her in-laws.That flawlessly fusing her desi values with North American culture is important in maintaining who she is.How to live without being surrounded by family (even if only with non-blood related roommates).How to achieve the perfect winged eye, and what her actual foundation shade is.Where she stands on religion.That being South Asian means she is blessed with beauty and brains and not to waste them on silly things.How to bargain for a good deal. That her skin is beautiful even without whitening creams and that desi black hair turns brassy when treated with peroxide.That her parents gave her everything and can (still) take it all away.How to handle a rishta with grace—regardless of her feelings towards the custom.How to speak her mind without being rude or arrogant.Where to go—her mom’s kitchen table or a Moksha yoga studio—when her soul needs soothing.That Bollywood movies aren’t real.Why they say life begins at 30 (we left this one unchanged for effect).

Back in 1997, Pamela Redmond Satran wrote an article in Glamour magazine called “30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30.” Even in its day, before social media was a “thing,” it went viral. Glamour realized the momentum created by the article and put out a book of essays by renowned women

exemplifying each item on the list. As all of us at the SHE office inch towards 30, we were inclined to put together a South Asian Edition of “30 Things SHE Should Have and Should Know by the Time She’s 30.”

48 SHE CANADA

SHE CANADA 49

FOR ASPIRING ACTORS/MODELS, GETTING A FOOT IN THE DOOR

HAS NEVER BEEN EASIERWith TIFF just around the corner, Toronto is about to be flush with the buzz of celebrities walking its streets during the month of September.

PRIYA KUMAR had the opportunity to talk with MAX Agency about how one might break into this seemingly impenetrable industry

MAX Agency, one of Toronto’s most successful model and talent management companies, has truly changed how productions source

their talent. An industry icon, MAX represents women, men and children throughout Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Besides scouting and developing talent, MAX services a diverse clientele keeping them on top of an ever-changing industry. We had the opportunity to speak with Jennifer DeFaria, Senior Agent, about a day in the life at MAX, and here’s what she had to say:

What do you look for in potential talent?We represent a wide spectrum of talent. For us to consider potential new talent, they must possess the following attributes: a marketable look, passion for the industry, a high level of dedication, willingness to accept criticism and learn from it, and most importantly, an outgoing and positive attitude!

Explain your scouting process. Where are the top places you like to scout and why?

At MAX, we love to develop and nurture new talent. We like to update our roster

seasonally with fresh faces. Besides having open calls at the MAX office

[see maxagency.com for further details], we also scout at various

events and locations, from beauty pageants to music

festivals—you never know where you’ll find the next

STAR!

Can you tell us about your model’s/actor’s path of going from undeveloped talent to auditions to having a solid career?We are very selective with the talent that we represent.

Everybody that walks through our doors

must undergo a 3-step screening process. The

initial screening is done over the phone. If we feel

you fit the requirements, we then set up an appointment

for you to meet with an agent. The agent then does a

more thorough evaluation and screening. If the agent sees potential,

the talent’s application is then discussed in-house with the booking department to make the final decision. If accepted, we sign a contract for 1 year of representation and the talent must undergo training that is provided and paid for by MAX Agency. The classes are done by the industry’s top professionals and casting directors to ensure all of our talent have the best possible training to ensure a high level of success at auditions. Because MAX is a principal film, television and modeling agency, all of our talent is submitting for a wide range of projects thus increasing their chances for auditions and bookings.

Toronto has been known as Hollywood North for years. Where did this name originate? Do you still feel it fulfills this nickname?Hollywood North is a phase used to describe the Canadian film industry. Toronto is one of the major cities in Canada that has a significant amount of studios and films being produced. It has become a convenient destination for producers due to the fact that it’s more cost effective as opposed to shooting in L. A. This is largely due to the city’s versatility—Bay Street can pass for Wall Street in New York City, the Bridal Path could be Beverly Hills or anywhere else for that matter. We have projects that are continually coming in from major production studios, as well as TV series, that are being filmed in Toronto. I don’t see it slowing down anytime soon!

What is the benefit of being represented by MAX (as opposed to a competitor?)MAX Agency prides itself on standing out from the crowd. We have been in the industry for 13 years, and are comprised of a great team of professionals that genuinely care about our talent. We give everybody personalized attention to help guide them and build their success. We are also an agency that will invest in our talent. We provide all of our talent with the best possible training in the industry to ensure our talent is given all the tools to succeed!

The agency’s clients include the who’s who of the business and entertainment worlds and include companies such as Nike, CBC, GM, Coca Cola, Sony, McDonald’s, Hugo Boss, TD CanadaTrust, L’Oreal, Motorola and countless others. Its sharp acumen for talent recognition and development is just one of the reasons MAX continues to be a strong national brand and a leader in the entertainment business. We hope to see all you industry hopefuls participating (as opposed to spectating) next year at TIFF!

50 SHE CANADA

It’s hard to believe, but back in 1986 the fashion industry was the City of Toronto’s second largest industrial employer. Economically speaking, Toronto was a very different place back in the mid-eighties than it is now and as a result, the Fashion Industry Liaison Committee (FILC) proposed an incubator program to the City to help facilitate growth. A year in the planning, the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) was founded and brought new life to Toronto’s already thriving fashion industry.

A non-profit, TFI aims to support and nurture small business entrepreneurs in the fashion industry. Their mandate reads: “TFI plays an essential role in the growth and promotion of the Canadian fashion community by helping creative entrepreneurs to develop the business and professional skills they need to thrive and survive.” They do so by offering a space to these entrepreneurs to learn the ropes including marketing, sales, business, planning, exporting and cashflow—many subjects that are not necessarily taught in design school. In addition to the educational aspect, members are also offered the use of an in-house studio space open 24/7, stocked with all the machinery and equipment a creative entrepreneur may need. TFI even provides promotional and sales opportunities like press days to allow their talent to maximize on the benefits of being a member.

TFI is set in a historic, century-old building by Exhibition Place. Originally called the “Music Building” for it’s wonderful acoustics, the Incubator was not allowed to change anything about the structure due to its heritage status (nor would they). The dome-shaped edifice has a certain grit about it, but is appropriate for its current purpose. The exposed brick walls, cement floors and pre-war windows are quite charming.

With past esteemed alumni including David Dixon, TFI is an incredible opportunity for creative entrepreneurs across Canada to take advantage of. I recently met up with Susan Langdon, TFI’s fearless leader and Executive Director. As the ED since 1994, she manages the daily operation of TFI and its programs. Here’s what she had to say about the institution known as the gem of Toronto’s fashion industry:

For you personally, tell me a bit about your career as a designer prior to TFI and how it prepared you to mentor this new generation of Canadian designers.

I went to Ryerson. I took fashion design and graduated there and then worked for a number of companies as I was learning the ropes. [I did]

everything from junior, junior, junior assistant designer to eventually having two financial backers and having my own line. The last financial backer was a company called Kimel Enterprises and that was a wonderful experience. I had my own collection called “Zekura” and it was an After Five evening collection sold across Canada, the US and a little bit into Europe. It was really wonderful because it was sort of my baby. Did I make a lot of money? No, there is not a lot of money in fashion so I was supplementing my income during this whole time by teaching part-time at Ryerson. It was while I was at Ryerson teaching my class one day, that one of the full-time tenure staff came in to do my evaluation, because you have to be evaluated when you are just a part-timer. After class she came up to me and said, “I really like your teaching style. Have you ever heard of a place called the Toronto Fashion Incubator?”

The truth was Langdon had heard of TFI. In fact, six months prior, she applied to be a volunteer because she felt so strongly about their cause, but never heard back. According to the professor, this was because the current Executive Director was terminally ill. They happened to be looking for a new ED and she felt Langton would be ideal for the role.

It was a wonderful opportunity, but at the same time I had two other applications going because had found out that my backers were pulling out. This was ‘92/’93 and Canada was hit with a very hard recession. I couldn’t afford to buy the business out because you needed a few million and so I was actively looking for other things, so I applied to something called the Matinée Fashion Foundation which gave out grants to designers upwards of $25,000 to take their business in a new direction and so I applied there and then I also was invited by Ryerson to apply for full-time tenure because I loved teaching part-time and so I thought, “OK, so you have these three different things.” And so it ended up, yes I did apply to TFI and would you know it, I got all three.

How did you make your choice?

I chose TFI. I said to Matinée, “I’m honored but I can’t take the money because I’m going try something else and they kept saying, “Are you sure? You can take the money still.” No, I couldn’t do that. You know the one thing I’ve always applied is my integrity because it’s such a very small industry and everybody knows everything. I have now been in the business for over 30 years and that is the one common thread, pun intended, that I’ve carried through my entire career, integrity. I think people know me for that. Before I took this job

By Priya Kumar

SHE CANADA 51

I asked some of my contemporaries [who had been members]: “What did you think of this place?” And some were positive, some were negative, almost everyone said that there was a challenge with it but I love challenges. It motivates me and I think that’s why I love TFI. So much because every day is a financial challenge when you are running a non-profit, you’re always thinking, “How am I going to meet that bottom line, how are we going to save up for that rainy day, how are we going to manage with our government grants being cut back every year, [with] some of them are gone completely now?”

How have you supplemented these cutbacks?

Mainly through corporate sponsorships, but we’ve also looked to social enterprising, created our own proprietary books and items for sale online. For example, we sell a number of different guidebooks: How to Start a Fashion Business, How to Prepare a Business Plan for your Fashion Business…etc. Each guidebook is worded specifically for fashion designers and creative people. We also sell lists on our website so if you are looking for a list of fashion media or sewing contractors or Canadian retail buyers we have a lists on our website, so all that helps to bring money in.

How do you find the industry differs in Toronto versus let’s say New York or another bigger city?

There is so much money outside of Canada, no matter where you go. We in the industry here, everybody wears 10 different hats and money is very hard to come by. We are grateful for the wonderful sponsors that we have like P&G Beauty and Grooming, Target, Flare, Rogers. But in the States probably these kinds of partnerships would generate a lot more investment. It is just the nature of the game. They have a bigger budget to work with.

How would an aspiring designer from Ryerson or George Brown go about to applying to TFI and what sorts of cost are associated with becoming a member?

We have two different kinds of memberships. The outreach membership is open to anyone. It’s $130 a year and it gives you access

Monday to Friday 9 to 5. For students we sell the same membership for half price—$65 a year.

It is very reasonable.

Extremely reasonable. We know who our target audience is, because I was the target audience, a struggling designer. If you have just graduated and you are carrying a lot of student debt, we are very mindful of our pricing too. So there is just an application you fill out and pay your membership fee if you want to be part of the resident program, which involves having a studio here full-time, 24/7. We need: a bank reference, we need three industry references, you need to provide us with one year cash flow projection and then there is an interview process where I see samples and look at the portfolio.

52 SHE CANADA

SHE CANADA 53

So there is a selection process?

Yes, because there are only 10 spots. There are only 10 studios. We have vacancy and show seats but it’s not about just renting to anyone because the resident program is very prestigious. If I feel someone who is not ready [has] potential, then we will take a chance. If someone isn’t ready because they don’t get it or they don’t understand what an innovative yet commercial product is, then I will send them away. I will send them away with homework. I’ll say “you’re not ready because [x, y, z], If you would like to apply again, this is what I would like to see from you”

TFI is located in a Toronto heritage building. Tell me a little bit about the space.

We used to be over at Queen and Dovercourt, which is a really great neighborhood but we were in a building that was sold to a condo developer and so we had two months to find a new home and through my connections with the City of Toronto, I was told about this place. The funny thing is I came in for a tour and the CEO walked me around and said, “See all this black on the wall? Don’t worry we will clean it up for you.” “Well what is it anyway?” [I asked]. And she says “Back in 1987,” which coincidently was the year TFI was actually incorporated, “the unions had a grievance with the City of Toronto so they torched the building, [it was] arson, and so they had to rebuild the domes. All of the inside was scorched.” I said, “No, leave it to me like that. It’s history. That’s what gives it character. That’s what tells a story about the building.” It’s a great feature.

Tell me about some of the mentors at TFI.

We have 22 volunteer mentors who give approximately two to five hours a month to meet with our members about all different types of topics. We have a lawyer, a chartered accountant, people in sales and marketing, public relations, eco-friendly retail, importing and exporting.

TFI’s new labels competition has become the show to watch. How did the idea for such competition come about? What kind of opportunities does it open to the winners?

It started back in 1992 as a platform to showcase up-and-coming designers during Toronto Fashion Week. Back then it was only established designers who showed, so New Labels started off as just a one runway show featuring members of TFI. Then eventually it became so popular, you couldn’t feature all of the designers on the runway so we had to narrow it down. There was a judging process where the prize was being in the show. There were 8 or 10 people in the show then we decided the show was too long so we had to narrow that down to about 5 different people and then we threw in a small cash incentive of $2,500, which we have been able to increase with the help of corporate sponsors.

Back then we were doing everything on our own but as the interest started to build, corporations started hearing about it and they realized we were getting a lot of buzz. That helped us increase our prize to $10,000 cash and a feature in a magazine. Now the winner of New Labels is going to receive $25,000 cash from Suzanne Rogers personally, a feature in Flare magazine and the opportunity to work with Target Canada to create a line that is going to sell in Target stores across Canada in 2014. [Target] is going to create a promotional and marketing campaign around that winner. It’s a phenomenal prize, because [they’ve worked with designers] like Jason Wu and Missoni.

54 SHE CANADA

By Priya Kumar

SHE CANADA 55

s her surname suggests, Nausheen Shah has conquered the fashion world. She’s currently a Fashion and Luxury Travel Contributor for the New York Post and the Fashion & Accessories Editor for Olivia Palermo’s style-site, oliviapalermo.com. And if that’s not enough on her plate, Shah also runs her eponymous

site called “A Shah’s Life” (http://ashahslife.com) in addition to styling celebrities, including our November cover girl, the Grammy nominated, EDM vocalist Nadia Ali. On top of her various projects, Shah has also made herself a household name among prominent street style photographers around the world.

I recently caught up with Shah after the whirlwind of Fall/Winter 2013 fashion weeks, to discuss her career, personal style and why she feels most at home in Paris. Believe it or not, Shah grew up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. “I was a princess of Pakistani and Persian parents. I was born a lover of cheese, brats, and surfing Lake Michigan,” she says of herself in her “About Moi” section on “A Shah’s Life.” Growing up in suburban America, she watched her elder sisters dressing up to go out. Shopping soon became a pervasive part

of her adolescence. “My mom would take us shopping every single weekend and I’m not joking. I would look at clothes and see how the progression of trends would come through and what I would like. I think I just always dreamed of the big brands one day, but they weren’t always accessible to me at all growing up.”

Incredibly, Shah pursued pre-med at the University of Wisconsin,

Madison. Because she also minored in Spanish, she decided to study abroad in Seville, Spain in her fourth year. “I just had a really life changing experience and decided that I didn’t want to do medicine. When I came back I fell into a job working for a law firm in Chicago for about four years.” It was at this point Shah came to the realization that fashion was her true calling. She had decided to apply to the two best schools in the States, namely Parsons and FIT. She ultimately went with FIT for their study abroad partnership with renowned design school Polimoda in Florence, Italy.

“It is so different; Italy is very over-the-top fashion-wise. I fell in love with Dolce & Gabbana. Everything was about ripped up jeans and really Italian style like lots of gold and black and Roberto Cavalli prints and really short skirts. Very machismo—that [influenced] the way I was dressing.” It was in Italy where she fell in love with tailoring and draping: “Creating the product by hand was more gratifying than just sketching it out.”

Not long after completing her program at FIT did she land a position at Catherine Malandrino. “When I worked with Catherine it was really exciting because I loved her designs, and she was more accessible in Wisconsin than Zac Posen was.” Incidentally, Shah also

went on to work for Posen. “Zac Posen was always my dream…it’s incredible to see how their minds work and how they think of what is going to be the next big trend.” It prepared her for her ultimate role as a fashion writer and stylist by offering insight into how designers put each piece together and expect it to be styled.

Speaking of styling, I insisted on hearing more about her working relationship with Nadia Ali. One of the biggest names in electronic dance music (EDM), Ali has been an ubiquitous part of the scene ever since her single “Rapture” dropped back in 2000. She and Ali met in the DJ scene. When it came time for Ali to find a stylist to work with on several projects, she approached Shah because there was a certain level of trust and friendship, not to mention Ali’s love of Shah’s style sensibility. It was certainly a learning experience: “I didn’t know what it was to request and pull clothing and all that, until I started working with Nadia. It was a whole new animal to me.”

Of the styling process, Shah says: “Nadia loves things over-the-top. She loves the glitz and the glam. It’s always about making [her] the most beautiful, over the top, picturesque goddess…Sometimes you’ll notice that we’ll make her a little bit more soft and beautiful or we’ll make her a little bit harder. We just play in the different levels of that.” All in all, Shah has styled Ali for the videos “Rapture”; “Pressure”; and “Feels So Good” by Armin van Buuren, in addition to her Queen of Clubs album cover and promotional material. “I never thought I would be a stylist, ever. So that was a huge growing experience.”

56 SHE CANADA

“Wow, I’m a Writer”

Going from pre-med to fashion to ultimately, journalism seems an almost unnatural transition. Shah explains, that writing came very naturally due to all the worldly experience she had with cuisines, travel and of course fashion. “One of my friends told me to start a blog…documenting all these new things I was doing. For me, I thought it was silly, but I took her advice and did it.” The blog was so well received that even Olivia Palermo (The City-alum and Manhattan “it” girl) took notice and reached out to Shah about contributing to her site.

Having been involved with Olivia Palermo not only sent Shah to all the most coveted shows during fashion week, but also paved the way to her writing “proper stories,” as she put it. “That led me to becoming her Fashion Editor…and to me meeting the fashion editor at New York Post,” who asked Shah if she would cover all the Europe shows for them. “I would have never in a million years guessed that I would be a writer.”

Carrie Bradshaw is Fiction

Did you ever find yourself wondering how Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made ends meet? Of course in the early seasons she had her financial woes (having figured out she spent $40,000 on shoes over the years, she ultimately borrows Charlotte’s Tiffany’s engagement ring to put a down payment on her apartment), but how was she even able to pay bills with just one weekly column? Carrie Bradshaw is a fantasy. And while there is no real life equivalent, Shah comes pretty darn close. The main discrepancy between the two Manahattan-based writers, besides fact and fiction, is the sheer number of projects Shah is involved with. “It is definitely a juggle, that’s probably the proper word,” Shah confesses. Her extensive travels for fashion have also led to the Post’s travel editor approaching Shah for the Travel Section because she’s so regularly on the road. “I don’t know how I juggle it to be honest. Fashion weeks are very, very, very, strenuous because I try to mix in the travel with the fashion and I have three people that I need to report back to.”

Paris, Je t’aime

So where does a citizen of the world consider herself most at home? She says simply and succinctly, “Paris.” I press, why? “I love Paris. It’s a fantasy world and I live my life as a fantasy and I don’t take my life very seriously. I just kind of think what I want to do and find a way to do it. I don’t think about the repercussions…I live my life like a dream…and Paris feels like that dream setting to me. It’s just everything seems so perfectly done, from the little cafes to the beautiful museums to the manicured gardens and the language itself. French is just so beautiful and poetic to me. Just the way the words roll off the tongue—to me it is just a beautiful sound. You know Paris for me is my hometown.” She even ends her correspondences with “Bisous NYS.”

Shah lives for a living. While there is much debate about print being dead, she has carved a permanent niche for herself that combines good taste, striking photography and the ability to put her experiences into words so arresting, readers cannot help but continue to come back for more.

SHE CANADA 57

Check out more of Nausheen Shah’s work at http://ashahslife.com/. You can also follow her on Twitter @nausheenshah or on Instagram under@nausheenshah

58 SHE CANADA

Liz Guber sits down with Hafsa Lodi: writer, designer and all-around fashion“it” girl.

JOURNALIST

SHE CANADA 59

I first became acquainted with Hafsa Lodi when she took the initiative to reach out to us here at SHE to collaborate. Everyone at the office instantly became a fan of her blog “Journalist in a Jumpsuit” and her impressive editorial portfolio, which includes features in UAE-based Velvet Magazine as well as cover stories for the Ryerson Journalism Review and Gulf News. After launching her own fashion line while finishing up a Journalism degree from Ryerson University, there’s no denying that when it comes to this young ingénue, girl’s got the goods.

For Lodi, creativity and fashion were ingrained early on: “My grandmother used to sew my sister and me matching nighties, my mother always encouraged arts and crafts, my aunt is a painter and my younger sister is a mixed media artist, so creativity has always been all around me. I started taking sewing lessons at 9 years old,” she says.

Lodi hit her stride professionally when she approached the Editor of Velvet Magazine, who happened to be looking for a Dubai-based writer at the time. Lodi’s previous freelance and internship experience paid off and she became a part of an international team of fashion reporters based in fashion capitals like Paris and New York. Lodi’s work from home set-up is certainly enviable to most. “Our meetings took place over Skype,” she tells me. As a contributor at Velvet, Lodi was privy to the crème de la crème of fashion: “I also got to meet and interview celebrity designers like Roberto Cavalli and Giuseppe Zanotti when they came to Dubai.”

One can hardly participate in a fashion discussion these days without mentioning social media. Bloggers have become the new tastemakers and Lodi’s blog “Journalist in a Jumpsuit” is a part of this shift towards accessible, digital fashion reporting. Lodi started the blog as a school assignment and it ultimately became a long-standing passion “While creating the blog, I thought I may carry it on after the class ended, so I wanted to name it something that reflected my passions for journalism and fashion both! I also am a huge fan of jumpsuits, and thought it would be fun to feature different jumpsuit styles on the blog.” Visitors to “Journalist in a Jumpsuit” receive

a daily dose of personal style, travel diaries and trend reports. It’s also the best place to view Lodi’s own creations. Lodi’s personal style, featured frequently on her blog through outfit posts (better known as #ootd in hashtag speak), can be described as worldly, regal, if not a bit eclectic. She accessorizes sparingly, but always thoughtfully, and her self-designed pieces are frequent outfit focal points. Having travelled all over the world and resided in both Toronto and Dubai, I was eager to hear her take on the differences in the international fashion scenes. “These days, with street style that is both trendy and quirky being so in vogue, I think internationally, fashion has become much more experimental and fun. In Toronto there’s probably more variety, while I’ve noticed here in Dubai, women tend to stick to the same trends, without adding their own touches.”

60 SHE CANADA

When she’s not working on her blog or projects for Velvet, Lodi focuses on the design of her clothing line. Her latest collection, titled “Bedouin Ballerina” features one-of-a-kind textile design by Lodi herself. “I created a cotton print with Arabic text, sentences that translate to things like ‘I write in fountain pens,’ ‘I dare to wear lavender lipstick,’ ‘I eat cupcakes for breakfast’ and ‘I’m incomplete without silver, gold or glitter’.” The custom textile was juxtaposed against pastel blues and yellows as well as an Aztec print to create statement pieces that are versatile enough for either day or nighttime wear. “My aim is to create stylish, one-of-a-kind items for young women who dress to stand out in a crowd, are bored with the monotony of the current high street market and like to mix Eastern and Western fashion aesthetics,” Lodi adds.

Over the course of our interview, one thing is evident: Lodi is truly motivated to achieve great things. She hasn’t let the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry go to her head. To all the hopefuls with big dreams of making it in the fashion industry, Lodi offers up some wise words, “If you want to get noticed, find a gap in the market and fill it with something you think will appeal to a large group of people, and don’t be afraid to go over the top! But also—don’t make fashion

your life. Too many women these days obsess over fashion to the point where it consumes them, and they don’t care about anything else. Be aware of current world issues, and don’t blow all of your money on expensive bags, shoes and clothes. Stay grounded, and stay real.” As Hafsa Lodi continues to follow her own advice, there’s no doubt she’ll carve out a real presence for herself in the world of fashion and journalism, no doubt whilst in a jumpsuit.

SHE CANADA 61

62 SHE CANADA

Ever since my two best friends became mothers, all they seem to talk about day in, day out are their kids. And as much as I adore the kids, I just miss having a normal, casual conversation with my best friends. I want to laugh and gossip and talk about things that now seem trivial to my friends. I don’t know how to bring it to their attention without affecting our friendships.

HE: Have kids! No, I’m just kidding. Try steering the conversation in a different direction—perhaps bring up old memories, adventures, etc. At the same time you must realize that this isn’t a phase, your friends will want to talk about their kids now and everyday for the rest of their lives. You can hope that as time goes by, motherhood will stop seeming so novel to them, and the conversation will once again begin to resemble its old form.

SHE: Why don’t you suggest getting away from everything and going for a spa day or a girls’ night out. They may be less inclined to talk about kids on such an occasion. It’s a tough spot, as you don’t want them to take offence or feel like they can never speak about that.

I still keep in touch with an ex, which makes my fiancé uncomfortable. I love my fiancé, and we are both excited about our upcoming wedding but over the years my ex has become a really close friend that I value. Does this mean I have to cut him out of my life entirely?

HE: A close male friend always threatens a guy, and should that friend be your ex, it only makes matters worse. Let’s reverse situations, if your fiancé were still friendly with his ex, would that bother you? If yes, then you already know what you have to do. Sometimes you just need to ask yourself what’s more important.

SHE: You aren’t obliged to do anything you don’t want to. However, how special of a friend has he become? If he is that close, then your partner needs to understand his value, and whilst the both of them being friends might be hard, you may be able to maintain a friendship if you restrict your encounters to lunch. This may erase any doubts. The key is to be completely honest about your friendship with him, and he’ll appreciate you for that.

The other day, during lunch hour, my boss wanted to order in some food and asked all the other employees if they wanted anything, except me. I felt bad, but thought it may have been an oversight. A week later she did the same thing again. I’m beginning to feel unworthy and it’s taking a toll on my self-esteem. Must I approach her about this?

HE: This is not something that should affect your self-esteem. Is there another reason that is leading you to feel unworthy; do you feel like you can work harder? Or, I’m going there, do you talk about your weight and exercising a lot? She may just be trying to be polite and not get in the way of your health regime. It’s a professional environment at the end of the day, so approaching your boss about this may not be the right move. Let this one slide.

SHE: You need to focus on your work, and as long as you’re doing everything right, do not let anybody or anything affect your self-esteem. It may or may not have been on purpose. The perfect job in the worst working environment can make a sane man crazy. Observe her behaviour over the next month, and if things don’t seem to improve, you can arrange a meeting and ask her if everything is all right or if something about you bothers her. However, speaking about lunch and food to your boss may seem petty.

SHE CANADA 63

Liz Guber catches up with Iqbal Theba, one of the first South Asian actors on American network television.

glee

64 SHE CANADA

Some might know Iqbal Theba as Glee’s Principal Figgins, a poker-faced headmaster who has delivered some of the show’s most memorable zingers. Others may recognise him from his many television appearances on shows such as Friends, Nip/Tuck, Community and Weeds—and that’s just to name a few. There’s no denying that Theba’s brilliant comedic abilities shattered Hollywood stereotypes and added some much needed diversity to network television.

Karachi-born Theba stumbled into acting from humble beginnings. “I went to the University of Oklahoma and got myself a BS in Construction Science Management, had a job in my senior year at a construction company—hated it and didn’t know what to do with my life. A friend invited me to see a play and it got me thinking about acting. I went back to college and after a couple of months of studying acting I fell in love with [it] and decided major in it.” Three years later, Theba moved to New York to further hone in on the skill. In 1991, he moved to Los Angeles with a mere $37 dollars to his name. He recounts holding down jobs ranging from waiter to dishwasher to cook, or as Theba calls it, “typical struggling actor stuff.” After landing parts in national commercials and made for TV movies, Theba started appearing in guest roles on popular sitcoms and primetime dramas.

The life-changing role of Principle Figgins on Glee came to Theba by complete serendipity. The role originally called for a Caucasian actor, but after some difficulty casting the role, his Nip/Tuck producers suggested Theba for the part. For the past four seasons, Theba has been part of an award-winning ensemble cast on the show about a high school glee club. The show, which chronicles the trials and triumphs of a group of misfits in a high school in Ohio, often through song and dance, has covered the music of such legendary artists as Journey and Britney Spears. Unprecedented success has launched the cast into superstardom, with Lea Michele, who plays uptight diva Rachel Berry, becoming one of Hollywood’s top actresses. Fans of the show, dubbed the moniker “Gleeks,” are fiercely loyal. The success of the television show has spurred a spin-off called The Glee Project, serving as a reality TV-style audition for Glee, with the winner receiving a 7 episode contract. Theba has appeared on The Glee Project as a judge. When asked if he anticipated the runaway success of Glee, Theba answered “I did know it was a great script and I had high hopes for the show. But I had no idea it [would] become an international phenomenon with a passionate following.” Theba describes working on the show as the “best experience I’ve had so far” adding, “It has changed my life in many ways. My wife likes me a little more, now.”

Flipping through any back issue of SHE, one will come across features on South Asian actors who are dominating entertainment, and this is no coincidence. Mindy Kaling, Noureen DeWulf and Aziz Ansari are some of the famous names becoming pop culture icons and reflecting a more diverse world through hilarious, touching and poignant performances. “I LOVE the fact that South Asians are everywhere now. When I started out in the early ‘90s it was almost impossible to find a good role as a South Asian Actor. I was told by many agents that there was nothing for someone ‘like me’,” says Theba. Not surprisingly pleased to see so many fellow South Asians on screen, he adds, “But I never gave up and kept faith. Twenty years later things have changed a great deal....for the better. TV is much more open-minded.”

Theba proudly maintains his deep roots to his homeland. In fact, he was in Pakistan recently for a slew of family weddings: “Four of my nieces and one nephew were getting married. It was a fun, hectic, and an amazing trip.” He is also a big fan of Canada and is planning a summer trip up north—“I love visiting Canada. I was in Toronto last year with my friends Matthew Morrison and Dot Marie Jones to represent Glee at the Canadian Upfronts. I had such a great time!” The Canadian Upfronts is a splashy press event held every year by the big Canadian television networks to reveal which shows, both new and returning, have been purchased by the networks. The Upfronts offer a chance for fans to meet the stars of their favourite shows as well as to catch a glimpse of the upcoming television season, while offering advertisers a chance to bid for prime commercial slots.

Currently Theba is reprising his role on the fourth season of Glee, and has recently made an appearance in the Gerard Butler romantic comedy Playing For Keeps, in which he truly steals the show playing a landlord with a sense of humour. As film and television continue to embrace actors of every ethnicity, there’s no doubt that Iqbal Theba will also continue to surprise and delight audiences with the memorable characters he brings to life on-screen.

SHE CANADA 65

66 SHE CANADA

Camo is the new black! The utilitarian print is surprisingly versatile this season as seen in the runways of Mark McNairy

and Dries Van Noten. Pair the busy pattern with bright blues and oranges for outfits

that won’t blend in. Finish the look with a classic sandal or a

trendy woven slip-on.

LANVIN Bow Tie $125

GUCCI Shawl Collar Cardigan $1,520

RAG&BONE Striped Cotton Jersey T-shirt $85

SLOWEAR Incotex Shorts $280

H&M Trousers with a button $29.95

ZARA Cross Strap Sandals $69.90

VALENTINO Camouflage Cardigan $1,020

VALENTINO Camouflage Cotton T-shirt $290

VALENTINO Silk Tie $130

ARMANDO CABRAL Bula Woven Leather Slip on $290

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1010

9

8

76

5

4

3

1

2

Mark McNairy

Dries Van Noten

SHE CANADA 67

The Root of the Problem

An ongoing dilemma every car owner must face is whether to opt for a machine wax or a simple hand wax. First things first, the whole hand vs. machine (wax) conundrum is really dependent on the intention of the owner. Are you simply looking for an additional layer of protection for your paint? Or do you need a more in-depth detailing job (removing scratches, swirl marks, and other defects)? Read on and decide.

The Helping Hand

If a protective layer or a mere shine here and there is what you’re aiming for then Car Pride Auto Spa recommends their Hand Wax service. As the name suggests, hand waxing involves the hands and four equal pressure points pushing down on a pad or mitt. The task is quite daunting (so be glad you’re not the one doing it) and can be done using a number of waxing products. At Car Pride Auto Spa, paste waxes as well as spray variety are available. The difference? Certainly, paste waxes provide a much thicker layer of protection and shine compared to the latter. They last longer, too. Spray waxes on the other hand, go on quick and are great at restoring shine and enhancing a good coat of wax already on the surface. (Think of it as a booster.) The plus side of a good hand wax-on-wax-off job is the value of an individualized and meticulous service.

The Full Throttle

Unlike hand waxing, machine waxes allow for a more thorough and uniform finish. That’s not to say the hand doesn’t do the job. But in most cases, mechanically operated devices are more consistent and true to type. Car Pride Auto Spa’s Machine Buff/Orbital Wax has a number of uses and it is not uncommon to have these coupled with other services to achieve the best results. For instance, overspray oxidation (small rust spots) removal requires an intensive Orbital Buff service and the corresponding wax product. The Machine Wax option is also used for removing swirl marks, correcting paint, and treating clear coat burns—a result from touch-free car washes

utilizing extreme pressure washers and aggressive soaps. Many vehicles develop these clear coat burns under their side mirrors or under their license plates—spots where cavities are available for water to accumulate during a wash. With the right wax, compound, polish and technique, most of these burns can be restored and you can be assured of spotless paint, buffed out scratches, and protection against UV, acid rain, and chemical dust.

The Finishing Touch

Machine and hand waxing can be complimented with a number of services such as clay barring, compounding, and polishing. In either case, the objective is the same: a clean and shiny vehicle. At Car Pride Auto Spa, detailers assess your vehicle and recommend the best option for you—the right buffer, the applicable wax, compound, polish, and the proper techniques are all on the agenda.

The Full Shebang

From simple car washes, maintenance packages to full fine interior and exterior detailing, Car Pride Auto Spa has all your vehicle’s detailing requirements covered. And it’s not just your car getting the royal treatment—you are too. Their luxurious lobby complete with free Wi-Fi and fresh Starbucks Coffee makes waiting a breeze. But if waiting just isn’t your thing, Car Pride Auto Spa also provides free shuttle services to the GO station and nearby locations.

Car Pride Auto Spa is a truly unique one stop shop located at 2380 Royal Windsor Drive, Mississauga, Ontario. Try them out—you’ll be wishing you’d discovered them sooner.

For full details on products and services, call 905.823.1000 or visit www.carprideautospa.com

Spring is upon us and you know what that means: flaunting your best accessory—your car! Car Pride Auto Spa gives us the lowdown on detailing your ride for “show” season.

For full details on products and services, call 905.823.1000 or visit www.carprideautospa.com

68 SHE CANADA

“I’m a preacher of right now, of living in the moment. I don’t even wear a watch. I’ve seen too many people suffer because they are living in the past or worrying about the future. The best time is right now,” Hamid Kouchak told Toronto Life when his art gallery and fusion restaurant House of Moments opened in Leslieville last year. Kouchak, a businessman of Persian decent, is an entrepreneur. He bought the space, formerly a hair design studio, back in 2011 and had many ideas for it. Ultimately, he settled on turning it into an art gallery that also served up unique fusion creations for the gourmand set in Toronto’s most up-and-coming neighbourhood. Forming an alliance with restauranteur Henry Kim and executive chef Daniel Park, House of Moments constructed a whole new cuisine: Eastern Fusion. Instead of fusing a European sensibility with oriental spices, House of Moments combines the Middle East with the Far East—the menu is Persian-Indian-Japanese. Items that caught my eye included Mumbai Magic (salmon, tuna and avocado on top of Mumbai yogurt sauce and a lentil chip topped with unagi sauce, $15) and the Lobster Butteryaki (steamed and pan-fried lobster served with roasted cherry tomatoes and basmati rice served with mango sauce, $39). And what of the gallery? Kouchak’s journey to opening this enterprising eatery heavily involved the arts. After working at the helm of his own telecommunications firm, he decided to sell and see the world. His travels took him to all corners of the globe: “I took four years off and just travelled. I started in Central and South America, then made my way to Asia and India.” During his expedition, he acquired quite a bit of Eastern art including several vintage Buddha statues. Not unlike the world-renowned Buddha Bar, House of Moments’ centrepiece is a carved wooden Buddha that hangs above the bar. Ideal for corporate events and weddings, the space can quickly make room for whatever occasion you may have in mind. Its Jaipuri antique room dividers both create a sense of coziness while maintaining the ambiance of the space. We’re thrilled to find a venue that’s a refreshing alternative to suburban banquet halls and sterile hotel conference rooms.

By Priya Kumar

For reservations, call House of Moments at 416.901.6003. 386 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4M 2T4.

SHE CANADA 69

70 SHE CANADA

SHE CANADA 71

72 SHE CANADA

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF MARRAKESH:

THE BOLLYWOOD TREATMENTBy Ingrid Kwong

SHE CANADA 73

As Bollywood celebrated its centennial in 2012, the International Film Festival of Marrakesh held in Marrakesh, Morocco last December, paid tribute to Hindi cinema. The 12th installment of the Marrakesh Film Festival welcomed the largest Indian delegation ever assembled at an international festival. A large number of Hindi films were screened throughout the week of November 30th to December 8th, 2012 at an open-air venue at the gigantic Jemaa El Fna Square. The Indian film industry has certainly left its mark on the world with great acting, exhilarating soundtracks and well-choreographed dance routines. Some longtime Bollywood fans were lucky enough to see Indian cinema’s biggest stars and filmmakers presenting their films to Moroccan audiences. The festival screened some movies from 2012 as well as those from years past. Titles of the Hindi films screened included Don, Don 2, Jodhaa Akbar and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Some of the greatest Bollywood stars of all time graced the red carpet including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai. It was definitely a film festival to remember and a very proud moment for the Bollywood film industry.

Two outstanding red carpet stunners were Priyanka Chopra and Alia Bhatt. The latest Bollywood “it” girl and daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatti, Alia Bhatt wore a peach-coloured lehenga by Manish Malhotra. When asked about her fashion sense, she modestly commented she was not fashion conscious until she met Karen Johar, the director of Student Of The Year. Speaking of her visit to the Marrakesh International Film Festival, the ecstatic Bhatt said, “It

was a lot of fun actually. Being at the Marrakesh Film Festival just made me feel how lucky I was to be on that podium with so many big stars of our country. It was actually very shocking for us to know how famous Bollywood is internationally.” Bollywood actress and singer, Priyanka Chopra, made an appearance at the Film Festival closing ceremony wearing a black sari with a gold sequined border, as well as a blouse with lace detailing from Ritu Kumar’s Panchvastra collection. Chopra’s vibrant magenta lips were the perfect pop of colour, completing her fabulous ensemble.

Perhaps the most unexpected guest of the night was none other than famed French shoe designer Christian Louboutin. The design virtuoso attended the tribute to Hindi Cinema at the Film Festival on November 30th, as well as the Dior dinner hosted at Hotel Selman with Marrakesh Film Festival Director Melita Toscan du Plantier on December 2nd. Louboutin has been a big fan of Bollywood since he was a child and it’s a passion he has yet to grow out of. As a school boy, Louboutin was so mesmerized by the performances of veteran actors such as Hema Malini and Dilip Kumar that he would talk about them non-stop in class. So much so, that his friends avoided him and called him an alien behind his back. Some of his favourite Bollywood movies include Devi, My Name Is Khan, Devdas, and Mother India. The shoe designer added that he loves magical movies that combine great acting with amazing soundtracks that get stuck in his head for weeks—sounds like a Bollywood film to a tee.

74 SHE CANADA

The economic situation in the Palestinian West Bank is becoming desperate. Due to the political situation in the region, economic activities are at an all-time low and unemployment is on the rise. Even people who are employed suffer as their employers, notably the Palestinian National Authority, are unable to pay their

salaries. It is estimated that presently 65 percent of the population in the West Bank lives in poverty. This means hidden starvation, espe-cially for families who already were poor before the current economic recession and do not have reserves to fall back on. Families headed by a woman and without a male breadwinner, the sick and the elderly are hit hardest. Most Palestinian families are large. In some regions, the average family comprises no less than nine members, most of them children of school age, who all rely on a sole breadwinner.

Humanitarian Relief Society (HRS), a Palestinian humanitarian organization active in the West Bank, especially in Arroub refugee camp, therefore proposes to distribute a 20-kg sack of rice to 350 ex-tremely poor families. Rice is the main staple of the Palestinian diet and is eaten for lunch and frequently dinner. Most families cannot afford to purchase a sack of rice and resort to buying small quantities on a daily basis. Little money remains to purchase other ingredients of a nutritious meal, for example vegetables, cooking oil and meat or chicken. Eating only or mainly carbohydrates leads to malnutri-tion in the long run, especially among children, who need all kinds of nutrients to grow and develop healthily. A family who has a sack of rice will be able to spend its daily cash supply on other food items and will thus eat sufficiently and have a more balanced diet.

A sack of rice will enable family providers to adequately feed their families for a month or more. Assuming an average family size of seven, which is a conservative estimate in Palestine, 2,450 people will benefit from this project, at least two thirds of them children. A mere four Euro are sufficient to improve a person’s nutrition for a whole month.

Dear LFT donors: When you sit down for your daily meals, think of those who look at an empty table and have to go to bed hungry. By giving a small part of what you spend on food every month, you can significantly improve their lives.

To Donate or Get Involved Contact:

September Lodge, Village Way,Little ChalfontBuckinghamshireHP7 9PU

info@ladyfatemahtrust.orgTel: +44 (0) 1494 762 063Fax: +44 (0) 1494 762 286Mob: +44 (0) 7798 761 020 / +44 (0) 7798 769 030

SHE CANADA 75

The Lady Fatemah Charitable Trust is one of the first charities to use its own unique text code, LFCT14, to raise funds by using JustTextGiving, a service available to Vodafone subscribers internationally.

In the spirit of the LFT, this is a new service which has no set up or associated costs for the LFT and every penny donated via text goes directly to the LFT. Once your donation has gone through, you can also add Gift Aid to the donation, which we recommend as it gives us an extra 25% on your donation.

For more success stories and information about how to donate, please visit:http://www.ladyfatemahtrust.org/

76 SHE CANADA

On March 29, 2013, Guest Contributor and Princeton alumna Susan A. Patton submitted a letter to the editor, which she branded as a letter to her daughters. “If I had daughters, this is what I would be telling them.” The article published in The Daily Princetonian received a multitude of responses and began a social media storm surrounding Patton’s alleged anti-feminist agenda.

In the open letter, Patton talks about what we, as women need to know that no one is telling us: “Find a husband on campus before you graduate.” Her argument for such an untimely life decision stems from her reasoning that smart women can’t (shouldn’t) marry men who aren’t at least their intellectual equal. “As Princeton women, we have almost priced ourselves out of the market. Simply put, there is a very limited population of men who are as smart or smarter than we are. And I say again—you will never again be surrounded by this concentration of men who are worthy of you.” Arguably, she makes a

valid point—women (people, actually) deserve a partner, who can reciprocate comparable attributes, intellectually (or otherwise). But why Susan Patton so boldly professed a young woman’s need to snag a husband in college (Princeton at that) is uncertain. Perhaps Patton is a traditionalist—a worried mother committed to providing counsel to her would-be daughters. Perhaps Patton’s intention was to preserve the elite Princetonian bloodline by promoting intermarriage—a sociological pattern referred to as “assortative mating” or “marriage homogamy.” Or perhaps Patton had simply missed the mark on delivering her advice in a constructive manner, as I would’ve liked to believe. But in her official response to Huffington Post, she firmly asserts: “Some people have asked me to clarify whether I intended [the published article] to be read as satire. My letter was serious. I sincerely feel that too much focus has been placed on encouraging young women only to achieve professionally.”

By Eloise Alba

SHE CANADA 77

Last March, we celebrated International Women’s Day. We at SHE even dedicated a blog post to commemorate the event and celebrate women—from our commendable inception, our achievements, and our journey from unjust beginnings to today’s gender and status equality. If Patton proclaims that the cornerstone of our future and happiness will be inextricably linked to the man we marry, then are we to revert back to the age when we were made to believe that our lives were inherently defined by our men? Are we, future movers and shakers, expected to watch the ship of careers and professional success sail by?

“There aren’t a lot of well-educated women who would be courageous enough to completely sell out the feminist movement responsible for securing women’s equal social, political and economic rights (to the degree that we have them) in favor of the 1950s mentality that a woman’s worth is determined by her marital status,” explained Donna Brazile, CNN Correspondent in an article addressing the issue.

To encourage a woman to seek a mate worthy of the intelligence she possesses is one thing, but to rigidly express the existence of a biological clock for self-discovery (finding a husband) is quite unfair. How does one take a sip from wisdom’s goblet if they’re barely of the age to vote? And secondly, who makes Patton all knowing when it comes to what women need in a man? Intelligence is important, no doubt, but intelligence is but one facet.

You see, as women we have personal requisites—qualities that we look for in a husband. I think it’s safe to say the odds of an absolute commonality in these traits are non-existent. Furthermore, knowing what we want and getting what we want is one thing. And knowing what we want as opposed to what we think we want or what we actually need is a different debate altogether.

In a continuous effort to defend her piece, Susan Patton referenced “The Ivy League Hustle,” a book by author Nikki Mugler about men being intimidated by educated women. It was an attempt to recruit an approving opinion, quite honestly. Either way, Ms. Patton mentions Mugler’s name once more in an interview with Megyn Kelly on Fox News to which the author responded: “If I had married a Princeton man as an undergrad, by now I would have divorced one. Sure, it is a decent group of “soaring intellects,” but getting married before you’re ready just because there’s a nice selection is like overstuffing yourself at the buffet just because the food is there: nausea-inducing and will probably lead to unwanted weight gain. Kudos to anyone at Princeton who was ready for marriage and found their mate: it’s probably fun to get each other’s college references, and yes, you’re more likely to match intelligence-wise, but that’s really not reason enough for me to make a premature life decision.”

Everyone has a story—a version of happily ever after that does not necessarily entail a setting like Princeton, an Ivy League university, or any university for that matter. I met my husband when I was 18—fresh out of high school and into my first year of college in Australia. He, on the other hand, was a student in his senior year at a university in the Philippines. We were in different worlds—literally and figuratively. I was beginning the notorious life of a college student and he was just ending it. We kept a long distance relationship for 2 years, which, mind you, was not an easy undertaking, before I moved back home to

Manila to complete my Bachelor’s Degree in International Business and Marketing.

After graduation, it was expected that I continue the family legacy—set foot into the corporate world, which was code for: work for the family business, get married in the church down the street with 200 guests in attendance (some of whom I would have yet to meet), and have children—two or three, preferably. The closet Bohemian in me, on the other hand, had other plans.

My inner urge to feed my soul resulted in a 13 hour plane ride to Madrid, Spain. Being half Spanish, I had always longed to acquaint myself with my roots. So, I did. I ate paellas, drank sangria, danced the Flamenco and brushed-up on my Spanish. In short, I enriched myself with the vibrant culture. It was in Spain, during that period in my life, alone, and so far-flung from the norm I had come to know, where I developed my love for the arts, for fashion, for cuisine. It was there I bought my first journal, where I wrote my first piece, where I discovered my passion and my purpose. It was there, I found myself.

After my significant chapter in Spain, I returned home once more, where I coveted a much sought-after position at a top magazine. Life was where it was supposed to be. Or so I thought. A few years later, my husband (boyfriend at the time) proposed marriage and informed me of our move to Canada. I had finally found my place, so was I ready to move again? It didn’t feel right—not yet, not now. I had so much to do, still. My fiancé then offered me a deal. (Sounds serious, doesn’t it?) It was simple: “Come when you are ready.” A year and a half later, I was ready. I left my job, got married in a small resort town off Malaga, Spain with a handful of attendees, packed my bags, and then moved to Toronto. It was a decision that had to be made out of sheer certainty if regret was to be avoided. That is my story.

You see, life changes; people change. Who we are in college does not define who we will be years down the road. We’re not expected to fathom the inner workings of ourself halfway through our lives. If that were the case, then there would be no need to forge ahead. Had I succumbed to the expected, would (my) life be where it is today? I needed to undergo—to laugh, to cry, to succeed, to fail, to find, to lose—to be sure.

To choose a partner is a matter of monumental proportions not driven by a set of essential rules. Because if a formula for life and life partners existed, what would you say to the millions of women out there who believe in living and destiny? Fate, as some would say, is the mysterious force believed to control our future. The idea that one could, one day, enigmatically spill her Double Shot Espresso, no milk, two sugars on the navy blue pinstriped blazer of a stranger, only to marry him 9 years later.

In her letter to her “daughters,” Susan Patton offers a piece of advice: “At your core, you know that there are other things that you need that nobody is addressing. A lifelong friend is one of them. Finding the right man to marry is another...Of course, once you graduate, you will meet men who are your intellectual equal—just not that many of them.”

That’s okay Susan; all we need is one.

78 SHE CANADA

With claims of weight loss, increased energy and better overall health, various permutations of cleanses have surged in popularity in recent years. Although most claim to detoxify the body and rid it of various toxins, many start a cleanse expecting miraculous weight loss results. Because they require little to no preparation or culinary skill, cleanses are easy to partake in and offer an immediate sense of accomplishment and discipline. Read on for a breakdown of four popular cleanses and decide for yourself if cleansing is simply a glorified eating disorder.

THE MASTER CLEANSEWhat is it?

This is the cleanse that started it all; this detox dates back to the 1940s. The Master Cleanse substitutes all foods for a beverage made from lemon, maple syrup and cayenne pepper.

Why do it?

Proponents of the cleanse claim that it has the power to remove toxins from the body caused by poor nutrition, alcohol and environmental pollution. The Master Cleanse significantly reduces caloric intake and does result in weight loss, however temporary.

Warning: Common side effects from the Master Cleanse include fatigue, dizziness and nausea. The cleanse can leave a person feeling deprived of food, which can and does result in binge eating. A serious side effect of the cleanse is loss of muscle mass as the body tries to compensate for loss of energy. There is no scientific backing to any of the Master Cleanse’s claims and any weight loss resulting from the cleanse is likely to be temporary.

THE JUICE CLEANSEWhat is it?

Also known as juice fasting, fresh juices from fruits and vegetables are the sole source of nutrition for the duration of the cleanse, which varies from 48 hours to two weeks and beyond.

Why do it?

The primary reasons people opt for juice cleanses are to rid their body of toxins and lose weight. Others consider juice cleanses to cure chronic pain, cancer, depression, arthritis, severe infections that resist antibiotics, autoimmune diseases and many other incurable diseases.

Warning: Scientists and dieticians have largely dismissed the detox benefits of juicing as a marketing gimmick. Side effects from juicing include a slowed metabolism, nutrient deficiency and muscle loss. Diabetics should be particularly careful when it comes to juicing and juices containing grapefruit can be harmful in combination with certain prescriptions.

THE HOLLYWOOD 48-HOURMIRACLE DIETWhat is it?

Got a big date this weekend? The product’s instant results are definitely unparalleled. Significant weight-loss (up to 10 lbs.) in just two days! The Hollywood 48-hour Miracle Diet is a specially formulated blend of natural juices and botanical extracts that charges your body with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and natural oils while igniting your body’s natural fat-burning flame. The miracle broth’s 32 oz. bottle is diluted with another 32 oz. of water for a total of 64 oz. to be consumed over a 48-hour time frame. The 400-calorie bottle is dispersed into four servings (per day). In addition to the recommended dosage are eight glasses of water as well as an abstinence from food, alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution, are willing to sacrifice your body’s daily recommended intake of nourishment, and aren’t bothered by somewhat unfeasible claims (sorry, it’s true), then drink up.

Why do it?

No pills, no catch, no strenuous exercises and no long book to read to achieve results. If you’re like one of the many success stories (as reported by the Hollywood Miracle Diet website) that testify to the proven results of this miracle worker, then you’re lucky. It’s simple, it’s fast and apparently, it tastes good too.

Warning: Magic juices come with a hefty price tag. A 32 oz. Miracle Diet bottle will set you back about $20. Furthermore, many health concerns such as an increased risk for gallstones are associated with VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diets) by causing a shift in balance of bile salts and cholesterol in the gall bladder. And while you may think you’ve hit the diet jackpot, The Hollywood Diet says to maintain weight-loss: eat fruits and vegetables, cut down on meats, sugars, oils, flour, dairy, and fatty food. Exercise 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Oh, and don’t eat after 6 PM.

By Liz Guber & Eloise Alba

SHE CANADA 79

THE AYURVEDIC CLEANSE What is it?

Ayurvedic cleansing is an Indian detox technique that entails a complete mind-body-soul immersion. The program is characterized by three steps: preparation, cleansing, and post-cleansing. The Purva Karma is the preparation phase and includes a change in lifestyle and eating habits—no sugar, no wheat, no dairy, no meat. Caffeine is also eliminated from the diet and an increased intake of vegetables as well as daily exercise is vital. The actual cleansing period is called the Pancha Karma and involves a combination of herbal drinks and laxatives. The final rejuvenation stage allows for the transition into your normal routine.

Why do it?

The Cleanse addresses more than just the physical being. Sustaining a harmonized way of life, as opposed to a trendy celebrity-promoted

diet, is key. Because of its partial-fasting nature, the Ayurvedic Cleanse is a healthier, more balanced alternative to intense liquid-only regimes. You receive the benefits of a restricted diet without the low energy, low nourishment repercussions. The ultimate goal of the Cleanse is prolonged mind-body-soul living.

Warning: Apart from a lengthy commitment, a supplementary meditative process is recommended—a moment of silence each day, a weekend away from civilization or a fast from the media. So, if you’re a couch potato, internet-obsessed city dweller, you may want to rethink the Cleanse altogether.

If you’ve decided to go ahead with one of these cleanses, take a few days to mentally prepare. Psych yourself up and get excited—doing this may help you stick with the cleanse for its entire duration. Make sure that friends and family members are supportive of your decision and listen to their input. Remember that cleanses can be dangerous, find out the real reason you want to start a cleanse, and don’t lie to yourself! Whatever your reason, do some in-depth research and educate yourself on the risks and rewards.

80 SHE CANADA

SHE CANADA 81

High-end fashion has fallen short—baby short, that is. From Burberry to Baby Dior, take a stylish stroll with your bundle of joy in these

adorable designer duds.

RALPH LAUREN Trench Coat $115

BABY DIOR Lace Porte Bonheur Socks $64

MARC JACOBS Eliz-A-baby Diaper Bag $298

JUICY COUTURE Pretty Ruffles Bikini $58

BABY DIOR Cotton Piquet Polo Shirt $110

RALPH LAUREN Big Pony Polo Dress $39.50

BURBERRY Check Body Suit $72.50

JUICY COUTURE Suede Boots $58

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1

2

3

4

56

7

8

82 SHE CANADA

The summer season is upon us, which means sun soaked weekends, patio get-togethers and epic BBQs are around every corner. All that outdoor time creates lasting memories but can also have negative repercussions on our skin if we don’t protect it from the UVA and UVB rays that Mr. Sunlight gives off.

During the summer, when the UV index is at its strongest, it’s important to wear sunscreen of at least 30 SPF to help minimize deep rooted skin damage. An essential dose of Vitamin D and ample protection from the sun’s rays will benefit your skin long-term. Now I’m not saying that you should bid the sun and a nice summer tan goodbye, you just need to be smart about it. Luckily, SHE has complied a few tips to ensure that you still get your summery glow, minus the consequences.

1. When deciding on a sunscreen, make sure to choose one with both UVA and UVB protection in order to shield your skin from shortwave rays that age and longwave rays that burn your skin. These sunscreens are usually categorized as Broad Spectrum. So make sure to read the product label and make the well-informed choice.

2. Apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes prior to sun exposure to ensure that the ingredients in the sunscreen have been well absorbed and are less likely to wash off when perspiring.

3. Cover all areas of your skin that will be exposed to the sun. This includes your face, arms, hands, legs, feet and even the back of your ears. This also means your décolletage area (neck and collarbone) ladies, depending on your outfit of the day. Sunscreen should be reapplied throughout the day if exposure is direct or lasts for more than an hour. But if reapplying is impractical for you, a useful trick is to dust yourself with a good mineral powder formulated with SPF (CLINIQUE Super-balanced Powder Makeup SPF 15 Mineral-Rich Formula). On a side note, studies have shown that the sun’s rays are strongest between 11AM to 5PM so if you’re one to be extra careful, try to avoid these times altogether.

4. Wear a hat! The wide rimmed accessories are not like they used to be. Nowadays, hats come in a variety of shapes, colors and styles so you can be sure they are both fashionable and functional. They make chic additions to any summer outfit and more importantly, they shade your face from the sun.

5. Wearing sunscreen built into your makeup is not always enough. For best results, apply a topical moisturizer underneath your SPF foundation or cover up for sun protection at surface and skin cell levels.

6. Almost everyone forgets about applying sunscreen to their lips, which usually is the most susceptible part of the body to burn. By replacing your regular chap stick with a safe lip balm, you can enjoy your time outside without having to worry about your lips peeling or any discoloration.

7. If you have sensitive skin and/or are acne prone, make sure to choose a lightweight sunscreen with at least 5% zinc-oxide as these sunscreens are usually chemical free. They don’t clog up your pores either and offer excellent UV protection without leaving your skin feeling greasy or heavy.

8. Enjoy yourself outdoors this summer! Just make sure you’re always “skin smart” about it!

By Munira Qureshi

SHE CANADA 83

84 SHE CANADA

By Robin Esrock

SHE CANADA 85

Boat trackers pull us forward, the strain visible from their brows to their grass sandals. For millennia, men like these have helped boats navigate the narrow channels that splinter off the giant Yangtze River, using rough ropes to heave wooden vessels up the shallow waters. Today, they perform this arduous task for tourists. As I look around the surrounding valley, it resembles a construction site, or more accurately, a deconstruction site. Piles of bricks sit alongside old buildings and huts that have been stripped of anything of value. The giant Yangtze, the third biggest river in the world, has been dammed downriver in what the Chinese government has called the single greatest engineering feat of all time.

The river waters have risen 175m above sea level, displacing an estimated two million people above the water line into futuristic-sounding New Immigrant Cities. The Three Gorges Dam is a hydroelectric project so vast in scale that it generates the equivalent energy of 18 nuclear power plants. While you can’t actually see the Great Wall of China from space, you will be able to see the impact this massive project has on Asia’s biggest river. With the opportunity to board one of the dozens of luxury riverboats that float down the Yangtze, I am ready to experience firsthand the breakneck change transforming the region, and the entire country.

With its neon-covered buildings and upscale fashion malls, you may not have heard of Wuhan, but the starting point of my Yangtze adventure has a population of over 10 million people. It feels a little like capitalism run amok—an overwhelming sense of shopping and advertising and neon and industry, linked by a chain of impressive bridges choking with traffic. Considering the amount of product manufactured in China, I found the selection available in malls and markets surprisingly limited. But I didn’t come here to shop. I came to see the Yangtze, the 6400 km river with an ancient history that has divided and inspired China through the ages.

Luxury riverboats cater to a largely Western clientele, and cruises like the Yangtze Star offer sumptuous meals, spotless cabins, nightly entertainment, excursions, and two staff members to every one passenger. Floating between the mighty Three Gorges of the Yangtze—Qutang, Wuxia and Xiling—has always drawn travellers, and fears that this will change because of the dam have proven unfounded. Certainly, some towns no longer exist, and the charm of the boat trackers is definitely threatened by progress, but the increased water level also allows riverboats to travel where before they could not. Under a hot, white Chinese sky, we passed ancient hanging wooden coffins belonging to the Ba people who inhabited this region two thousand years ago. The scenery was lush, the canyons rocky and steep. In the late afternoon, we floated between the giant Wuxia Gorge, which was all the more remarkable considering we are so much higher today than we would have been just a few years ago.

A cargo boat overflowing with coal passes us on the right. “See,” says an Italian tourist, “one day, this river will be black.” China has come a long way away since Chairman Mao swam in the Yangtze. Years of unchecked industrialization have polluted the river yellow-brown, impacting fish populations, threatening its native river dolphin to extinction. Since the Yangtze no longer flows its natural course, the risks of an environmental disaster are ever-present. At the Three Gorges Dam visitors’ centre, the scale of the dam is clear. The planet’s largest locks transfer cargo and cruise ships from one side of the dam to the other. It was a four-hour journey in the

hazy early hours, through five massive gates that dropped us meters at a time. Controlling the Yangtze has been a national goal since the early 1900s, as a means to manage flooding, harness power, and facilitate transport along the river. Since its ground breaking in 1994, it has been both a source of national pride, and global controversy. Environmentalists rue the consequences, archaeologists can only guess the wealth of history that has been submerged, and locals argue the impact of displacing millions of people. In the end, a commercially exploding country dependent on coal and holding one out of every six people on the planet desperately needs a source of sustainable energy.

Attractions have been built above the water line to provide more incentive to tourists—foreign and domestic—to visit the region. The Three Gorges Village was a gorgeous vision of life in the past. Walking along the emerald green tributary, visitors see beautiful girls singing on old wooden boats, young boys playing the flute, nobility and peasants in their daily life. There were musical performances and even a traditional wedding, in which I somehow ended up as the groom. The mother, a male actor, gave me away to a beautiful bride, toasted us with firewater (rice wine) and before I knew it I was throwing sweets into the crowd. Beautiful pagodas, temples and music—there exists a China that tourists want to see, and the China that exists today. On the final journey to Chongqing, the world’s largest municipality with a population of 28.8 million, I could still see the remains of inundated villages. The dramatic change along the Yangtze showed me a country embracing the future with such gusto and scale, it appears the past and with it the fabled boat trackers, will survive solely for the pleasure of tourists.

Vancouver-based Robin Esrock is the cohost of the OLN/CityTV series Word Travels. You can follow his adventures at www.robinesrock.com

86 SHE CANADA

By Ekta Mukhi

s its name implies, Zen Spa located at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Etobicoke, is a peaceful sanctuary to escape from all the daily hassles of life. Besides the physical benefits gearing you up for a great summer, it also replenishes the soul.

Preet Chawla, co-owner of the Spa, gets candid and fills us in on both the facilities at Zen and some of the most popular treatments offered. Located in a hotel popular with tourists and businesspeople alike, Zen Spa is about 5,000 square feet and offers just about every spa treatment under the sun. From service rooms to couple rooms, a hot tub and a massive slide pool, Zen is the quintessential urban getaway with regular clientele the world over.

As Chawla firmly believes, “Spas are essential. They keep you young and given the kind of lifestyle we all lead today, your body cries out loud for relaxation.” From facials to massage therapies, esthetics and para-medical facilities, Zen Spa takes pride in offering a variety of services that specifically cater to each person’s unique needs. Their Swiss line, GM Collins and Banana-Choco facials are certainly the ultimate treat for your face, whilst their popular hot stone massage will undoubtedly relax all the muscles in your body and ease that stress away.

Keeping in mind the varying requirements of each client, Zen Spa designs packages to ensure that the body and mind are taken care of, offering a complete range of services in various combinations and permutations. Its Signature Style Zen Package, a Complete Detoxification Package or a Specialised Getaway Best Friends Package for Two all offer various treatments you may not necessarily think to mix and match. Sounds tempting, right?

In this day and age stress looms on every horizon; you absolutely need a short break to regroup. Instead of planning a trip, which requires a great deal of effort and finances, a spa day is really quick and affordable. Whilst a foot scrub can invigorate you, therapeutic massages, facials, manicures and pedicures have their very own psychological benefits. A body that is well taken care of, directly correlates to the mind in deterring the aging process by improving and regulating your blood circulation and pressure.Zen Spa is located at:

655 Dixon Road,Etobicoke, ON,M9W 1J3, (416) 249-8886

SHE CANADA 87

1) If someone slept in and only had 5 minutes to get ready, what would you recommend doing to create the perfect look in no time?You can easily do a quick makeup in 5 minutes. I would apply Maybelline New York Dream Fresh BB Cream (best product!). It will moisturize, conceal and provide SPF in one step. Next, apply Maybelline New York Volum’ Express The Rocket Mascara. This gives instant volume fast! For a healthy dose of colour on the cheeks, I suggest a little bit of Maybelline New York Dream Bouncy Blush. It easily blends into the cheeks using your fingers. Apply a lipstick like the Maybelline New York Color Whispers by Color Sensational because they provide sheer coverage with hint of colour. It is very easy to apply.

2) When dealing with an oily complexion, what sort of cover-up/foundation do you recommend that won’t cause breakouts?I would stick with powders or we have a new FIT ME! Shine-Free Foundation Stick that just came out that is AMAZING for oily skin.

3) What is this summer’s biggest makeup trend?Bold bright lips!

4) When applying makeup, is there a certain order you keep in mind? Does base always go on first?Base usually does go on first. You apply it first so that you have a palette to work on.

5) Out of all the Maybelline Vivid Colors, which is a universal shade that suites most skin tones?I would have to say On Fire Red or Shocking Coral. Most people look great in red or coral!

We recently caught up with Grace Lee, Maybelline New York’s Lead Makeup Artist, and posed some everyday beauty questions. She graciously took the time to give us her two cents. Here’s how it all went down:

GRACE LEE Lead Makeup Artist

Maybelline New York Canada

88 SHE CANADA

Everywhere you looked backstage at World MasterCard Fashion Week, there was a different, eye-catching hairstyle to behold. With cans of product misting up the air and skilled hands working their magic, the team at Redken, led by Jorge Joao created a variety of looks to complement the many runway shows taking place over the course of the week. For Ashtiani by Golnaz Ashtiani, the low ponytail with waves at the crown was a look alluding to a collision of textures: “Above the ponytail we have this finger wave texture. It’s a wet look, but yet very wavy, very compressed to the head, very tight. Then we’re going into a low ponytail, but dry, soft textured ponytail that’s just got a wave to it.” Joao assures us that this is a look that is extremely easy to achieve at home by applying product to the hands and running fingers through the hair to create movement and texture. Control Addict 28 Hairspray was used to keep everything in place along with Fashion Work Finishing Spray for shine and extra hold. The overall look was futuristic yet classic, perfectly echoing Ashtiani’s creations.

By Liz Guber

REDKEN AT WORLD MASTERCARD FASHION

WEEK: ASHTIANI

SHE CANADA 89

90 SHE CANADA

SHE CANADA 91

In the February Issue of SHE, we discussed how Princess Jasmine changed Disney forever. Besides being the first ethnic Muslim Princess, she was one of the few who did not “need” her prince to move forward. It seems that the team at SEPHORA could not have agreed more and put out a collection of beauty products that pay homage to the fearless heroine. SEPHORA says, “This spring embark on a magical beauty journey with the Disney Reigning Beauties Jasmine Collection by SEPHORA, a collection of colour cosmetics, a signature fragrance and princess-worthy accessories that are inspired by the adventure and enchantment of the classic Disney animated film, Aladdin. The Disney Reigning Beauties Jasmine Collection by SEPHORA captures the rich, exotic colours depicted in the film and will awaken your sense of adventure and help grant your beauty wishes.” With quirky and ethereal names like Mystical Wonder (a vibrant purple eyeshadow), Berry Tale Romance (orchid nail lacquer) and A Whole New World Eau de Parfum, SEPHORA truly captures the spirit of the film’s characters in this exciting new collection. The standout product of the collection for us is definitely the Three Wishes Eyeliner Set ($50). Being South Asian, one can never have too many options when it comes to eyeliners. The Disney Reigning Beauties Jasmine Collection by SEPHORA is available for a limited time beginning in Spring 2013 at all SEPHORA locations across Canada.

Three Wishes Eyeliner Set $50

A Whole New World Eau de Parfum Spray, 50 mL $70

Magic Carpet Ride Eyeshadow Palette $36

A Whole New World Perfumed Body Shimmer $54

A Whole New World Perfumed Oil Rollerball $23

One is Never Enough Nail Lacquer Set $29

1

92 SHE CANADA

On a trip to the States over Easter weekend this year, I sat down for tapas with an old friend from undergrad. Now living in South Carolina, working as a school psychologist in one of America’s roughest school districts, she was justifiably burnt out by the stress of her job. She even felt taken advantage

of—being young and lacking the years of experience necessary, she was unable to choose her district and by default was assigned the most troubled ones. I was reading Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In at the time and recommended she pick up a copy to put her situation into perspective. “Facebook’s COO put out a book on women in the workplace and I really think you should read it,” I told her. She responded with wide-eyed surprise, “Facebook has a girl COO?”

Not to disparage my friend in any way—in fact, she’s highly educated, extremely dedicated to her students and very well read—Sandberg is an major player in post-modern feminist thought. As the chief operating officer at Facebook, she has ranked both on Fortune Magazine’s list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business and Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. Sandberg graduated from Harvard Business School (HBS) in the early ‘90s and began her career at McKinsey & Co. on the west coast, but soon moved back to D.C. to become the chief of staff at the US Treasury Department under Larry Summers. She then returned to the west coast after several years where she ended up at Google for over half a decade as the vice president of Global Online Sales and Operations. This was all prior to being approached by Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook.

With such an impressive CV, Sandberg knows a thing or two about what it is to lead both a successful career and a household with two young children. Back in 2010 she gave a TEDTalk, encouraging women to “sit at the table” and essentially “lean in” to their careers. The video went viral and received two million hits. Lean In takes a deeper look into the obstacles women face in the workplace, especially those created by women themselves. And while she touches on the myth of having it all, a thriving career and a happy family are not mutually exclusive.

With chapter titles that include “Success and Likeability” and “It’s a Jungle Gym, Not a Ladder,” Sandberg talks readers through starting a successful career as a woman fresh out of undergrad to the family planning phase of life. While innumerable aspects of the gender gap are touched upon, here are a few figures that really struck a chord:

“A 2011 McKinsey report noted that men are promoted based on potential, while women are promoted based on past accomplishments.” (Joanna Barsh and Lareina Yee, Special Report: Unlocking the Full Potential of Women in the U.S. Economy, McKinsey & Company (April 2011), 6)

“Women are also more reluctant to apply for promotions even when deserved, often believing that good job performance will naturally lead to rewards.” (Dasvaux, Devillard-Hoellinger, and Meaney, “A Business Case for Women,” 4)

“In 2006, only 20 percent of mothers whose husband’s earnings landed in the middle (between the twenty-fifth and seventy-fifth percentiles) were out of the labour force. In contrast, a whopping 52 percent of mothers with husbands in the bottom quarter and 40 percent of mothers with husbands in the top 5 percent were out of the labor force.” (David Cotter, Paula England, and Joan Hermsen, “Moms and Jobs: Trends in Mothers’ Employment and Which Mothers Stay Home,” in Families as They Really Are, ed. Barbara J. Risman (New York: W. W. Norton, 2010), 416-24)

Sandberg peppers the book with several humourous anecdotes and

stories—by the end she feels like a friend. It would be great if this book became required reading for every undergrad freshman; by touching on her own experiences and regrets, Sandberg allows readers to gain great insight from her past.

The memoir is not without its critics. Called elitist by some and unrealistic by others, one of Sandberg’s biggest critics include Sylvia Ann Hewlett, CEO of the Centre for Talent Innovation in Manhattan. She chimes in saying that while the mentors Sandberg advocates every woman have in her career are fine, sponsors are better (she references Larry Summers as being Sandberg’s sponsor). This sponsor is in a much more powerful position to take you along with his/her own rise, alleviating years of flailing in what she calls the “marzipan layer” of middle management.

Critics aside, Sandberg has started a long overdue dialogue. In fact, she has opened the floor to Facebook users under the URL www.facebook.com/leanincommunity: “Our mission is to create a global community dedicated to encouraging women to lean in to their ambitions.” The debate will undoubtedly continue long after Lean In has had its run on Bestsellers Lists around the world. In the immortal words of PepsiCo’s CEO Indra Nooyi, “Leadership is hard to define and good leadership even harder. But if you can get people to follow you to the ends of the earth, you are a great leader.”

LEAN IN: WOMEN, WORK, AND THE WILL TO LEAD

$28.95 at Chapters, Indigo, Amazon.caReview by Priya Kumar

SHE CANADA 93

PARTY-GIRL PROBLEMS

I’m a 20-year-old girl and I have very conservative South Asian parents, however I frequently go out to nightclubs because I love to get dressed up and go dancing. I tell my parents I’m sleeping over at my friend’s house and we end up going out ‘til 3 in the morning, her parents are very easy going. This past weekend my male cousin saw me at a nightclub dancing away on the dance floor. He was very upset and told me he will be telling my parents. I’m dead if they find out. Please help!

Communication is the key here. I suggest you beat your cousin to the punch and tell your parents where you were first. Lying to your parents is a huge no, no. This is a perfect example of the dual cultural norms we’re faced with as South Asian Canadians. While at the age of 20, you’re considered an adult—you can drive, vote and even drink if you so choose—you’re living under your parents’ roof and are still their responsibility. The last thing they would want to imagine you doing is hanging out on the street at 2AM. Let them know what went on—if there was a special occasion fill them in. They more likely than not will be surprised and somewhat hurt. They may even attempt to take away some of your freedom. Face the music. And once you have, sit down with them again and hammer out new rules for your social life. Explain that we live in a different time and space than they did growing up and there is nothing socially devious about spending time with your girlfriends on the town. Finally, if it will put their minds at ease, promise to check in when you arrive at your friend’s house at night. This is a polarizing topic for South Asian parents and their Canadian born children, so it’s up to you to meet them somewhere in the middle. As for your cousin, feel free to smack him upside the head for me.

STICKS AND STONES

I’m in my last year of high school and there are a group of students in my school that constantly bully my Desi friend and me by calling us rude names like Paki and terrorist because we both wear hijabs. The one time I stood up to them they told me to go back to my country. I don’t know how to deal with this. We are harassed everyday. What should we do?

Report them to an authoritative figure. Immediately. This is non-negotiable. Over the past several years, teen suicide has become commonplace across North America because of bullying. Believe it or not, most schools now have very firm policies against this crime. Yes that’s right, I just called it a crime. Minors have been arrested for inflicting emotional pain upon their peers. There is reason for this—just like a physical crime, an emotional one can take just as long to heal. If you feel like a snitch, get over it. You’ll teach these ill-mannered classmates of yours that they should know better than to hurl racial slurs in 2013. If you want someone to talk to on a more regular basis, call the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868. They will set you down the right path when it comes to handling bullies.

SKIN DEEP

My cousin always gets compliments on how great her skin looks and my mom is always nagging me about my skin, and telling me to take better care of myself like my cousin does. I’m getting quite tired of it. What my mom and others don’t know is my cousin who is only 25 years old gets Botox treatments regularly. Should I let the cat out of bag or continue dealing with my nagging mom?

I think you’re capable of asking your mother to get off your case without outing your poor cousin. We all have our beauty secrets that are better kept unsaid. If you’re looking for more (natural) ways to better care for your skin, consider the following—rub a good beauty serum into your skin prior to bed nightly (Lancôme Génifique), never forget to wear an oil-free sunscreen during the day and be sure to use a good foundation with spot reducing qualities (CLINIQUE Even Better Makeup SPF 15). I’ve also been told, from a very reliable source (Shirley Wu, Beauty Concepts), applying a layer of collagen daily will do wonders for your skin. And keep hydrated. Two litres of water a day, minimum.

94 SHE CANADA

“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”

OPRAH WINFREY

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”

ANAIS NIN

“True friends stab you in the front.”

OSCAR WILDE

“Depth of friendship does not depend on length of acquaintance.”

RABINDRANATH TAGORE

“Friendship is not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.”

MUHAMMAD ALI

FRIENDSHIP

“Man follows the same creed as his friend, so consider carefully who it is you befriend.”

PROPHET MOHAMMAD (PBUH)

SHE CANADA 95

96 SHE CANADA