Fashion BD

Fashion a word that is often used to theorize a society's most talked about generation. Forgotten are the days of socialist revolutionary heat pumping through the veins of the young and the restless or the poetic drive of Rabindranath that used to define this generation. Kids nowadays are more into the whole cell phone/straight-hair poodle styles. Even if it was pretty hard to imagine just a decade ago what this generation has turned into its fun now when we track it back to the times when cable TV waltzed into the city. And now each group has its own style in the varsity campus. Starting from of course, what brand of cell phones they use, what type of hair spikes they prefer, what brand of watch they show off and the pair of jeans they wear.

And girls going out of their ways to match their flipflops with their blouse, bag, the pouch inside their bag, earrings, cell phones, contact lens…and the infinite list goes on!

Extremities aside, the campus fashion nowadays swings both ways for men and women craving for that urban look while holding their own roots. They go for the raw trend that shops like Jatra, Deshal, or Piran subsists to set.

For women the obsession for straight hair still persists with full force. Short kurtas worn with embroidered jeans became fairly popular in the last few years. Metal bangles and clay ornaments from Shadakalo, Aarong, and other designer boutiques compliments such attire. Interestingly enough, the most popular stilettos that used to be the in thing just a few years ago has been drastically replaced by the almost flat sandal/strap on shoes similar to those of the ancient Greek mythical characters used to wear. Silver toe rings seems to go nicely with these strappy sandals while nose rings and other accessories harmonizes with the raw beauty that the girls go after.

Guys on the other hand are becoming more metro these days. Headgears are what comprises most of what they call fashion. Bandana is most common among the men in the campus that would obviously go with the “hot bike owner” look (even if the bike is missing from the picture). But in a typical day with scheduled classes back to back, guys are mostly seen to wear quarter sleeved t-shirts with a contrasting shirt on top. Body piercing nowadays took a steep turn towards metro urban looks the guys go after. Even though tattoos are considered taboo, one can still take a little peak at the most unimaginable part of the body and find one!

Incidentally, the campus trend says more than just what people wear or carry these days. The name they go by says a lot about their fashion sense as well. For instance, a few days ago I heard someone yell out “Kasper!” whose real name turned out to be Kashem uddin. Go figure!

Call them annoying, or superficial, or simply “beyadopp”, they are the new generation who brings most of the colors, diversity and sometimes a breath of fresh air with them and their diverse fashion.

Participants: Shovon, Tumpa, Numan, Rain, Tanjima, Nafisa, Sabrina, Nafis, Miran, Muntasir, Dithi, Srutee, Radia, Tomal & Tuni
Location: BRAC University

Fashion Management 101

Flip your hair 45 degrees and click the tips of your heels through that campus door to score that perfect 'A' for some gawking fashion statement inside your university campus. Whoever said university was all about education? I say getting your outfit set to last ten hours without any bent, slit or stain on it is far more important in life. In fact, let me tell you exactly how each and every fashion tip for campus goers is directly proportional to their success in life.

Straightening the hair
It's not just about the act; it's the preparation, patience and determination that go on behind it. Oh and yes, the money too. It's no joke maintaining straight hair and that too the entire day, every day, everywhere. Even when digging into greasy chicken fry in the canteen with your bare hands, having that ideal shiny hair always directs back to a hint of class and sophistication. Letting those hair mimic fearless hay straws, which are able to keep still even on a drastic windy day, naturally shows that nothing can stop you from keeping your head straight.

Maintaining posture in heels
High heels have always been part of the fashion world but somehow they were restricted to parties or other fancy gatherings. Nowadays, they are a must in your average university classroom. And, why not? Being able to maintain yourself on two chopsticks is not an easy trick, especially if you happen to be paying a good chunk of your tuition fees over them. Basically, learning this form of art teaches you the most important philosophy of life: Balance is everything. Amen.

Seriously, there will be bumps on the road, there will be people coming in your way, trying to overthrow you from your destination and, yes, there will be the ups and downs in life but nothing, absolutely NOTHING will get you to fall down!

And, of course, with shoes that come in pointed-front that expose the tip of your nails, have the toenail color matching your eye-shadow for an extra bonus on your great coordination skills.

Squeezing the world in your tiny purse
Big bags are there too but for those of you who can manage to punch in all the required accessories for the day into a 30 by 30 centimetre silky-sack, know that you are the pioneers of the phrase "organizational behaviour". That's right, getting a

· Brush
· Moneybag
· Eye-shadow
· Compact
· More money
· Lipstick
· Lip-gloss
· Nail filer
· Eyeliner

in that tiny space requires raw talent and raw dedication to daily campus fashion. Trust me, there is just no better way to express management skills!

Wearing evergreen makeup
Now comes the part about making sure that the makeup glimmers all day long. This could take hours if you count the checking yourself in the mirror after every class for 20 minutes.

But the most important factor in the end of the day is 'time'. Here is the thing, they may walk in class late but there is no way you can assault them for their lack in time management. Really, those who serve themselves to the fashion world are able to come into class everyday, no matter what the occasion - whether there happens to be a quiz, a midterm, and a presentation or just another day - in a full-fledged Bollywood look.

And they can manage it even when there is a class at 8 in the morning! Now that's what I call talent at its best. Like I said, you can't accuse them for failing in time management expertise. They have it and they are very devoted and fanatical towards it - that's what life and careers is all about right?

Making your presence felt
And why not? Did we not learn that it is important to make yourself noticed and remembered whenever going for an interview? Well, the best way to magnify your appearance is of course by adding some noise. That's right, those bracelets, anklets and hairpins with heavy tinkling bells attached are just the thing to make sure that everyone can stop whatever they were doing, i.e. working hard and minding their own business, and turn around to take a good look at the noise maker. If that doesn't grab their attention, nothing will.

Committed and repetitive self-absorbed behaviour
Nothing says commitment more than being able to run your hands through the hair 20 times every hour, not to mention the constant re-glossing those pumped up lips. Added to mean smirks whenever passing those who know nothing about trend, you are more than ready to take charge of your own life. This characteristics and tip is particularly important for those who are aiming to attack the selfish world of materialism.

So there you have it, fashion prepares you for the bigger and greater battles in life. Without wearing the right clothes, shoes, bags and make up, you are nothing but a mere normal human being. So take out your dad's savings and go wild with these tips.

Bibi Russell graduated from the London College of Fashion and at her graduate show, was discovered by Harper’s Bazaar as a model. She became one of the most sought-after models of the 70’s and 80’s working with Chanel,Yves Saint Laurent,Valentino and Armani among others.

Bibi Russell has rediscovered the ancient craft of hand-weaving and helped the traditional handloom weavers gain international exposure and sustainable income.In 1995 she founded the company “Bibi Productions”. Her work provides a platform for over 35,000 weavers and artisans all over Bangladesh to utilize their talents. Bibi works with materials like cotton, khadi, silk, jamdani and jute. In the recent years, she has been experimenting with crochet in her designs. She does a spring-summer and fall-winter collection each year and exports to Europe and Scandinavia. Her collections – under the tag line ‘Fashion for Development and Positive Bangladesh’ promotes Bangladeshi fabrics and handicrafts for domestic and international markets.

Her first European show was in Paris, February 1996 titled “Weavers of Bangladesh”, organised with UNESCO. A year later, her collection “The Colours of Bangladesh” held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain was launched and supported by the Queen of Spain. With support from UNESCO and the British Fashion Council, she previewed her collection “Stars of Bangladesh” in London in 1998. Since then, she has participated in numerous fashion shows and exhibitions at home and abroad.

She received among others, the ‘Honorary Fellowship’ of the London Institute in 1999, title of ‘Designer for Development’ by the UNESCO in 1999, the title ‘Artist for Peace’ by the UNESCO in 2001 and the Peace Prize 2004 by the United Nations Associations of Spain.

I hope that there are more people out there who will follow in Bibi Russell’s footsteps by understanding the importance of prêt to make fashion more affordable and a source of income for the impoverished.

‘Bibi Productions’ is located at House- 45 (3rd floor), Road-27, Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

FOR all of you who don't bite your nails, a trendy looking overlay on them is a must this season. But be sure to choose a fast drying topcoat to match your taste. Space age metallic shades like silver minx or sleek looking hot pinks can be the highlights while you can also settle with fire-engine red to put you into a party mood. Since summer's all about fruits and the humidity colours can also waiver between peachy shades and carnation pinks. However for a night out feel free to experiment with glitter-sweet inky black or rose gold to bring about the desired futuristic look. And if you find all these too much to take then just stick to good old sparkling burgundy for some glam!

ASSUMING the little creatures that comes out of a humanoid womb is capable of witnessing the changes around it ones it comes out; and later on when it grows up to a reasonable outline of a human being with all his accomplishments of joy, sorrow, misery and embarrassment finally has to go back to where he came from. Now, given the prerequisites, let's figure out what he actually sees during those crucial grand entrance and exit. If our wiry haired scientists, head covered religious devotees have it right, then the first thing a child sees as he emerges from utter darkness is the blinding white of light. And right before sudden or anticipated death, he sees the white light before wandering off into nothingness or the afterlife as many would refer to it. Well in that case, we can refer to it as the single most prominent colour in our lives…but purity entwined with grace in a profusion that is 'white'.

White is a colour which all of us, including the colour blind, can see and learn to appreciate for its sheer simplicity. The intricately woven details of life would seem much more sporadic if it didn't have the emptiness filled in with a colour that on some terms can almost be synonymous with it. Therefore, when one looks up at the sky or relinquishes their wistful memories outside a porch on a snowy afternoon, the colour of white is simply awe-inspiring. Then again, it is the colour that awaits the groom while he fidgets in anticipation for his union with the one he thinks he is meant to be with.

Yet, when looking at media, the West and how this colour illumes the celebrity with which they have managed to take over most of the mindless ways in which the youth and the ancient lives out their lives on a day to day basis, much appreciation needs to be given. Starting from white attire parties, to the derogative terms like 'white trash', to movies where even 'god' dresses in a white suit, and the must-not-be-forgotten powerhouse insignia of architecture, the White House….everything is white!

And let's not forget the emblem of love; the Taj Mahal.

A deeper look into culture, white becomes a symbol of not just purity but a great deal of melancholy. In the Hindu culture widows repent their ways by wearing white and having all the fun striped out of their lives. The Chinese, who always has an upper hand when it comes to embedding colours into meanings for everything in life, white is symbol for metal and is reserved for mourning of the dead. Well, death isn't a sign of surrender, we all know what it means to see a white flag being waved on the battlefield, there are but angels with their white wings carrying away the departed.

Ahh sigh… such prettiness in such simplicity and wealth in so little and yet so much. As a friend put, “white is the embodiment of all colours”, and when music is the channel to the soul, the pavement it walks on is white…