A Passion for fashion- getting Hunk'd and Doll'd

Like the soft breeze rustling through summer and merging with the clouds to fall with the rain; then slowly pacing up for autumn and suddenly coming to a freezing halt in winter; and then finally dancing to its own rhythm in Spring.

The weather shifts, and so do fashion trends. One moment it's the low-cut hip-hugging bellbottom jeans, and the next moment it's those medium cut straight ones. The international fashion scene is changing everyday, and it's getting very difficult to keep up with all the hot new fads.

A bunch of factors have to be considered before preparing yourself for a completely new seasonal attire. We thought it'd be nice to share some interesting fashion pointers with you all.

The Summer Of Colours
Summer clothing is filled with so many vibrant and beautiful colours it could as well be an artist's palette. It is the season to let your creativity flow free to its own rhythm. Be a little brave and try out this heated season's favourite colours: Citrus yellow, pretty pink, turquoise, purple, greens of every shade, and flashes of multiple colours like black, white, orange, yellow, blue etc. etc. 'I like colour. I try to keep a nice combination of as many colours as I can get into my wardrobe. I like to wear Western wears like simple short tops and jeans of neutral colours.' Claims 18 year old Ishita. 18-year old Jasia however professes a love for black. love black! 'Sober straight cut salwar kameezes and sometimes jeans with kameez. I would prefer comfort over anything else.' Jasia declares, professing a passion for shopping for the great materials available at Pink City.

If you opt for pastels, go for the brighter shades. This summer promises to be extremely colourful and keeping that in mind, word of caution, stray far from the loud and gaudy. Glistening golden and shiny silver, yellow etc are definitely a big big NO NO.

The Girls, The Boys And The Ugly
Moving on to fashion trends in our country at the moment, straight cut jeans and funky accessories have pretty much taken over. For Eastern wear, Pakistani cut salwars are the best sellers in all retailer shops and outlet, followed by the slightly straight cut fitted medium size (not too short, not long) kameezes, which are quite popular at the moment too. Since most of the trendy female population of Bengali teenagers opt for tailor (dorji) made dresses with the material bought from Wholesalers like Chadni Chawk, Gausia, Mirpur Hawker's Market, etc., one of the good things about fashion in our country is that most of it depends on an individual's style and comfort. Popular summer materials are cotton and chinon.

What's hot at the current moment with the males is tight shirts and t-shirts alike, both favoured to be smaller than usual. The bag and sag look when it comes to upper-wears has certainly gone beyond the clouds. The most popular brands remain to be Soul Dance and those that have a trendy, teen, I-don't-care-how-I-look surely know the flavour. 'Cut-up, faded jeans, topped with a casual light-coloured collared t-shirt or a normal t-shirt is what everyone's looking for at the moment.' A shop-keeper at Soul Dance informed us. Converse gets a respite to be replaced by the more comfortable flip-flops or as known among the elderly, 'bathroom-sandals'. These come in various shapes, colours and sizes and also in numerous brands, with the most prestigious being the Levi's ones, which go for about 850 Taka, available at most major malls.

'Faded jeans are not so faded anymore, but more discoloured and usually preferred to be torn here and there.' Observes another shop-keeper at Anam Rang's Plaza' SBN. Sweltering heat it may be but looks like Jeans never truly fades. Westec's proudly showed us their hot-seller the summer coats. 'For party attire, I would prefer flat sandals, short jeans, with a white shirt and a folded up summer coat.' Says 22 year old Navid, a student of NSU. The good ones start up from 1200tk and they are a real treat to look at and best of all they go with formal and even casuals. Accessories are still in, though the mad-rush for them has mellowed down. Leather belts, big buckles, a little bling and a nice flashy watch are on the must-have list for all teens, regardless of the weather. But bling doesn't mean holes all over your body and so much metal that you end up looking like a cross between Spongebob and Robo-Cop.

As for traditional garments, Aarong, Nipun and Kalo-Shada remain popular choices, with the first three shops and Artisti displaying light-coloured Punjabi in comfortable material.

Fashioning It Up, Global Style!
The international fashion scene is pretty much reflected in our tastes as well. Old-school Hollywood fashion is in, treading away from the bad-girl look sported by Britney to the more sophisticated ladylike looks, meaning cherry-hued glossy lips and a neat evening coat. Floral prints on gowns by Ralph Lauren and Valentino are also taking the fashion world by storm. If colour isn't your Milan/Paris Chant then you can sport a black and white look which is also pretty in, especially after Gwen Stefani pulled it off so superbly.

Concerned about Mother Earth? Pick up organic-cotton fabric gowns by the fast rising Philip Limm or for if you rather stick to the other sheep, have no fear because Levi's has also launched a similar line of clothing. If not you can always stick to the tribal-inspired, gypsy-crazed ethnic styles which are pretty vogue too.

Remember those brightly coloured clothes you had that faded with time? Or those normal coloured clothes that faded with time? If you are planning to throw them away, then you better think again, because clothes which fade from light to dark are in, following the craze set off by Prada hand-bags, last year. Speaking of bags, see-through hand-bags are in, giving you a way to show all the expensive stuff you keep in your bag. Well, at least now you can't scold a man to see through the contents of your bag, since he can just look without the risk of getting an earful.

Finally whether your talking Versace or Zac Posen, techni-colour brights are in with a vengeance this summer and they are here to stay. So it's time to get some sunglasses and break the bank purchasing a rainbow in a ward-robe. Watch out for pinks, greens and yellows, taking over the street. Although the international market scene does affect styles and trends to a great extent, individuality definitely makes a style statement here, for the majority at least. So you can always stray a bit away from the fashion-scene but don't become a loner or a freak. So think colourful and buy colourful, but tread far far away from the tacky!

By Nuzhat Binte Arif and Osama Rahman

As the curtains opened, applaud was heard from all sides. The beginning was a hit, and so was the whole play. The beginning of the journey of MLIS Drama Club was remarkable. With seven founder members and group of thirty people their first production 'Joga Khichuri' was on stage on 25th April, Friday. The play was entirely prepared by A levels students of Maple Leaf, and it was completed in just half a month.

MLIS Drama Club is an organization that promotes new talent to spring from their roots, in the school. Teenagers with new and fresh aptitude are a part of this team. The play was of half an hour, and it was a parody on Bangla and English Movies. They had their own Jack Sparrow and Masud Rana, and a whole set of FDC. The best part was the portrayal of the characters with their flaws in a funny way. Their future plans include a Drama Festival which will constitute of four-five dramas during August or September.

There should be more ECAs in the schools, because it makes a person more confident of what they are. The growth of dramas as ECAs will make the aspiring performers go to the world and excel in that arena. Drama, the uppermost form of art; created by the numberless expressions of human emotions. A literary composition involving conflict, action crisis and atmosphere designed to be acted by players on a stage before an audience. An episode that is turbulent or highly emotional, and vivid in passion. In conclusion, MLIS drama club is a new and fresh start on the journey towards revolution of theatre plays in English Medium Schools.

By Raida Kifait Reza

Biggest Youth Congregation - NSU All Asians, 2008

This coming May, we, at North South University, are bringing the 15th All Asian Inter Varsity Debate Championship, not only to Bangladesh but, to South Asia for the first time ever! Apart from being the largest and the most prestigious academic competition in all of Asia, the All Asian Inter Varsity Debate Championship, more commonly known as the 'Asians', comprises of more than 450 participants coming from around 10-12 different Asian countries. This, being the biggest youth congregation, promises a 7-day-long experience packed with heated debates and culturally colorful nights and it is all happening right here in Dhaka this May!

Other schools and universities such as the United International University, which has one of the finest campuses in Dhaka, will hold the main debates at their campus.

Media Partners include The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, ATN Bangla and Radio Foorti. So expect to read, hear and see it all.

Akij Food and Beverages Ltd. Will hold a 'Fun Night' at Wonderland Amusement Park especially for the organizers and the participants of Asians. This night will capture the magic and life of the rural areas of this country and will feature thrilling rides, delightful displays of 'putul naach', enchanting 'Baul' songs, delicious traditional 'Pithas' and many more customary rituals of Bangladesh.

As can be understood, Asians is not solely about winning and losing debates. Apart from this, an imperative part exists in the interaction and blending of the different cultures of Asia. By hosting this event, we not only look to build future leaders, but to uphold the image of Bangladesh internationally.

So wait no more! Interested parties are requested to please register without further delay. For further details, please feel free to visit www.nsuallasians.com and to contact us, call at 01712106927, 01819559271 or mail us at nsudc@hotmail.com.

Prior to Asians, we are also arranging for an International Debate and Adjudication Training Program, starting from May 2, 2008. To conduct this program, we are bringing in Dr. Alfred C. Snider, affiliated with numerous World School Debate Championships (WSDC) and actively involved in the debating world for more than 30 years; Mr. Jason Jarvis, President of the All Asians committee, founder and director of the Asian Debate Institute and an internationally qualified trainer; Mr. Sidharth Chauhan, renowned debating figure in the Asian Debating Community.

Anyinterestedschool/college / university/individual is requested to contact us and register immediately [Last date of registration - May 1, 2008].

By Eeman Nasreen Ahmed
From NSU Debate Club