Munira Fidai

Almost coming full circle, jewellery designers are now blurring lines between masculine and feminine pieces, designing baubles that have no motive other than to adorn their wearers. One such jewellery designer, Lora Khan, from 6 Yards Story, has made space for male customers in her new collection, Aura. The seed for this idea was planted by one of her friends who sensed a gap in the market for jewellery that men could wear. After much deliberation, Lora decided to present genderless jewellery to her customers.

Europe — the ultimate continent, the stuff of dreams and a reality for only a choice few. For an average Bangladeshi to be able to live and work in a European country, let alone flourish there is a thought that seems almost too good to be true, for most people at least. However, it is possible and Farzana Hai can tell you how!

Versatile enough to wear on traditional or western clothing, the boho trend is blazing a bold trail across the fashion scene and the magic seems to be catching on. One of the best ways to rock boho or hippie jewellery is to give it a plain canvas so that the outfit does not interfere with the bold interplay of colours, textures and designs of the ornaments.

Not one to compromise on service quality, and having received a number of accolades for the same attribute in recent times, Air New Zealand is now set to give its economy class passengers a smoother flying experience on mid and long-haul flights. Bunk beds for the economy class would mean a definitive goodbye to stiff necks and legs, armrest wars with the next passenger and guarantee generally happier clients. The concept of what they call the “Skynest” has been in conception for about five years now and is set to make its debut in 2024.

Wearing the national dress only on special occasions is a thing of the past. Women of today have rediscovered elegance and comfort in saris and have found their own ways to make it convenient for them. Jeans instead of traditional petticoats, sneakers, rather than heels, and most commonly and popularly, sleeveless blouses in place of traditional looks such as long sleeves, puffs, or three quarters. Here are 6 super funky ways you can don the sleeveless blouse and slay in it!

What do you do when wanderlust strikes, but you have just hit rock bottom on your wallet? Feed the lust, is what. Of course, travelling first class, shopping at branded stores and staying at five-star accommodation may not be on the cards for you but none of those things have anything to do with actual travelling. If you are already laughing, save the giggles for we may just change your mind by the end of this article.

There are many reasons why men and women today shun the institution of marriage. One of the key reasons is they believe in meeting new people and keeping their options open for better companionship, which is an important key to happiness. Preferring freedom over commitment, these individuals crave open experiences rather than family life and are happy to live their lives free of any kind of obligation.

Mothers nowadays are trying to do it all — work and parenting — with a schedule that seems to get busier every day. With sleepless nights, an early work routine, pumping schedules, school events, work deadlines, and the need to provide quality time to children, mothers have their hands (and arms and legs) full. Mental and physical exhaustion, also known as mum burnout, can lead to dire consequences not just for them, but for children too

Raising your hand or voice, for that matter, on a child simply because they are weak and younger than you in age, is an act of cowardice on the part of the parent. Some fantastic and in-depth research has been done in this field. Psychologists and paediatricians both agree that physical abuse is extremely harmful for a child, having both physiological and mental consequences. Abuse comes in many forms and what is equally surprising is that a lot of parents have no idea that many of their actions can count as abuse.

The annual survey that ranks countries according to how happy its citizens think they are, have found Finland to yet again top the list, according to criteria such as a high GDP per capita, a healthy social support system among friends and family, good life expectancy, freedom of choice, little to no corruption in the government and the business world, and generosity in charity or community service. Countries with all or most of these factors rank high on the list of happiness as their citizens feel a sense of security in living there, and are able to form trusting relationships with their governments.

Genuine kindness can deepen the shallowest relationships, and turn out to be lifesavers. Being nice is an actual science that does not just help the other person, it also does wonderful things for our brain. Consciously practicing kindness can have real life benefits, from making us feel good to boosting our health through the release of heart-healthy, feel-good hormones. Being nice can activate the part of our brain that has to do with “empathy,” is a natural anxiety antidote that reduces stress and can even help us become more professionally successful.

Out of 8 billion people around the globe, minus the squalling babies who have yet to make sense of the world and the very old who have lived their best lives, it would be quite difficult to find a single man or woman who does not wish to be successful. While everyone is looking to emulate go-getters and adopt their habits, it is equally important to know which behaviours to dodge, so as to evade the lifestyle of the unsuccessful. Here are 5 overarching habits that unsuccessful people live by, for you to sidestep, or get out of.

What do Mark Zuckerberg, John Paul DeJoria and Bill Gates have in common apart from mega success? Their nondescript clothes, of course. Where celebrities pull out all the stops with their designer wear at every occasion, a majority of those belonging to the uber rich club wear and re-wear the most ordinary looking shirts and t-shirts to all sorts of extravagant occasions, rather nonchalantly. What is it that makes these pocket heavy people so carefree in their choice of wardrobe, even when they know they are constantly under the glare of the media?

Martial Arts is a popular exercise and self-defence form that everyone wishes to learn but one that demands absolute commitment and utmost diligence from its pupil, before bestowing its unique favours on them. Martial Arts can bring discipline, strength and muscle memory into one’s life and teach them reflexes that can catch predators off guard, a coveted skill crucial for every woman, especially in this subcontinent.

Farzana Shakil is one of the most trusted names for women who want to look good for an event, need a quick pick-me-up for an occasion, or simply wish to pamper themselves. The salon has topped the country’s beauty charts for years and continues to reign supreme over most other parlours of the day. From the force behind the establishment herself, here are 5 beauty facials that will leave your skin soft, supple and glowing this Eid.

Desserts are unavoidable, and quite frankly, irresistible. For diabetics with a sweet tooth and for those who prefer their desserts very mildly sweetened, here are three sumptuous after-meal treats that will fill your soul without hurting your body.

Eid-ul-Azha is around the corner, and food buffs who enjoy the festival have no doubt already chosen their traditional favourites to experiment when the meat comes in. However, people nowadays have had so much exposure to different cuisines that the meat loving heart can no longer restrict itself to only biryani and beef rezala, even during Qurbani.

Launched for the youth and keeping their unbounded energy in mind, TAAGA has inspired the younger fashion enthusiasts over the years, to no end. Where Aarong is a more mature mother brand, TAAGA is the impulsive, joyful sub-brand that is always experimenting and flying out of her comfort zone. This time too, TAAGA’s Eid drop is eclectic, daring and classy, much like its wearers. Inspired by the latest street fashion trends, TAAGA’s new collection has a lot going for it, from geometric to abstract prints and patterns.

Seldom have brands fit into consumers’ lives as seamlessly as Aarong, and no Eid is ever complete without a few choice pieces from the local brand that has now made its mark in the USA, UK, Australia, Germany, UAE and Singapore too. With 25 retail outlets across Bangladesh, Aarong has become a household name known for its employment of rural artisans in its manufacturing processes, its high-quality products and it’s refreshing take on ethnic patterns. Its latest Eid collection is no exception.

Bangladeshi weavers and artisans are a powerhouse of talent and creativity. Although especially known for their Nakshi Kantha needlework, they excel at most other traditional, artistic forms of stitching as well. Four old friends, Shirajum Munira, Fardous Ahmed, Rahmatul Alam and Nusrat Jahan, recognised the strength in this ancient heritage and instantly knew what they had to do, to lend due recognition and visibility to artisans and their work. They decided to form SutarKabbo, an establishment where rural craftswomen would be trained to create quality handicrafts and sustain their livelihoods through their skills.