Asian Woman Magazine Spring 2011 by J Wimal

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE WOMAN

ISSUE 46 5 £2.9

123 Spring Fashion Essential Pieces DISCUSSION

Dangerous Liaisons Extreme Beauty Same-Sex Desire After Infidelity 

Make him

ISSUE No46 • 2011

WANT YOU

ALESHA

DIXON “Maybe

I should marry an Asian man” TOP TIPS: Make your BOSS love you, Get BIG beautiful hair, Things HE hates, Wild hair COLOURING, FIND the love again, TWEET yourself a job, QUICK tasty recipes

TWO WEEK Body BlItz!

T he

Entertainer

USA $8.50 • UAE AED20

ASIANWOMAN

Y ONL

WHO WANTS THE WORLD

Bollywood StyleArabian ChicAsian Music AwardsMust-See PlacesBeauty TrendsFilm Reviews

AsiaGlam BREATHTAKING BEAUTY

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BY NESH

World of Fashion By Nesh

Now in purpose built building fully airconditioned and free car parking 133-135 Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, B12 8LH 0121 440 0833, 078 3401 4568

Photography: Ash Darshan ash@ashanphoto.co.uk Mua - Maz@Zensbridal Styling - Sapna Pabbi Fashion Co-ordinator - Kiroshintl info@kiroshintl.com

AsianWoman Success

98 58 56

60 58 94

CONTENTS Perfect Tens

Spotlight

19 Catwalk Trends

The hottest fashion trends of the season

21 Places You Must See

Add a rare gem to your list of ideal destinations

23 Top Tech

The latest in must-have gadgets

25 Stay Motivated

Kick your fitness regime back into gear

27 Things I Hate About You Insights into the male mind

29 Big Hair How-Tos

Inject some va va voom into your mane

31 Make Your Boss Love You

Race through the ranks with your integrity intact

33 Flirty and Floral

Brighten your spring wardrobe

66 Oxbridge Whitewash

34 Celeb Trends

Our fashion claws are out as we review the latest celeb trends

36 Style Duets

The most stylish celebrity pairings

38 Snaparazzi

The hottest looks from the red carpet

40 Born in the USA

Introducing the hottest American stars

42 Every Little Part of Me

Alesha Dixon opens her heart in Asian Woman’s exclusive interview

52 Bonjour Monsieur

Get cosy with AW’s Bachelor of the Year, Abbas Hasan

Discussions

55 Undomestic Goddess

Are beautiful people treated better than their less attractive counterparts?

56 Desperate Times

68 Getting Ahead in the Spin Crowd

Profiling PR guru Rakhee Vithlani

Love

70 After Infidelity

Learn to trust again after betrayal

72 Relationship Q&A

Rosina Khan tackles your love, sex and relationship problems

73 21st Century Daughter in Law

Shay Grewal creates harmony in your home

74 Relight the Fire

How to find the spark again

76 How to be The One

To find the perfect partner, be one first

78 Killing Kittens

What happened when we sent a Muslim girl to a sex party?

Riz Ahmed opens his heart about the Pakistan Floods

80 50 Ways to Make Him Want You

58 Written in the Stars

Introducing the gorgeous Prateik Babbar

Astrology – is it all hocus pocus?

60 Same-Sex Desires We examine

Asians’ attitude towards homosexuality today

Catch his eye and keep it on you

83 Hello Girls

Beauty

87 Beautilicious

Success

The latest news, tips and trends

63 YouTube Sensations

‘Badman’ and other rising internet stars

64 Tweet Yourself a Job

How to use social networking to land a dream role

WWW.ASIANWOMANMAG.COM

Why is it virtually impossible for poor children to get into Oxbridge?

89 How Do I...

Get beautiful brows

ASIAN WOMAN ISSUE 46

58 120 112 42 Travel

91 Beauty Q&A

132 Music

92 Faking It

134 Films

160 Travel on a Shoestring

94 Extreme Beauty

136 Arts

165 Going Dutch

We answer your burning beauty questions Go bold with your hair colour this season How far would you go to get the perfect face and body?

Desi Hits! brings us the latest music gossip The latest Bollywood films and news Controversial artist Sarah Maple explains herself

98 Hot Springs

Stunning beauty looks to suit every face

Fashion

Home

139 Arabian Nights

Mystic pieces for your own Arabesque heaven

107 Designer Profile

140 A Slice of Heaven

108 Take It to the Limit

144 Recipes

The fashion lowdown from designer brand Shivan and Narresh Reach new heights with our selection of sexy spring shoes

110 Style SOS

AW’s stylist to the stars solves your fashion dilemmas

111 Trend Injection

Our guide to getting it right this season

112 Tea Time Treats

Elegant fashion with an edge

120 Monochrome

Classic black and white like never seen before

Lowdown

128 Songs of Success

The UK Asian Music Awards nominees

131 Ones To Watch

Introducing the rising stars of tomorrow

A look at the Dubai super-villa of millionaire designer Minal Bodani Delicious dishes from Tilda Legendary Rice

The Far East on a budget

Sample Holland’s local delights

Regular

14 Mailbox 166 Scene 182 Horoscopes 183 Stockists 189 Subscriptions 190 Editor’s Choice 192 Girl About Town

150 Role Reversal

Why fathers are losing the parenting battle

151 Buy Buy Baby

Helping with the hardest job in the world

Life

153 Legal Q&A

The Darby’s Solicitors team advise

154 Health News

Feel fab with the latest in health and fitness

155 The Clinic

Health advice with Farah Ahmed

157 Diet Doctor

Your nutrition troubles solved

158 Body Boot Camp

Battle your way to a better body in two weeks

ASIAN WOMAN ISSUE 46

ISSUE No 46

. 2011

UN D

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF J Wimal

W OW N

PRODUCTION Designer: Amruta Vyas Designer: Farrah Baig ADVERTISING Sales Team Leader: Ricky Chera Sales Executive: Jo Sohanpal Sales Executive: Roshni Gohil Sales Executive: Marieta Sarai Sales Executive: Vijay Shah Distribution Executive: Kiran Gohil CONTRIBUTORS: Anita Chatterjee, Duncan Fisher, Farah Ahmed, FK Creatives, Jules McClean, Nasima Ahmed, Nathalie Eleni, Rosina Khan, Roy Sheppard, Samir Ahmed, Saran Attariwala, Sapna Pabbi, Saqib Rashid, Shay Grewal, Sneh Joshi, Sona Karia, Sripurna Basu, Zukreat PHOTOGRAPHY: Ash Darshan, James Beddoes, Kasam Shaffi, Ksenia Belash, Tracer Ital, Getty Images PUBLISHERS Managing Director: J Wimal Executive Director: Sonit Shringi Operations: Alex Kelberman

the publishers of

MAN

Style

& GROOM

& Style

and hosts of

EDITORIAL Features Editor: Kia Abdullah Features Writer: Sheeffah Shiraz Beauty Editor: Sami Rahman Sub-Editor: Rachael Elliott

JAYSON EMERALD MEDIA Head Office 34a Victoria Road, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 4JL info@asianwomanmag.com +44 (0) 208 399 8996

International USA & Canada Official Media Representative Tarnpreet Billing +00 905 487 1122

Editor’s letter

greeable occupation for the mind, that’s entertainment, by definition. If money makes the world go round, and that’s probably true, I’d say that the rotation of the world is us being entertained. What I’m trying to say is ultimately we’re all just seeking a means to amuse ourselves. This spring, Asian Woman celebrates entertainment in all its glory, from the traditional to the subversive, and please be warned this issue is not best suited to those of delicate sensibilities. But if you’re looking for entertainment you’ve come to the right place. In our signature style, this issue, as always we take boundaries and push them to daring and fascinating places such as the first in a series of investigative features by AW’s own Kia Abdullah who this issue explores the sexual underworld when she attends a Killing Kittens party (p78). We also explore the role, albeit limited, of homosexuality in popular Asian culture (p60) and we take a detailed look at the extremes people will go to, to attain perceived and idealistic beauty ideals (p94). Relationships, admit it if you dare, as well as being nourishment for the heart and soul, are probably the biggest source of entertainment in our lives. Without them, and their intrinsic trials and tribulations we’d be just plain bored. So this issue we have a bumper relationships section. We show you ways to get the one you want, (p80) and if you’ve already got them we look at ways to keep them, because no one said it would be easy (Relight the Fire p74, After Infidelity p70). And as always Asian Woman is packed with celeb style, news and features including a special look at Asians making waves across the Atlantic (p40) and people forging, albeit unconventionally, their own careers online (YouTube Sensations p63), plus our regular films, music and arts reviews in our Lowdown section (p128). Other regulars include fitness tips such as our Body Boot Camp (p158) and what issue would be complete without our fabulous fashion shoots, which this issue in the spirit of multi-tasking, were shot on location at and during our Asian Bride Show earlier this year. Last but most certainly not least, our delicious and delightful cover girl Alesha loved her Asian makeover almost as much as we loved how fabulous she looked in every shot we took. Her album The Entertainer is out now but be careful before you hit Play; if her single with our boy Jay Sean is anything to go by, you won’t be able to get the melodies out of your head. So let us entertain you. We know it won’t be easy; you’re a discerning and highly demanding audience, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Distribution India: Variety Books, Mr Om Arora, +91 11 2341 7175 Trinidad: RIK Services Limited, Charmaine Khan-Steele, +1 868 652 3830 Pakistan: Book Mart +92 (0) 356 88 828

J Wimal

On the Cover Alesha Dixon Photography: Farrah Baig Styling: J Wimal Outfits: Variety Silk House Accessories: Variety Silk House, Monsoon, Shefaly Makeup: Kym Menzies-Foster – using Guerlain and Eyelure Lashes

Paris: Bollywood Zone, Azim Modh, +33 1 5334 0043 UK Newstrade distribution Comag Specialist +44 01895 433716 UK Independent distribution Kirosh International 0208 144 9517 All rights reserved. Reproduction of pictures, articles or artwork in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Copyright © 2010 Jayson Emerald Media Corporation

Hair: Michelle Sultan – using Moroccon Oil Henna: Pavan Nails: Ama Quashie using Gelish Shoot assistant: Laura-Jayne Chatt Location: Plough Studios

Look Get The Cover

All opinions and comments expressed are that of the writers and not the publisher.

Turn to page 85 for top tips from Alesha’s own glam team!

Regular

MAILBOX

• Letters@asianwomanmag.com • The Official AW Facebook Page • Twitter: @ AsianWomanMag

@JWimal

Your mag, your views

@ KiaAbdullah @ GlamSamBeauty

Snaking around the issue I have bought your magazine religiously since it first came out and I can say I am a loyal customer of Asian Woman Magazine. I have never, ever written to you before but I have been disappointed with the previous two issues for the reason that I HATE snakes! They send shivers up my spine when I see them. I actually opened the magazine in the shop and screamed – how embarrassing was that! Please can you take this into account and do not use any more snake pictures. I’ve always associated the magazine with fashion, beauty, local community etc – these stories should not be in this magazine. Please take this into consideration. Thanks.

@ xSheefx

Behind The Scenes

Harj, Leeds

Happy Newbie

I’ve just bought the issue with Kareena Kapoor on the cover, but I would just like to know when the next issue is out. This is the first time I have ever bought this magazine and I think I am hooked, it’s very very good. Shameem Akhtar

men from mars

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AsianWo

Love

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I found the ‘Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus’ article really interesting to read. I’ve always said men were on another planet to us and now there is scientific proof to back it up! Look forward to reading more relationship features in your mag. Janna, Newcastle

raz ah Shi

eff By She

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SONIYA SONNA I was so thrilled to see Sonna Rele on your beauty shoot – she looked beautiful! I’ve been a big fan of hers and think it’s really great that she’s being recognised by the media. I love the different makeup looks on her as well and will be attempting them myself! Sabah, London

AsianWoman

Beauty

F M ACE T H E

LOOKS Y BEAUTY PERSONALIT MULTIPLE L DIVA SON NA RELE WIT H SOU NWO WWW.ASIA

MAN MAG

WWW.ASIANWOMANMAG.COM

USIC

AW Poll

HAIR

Straight Hair 75%

OR Curly Hair 25%

REALITY TV

PIN-UP

Love 85%

Jay Sean 65%

Hate 15%

Raghav 35%

TH E S IR EN

For more polls visit our website

www.asianwomanmag.com

.COM

Perfect Tens

Sorting out life,

Perfect Tens

CATWALK TRENDS Spring into this season’s top runway trends

love and everything in just 10 easy steps

Perfect Tens

LUXE 1SPORTSWEAR

STAY MOTIVATED

A-BOO 2PEEK-

CHIFFON BLOUSE

Floral heart cutout dress £15 Rare

Crafted eyelet bow shirt £24.99 Republic

Crafted freak sweat top £19.99 Republic

Already scrapped your New Year workout? Dust off your trainers and renew that vow right now!

AND MAXI 4MINI Paisley maxi dress £32 Accessorize

3TIE DYE

Images: Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

Sunray tie dye printed maxi dress £120 Monsoon

BELTS 6 SKINNY

Linea red snake print belt £22 House of Fraser

10 PEACOCK 8 PRINTS COLOUR

DETAIL 9SHOULDER 7STATEMENT HEELS San Antonio ivory organic cheesecloth beaded jacket £150 Monsoon

CLASH

Peacock plastic ring £8 Accessorize

Pleated Fan Bust Dress £65 Lipsy

Faith tropical print shoes £65 Debenhams

1. Choose the right workout for you

7. Get rid of your excuses

Do you like swimming, skating, dancing? Choose an activity you enjoy and incorporate it into your workout. It will be far easier to stick to your routine.

Have a ready-made response to common excuses. If time is an issue, make sure your workout clothes are ready to go. If you have young children, get a good jogging stroller or set up a babysitting swap.

2. Step by step

8. Easy does it

Set small, achievable goals so that you don’t get frustrated. Start with a daily 10-minute walk, move onto a 30-minute workout three times a week, eventually graduating to a 5-kilometre run.

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you break your routine. Acknowledge it when it happens, recognise that it’s just a brief period and restart your program as soon as possible.

3. Eye candy

9. Racing ahead

Make a collage of images that will inspire you. This can be of you in your slimmer days or a killer dress you’re lusting after; anything to help you get up and go.

4. Every little helps

10. Reward yourself

Erase the concept that if you can’t do 30 minutes of exercise you’re wasting your time. It improves your health even in small doses.

Monitor your progress and reward yourself for sticking to your routine.Just be weary of using edible treats as this can negate your hard work – get a massage, facial or a new top instead.

ends die r t k l atwa efore you c p o 10 T to see b -tos w s o e h c r a 10 Pl 10 Big hai otivated ind ay m he male m t S 0 1 into t gadgets s t h ve sig 10 In Must-ha loyee tips 10 d emp hion buys o o g s 10 ing fa r p S 10

5. Get the right workout gear Invest in a good sports bra and use proper running shoes instead of fashionable trainers. Being comfortable during workouts will help keep you on track.

6. Share the strain Ask a friend, neighbour or co-worker to join your workouts. Having a partner will help you stay motivated and make you less likely to wimp out.

Perfect Tens

PLACES YOU MUST SEE If you’ve done the Pyramids and the Great Wall too, add some rare gems to your list of must-dos

a Zealand is d in New by Rudyard Milford Soun described The Ban ng fjord once the world aue rice breathtaki wonder of rival the the eighth pyramid terraces in the Kipling as s in des they wou Philippi ign. If laid nes ld reac h halfway end to end, around the glob e

Angkor Wat temple in Cambo dia the early 12th century and remain was built in largest religiou s the world’s s building even today

4 5

Perfect Tens

THINGS I

HATE

ABOUT YOU

2.Overanalysing

The darker sex reveals its pet hates about women

o in Argentina Perito Moren The stunning equilibrium; in the world in ice is the only glacier as its breaking the same rate advancing at

The Galapagos Islands helped Darwin develop the theory of evolution and remain one of Earth’s most ecologically diverse places

Images: Wills India Lifestyle India Fashion Week

thenon of the Par the one of s the size four time s in Turkey was times Almost ient , Ephesu olises of anc rop in Athens ant met most vibr

“You meet a woman and have a fantastic night with her but in the morning she says: ‘I’m not that sort of girl’, ‘I don’t normally do this’, ‘This can’t happen again’. We’re living in the 21st century. Stop feeling so guilty.”

TOP TECH 103 Forget typing in your card details again and again. Simply swipe when shopping online.

Making assumptions

“When your girlfriend decides in her head that you are thinking something – it could be anything; that you do or don’t want to do something, you’d rather be doing this or that. It’s nothing to do with what you’re actually thinking but she acts on it as if it was, starting an argument regardless.”

- Mumzy

“I just don’t understand the fascination with handbags. What is it with them? I mean, at the end of the day, it’s a BAG and you’re willing to spend hundreds, sometimes thousands, of pounds on it! That’s really beyond me. Guys don’t really look at women’s handbags so I guess it’s la femme competition!” - Navin Kundra

Perfect10

We tried to get Jay Sean to reveal his pet hate, alas: “All the females in my life are 100% wonderful That’s all I’m saying!”

9. Incommunicado

(Yeah, alright, Jay. Just don’t complain next time we borrow your razor.)

“Why is it that girls put phones in bags? On silent. It’s infuriating. They then blame you for something you were trying to fix by trying to call them!”

Simply insert the tablet beneath your mattress to guarantee a wake up call to have you jumping out of bed

Desk fan £199.99 Dyson

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ayer

Pogo instant mobile printer £123.99 Polaroid

Offers high quality, fast playback of 3D and high definition content at home and whilst travelling

Versace Unique Lacquer Collection from £4,800 Frost of London

Make all of your friends jealous with one of this gorgeous Versace phones Black Enso diffuser £42.99 Made By Zen

5 Mio Navman V575 TV £149.99 Argos

BIG HAIR

Get all the convenience of a traditional Polaroid camera with a digital twist.

HowTos

Inject some va va voom into limp hair with our insider tips and tricks

Provides all the functionally of a state of the art PND device as well as the ability to watch Freeview TV (when

1. Hair Extensions

Clip-in hair extensions can give limp hair an instant boost. Beginners should try the Salon Confidential Volume Wave Extensions £45 (www.salonconfidential.co.uk) which come already styled, saving you half the work!

4. Crimping

stationary of course)

Combine these diffusers with the range of beautifully scented aromatic oils to produce luxury harmonious smells

2. Curl It

Curly hair is usually bigger than straight hair. Create tousled curls with Jonathan Long, celeb hairstylist and creator of the Big F*** Off Blowdry’s tips: “Take sections of hair and wind them around large heated rollers. Leave to dry and remove gently without touching the curls. Spritz hair with hairspray, turn your head upside down and, using your fingers, separate and tease each curl to get more volume and a natural finish.”

The new Corioliss Root Lifter, £22.99, is a great volumising hair tool for creating maximum root lift and body. Place the mini crimper as close to the roots as possible, then apply lightly. Instead of hair lying flat against the scalp it should be bouncy and fuller bodied. www.corioliss.com

1. Steal her (communication) style Do you have a boss that doesn’t want details? Wants more detail? Needs them two weeks in advance? Prefers email over calls? Work out how they like to communicate and adapt accordingly – they’ll love you for it

2. Rely on smarts, not looks

Book yourself in for a hair colour to give limp hair a new lease of life. “Hair colourants automatically swell the hair cuticle which fattens the hair,” explains Emma Backhouse, resident hairdresser at the UK Hair Colour Helpline. “Add to the illusion of thicker hair by introducing a range of highlights and lowlights. Lowlights will add depth to the hair whilst highlights will initially give you that gorgeous lift and contrast.”

Kind Ambition: Bonding with your boss can help you get ahead

Backcombing can give your hair instant volume and is super-easy to do. Start by taking three sections of hair from the crown and gently backcomb with a flat brush, then spritz with hairspray to hold the style. Remember to leave the top layer of hair untouched, otherwise it will look messy.

5. Bump it Up

3. Push for attainable deadlines If you’re managing a project that will take 40 hours if everything goes 100% perfectly, ask for 50 to allow margin for error. Meeting deadlines is the best way to prove your reliability so be realistic with your estimates

4. Ask for help If you don’t understand something, ask. It’s far better than getting it wrong and starting all over again. Asking for help shows humility and a desire to learn, and also makes the boss feel valued!

Spotting problems is a valuable skill but continually pointing out the negative isn’t going to win you favours, especially if the ideas being criticised belong to your boss. The smarter approach is to point out holes when you can suggest ways to fill them

6. Be accountable Set targets and provide tangible results that can be measured against those targets. If you make a mistake, be honest about it and accept the responsibility. Accountability is one of the most highly valued traits in the workplace

If you have thick hair, try applying a bodybuilding mousse before blow drying to keep hair volumised all day. Try James Brown Scandalous Volumising Mousse, £5.49, which will lift your roots and won’t weigh hair down.

10. Learn to Blow Dry like a Pro

Re-create the salon blow dry at home with a one hour masterclass at Urban Retreat, Harrods. The lesson will teach you the basics of a good blow dry as well as creating flicks and curls, body and bounce and using rollers. A one-hour session costs £65, call +44 (0)20 7893 8333 to book an appointment. Or, for those days when your hair refuses to behave, book yourself in for an express blow dry at the Hersheson Blow-dry Bar inside Topshop, £19 (danielhersheson.com).

9. Be Sociable Attend work socials to develop a bond with your colleagues. Volunteer to organise Friday night drinks or a summer party. It will show your dedication to not only your job but also to the team and the company

7. Work late, but only 10. If she’s a good when you need to boss,tell her! Be prepared to sacrifice evenings or weekends where necessary but don’t do it just for show. Research shows that most managers don’t care how many extra hours you work as long as the job gets done on time and to standard.

Bear in mind that your boss has pressures too. If she’s being demanding or critical, chances are she’s scared of failing and looking bad. If she’s doing a good job, tell her. Just make sure the feedback is genuine – no-one likes a sycophant

Captivia oversized floral printed prom dress £90 Monsoon

Ditch the wool and get ready for spring with these gorgeously girly pieces to brighten up your Floral Print Long Line Bra wardrobe

£12.99 Floral Print High Waisted Underwear £7.99 New Look

Cream floral print jacket £24.99 New Look

Menorca dress navy £54.99 Fever Designs

Pink Floral Print Silk Scarf £25 Marks & Spencer

Perfect Tens

Pink Floral Bangle £5.99 New Look

Floral sandal Next

9. Less is More

8. Mousse

Enrol on a course that will make you a useful member of the team. It can be directly related to your role or something on the periphery. Work in marketing? Take a proofreading course to ensure your copy is error-free. Work in events? Do a networking course to build your contacts

flirty &FLORAL

With Cloud Nine’s latest hair gadget, TheO, you can create hair that is voluminous and full of body and movement as quickly as when styling it with your straighteners. The pack comes with rollers that heat up to 130 degrees in less than four seconds. Simply pop a roller into the pod, wait for the beep, and style. TheO is priced at £149.95. To find out more, visit www.cloudninehair.com.

Celebrity hairstylist Richard Ward (www.mycouturehair.com) warns against using too many products: “The trick to achieving full bodied, bouncy hair is to not overload it with products. If you have fine hair, avoid using a serum as this may weigh it down, instead spritz some hairspray onto your hands and gently smooth over. The hair will be gently coated without flattening and the hairspray will also hold the style for longer.”

8. Skill up

5. Focus on solutions

Have you got the most stunning eyes in the world? Perhaps you can wrap people round your little finger with a smile or a wink. A dash of charm is fine, but rely on your skills, not your sex appeal. People will notice if you flirt your way up the ladder

7. Pop on Some Rollers

6. Colour Lift

The Wattson can help you save energy and up to 25% on your annual electricity bill.

Image: FK Creatives/ Jasmonique

9 10

Wattson £99.95 www.diykyoto.com/uk

3. Backcomb

Give your roots a boost with the latest Jessica Simpson Bump up the Volume extension £76 (www.hothair.co.uk). The hair extension has a half-circle base with four clips, which creates lift and volume by pushing up on the piece. Simply attach it to the back of your head and style as usual.

Zpen £54.99 Amazon

Store your handwriting and transfer it to a computer without the need for cables

Perfect Tens

This bladeless fan uses Air Multiplier™ technology to generate smooth, uninterrupted airflow. pl ray

to 7. Call arms

Sonic Alarm clock from £19.50 Amazon

AW brings you the latest must-have gadgets

Smartswipe from £64.95 Amazon

Information – not details

“Men like to talk to sort out a problem. Women like to talk because they like to talk. We want to know about your day, yes, but what Yasmin from work is doing on the weekend with her boyfriend’s niece’s dog is of no interest to me – sorry.”

Perfect Tens

“You’re

restaurant with a group of friends and when it comes to ordering, one of the girls will say she’s not having anything because she’s watching her figure, but when the food comes, she starts picking at other people’s plates. Food is there to be enjoyed so go ahead and order some.

Punishing honesty

“If you tell your girlfriend that you bumped into your ex at a party and she says, ‘Ok, I hope it wasn’t too awkward’, you’ll feel comfortable telling her similar things in the future. If, however, she gets jealous and angry, and starts an argument, you’ll start hiding things to keep the peace. Be a little cooler and we won’t keep secrets.”

Race through the ranks with your integrity intact

Superdieting

“This is a risky thing for an Asian guy to say but sometimes it’s nice for the man to be the one in control. Planning every miniscule detail is stifling and boring. Be spontaneous and let go of the reins once in a while.”

phenomenon Lights are a natural as The Northern latitudes such from northern that can be seen Scotland Iceland and even Scandinavia,

MAKE YOUR BOSS LOVE YOU

3.Control freak

The bea utiful Vic Zambia toria Fal and Zim ls, loca babwe, as Niag ted betw ra Falls are twic e as tall een

Watch real volcani c lava as it drips sea at Hawai i Volcanoes Nation into the al Park

“If a man is quiet, it probably means that he’s tired; not that he’s bored of being with you or that he doesn’t love you anymore. If he’d rather watch football one night with his mates, that’s all it means. We are simple creatures – there isn’t always a hidden meaning to everything we say or do.” - Abbas Hasan, AW Bachelor of the year 2010.

1.Old world guilt

Perfect Tens

Case Clutch £35 Accessorize

Floral print skinny belt £10 House of Fraser

Mantaray floral watch £30 Debenhams

Perfect Tens

CATWALK TRENDS Spring into this season’s top runway trends

SPORTSWEAR LUXE

PEEKA-BOO

CHIFFON BLOUSE

Floral heart cutout dress £15 Rare

Crafted eyelet bow shirt £24.99 Republic

Crafted freak sweat top £19.99 Republic

AND MAXI 4MINI Paisley maxi dress £32 Accessorize

3TIE DYE

Images: Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

Sunray tie dye printed maxi dress £120 Monsoon

SKINNY BELTS

Linea red snake print belt £22 House of Fraser

10 PEACOCK 8 PRINTS COLOUR Peacock plastic ring £8 Accessorize

CLASH

Pleated Fan Bust Dress £65 Lipsy

DETAIL 9SHOULDER 7STATEMENT HEELS San Antonio ivory organic cheesecloth beaded jacket £150 Monsoon

Faith tropical print shoes £65 Debenhams

Perfect Tens

STAY MOTIVATED Already scrapped your New Year workout? Dust off your trainers and renew that vow right now!

1. Choose the right workout for you

7. Get rid of your excuses

Do you like swimming, skating, dancing? Choose an activity you enjoy and incorporate it into your workout. It will be far easier to stick to your routine.

2. Step by step

8. Easy does it

Set small, achievable goals so that you don’t get frustrated. Start with a daily 10-minute walk, move onto a 30-minute workout three times a week, eventually graduating to a 5-kilometre run.

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you break your routine. Acknowledge it when it happens, recognise that it’s just a brief period and restart your program as soon as possible.

3. Eye candy

9. Racing ahead

Make a collage of images that will inspire you. This can be of you in your slimmer days or a killer dress you’re lusting after; anything to help you get up and go.

4. Every little helps

10. Reward yourself

Erase the concept that if you can’t do 30 minutes of exercise you’re wasting your time. It improves your health even in small doses.

Monitor your progress and reward yourself for sticking to your routine. Just be weary of using edible treats as this can negate your hard work – get a massage, facial or a new top instead.

5. Get the right workout gear Invest in a good sports bra and use proper running shoes instead of fashionable trainers. Being comfortable during workouts will help keep you on track.

6. Share the strain Ask a friend, neighbour or co-worker to join your workouts. Having a partner will help you stay motivated and make you less likely to wimp out.

flirty &FLORAL 1

Pink floral bangle £5.99 New Look

Captivia oversized floral printed prom dress £90 Monsoon

Ditch the wool and get ready for spring with these gorgeously girly pieces to brighten up your wardrobe

Floral print long line bra £12.99 Floral print high waisted underwear £7.99 New Look Cream floral print jacket £24.99 New Look

Menorca dress navy £54.99 Fever Designs

Pink floral print silk scarf £25 Marks & Spencer

Perfect Tens

Floral sandal Next

8 10

Case clutch £35 Accessorize

Floral print skinny belt £10 House of Fraser

Mantaray floral watch £30 Debenhams

Spotlight

Snaparazzi

Monica Dongre channels the tribal trend with this brightly striped top. The exposed midriff and highwaisted skirt also gives this outfit just the right amount of sexy.

Candy stripe maxi dress £75 Monsoon

Janina Gavankar looks hot in this purple number. The nude shoes make it so-on-trend.

Purple One Shoulder Dress £49 Very.co.uk

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Katrina Kaif’s floor-length red dress offsets her pale skin and dark hair beautifully.

Red ruffle one shoulder dress £59 Littlewoods

Alesha Dixon is a true golden girl in this showstopping sequin number.

Red Herring Sequin Dress dress £65 Debenhams

Spotlight

We review the best dressed on the red carpet and show you how to get their look

Balloon sleeve pussybow blouse £12 Primark Grey tailored trousers People Tree Peacock Alice £12 Accessorize

Getty Images

Jameela Jamil, known for her uber sense of style, never disappoints.

Autograph dress £16 Marks & Spencer

Rachel Roy definitely knows how to work the tailored look/statement necklace combo.

Gold filigree collar necklace £45 House of Fraser

Black bag £20 A|wear

Neha Dupia looks ready for spring in this bright yellow number. The studded details definitely give this dress an edgy look.

Elver yellow maxi dress £200 Monsoon

Celina Jaitley looks gorgeous in this green peacock inspired sari.

Rosemary blue and green pleated dress £80 Monsoon

Spotlight

Every Little Partof Me Alesha DixoN HAS FACED TRIAL AFTER TRIAL BUT THE STUNNING SONGSTRESS HAS BATTLED HER WAY TO SUCCESS NONETHELESS. AS HER duet with Jay Sean IS RELEASED TO ADORING FANS, SHE opens her heart in this exclusive interview By Rachael Elliott

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Spotlight

Discussions

omosexual – a person who is sexually attracted to people of their own sex.

Throughout history there has been an ongoing debate between those who are for and those who are against homosexuality; those who believe that we should be free to love whomever we want and those who believe that engaging in sexual relations with someone of the same sex is a crime.

In large parts of the modern world, homosexuality has come to be accepted as an alternative way of life. We are seeing more and more TV shows, films and general literature depicting this lifestyle choice. Popular Western shows like Glee, Ugly Betty, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Will and Grace feature lovable homosexual characters, while public figures such as Gok Wan, Alan Carr and Graham Norton have all become popular for playing up their sexuality with overt flamboyancy and attitude. In some circles, a gay best friend is considered a musthave accessory for trendy fashionistas. Of course, this easy tolerance of gay culture is not reflected everywhere in the world, a fact that necessitates events such as Mumbai Queer Pride Week. “This year, we march again, for not just freedom, but also for our constitutional rights,” says the Queer Azaadi Mumbai website. “In so many countries, invisibility is the norm and the preferred option for those who have same-sex desires.” Why, in the 21st century, is there still so much stigma attached to the titles ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’? Why is coming out still so hard for young men and women in the Asian community? And why are gay rights protests still so essential? In July 2009, the Delhi High Court passed a landmark judgement where it ‘read down’ Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code so that sexual acts between consenting adults of the same sex in private were no longer criminalised. However, this decision is still strongly opposed by religious fundamentalists who claim that it goes against Indian culture. Some would even go so far as to say that homosexuals are ‘diseased’. In 2006, Manvendra Gohil became the only person of royal lineage in India to have openly come out as gay and is now looked upon as a champion for gay rights and an activist for HIV awareness. Manvendra took part in a show titled Undercover Princes for the BBC in 2009, which documented his search for a British boyfriend in Brighton. Unfortunately, the Prince failed to find love in the ‘gay capital’. After he revealed his sexual orientation, Manvendra’s family accused him of dishonouring the clan. Additionally, when this story hit the headlines in March of that year, traditionalists in Rajpipla burnt effigies of the prince. It is ironic then that the multimillion-dollar industry that is Bollywood relies a great deal

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SAME-SEX

DESIRES on the silver screen

Mumbai Queer Pride Week 2011 hosted a whole week of parties, talks, live music, dance and film all in the name of gay rights, but just how accepting is the Asian community towards gay culture today? By Rachael Elliott

e u s s i ! l l w u o f n e s h e t v l d e a h e s r on

Beauty

Faking it Turn heads this season with a brightly-coloured barnet Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never been an easier or quicker way to change your look than to dye your hair. A simple swap from dull brown or off-black to fiery red or glossy black can brighten your complexion and make you look younger and healthier. And with a huge variety of home hair colour options itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a lot cheaper than popping to the hairdressers!

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Beauty

HAIRCARE Colouring your hair regularly can cause damage as the elasticity of the hair is reduced, making it more likely to suffer breakage and split ends. To combat this you should use a deep conditioning treatment once a week. Colour can also fade after a few weeks, especially if you’ve gone for a lighter colour, so invest in a good gloss treatment.

DIY COLOUR When colouring hair yourself you should always take a patch test first. This will determine whether you’re likely to have an allergic reaction to the dye. To begin, wear an old shirt so your clothes aren’t ruined, then apply Vaseline around your hairline so that the colour doesn’t stain your face. Brush tangles out of your hair and split into sections, then massage the dye into your hair and comb out so that it’s evenly distributed. Once all the sections have been coloured pop a shower cap on and wait for the recommended amount of time before washing it out. Fudge Paintbox Creative Conditioning Colour £8.95

colour

CHAMELEON

RIHANNA

PICK YOUR POISON

For a subtle tint go for an auburn or plum tone or really heat things up with a bright, flaming red! TRY: John Frieda Precision Foam Colour in Deep Cherry Brown £7.99

Jet Black

PRIYANKA CHOPRA

Red hot

You can still make an impact with black hair. Just make sure the colour is deep and use a deep conditioner to give it shine TRY: L’Oreal Casting Creme Gloss in Ebony Black £6.49

NICOLE SCHERZINGER

Blonde Ambition

KATRINA KAIF

KAREENA KAPOOR

If you’re feeling daring, make the switch to blonde – but beware; bleaching your locks can seriously damage them and this look doesn’t suit everyone. TRY: Garnier Nutrisse Cream in Ash Blonde £5.10

g Shoppin List

KIM KARDASHIAN

Love Hair Extensions Clip in Streaks £3.50 each

Wacky Have fun with your hair by adding pink or blue streaks or go all out and dye it a wacky colour. Grey is huge this season! TRY: Stargazer Silver Look Hair Dye £3.95 LADY GAGA

NICKI MINAJ

the options

Heat Activated Reconstructor Milk £15.25 Kerastase

Ruhena Begum (Asia Glam)

Image: Creative Directing, Make-up & Photography:

Guardian Shampoo for colour treated hair £9.95 GHD

TEMPORARY COLOUR These dyes rest on the surface of the hair and are usually used after shampooing. They typically last between one to three washes. SEMI-PERMANENT COLOUR This type of hair dye is good for temporarily darkening cover up to 30% of grey hair. The colour lasts for up to six washes.

Why don’t you... Get clip-in coloured

the streaks. hair and They’recan commitment-free and can instantly

PERMANENT COLOUR Permanent colourants will last until the coloured hair is cut, but throughout time it can start to fade. They’ll also cover 100% of white or grey hair. Protect and Shine Leave in Conditioner £17 Jo Hansford

jazz up dull hair!

BLEACH Bleaching permanently removes colour from the hair and is used to lighten dark hair. It’s also the most damaging form of hair dye.

Beauty

Hot

SPRINGS

Turn the heat up this season with desert damsel chic WWW.ASIANWOMANMAG.COM

Beauty

FIRE IN HER EYES Let your lips do the talking with a bright, coral lipstick. Try MAC Kissable Lipcolour in Exxxhibitionist which applies as a gloss and dries to a matte finish to help keep lips moisturised. For the base, use a full coverage foundation like Givenchyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Photo Perfextion Fluid Foundation. Then light dust a coral blush over your cheeks to give it a natural flush. NARS Blusher in Orgasm has shimmer particles to help make your complexion more radiant. For eyes, line with a black khol, like Shiseido Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil and smudge in with a dark brown eyeshadow.

look

Beauty

fire in her eyes Kissable Lipcolour in Exxxhibitionist £16 MAC

Blusher in Orgasm £19.50 NARS

Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil £18 Shiseido

Photo Perfextion Fluid Foundation £31.50 Givenchy

the

sun on the sand Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser £33 Laura Mercier

Rouge Pure Shine Lipstick in Pink Sorbet £22.50 YSL

Eyeshadow in Ricepaper £11.50 MAC

MYSTIC MAUVE

Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss £13 in Grapefruit Clinique

Bronzing Pearls £11 No7 Teint Miracle Foundation £26 Lancôme

Eyeshadow in Peony £17 Bobbi Brown

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MUA & Photography: Ruhena Begum (AsiaGlam) www.AsiaGlamAcademy.co.uk

get

Sugarbomb £23.50 Benefit

Fashion

Soufflé feather sandal £55 Office

Leather ballerina shoe £28 Accessorize

Bea pump £55 Dune

Tribal sandal £26 Next

take it to the limit Reach new heights with our Sailor kitten heels £32 Asos

Curvy flat sandals £99 Hobbs

NW3 Hankins scalloped wooden sandals £110 Hobbs

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selection of sexy spring shoes

Python print sandal £35 Kaleidoscope

Suzie suede loafers £85 Bertie

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Black & white kitten heel £39.99 River Island

NW3 Hankins origami slingbacks £139 Hobbs

Sugar wooden heel £45 Asos

Autograph metallic leather woven sandals £55 Marks & Spencer

Autograph patent leather peeptoes £49 Marks & Spencer

Fashion

Peep-toe show boot £44.99 River Island

Bow platforms court shoes £40 Next

Autograph suede platform shoe boots £49 Marks & Spencer

Hot pink wind up wedges £60 Office

H! by Henry Holland loafers £50 Debenhams

Spot court shoe £35 Next

Gold metallic heel £44.99 Tamaris

Peep-toe clog £95 FCUK

Red Herring glitter sandal £35 Debenhams

Red or Dead magenta platforms £72 Schuh

Floral wedges £69.99 River Island

Miss KG blue snake stilettos £75 Kurt Geiger

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Yellow mouse twist heel £75 Schuh

Orange woven wedges £65 Office

Red Herring floral wedges £38 Debenhams

Brown buckle wedges £125 Asos

Fashion nt iffere the d ll ges a n t ry ou ty ora T s . e g z n. sprin s and ’ collectio p this us lemon s o b p o ac itr rt to arc J s to c ill sta d in M ry red urs w n r a lo e o b C Orange satin dress with pink ham om urs fr oria Beck flavo t block trim £26.99 New Look ic V on seen

STYLIST TIP For the complete 70s look add bold stones, long necklaces and strings of beads.

Pair these pretty Flower Flare chiffon trousers £45 Lipsy with a plain silk shirt

Betty Jackson Block Dress £65 Debenhams

STYLIST TIP If you’re not brave enough to pull off this trend head-to-toe, add hints of it through a silk vest or shirt. It’s a very sexy casual look with a modern sport lux twist.

Pyjama Party

Citrus yellow shalwar kameez Prince Fashion

Citrus and Zesty Colours

This trend happens to be related to the ‘underwear is outwear’ look, which was prominent in spring 2010 trends. Pull it off with loose garments and lots of drapery; try slip dresses, silk lux looking vests and loose draped trousers, inspired by the likes of Alexander Wang, Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren.

Silk pants £24.99 New Look

MIXING

TREND n o ti c e j In

PRINTS

Georgia blouse and jungle pants £34.99 River Island

New year. New start. New clothes? Follow our guide to getting it right this spring By Nasima Ahmed Whatever your excuse, it’s time to spring into action and update your wardrobe with this season’s hottest looks. We’ve got the best buys straight from the catwalk, ready for you to lust after. The 70s look is making a comeback this spring, and it’s almost like it never went out of style. Keep it slick and stylish with a touch of minimalism mixed in. Inspired catwalk looks come from the likes of Tommy Hilfiger and Marc Jacobs, and include high-waisted flares and midi skirts tightened at the waist.

We love: Butterfly by Matthew Williamson chunky peach bracelet £15 Debenhams We love: Matte gold angular ring £45 House of Fraser Bag Alert: Beautiful structured satchel £35 Accessorize

Stick with bold is beautiful with this bright orange/tan wedge sandal £160 Office

Skulls Curio charm bracelet £48.75 Eclectic Shock

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STYLIST TIP If you’re not confident in mixing two prints try one block colour and one print like this outfit. You don’t have to stick to one type of print this season; instead, try mixing two styles together.

Fashion

What are you working on right now? The 2011 resort collection for Lakmé Fashion Week 2011 What can we expect from your 2011 spring/summer collection? You can expect to see holistic efforts in realising a woman’s wardrobe for a holiday, trying to take care of all nuances of her needs while in a holiday resort or a city spa Has there been a particularly defining moment in your career? There are too many to mention, a few of which are: Winning the Italian swimwear award Mittelmoda in 2006, launching the brand in Cannes at Mare Di Moda in 2008 and launching India’s first luxury beachwear brand through Lakmé Fashion Week in March 2010. Followed by being featured in the Kingfisher calendar 2010 and 2011. Where do you get the inspiration from for your collections? It has always been an intrinsic process supported by external skills and experiences. The two are then seamlessly put together for an inspiration that serves people to dream of an experience of a holiday they have never visualised before Who is you favourite model or celebrity to have walked the ramp? Lisa Haydon, Tamara Moss, Miriam Ilorah on the Indian runway all make for a great brand statement. What trends do you predict to be big for summer 2011? Fabrics will be cotton, linen and lightweight silk. Moving away from the body should be high on trend in sense of design and comfort for summer. The colours I predict to be big are whites, tree greens and fuchsia. What is the worst fashion crime a woman can commit? Anarkali silhouettes in the contemporary era. What’s the secret to good style? Wear your size and adapt the three Cs formula of Cut, Colour and Comfort for intelligent dressing. What item of clothing should all women have in their wardrobe? A cotton body suit, especially for working women. Describe your style in three words: Bold, confident and clean.

D e s ig n e r

Pro file :

h s e r r a N Shivan & Images: Lakme Fashion Week

hion lowdown AW gets the fas

Fashion

TT T

ea ime reats

Feast upon these delectable spring fashion

WWW.ASIANWOMANMAG.COM

delights

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AsianWoman Fashion

Grey and pink suit Reet by Zarias

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Fashion

monochrome Keep it minimal. make an impact

WWW.ASIANWOMANMAG.COM

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Fashion

Black minidress Aftershock

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Home

Matthew Williamson Butterfly damask votives £16 each Debenhams

Arabian NIGHTS Create your own Arabesque HEAVEN with these mystic pieces

Tia sequin canvas £45 Very

Meduse large white lampshade £480 Gong

Bizz oval lampshade in purple £99 Gong

Baroque wall clock £30 Next

OK ing. O L od light o E m r H o f t TT re grea .

a m here anadround the roo p s o m t a r ik e scatte n s u al abrics l f eate afrsae grances and s r c u o n u t a c es r musky sump candlG . o go fonr d satin. o fo s y r Scented u ahogany x m u a l d r t e n u h a o t ab l ea gold ok is all silk , velvet , uchsia , f , e n i g T hi s lo r aube purples, p e e d f et t e o lour pal o c a o t Stick

Suzanne purple damask wallpaper by Marcel Wanders £21.98 B&Q

Jolanda sofa £1,400 House Couturier Betty Jackson purple melted line bottle vase £35 Debenhams

Coloured glass Moroccan lantern £49.99 Home Sense

Solar mosaic table light £14.95 House of Bath

Moroccan style tealight holders £3.75 Berry Red Matthew Williamson Debenhams

Matthew Williamson Butterfly Uzbek cushion £22 Debenhams

Biba Adrina cushion £30 House of Fraser Mill Moroccan stitched pouffe £19.99 Dunelm Mill

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Fuchsia hand quilted velour blanket £135.25 Berry Red

“I said to my husband, forget about diamonds and day jobs, instead give me a challenge to design and build our homes”

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ENTRANCE GALLERY

heaven

FORMAL RECEPTION LOUNGE

REAR OF VILLA

VIEW OF GARDENS

slice of

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DINING HALL

Home

Minal and Hitesh Bodani live in a stunning super-villa in the heart of the exclusive Emirate Hills, Dubai. But real luxury, they say, is spending time with family and sharing their home with loved ones. So when the couple invited AW into its home, we could hardly say no...

t all started when Minal decided to ditch her day job and risk everything to follow an ambitious dream. A super-successful systems analyst married to an equally successful doctor, Minal had everything she could want in life – except one: her inherent need to be challenged lay unfulfilled. And since Minal is a doer, not a talker, she quit her job and took on the task of designing and building their threestorey super-villa in Dubai. “I said to my husband, forget about diamonds and day jobs, instead give me a challenge to design and build our homes,” says Minal. “To date, our Dubai home is our fourth family residence which I have built.” And what a home it is: eight bedroom suites (some with their own reception room, kitchen and laundry facilities), 10 bathrooms, three lounges, several bars, two lifts, a spa-gymnasium with a 10-person steam room, 20-metre pool and 12person infinity spa tub, 12-seater cinema room and three staff apartments, not to mention the roof terrace with a sky bar and the gazebo with unipolar directional sound installations for alfresco parties. The panoramic abode of princely proportions is truly a sight to behold. Full of individual touches, the house reflects Minal’s rebellious streak: “Like people, designs of homes also possess their very own qualities of inner fire, elegance, honour

AsianWoman Home

and individuality. I have never been part of mass culture and love challenging conventional notions. I display this streak in my interior design where I allow my mind to speak and my ideas to surface and infiltrate my home.” With no obvious front façade, the angled entrance to the villa cloaks the magnificent scale of the home within its walls. Built over three years, the villa boasts fluid curvilinear planes in lieu of angular lines to reveal wide open spaces that melt into each other effortlessly. Space, air and light seem to be the cornerstones of its design. It has a generous application of glass throughout, from floors and windows to the ceilings. In fact, nearly every room, whether on ground floor or basement (yes, the basement!) opens to an outdoor space and is bursting with light. Almost the entire rear of the house has sliding glass window walls that open up to an expanse of multi-terraced outdoors which is contiguous with the entire ground floor of the house. Minal says: “I had to work very hard to dissolve the solid barriers between inside and outside to create a more continual space free of any visual interference. With these ‘moving walls’, the home becomes one remarkable space and nearly every room opens to another and to outdoor space, so you don’t always know whether you’re inside or outside… The last thing I wanted was to build a monolithic white square monument with 15 square bedrooms!” One of Minal’s most extravagant indulgences is the luxurious private serenity spa for regeneration and relaxation. It is a slice of heaven with a number of heat and aqua experiences helping to enrich the lifestyles of guests through complete immersion into healthy and mindful living. On offer is an astounding assortment of spa, massage and beauty treatments along with an aromatherapy and chromatherapy steam room and a further two relaxation rooms, which feature a lounger and ergonomic body cushions that heat up and gently massage the whole body, while you are also enjoying a massage from qualified staff.

Minal says: “I love a massage, a facial and all those multi-sensory self indulgent and harmonious experiences so I incorporated all of these under one roof to create a tranquil haven that would make me feel enriched in my own serene environment without stepping a foot outside. Besides, it’s a woman’s prerogative to stay youthful and always look and feel at her best!” Dividing her time between homes in Knightsbridge, Manhattan, Cannes and Dubai, Minal did not always live in the lap of luxury. As a system analyst, she supported Hitesh Bodani, her husband of 23 years, through his years as a medical student while he drove a minicab to help pay for his study fees and their day to day living. We spent some time with Hitesh to see if he would break his silence on what we believe to be his extraordinary billion dollar success (though the influential Sunday Times Rich List last valued his net assets at a ‘mere’ $350 million). Hitesh, with his humble demeanour, is no scion of privilege; brought up in a tough London neighbourhood, he spun an inherited repertoire of business into a hugely successful empire. Of this success, he says: “My father always encouraged me to have foresight and to diversify

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CAMP

Body Boot

By Saqib Rashid

Battle your way to a better body in just two weeks pring may signify new beginnings but it’s also a time for panic. As the wedding season starts and the party invites roll in, you fast realise that your New Year’s resolutions lie in tatters, the holiday weight clings on and that body you’ve been dreaming of since, oh, 1999 seems further away than ever before. Well, fear not, for Asian Woman’s super-fit expert Saqib Rashid is on hand to whip you into shape just in time for the party season.

DON’T skip meals

Don’t even think about skipping breakfast. Your body will have been fasting for 6-10 hours during the night and needs refuelling. Crash dieting only leads to weight gain later on, plus it makes you lose weight from all the wrong places – usually your face and chest rather than thighs and stomach. Eating breakfast will raise your metabolic rate and burn food effectively for the rest of the day. Cut out junk food altogether, opting for healthy, organic foods instead. The 5-Day Food Plan below presents a tasty, varied diet that will help you get fit quick.

DO eat negative calorie food

Although no food is actually ‘negative calorie’, there are certain foods that have such few calories that the act of digestion in the body will burn more calories than the food itself, creating a negative calorie balance. For example, a 25-calorie piece of broccoli (100 grams) requires 80 calories to digest in the body,

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resulting in a net loss of 55 calories! Some great negative-calorie foods include asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, lettuce and zucchini. Include these in your weight loss plan. Aim to consume approximately 1,000 calories a day – this will encourage weight loss without affecting basal metabolic rates.

DON’T wolf your food down

Try to eat your meals slowly. Savour every bite and really enjoy your food. It takes your body around 20 minutes to realise that it’s full. If you eat too fast, you will eat excess calories while your body is determining whether it is still hungry. By the time it realises that it’s full, it’s too late; you’ve already eaten more than you need!

DO eat more fibre

Fibre will give you a feeling of fullness with a limited amount of calories. It also helps to reduce constipation, indigestion, gallstones and cholesterol, and assists in combating heart disease and some cancers. Eat a variety of fibres (soluble and insoluble). A varied, healthy diet will provide both. Soluble fibre comes from fruits while insoluble fibre comes from whole grains. Fibre-rich foods include oat, bran, beans, lentils, fruit, vegetables, whole wheat bread, brown rice and oatmeal.

DON’T ignore the 8-glasses a day rule

Drinking water is one of the most important aspects to losing weight. It cleans and flushes your system of harmful toxins. Incredible as it may seem, water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in both losing and retaining weight. Although most of us take it for granted, water may be the only true “magic potion” for permanent weight loss. It suppresses the appetite naturally and helps

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Travel

Travel on a Shoestring Often referred to as The Golden Land, Thailand gives off a certain lustre just waiting to be discovered By Rachael Elliott

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Travel

the route

When I first decided to pack my bags and set off to the South East I was met by a barrage of naïve negativity: ‘Isn’t it dangerous?’, ‘I couldn’t stay in a hostel, aren’t they dirty?’, ‘I like my creature comforts too much to go travelling’ and ‘I’d be too scared of the language barrier, I wouldn’t know what to do!’ to name but a few of the comments I received. But for all of you out there who have always mused at the prospect of visiting the unknown, read on to discover just how easy (and amazing) it really is.

bangkok

fter my 13-hour plane ride I touched down in Bangkok only to spend the 30-minute taxi ride to the hostel in stunned silence whilst staring out of the window. The bustling traffic, skyscrapers and giant billboards made me feel almost at home in a city miles away from everything I knew. That was until I reached Khao San Road. A far cry from the glorious sandy beaches that the name Thailand would usually evoke in my imagination. Instead I discovered a lively city demanding me to shake off my jet lag and join in the sà·nùk (Thai for ‘fun’).

What to do

I warn you now: If you are on a very tight budget then it’s probably best to avoid Khao San Road during the day. If, however, you have a bit of a shopping addiction like me, just walking down the street is like finding yourself in a little bit of heaven. Adorned with stalls, you can pretty much find anything you could ever want for a ridiculously low price, which if you barter correctly you can almost halve.

Once the sun goes down the clothes stalls are exchanged for pop-up bars all offering Thailand’s infamous buckets and the whole place pretty much becomes a party scene. A few of the bars feature live Thai bands, which are well worth the visit. One of my favourites was Gazebo, a rooftop bar-cum-club with a Moroccan vibe. If you’re not interested in the party scene there are numerous restaurants to suit just about any budget. However, I do think that it is essential to try out the street vendors at least once. If you feel dubious, try the safer vegetable/noodle dishes such as Pad Thai, which you can get for a ridiculously cheap 30 Baht. They also offer fruit ‘shakes’ (fruit juice and crushed ice) which are just perfect for cooling you down. Aside from the busy Khao San Road there are plenty more things to see and do in Bangkok. I spent my first full day taking in the city on a riverboat cruising down the Chao Phraya River, stopping first at Wat Suthat and later at Wat Pho, two of the most worthwhile temples to visit. In fact Wat Pho houses the giant reclining Buddha, which is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. The next day was spent at the Grand Palace, and grand it was. Spectacularly this is one of the city’s most famous landmarks with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail. If you plan to

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visit ensure you take a bottle of water in with you; without much shade within the palace walls it’s easy to overheat. Despite being busy with wild nights out, busy, cultural days and random shopping sprees I still found time to treat myself to one of Thailand’s famous massages. At only 250 Baht this was affordable luxury at its best! Also I know you can now find them in the UK, but the experience of a fish massage is definitely best in the fun, carefree environment that Bangkok offers.

Where to stay

One of my preferred places of rest was the Wild Orchid Villa just off Khao San Road. It’s a perfect starting point for any trip with varying levels of luxury. Personally, I think when arriving in a city known to be one of the hottest in the world, air con is a must! A standard twin room here with all a traveller’s luxuries (air con, private bathroom, hot/ cold shower, TV) starts at just 700 Baht per room, roughly £15. The best point about this hotel is that its sister hotel just around the corner is one of the few in Bangkok with a pool, which you can use for free! Until you get used to the stifling heat this may just become your best decision yet.

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the asian bride show CATWALK @ wembley stadium â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JANUARY 2011 The Asian Bride Show Catwalk by Platinum Model Management was just one of the many attractions at the Asian Bride Show 2011, proving a huge hit with exhibitors and visitors alike. The catwalk show, in association with Ritzy Entertainment and Desi Mobi, showcased the latest designs from a range of carefully selected suppliers, namely: Vasansi Jaipur, PFS Designers, Shoffa Jewellers and Textiles, Reet by Zariyahs, Prince Fashion, Shanaiya, Sherwanis by Venisons and Krishna Gift House. The gorgeous designs left brides-to-be weak at the knees, with several snapping up outfits before the show even ended. Feast your eyes, ladies... www.asianbrideshow.com Photography by Jagdeep Dhillon

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hrithik roshan waxwork @ madam tussauds – JANUARY 2011 Hrithik Roshan came face-to-face with his wax figure at Madame Tussauds, London, commenting: “It’s incredible just how detailed the figure is – they’ve really captured my look. I’m truly honoured to be included and hope my fans like seeing the figure.” Hrithik joins Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan in Madam Tussauds’ special Bollywood area. After the unveiling, Hrithik hot-footed it to a banquet laid on by Sanjay Foods and Gaylords, now part of Kwality Events, to celebrate the accolade.

amir khan pakistan fundraiser @ bolton – JANUARY 2011 Champion boxer Amir Khan hosted a fundraiser for the Pakistan floods as part of his ongoing efforts to raise awareness. The conscientious sports star visited affected areas with Oxfam last September and had this to say six months on: “The Pakistan floods were a massive disaster and it will take time for people to rebuild their lives. Even today some people’s fields are full of waist-high flood water. Thousands of families are still living under canvas in the camps and the temperatures are plummeting. We should not forget the families caught up in the floods. They still need our help to recover.”

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ashmit patel’s birthday party @ veda, mumbai – JANUARY 2011 Actor and reality star Ashmit Patel was treated to a special birthday party by his sister, Bollywood actress Amisha Patel. The star of Big Boss, India’s answer to Big Brother, celebrated with friends, family and co-stars including Hrishant Goswami, Rahul Bhatt, Shweta Tiwari, Sakshi Pradhan, Sara Khan and the voluptuous Veena Malik who looked particularly stunning in a pretty purple number. Ashmit, now 33, was pictured laughing and joking with the young starlet – even feeding her a slice of cake personally.

DEV ANAND RELAUNCHES HUM DONO @ mumbai – FEBRUARY 2011 Legendary actor Dev Anand welcomed a host of stars at the re-release of his classic Hindi film Hum Dono. Bollywood heavyweights in attendance included Aamir Khan with wife Kiran Rao, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi, Naseruddin Shah and Salman Khan who was seen embracing Govinda who he has reportedly had a long-running feud with. Hum Dono, first released 50 years ago, was produced by Dev who also stars in it in a double role.

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Girl About Town

Talking Sex, The City and More…

PLAYING THE FIELD Are unfaithful men on the menu?

Every loved-up living being loves to utter those dreaded words us ‘poor’ singletons loath to hear: “Don’t worry, there’s plenty more fish in the sea.” What they don’t quite realise is, forget the goddamn fish – when you’re single and over 30 there’s not even any water left. This swiftly leads me onto our options in this currently dry climate. What I’ve noticed is that my single, free-spirited and independent nature is proving to be a turn-on for men... Not the single man, but the UNAVAILABLE MAN. When in our lives did it become okay for a married or spokenfor man to openly flirt and seduce you? Whether I’m in the office or meeting somebody new in a bar, it seems the word ‘girlfriend’ or ‘wife’ is just some insignificant small print to some men who blatantly like to have their cake and 69 it too. During a recent drunken team night out, I found myself in a situation with a gorgeous colleague of mine. He’s allegedly in love with his girlfriend and has just moved in with her. Did that stop him trying to ram his tongue down my throat? Nope. After endless shots of tequila, he was trying really hard to impress me with his ‘gora grind’ dance moves to cheese music, which really didn’t go down too well. He then started whispering sexual innuendo in my ear and suggested “we should go somewhere”.

in acts during meetings, conference calls and ‘so called’ client lunches. “WHAT?!” We were so shocked our innocent little Anon had succumbed to a sordid affair. She revealed that he had spent a year trying to seduce her, from flirty emails and texts to sad attempts of dry humping her in the bogs from what I understood. I didn’t even know that was legal. Eventually she caved; this was a very attractive and experienced man giving a single woman some major attention eight hours a day. Now they’re so used it, ‘office job’ will never mean the same thing again. Just when we

I’m sure spoken-for women reading this are probably thinking “You led him on”, “Men are weak” blah blah. But the point is why are us singletons left to do the right thing and say NO, especially when we have nothing to lose? I left my ‘gorgeous gora grind’ behind and he went home to his poor sap of a girlfriend who was probably looking at colour schemes for their new pad. It seems I’m not the only one who falls prey to the settled down man looking for a bit of filthy fun. “He’s not even bothered he’s stroking my leg with the same hand as his wedding ring,” my friend Anon said. We were having an innocent Mexican dinner when our friend decided to spill the beans on her secret affair with her married boss. For the past six months, they’ve been engaging

were trying to digest the information with our pina coladas, out she came with the one thing that confirmed the difference between a man and a woman. “But I do really like him... we have a special connection.” “Nooooo!” we all screamed. The man’s got his office jobs done at work as well as the satisfaction of going home to his wife to play happy families. He’s loving it! What women don’t realise is that men love the challenge and the chase, and women love to be pursued. This is the sole reason why affairs happen: Fulfilling egos. Once the mission is complete, it’s onto the next prey for the man whilst women blindly think it ‘meant something’. Anon wasn’t the first office affair and by far wont be the last. The boss did what he knew best... got what he wanted.

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“It seems the word ‘girlfriend’ or ‘wife’ is just insignificant small print to men who like to have their cake and 69 it too”

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That got me thinking. We’re in such a marriage obsessed culture, but how sacred is marriage if ‘the one’ is no longer enough? A good male friend of mine is totally loved up with his girlfriend and hoping to get married next year. But he’s also spent eight years of his relationship being unfaithful. Apparently, conquering women is an ‘addiction’ for him. “I love my girlfriend, but men love to know they’ve still ‘got it’ and can bag a woman they find attractive. Do I feel bad? Yes. Can I stop? No. Besides, love has nothing to do with SEX and that’s all it is at the end of the day.” He’s so used to his two worlds; his conscience doesn’t even know what guilty means anymore.

Ashley Cole, Tiger Woods, Charlie Sheen, Eric Benet and Michael Douglas are all fine examples of straying on their beautiful partners as a result of their ‘addiction’. Their only regret is getting caught. So if more men are happy to be unfaithful and see it as the ‘norm’, does that mean single women are left to do the right thing during a blatant man drought? Hardly seems fair when there are no rules or morals left in today’s relationships. What’s more, an unavailable man is an attractive proposal for a single woman. We can use them as much as they use us and still continue an independent life and date whomever we please. The only problem with that theory is women are unfortunately born with something called ‘emotions’ and like Anon, eventually get attached. There’s also a major obligation to support our fellow females (i.e. What if I was the wife or girlfriend? Poor bird, I can’t do that to her etc). So, in conclusion, are we just meant to be fishing for The One or are we supposed to be catching as many fish as we can? Even if they belong to another school, they’re still swimming in our direction after all? As the saying goes: First come, first served and I’m so ready for a good catch. Until the next time,

Sona x

e u s s i ! l l w u o f n e s h e t v l d e a h e s r on