FashionEASTaSA 2013

Thanks to the celebrity event planner, Mr. Aadil Saith CEO of Unusual Functions, I had the opportunity of being a VIP guest at the FashionEASTaSA fashion show 2013 held a week ago at the Dance Factory downtown Jozi. I must be honest when I heard that the event was going to be held at this location, my primary concern was my safety and of course will my vehicle be safe. I was quite surprised to discover that the Dance Factory is indeed an excellent centrally located venue thereby making it ideally suited for an urban, multicultural ambience. The parking facility was excellent and  of course there were car guards on duty as usual. I think South Africa is the only country in the world where car guards are employed to look after vehicles in a parking lot thereby preventing vehicles from getting stolen. Guests were treated to a buffet lunch on arrival. Following a mad hatters retro theme in accordance with the new logo launched earlier this year, guests were transported into a world of colour with beautifully decorated cupcakes and other delicious goodies that were definitely a visual feast and brought out "the arrh factor" in most of the attendees present. I particularly enjoyed the assortment of salads, the pastas and the beautifully garnished kebaab skewers. 

I must compliment the organizing team on a well put together show. The choreography was done by DJ Zuby who sat next to me throughout the entire event. He is originally from Mumbai but now resides in South Africa as he is pursuing a career in aviation.I must say that he has amassed quite a female fan following here in South Africa through his music. The clothing range that truly brought out the wow factor in me was undoubtedly the range by Archana Kochhar, an internationally acclaimed Mumbai based designer. She also happens to be a close friend of Luvv Israni who is a dear friend of mine and is undoubtedly one of India's leading fashion and advertising photographers at present. Archana's sari range was not only stylish and elegant, but her choice of colours coupled with soft flowing fabrics will surely make any woman feel sensual and beautiful. Her outfits are also reasonably priced and affordable to most people in society. Hats off to Zuri Couture for bringing this elegant range of clothing to South Africa. However, whilst many were under the impression that the Manish Malhotra and Neeta Lulla dresses were original pieces, I was quite disappointed to discover after the show that the outfits were in fact replicas of these highly accomplished designers. I had the privilege of meeting Manish during my trip to Mumbai and I also had a chance of viewing his exclusive clothing range at the world famous Mumbai based clothing store, Sheetal.

Abayaat has become more of a fashion statement within the Muslim community and has thus lost its purpose of concealment. What I seen on the ramp can not be defined as abayaat. I would classify the clothing range as jalabiyyas or Arabic Middle Eastern inspired dresses. A perfect traditional abaya adorned by women in the Middle East is firstly not body fitting and secondly it does not have high slits going all the way to the top thereby exposing the legs. Regarding the 'abaya' range there were a few styles and designs that caught my attention, but having attended numerous fashion shows and events whilst residing in the Middle East, I have come to the conclusion that overall many of the designs have been repeated with the exception of sequined or beaded fabrics replacing the traditional plain black abaya fabric.I was quite satisfied though with the clothing range by Dubai based designer Noura Sahroui. Her outfits were brought to South Africa by the Azaadville based designing house Fiza Exclusive Abaya collection. 

Apart from some of the hideous shoes that many of the models struggled to walk with, the make up artists did an excellent job in giving the girls a flawless look. That's the power of cosmetics!!

The highlight or the showstopper for the afternoon was undoubtedly the little boys and girls who strutted their stuff on the ramp. The kiddies range of clothing was put together by Fatima Ebrahim of Lil' Divas Couture. I was particularly impressed with the little boys thobes.

There were also two dance segments included in the program performed by artists from the Sitara Dance Academy. I always believe that for anyone to succeed, you need to have a cutting edge over someone else. New and fresh ideas are imperative. Being an event junkie, I have watched this dance academy perform at the Image Lifestyle event a few months ago. The same dance sequence was performed at the FashionEASTaSA 2013 event. I found the dance sequences and choreography to be boring.The dancers lacked passion and enthusiasm although the song choices were excellent. Perhaps if a new dance sequence or choreography was put together, I would have enjoyed it more. The MC of the event did an excellent job in presenting the show and also interacted with the audience quite aptly thereby getting their undivided attention as well as participation. After the fashion show, guests were allowed to purchase the various garments. What really irked me was the fact that many of the outfits had no prices on them and no one could really assist with the prices in a speedy efficient manner.This I believe is one critical area that requires improvement. Overall, my heartiest congratulations to the entire organizing team of FashionEASTaSA 2013. I am already looking forward to next years event where I am hoping that its gonna be bigger and more successful than this years event.

Take note i have not posted all the pictures on my blog. For more pictures kindly click on my facebook page.

Barack Obama - No you can't

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/obama-protesters-rally-near-hospital-treating-mandela/1/285880.html

So for all those South Africans out there who are up in arms about the anti Obama protests, its pretty clear that you have no idea on what's happening in the world globally from a political perspective. The protests are not against American people but rather against the US foreign policies.. America has a bullying attitude and this needs to change. They love sticking their noses into other countries internal affairs. The South African government has also succumbed to their bullying with regards to oil and petrol. South Africa was buying oil from Iran at discounted prices but due to pressure from the USA we were asked to now buy petrol and oil from Saudi Arabia ad hence the increase in petrol prices. Obama has done nothing when it comes to the Israel Palestine conflict. In fact he has funded Israel with billions of dollars in money as well as arms and ammunition. With regards to rolling out antiretrovirals in Africa, the American pharmaceutical companies are cashing in billions. Let us not forget that there is strong evidence showing that the HIV virus was produced in a USA laboratory at a time when pharmaceutical companies in the USA were in huge financial problems. Obama has surpassed Bush when it comes to drone attacks on innocent civilians and many USA soldiers have now spoken up against the atrocities that the USA government has committed against innocent people. The USA is only looking out for its own interests not the interests of the world on a global scale. It is ironical that America wishes to churn out genetically modified foods into poor African countries and yet first world countries have rejected the option of using genetically modified food. It is alarming at what this food when consumed can do to human beings. It triggers cancers and causes infertility in women especially. But then again I guess this is what big brother America wants.. After all Bill Gates mentioned that it is imperative that the worlds population be halved to safeguard resources..America needs to get one thing straight.. Their enemies are not our enemies and this is exactly what Nelson Mandela asked when he was questioned about his relationship with the maverick Gaddafi.. Go home Obama.. We have no oil to give you!!!

Naan Khatai recipe

Naan Khatai is an Indian shortbread biscuit made with flour, semolina and usually spiced with nutmeg and cardamon

                                1. In a mixing bowl add 2 cups of oil

                                 2. Add 11/2 cups of ghee (clarified butter)

                                3. Add 1 1/2 cups of castor sugar

                                4. Blend all the above ingredients in a mixing machine like the
                                    one depicted above

                                5. Separate the yolk from 4 eggs

                                6. Add the 4 egg yolks to the mixture

                                7. Add 41/2 to 5 cups of flour to make a smooth soft dough

                                8. Add a pinch of salt
                                   1 tsp cardamon (elachi)
                                   1/2 tsp nutmeg
                                   2 tblsp semolina
                                   

                                9. Add 3 tsp full baking powder

                                10. Add 3/4 cup ground almonds

                                11. Mix all the above ingredients together to form a soft, smooth
                                      dough

                                12. Divide the dough into several small portions and shape into
                                       even sized balls.

                                13. Decorate with cherries and coloured almonds as depicted above

                                14. Bake in the oven at 150 degrees until brown
                                   

                               15. Enjoy the biscuits with a steaming hot cup of tea!!!

Congratulations to Professor Avinash Govindjee

To Mr. Dev Govindjee ( International cricket match referee), you must be so proud of your son. My heartiest congratulations to you and your family. Please convey my regards to Avinash....Can I be the first to take Avinash for lunch :)))))

Congratulations to the Law Faculty’s Prof Avinash Govindjee on being chosen as one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans – the publication’s feature of young South Africans you should take to lunch. These are young people who will shape our country in the decades to come, in the sporting arena, in public life and in business.

The two hundred young South Africans who make the final list each year, are divided into a variety of categories: Arts and culture; Business and law; Civil society; Education; Environment; Film and Media; Health; Politics and Government; Science and technology; and Sport. Prof Govindjee was included in the Business and Law category.

In 2011 and 2012, he was the recipient of Researcher of the Year for his faculty. He is an attorney of the High Court and a senior commissioner of the CCMA. He was included in the second Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber’s Top 40 under 40, a list of young business achievers published towards the end of last year.