Sweet sugar rings

Every year when Ramzan approaches many of us make ourselves a promise: take advantage of the month’s dietary changes to lose some weight and get back in shape.

"Yes, it will happen this year," we tell ourselves as we imagine looking less like Peter from Family Guy come the end of the month.

Yet when Eid al-Fitr celebrations approach, we still can’t head to the trial room with a 'small' sized kurta without the sales clerk raising his hands in alarm and asking us to pay for the garment before trying it on, , and we find it difficult to devour the Eid feasts without our shalwars sobbing in protest.

No, instead of shrinking, our bodies grow large enough to develop their own gravitational pull. In fact, I can see a small moon revolving around mine, though it could also be a doughnut.

At this stage, I think it is prudent to mention that this article is for those whose weight-loss plans make more U-turns than a certain political party’s chairman. If you are a thin person, congratulations, go dip those aslee ghee kay french fries in your bucket of ice cream and have a good day. No, this article is for those of us who subconsciously loosen up their kamarbandswhen they hear the azaan at iftaar time.

Our inability to convert fasting into healthy weight loss stems from the calorie-rich traditional foods which grace our dinner tables during iftaar. We know these foods aren’t very nutritional, yet when they sneak their way on to our plates, there is very little we can do but eat them (only to enter self-loathing later).

Exactly how rich are these foods? (The following calorie counts are a range from various sources on the internet.) Dr. Ayesha Abbas, a professional nutritionist who can be found at the Medi Clinic in Karachi, was kind enough to offer some insight.

Deep fried aloo (potato)samosas = 250 to 310 calories

Dr. Ayesha, “If you must have a samosa, then the baked variety is certainly a healthier option. The aloos themselves are good as they contain vitamin C. But I can’t recommend more than one samosa a day. There are better options such as grilled chicken or fish.”Typically consumed with yummy chutneys, these large fried potato pastries are not just delicious, but shockingly calorie rich. I don’t know about you, but when I am in the mood for an aloo samosa I can’t just have one, I typically eat two before moving on to other treats. That’s up to 600 calories consumed in an appetizer!

How long does it take to burn the calories?According to mnm.com, on average a 3.5mph walk for 60 minutes will burn 300 calories (varies according to your weight).

Deep fried meat samosas = 140 to 190 calories

Dr. Ayesha, “Growing kids love keema(mince) samosas. They are tasty and provide them with the energy they need. They are also rich in iron. But again, I wouldn’t recommend to have more than either one vegetable or keema samosa a day. The calorie content is simply too high.”Available locally in varieties of chicken or beef, these are half the size of their aloocousins and feature a lighter pastry, hence total fewer calories.

How long does it take to burn the calories?Everydayhealth.com says by running at 6 miles an hour for 13 minutes you should be able to shake off 150 calories (varies according to your weight).

Deep fried spring rolls = 120 to 140 calories

“I would recommend a spring roll more than a samosa as it contains veggies like cabbage which help with digestion. I would suggest making an atay ka (flour-based) roll and steaming the veggies. If you must use oil, just spray a little and bake it.”Over the last few years, fried spring rolls have become a regular feature on iftaartables. They are certainly delicious. The crunchy crust of the exterior makes for a tasty combination with the crunchy vegetables and tasty meat filings inside.

How long does it take to burn the calories?If you aren’t fond of moving, then perhaps you can try standing? According to the bbc, you can stand for three hours and burn 150 calories. Now go stand in that corner! Or try to find a really long tarawihprayer.

Deep fried pakoras = 45 to 60 calories

Dr. Ayesha, “These aren’t very nutritional, but you can add veggies such as spinach to help people with constipation. Those who have issues with blood pressure should avoid pakoras made with baking soda. I really wouldn’t recommend more than twopakoras a day.”It is difficult to resist these fried onion, potato and chili pepper fritters. So difficult in fact, that many polish away ten pakoraswithout thinking. Now just take a moment to do the math. That’s a lot of calories.

How long does it take to burn the calories?Livestrong.com mentions you can burn between 1.5 to 2 calories a minute by just kissing. So after twenty minutes or so of kissing, you should burn away a pakora. The real challenge is to find someone who will kiss you after you’ve had one though.

Dahi phulki = 350 - 450 calories

According to Dr. Ayesha, “Use skimmed yoghurt for the dahi, and for the phulkis, after you fry them, leave them in warm water for some time, and then gently squeeze them later to release the oil.”Dahi phulkis certainly carry more calories than I expected. Sadly, the culprits here are the deep fried phulkis made from besan(gram flour), which stack up the fat content. But as the good doctor explains, there is a hack for chefs to make their dahi phulkishealthier.

How long does it take to burn the calories?Dance baby, dance! It may be Ramzan, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dance at home alone (just make sure the curtains are closed). Livestrong.com says a person weighing 155 pounds can burn up to 450 calories by dancing at vigorous speed. You could also dance like Tahir Shah in ‘Eye to Eye’, but then to burn 450 calories may take a few weeks of continuous dancing.

Spicy Channa topped with Wholewheat Papri = 289 calories (Eat Fit)

Dr. Ayesha says, “Cholay certainly look good on the iftaar table and are an excellent option with a nice selection of veggies. The whole-wheat papri can also add the right crunch.”Cholay may have high calorie content, but they are certainly nutritious. The cholay chaat is usually prepared with spices, chutneys, and veggies, and is a good option.

How long does it take to burn the calories?Depending on your weight and the intensity of the viewing, you can burn over 70 calories an hour by simply watching a film! So after you eat those cholay, go watch Sholay.

Fruit Chaat = 125 calories (Eat Fit)

How long does it take to burn the calories?Reading can spend around a calorie a minute, so you can use up the energy from the fruit chaat by sitting down with a couple hours with your favorite read. Heck, you probably burned 10 calories thanks to this article alone!Dr. Ayesha says, “There is nothing I can recommend more wholeheartedly than a mix of fruits. Eaters suffering from sugar issues can avoid adding glucose rich fruits such as mangoes. If you wish to add some more flavor, just use some chaat masala, but do avoid adding sugar.”

Jalebi = 150 calories

Unfortunately, these fried intensely sugary treats have little to offer your health. How bad are they? Well, a blog on The Huffington post lists jalebi as one of the ten most fattening foods in the world.The good news is that one piece of jalebihas only 150 calories. The bad news as, Boromir (Sean Bean) from The Lord of the Rings would say, “One does not simply eat one piece of jalebi!”

Sorry jalebi, that’s not a good list to be on.

Dr. Ayesha agrees, “No. No nutritional value. Just no.”

Rooh at the ingredients of the modern mass market Rooh Afza.

Rooh Afza carries a healthy dose of FD&C Red 40, a synthetic dye produced from petroleum which today gives the drink its red color. Red 40 has been banned in many European nations. According t it is banned in ‘Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria and Norway.’

In other countries foods containing the dye “May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”

Livestrong.com claims the dye can result in hypersensitivity in some people, hyperactivity in children, may be associated with cancer, and in some studies damaged the DNA of mice. Meanwhile, the UK Food Guide claims the dye has been linked to cancer in mice.

On the other hand, Red 40 is approved for use in the USA, and is found in countless foods across the country. Ultimately, the choice to consume a product carrying this dye is yours.

So what do you think... will you be changing up your iftaar habits?

Break fastt

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – a healthy meal first thing in the morning gives you enough energy to get through to lunch time and leads to healthier choices during the rest of your day. But if you find yourself rushing out the door every morning, you may end up skipping breakfast or grabbing sugary convenience foods.

These on-the-go recipes are easy to make ahead, so that you don't have to go hungry on those crazy, busy mornings!

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Baked Egg Cups

Eggs are a staple breakfast food for a reason – they're light, easy to cook and packed with protein.

Baked egg cups are a good way to add vegetables (and nutrition) to your eggs. Easy to make, this nutritious, low-cal breakfast can be prepared in advance, which makes them perfect for busy mornings.

You can grab some on your way out the door in the morning, pack them in lunch boxes for your little ones and even snack on them if you find yourself wanting to munch on something in the middle of the day!

Ingredients

9 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

A pinch of oregano

1 cup shredded cheese (both parmesan and cheddar work well with this recipe)

1/3 cup onions (measured after chopping)

2 large tomatoes (chopped)

1/2 cup peas

1/3 cup bell peppers (measured after chopping)

1 cup spinach (measured after chopping)

2 green peppers

Directions

1. Start by chopping all vegetables (except the peas). Preferably, chop them into small pieces to avoid chunks. Feel free to substitute any vegetables with your own favourites, like carrots or corn.
2. Pre-heat your oven to 360°F/180°C
3. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan generously with non-stick cooking spray or oil. Egg muffins stick easily, so it is important to grease the pan very well. An easy way to avoid the hassle is to use paper muffin liners.
4. Mix all the vegetables in a bowl. Toss them together well. Set aside while you prepare the eggs.
5. In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and beat well with a whisk. Add salt, pepper, red pepper and oregano. Adjust according to your taste.
6. Divide the vegetable mixture evenly between the each cavity of the pan- each cavity should get about 2-3 loosely piled tablespoons and should be filled to about 2/3 to 3/4 full.
7. Divide the egg mixture evenly between the 12 cavities- each cavity should get about 2-3 tablespoons and will be about 3/4 full after being topped off with the eggs.
8. Top each egg cup with a generous helping of cheese, dividing the cheese equally between each cavity.
9. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or unless they are set, cooked through and lightly golden on top. The egg cups will rise as they cook, but will settle once they've been cooled. Check if they are cooked by inserting a toothpick into the cup – if the toothpick comes out clean, your egg cups are ready!
10. Place the egg cups under a fan to cool for about ten minutes before removing. You will need to use a knife or fork to gently ease the cups from each cavity (if you haven't used paper liners).

You can serve these immediately while warm, or keep them in an airtight container in the fridge, where they'll be good for about a week (although you may have gone through them long before then)!

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Overnight Oats a.k.a Bircher Muesli

Overnight oats are a no-cook breakfast item that you can prepare the night before.

The beauty of overnight oats (also known as Bircher Muesli) is that you can come up with new combinations of toppings for every day of the week, so you won't get bored!

Ingredients

1/3 cup rolled oats (steel cut oats will not work for this recipe)

1/2 cup milk*

1/3 cup yogurt (sweetened or unsweetened, depending on your preference)*

1 small banana (mashed)

A pinch of salt

A pinch of cinnamon

*Tip: Vary the amount of milk and yogurt you put in, depending on how creamy you want your oats to be.

Directions

This recipe simply involves mixing the ingredients and refrigerating them overnight.

1. Combine all the ingredients and mix well.
2. Keep refrigerated overnight in a tupperware container.

And that's it! The oats will be ready to eat the next morning. You can microwave them or have them cold. Prepare the base overnight and the next morning you can top them with endless combinations of toppings, which add to the flavour.

Some great combinations are

1. Peanut butter and bananas
2. Crunchy cereal and maple syrup
3. Nuts and honey
4. Walnuts, bananas and honey
5. Berries, fruits, nuts, cereals – the possibilities are endless!

You can also add cocoa powder, chocolate chips, peanut butter and other sweeteners overnight. This recipe is very versatile and can lead to some very interesting results if you decide to experiment with different add-ons and toppings.

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Peach Pie Smoothie

Peach pie smoothies are yummy and filling!

Deceptively easy to make and conveniently portable, smoothies are perfect if you're in a rush and don't have anything prepared.

Just pick and choose your favourite fruits and toss them in a blender with some milk and yogurt and you'll have a nutrition-packed drink to keep you going till your next meal!

Ingredients

1/2 cup milk (low-fat milk also works well with this recipe)

1/2 cup unsweetened yogurt

1 cup frozen peaches (measured when chopped)

1 tablespoon honey (add more to taste)

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

A pinch of ground nutmeg

A pinch of ground ginger

You can add ice before or after blending, if you like your smoothie to be extra chilled.

Directions

Place all the ingredients in a blender and on medium-high until smooth. Serve immediately and drink while chilled.

This recipe provides you with a healthy dose of protein and vitamins and will guarantee a super-charged start to your day!

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Honey and Banana Muffins

These muffins are perfect if you're craving something sweet early in the morning!

Preparation and cooking requires effort, but it is well worth it because not only do you have a quick breakfast to grab the next day, they are also delicious. If you have kids that are fussy about breakfast, muffins are perfect because they're usually the little ones' favourite!

This recipe uses honey and banana as natural sweeteners and cuts down on the calories by avoiding sugar all together!

Ingredients

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup honey

2 eggs

1 cup packed, mashed ripe bananas (about 4 bananas)

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon cinnamon (plus more for sprinkling on top)

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

⅓ cup old-fashioned oats (plus more for sprinkling on top)

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 325°F/165-170°C
2. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan generously with non-stick cooking spray or oil or line with paper muffin liners.
3. In a large bowl, combine the olive oil and honey and beat together with a whisk. Add the eggs and beat well.
4. Mix in the mashed bananas and milk, followed by the baking soda, vanilla extract, salt and cinnamon. Continue to whisk until the mixture is light fluffy.
5. Add the flour and oats and mix well with a large spatula, just until combined. If the mixture begins to clump, use the whisk to beat lightly. Add the flour gradually and fold it in with the spatula in order to make a smooth mixture and mix the oats in similarly.
6. Divide the batter evenly between each cavity of the muffin pan, till they are about 2/3 full. Sprinkle the top of each muffin with about 1 tablespoon of oats and a pinch of cinnamon (or sugar).
7. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean. The batter will rise as it cooks.
8. Once the muffins are ready, place them under a fan to cool and remove about 10-15 minutes and place on a tray or plate until they have cooled.

If kept in a refrigerated in an air-tight container, these muffins will stay good for about a week. Grab them as a snack to satisfy your sweet-tooth or eat them for breakfast to ensure that your day starts on a happy note!

Art world

The recent paintings of Komail Aijazuddin, on view at the Canvas Gallery, Karachi, seem to assert many truths, and perhaps some half-truths. The artist’s veneration for the gilded and its central place in his compositions suggests a strong, almost exclusivist, approach. Opulence is an issue, for it overwhelms and overbears, but could it be read in any other way?

The abundance of gold as well as silver in Aijazuddin’s work is such that it seems to flow out of the picture frame. But what happens when the artist drags the monochromatic and discreet minimalist imagery of an established artist, such as New York-based Zarina Hashmi’s prints into his own gaudy frame? In her artistic journey since the ’60s, Hashmi embraced Western modernity, but on her own terms. Stories of recollect, her artworks are full of innuendos from Urdu poetry, and the porous handmade paper has been more than just a surface to work on. Her retrospective at the Guggenheim, not too long ago, was titled, ‘Paper, Like Skin.’

In comparison to the fragility of her measured line, Aijazuddin’s loud canvases are encased in gaudy double frames, and if anything, this flamboyance seems to be the antithesis of the one he emulates. What do his works, “Greek Line 1 and 2’ have anything to do with the senior artists’ work, except standing under its shadow? It is almost as if her work is drenched in the blue that Komail references in this series. But then what?

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Does borrowing the imagery of one artist raise the aesthetics of another artist?

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If he is referring to Hashmi’s ‘Blinding Light’ (2010), in which a 22-karat gold leaf on Japanese paper hangs from a bar, then he seems to disregard the full extent of the sublimity of her work. Aijazuddin, no doubt, finds in Hashmi a resonance of the spiritual that is reassuring and inspiring to him, but there is a danger of reducing the meaning of her work to a singular reading.

In 2015, he recreated the famous bird and cage painting of Shakir Ali, and titled it, ‘After Shakir Ali … .’ In much the same way, his figurative imagery floats against a flat background, which was the signature approach of Colin David, and is named ‘After Colin David … .’ The luminous gold of Aijazuddin holds the senior artists’ imagery in a strange combination. Respectful, disrespectful, or in awe, this is the story of post-modernistic rehashing of history and context, although he writes that he wanted to “assert their place in our history.”

Many artists “adopt” Maulana Rumi in much the same way. Similarly, art fairs, which were historically meant to increase trade for the West, have stripped art of its original meaning and purpose, distorted or trivialised it. There may be superstars in art, but are there any humble artists or original thin.

The room with landscapes in the show seems to be the core that holds his aesthetics with finesse. The treatment of the trees and their connection to mosaics is juxtaposed with a flat silver or gold, and the tones of sweet mauves and aquas of the seasons. There is a compelling reminscence here. These landscapes convey a sense of bewilderment, and a longing for the beautiful stories of the past that can be re-told.

The silver/gold ganga-jumni also evokes a sense of embellishment, of seeking perfection, such as in the religious art of traditional manuscripts and court art of the East and the West. One feels like holding to these moments in the work, but with a feeling that the real artist is unapproachable. That is the dichotomy that much art around us elicits

Komail Aijzuddin’s solo show ‘Out of the Blue’ was held at the Canvas Gallery, Karachi,

Bashakhh Fashion

Perhaps the coming of Baishakh has now emerged as the quintessential Bengali expression. Although its root can be traced in the annals of history, the modern day observance has been given a completely new look. Baishakh is now as much as a man's affair as it is of a woman. Clad in the best panjabis men now tread the soiree grounds with flair and panache.

Red and white has been the go to colour for Baishakh. But that does not mean that creativity in what you wear is limited to that.

Over the last few seasons, Warez has made a name for itself for men’s fashion wear. This Baishakh is no different.

Although bright colours predominate, a sea of other shades are swarming the streets. This is Baishakh 1424 for you.

Wondering of stepping outside the norm and trying out something cool and an out of the box style? Well then, Warez is the place to be as their latest flamboyant collection will make you go haywire.

Made to resonate with the zeal and zest of the youth, their new collection is an artistic fusion of funk and tradition. Some of the appealing panjabis from their collections come in brown, orange and blue. The use of Batik has helped give their clothes that splash of colours which will make you stand out. Not only have they played with colours, but their panjabi's cut and style will grab your attention right away.

What can you pair them with? If you want to go with a traditional look, a white pyjama is recommended for it will allow your new panjabi from Warez to stand out and for the colours to shout out the youth in you. In addition, something which people fail to pay attention to is the footwear. The first thing people tend to notice is your footwear; hence, if you're wearing your Adidas Slides with your Baishakh wear, no matter how good your panjabi looks, it will destroy your entire outlook. Please give your feet something nice to wear, such as strapped leather sandals matched with the colour of your wrist watch; this will really complement your outfit. Wearing suede tassel loafers will immediately tell people of how well you know about fashion and that your entire outfit is well thought since the suede complements summer.

Feel as if you're still missing out on something? Tie around one of those anchor bracelets from Noir, matched well with your outfit.

It would be recommended not to wear vests because you don't want to boil in the scorching heat of the sun. They'll simply trap more heat making you sweat like anything, putting both your look and health at jeopardy. 

Wait no further and start preparing yourself for the Bengali New Year starting from today. With very little time left, don't wait till the last moment to go shopping, given the rush in stores the night before Baishakh, your desired panjabi might run out of stock. Warez's new line of panjabis will not only keep your style game strong but will awe the crowd no matter where you go.

Buying a lifestyle

Catalogues are scrutinized online and as hard copies; lawn suit images are floated out onto Whatsapp groups and discussed in detail; designs are avidly pre-booked and depression may prevail when a certain coveted suit is pronounced unavailable, having had ‘sold out’.

Even those of us who aren’t too fond of the elaborate unstitched suit can’t help but get besotted by some of the prints that resiliently besiege our social media feeds. The colossal popularity of luxury lawn continues to prevail in Pakistan, there’s absolutely no denying it.

And yet, the lawn market is very, very clustered and lawn moguls have to actually work very hard to harness a sizeable slice of the lucrative lawn pie. Where some brands may boast going ‘sold out’, there are many more that fail to yield profits, with suits festering in the market until inevitably going on sale.

In a bid to entice customers, some very interesting marketing mechanisms are employed by textile mills and designers and looking at some of the most popular campaigns we’ve seen recently, here’s what we’ve noticed:

'Destination' lawn shoots that leave you wanting more

‘Destination’ lawn shoots are more common than ever where elaborate three, four and five-piece suits are flown off to locales where you’d never expect to see lawn – the scantily clad beaches of Thailand and Dubai or a freezing Turkey or the cobbled alleyways of Europe. It’s supposed to add glamour to the shoot and it does work a lot of times.

Khadijah Shah, one of the very first designers to being traveling the world for her lawn catalogues, explains, “I envision the woman who wears our lawn to be a wanderer, roaming the world. Our lawn is styled in a functional yet fusion way, exemplifying an international feel. I want to put it forward as a product that can be worn anywhere in the world and still stand out. That’s why I insist on our annual shoots to resemble veritable travelogues.”

This year, Khadijah’s luxury label Elan trooped through Spain while Sapphire, the high-street label for which she is creative director, made a picturesque ‘Italian escape’.

Elan lawn was shot in Spain,

Similarly, Faraz Manan explains that he chooses to shoot at a destination which is reminiscent of his prints for the year. "The collection this time is inspired by Sicily," he says.

Designer Zara Shahjahan traversed Vietnam this year for an exquisite lawn shoot and she explains that every local outdoor location that she considered had already featured in umpteen catalogs. “Vietnam has a vintage feel that complemented our lawn very well and the outdoor lighting was perfect.”

From L-R: Faraz Manan and Zara Shahjahan

There are occasions, though, when befuddled lawn entrepreneurs go abroad for a shoot but their location is barely visible in the final images. They may be able to raise hype while they travel by persistently posting images and videos on Instagram and a certain customer may imagine the lawn to be of exceptional quality given that the designer or mill has spent quite a bit on getting it shot.

Nevertheless, if the shoot itself doesn’t show much of the location, all the hype and hoopla doesn’t seem to make much of a point.

At other times, one also hears of enterprising big-shot photographers and actresses hired for modeling who insist on boarding first class international flights for their lawn trysts. One expects that budgets must go awry with such divas on board. Oh well. So far, though, some gorgeous destination shoots have been making waves on social media this year. Aside from Sapphire, Elan and Maria B., Farah Talib Aziz for Lakhany Silk Mills has visited scenic Monaco, Image Fabrics have fluttered their dupattas in Croatia and Faraz Manan has roamed through Sicily.

Imaan Madni in Monte Carlo for Farah Talib Aziz Lawn

Very soon, Zainab Chottani is going to be showing us images from her recent trip to Italy, Honey Waqar has roamed Santorini and we’re sure there are many more shoots to come. As long as they make sense, a destination shoot does make a brand look different.

Then again, there are many local destinations that are just as impressive. One remembers Wardha Saleem presenting one of the most memorable lawn shoots in recent times, shot in picture-perfect Skardu. Actress Sanam Saeed posed amidst ancient architecture with the majestic Karakoram mountain range in the background. We’re probably being patriotic here but that kind of imagery could easily beat Europe any day.

Unpronounceable collection titles... preferably foreign!

Apparently, really sophisticated lawn needs to have an unpronounceable, incomprehensible name – at least that’s what seems to be happening. “It adds to the essence of our lawn being like a travelogue,” explains Khadijah.

Bye bye Bollywood, hello 'exotic' models!

For the first time in many years, Bollywood actresses aren’t flitting about the landscape in elaborate three-piece glory. With cross-border tensions still simmering, there are some lawn brands that have been hiring local actresses but given the limited choices they have, many have also searched elsewhere for new blood. As a result, we’ve been seeing some gorgeous international faces modeling some of the most highly anticipated lawns of the year.

"Most local models aren't exclusive to a single lawn brand while an international face makes the lineup look distinctive," observes Faraz Manan.

Now just in case you don’t know who these girls are, certain social media campaigns helpfully provie you with captions that include the models' names and a repertoire of all the big global brands that these girls have worked for. So that you know that these just aren’t any girls picked off Europe’s alleys. Which probably means that the lawn itself must be well worth the expense. Which leads to suits going sold out.

It’s all quite predictable, really but hey, it seems to be working.

Ladies who lunch

In the grandiose practiced initiated some years ago, lawn launches continue to be celebrated with ‘it’ teas and brunches. Bloggers, journalists and designers’ friends are gifted stitched lawn suits which they happily come wearing to the event. The images of the event quickly filter onto the Internet, allowing potential customers to see the many versatile ways in which the lawn can be stitched.

It’s quite clever; designers don’t need to hire models with the fashion media happily flaunting their beautiful ‘freebie’ joras. Given the fashion fraternity’s ease with designer wear, this lot even knows how to maneuver its way into gargantuan balloon sleeves, complicated off-shoulders and wacky experimental origami-inspired silhouettes. And they’re a marvel at posing for the red carpet.

Taking things further, designers sometimes even invite regular clients to these soirees, giving them the chance to see the suits firsthand before they get busy with making purchases. This may result in some uncomfortable moments for the fashion set in their new suits – an aunty impulsively tugging at their hemline in order to get a closer look at it or asking them to twirl for her and of course, a whole lot of unabashed ogling.

We speak here from firsthand experience. As a marketing mechanism, it probably works wonders for designers. Personally, though, things can get pretty hilarious.

Hashtag that

And just in case customers need to be convinced a bit more, PR personnel happily provide ‘sneak peeks’ and ‘first glimpses’ of upcoming lawn collections along with suggested captions for the images. These captions are usually simply copy-pasted by Instagrammers and they are, therefore, worded in ways designed to enamor the audience. One can sense the thesaurus being used very frequently here; the words ‘stunning’, ‘gorgeous’ and ‘breathtaking’ are recurrent. Getting a bit more inventive here, there are captions that state ‘We can’t wait to get our hands on this suit’ or ‘Talk about attention to detail’ or regal aspirations declared with the hashtag ‘Royalty has arrived’.

Does it work? We’re not too sure. In the case of lawn, a picture certainly speaks a thousand words and with some fantastic imagery, brands could possibly just dismiss that bedraggled Thesaurus and announce ‘sold out’!

The old man

The 90-year-old music icon was found unresponsive at his home in St. Charles County, Missouri, on 18 March and medics were unable to revive him. His family announced the death on the musician’s Facebook page, noting that Berry’s health had “deteriorated recently.” Bob Baldori, an attorney and musician who worked with Berry for at least 50 years, has now told People.com that the Johnny B. Goode singer was an “astute” businessman who took all of his contracts into his own hands.

“He was very clear about his terms and very astute about the negotiations and he was always really good about adhering to the terms of his contracts,” Baldori explained. He said that Berry commanded $20,000-$30,000 for a performance, and due to the rocker’s “extensive real estate interests,” Baldori says it wouldn’t surprise him if Berry’s remaining estate was worth at least $50 million.

The music icon invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into real estate, including his 30-acre Missouri compound, Berry Park, Billboard reports.

“That doesn’t even get into his potential revenue from licensing, publishing etc.,” Baldori told People. “(Berry) knew what he was doing.”

Although the musician had slowed down in the years leading up to his death, his lawyer said Berry was still touring and making “substantial” amounts of money.

Baldori says thanks to his savvy nature, planning for the future and his iconic hits, Berry’s estate will likely see more money over the next few years.

“The stature of his (back) catalogue... I think that estate will continue to generate revenue for a long time,” he said.

Samsung S8 Spacifications

Samsung is all set to reveal its latest flagship device the Galaxy S8 on March 29. The new device is expected to boast the latest in smartphone technology and feature major design innovations.

Much is at stake for the South Korean manufacturer after it suffered a whopping $5 billion loss following its global recall of the Note 7 last year.

While Samsung fans have been anxiously waiting for the release of new device, timely leaks have kept them on the edge giving us a good idea of what to expect in the new phone.

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PHOTO:EVAN BLASS

Here is a recap of all the Galaxy S8 rumours that have surfaced so far that gave us a clear picture of what the Galaxy S8 would look like and more.

Design

The Galaxy S8 is expected to maintain Samsung’s current design language with glass panels wrapped around a metal frame. However, the South Korean manufacturer has added a twist to it by making the new phone virtually bezel less.

The home button may also be abandoned in favour of a virtual key on the screen and the fingers print scanner has been moved to the back of the device to accommodate for smaller bezels. Samsung is also expected to offer both the S8 and S8 plus with curved edges with the only difference being the screen size.

Internal specs

Samsung is going all the way with its new flagship which is expected to boast the snap dragoon, the fastest mobile chipset to date. Not only will this make the device faster, but the smaller chip size could give the smartphone more space to cramp other components like a larger batter. In addition to this the 835 supports QuickCharge 4.0 which is 20% faster charge than the current version and 2.5 more hours of battery use than the Snapdragon 821.

Samsung will also borrow some of the major hardware components from its ill-fated Note 7 device that include the iris scanner which would allow for facial recognition capabilities. The smartphone-maker is also introducing a new ‘DEX’ setup that will make the Android device function like a personal computer when docked.

Software updates

The S8 will feature the latest version of Android, that is 7.1.1 Nougat, with Samsung’s custom TouchWiz interface. The company is expected it tailor down its UI which in the past has been criticised for having unnecessary features that hamper stock Android experience.

Samsung also announced its very own Bixby virtual assistant this week and confirming it’s debut with the upcoming flagship.

Price and availability

Though we will finally see the new device at Samsung’s press event on the 29th of this month, the South Korean manufacturer has not yet confirmed the final release date of the new smartphone. The phone-maker has also not confirmed details on how much the S8 will cost. Fortunately, a recent leak for Evan Blass gave a fair picture of when the phone will be available and how much it will cost.

Blass, who is considered an authority when it comes to credible android leaks, revealed this week that flagship device will go on sale starting April 21 and will set customers back €799 for the S8 and €899 for the larger plus version.