Life style
A style revolution
The Abaya or the hijab is a simple lose over garment, essentially a dress won by women in certain parts of the Muslim world. At least this is how, the internet defines the Abaya. But for Lamya Abedeen who specialise in chic wearable and fashionable Abaya, the dress means much more. Lamya, a popular designer, from Emirates is someone who has customised or changed the way the Arab World perceive an abaya.
Her hijabs or abayas are not all black, her designs have seen reflections of a unique form of traditional wear, like the Indian saree, the Japanese Kimono and fashionable pantaloons. She is one among the first woman and designer to have been recognised internationally. Perhaps, it is her bold take on her designs that caught international attentio, who would have dreamt of fur on a brightly coloured belt on an abaya? She also adorned her abayas with Polko dots, frills and coloured accessories
Yoland Aluwihare Holms,a batik designer of international repute,created abayas in Batik. This was her first attempt she created for our family wedding. Her designs were refreshing, versatile and elegant, a blend of fashion and modesty. However, her abayas were in a range of shades and styles in silk fabrics and it soon became a fashion statement in Sri Lanka.
In previous years, the abayas were typical black says Yoland. It’s changed dramatically, with many colours and shades coming in.
by Zanita Careem
In 2013 Nazma Khan who immigrated to the United States from Bangladesh at the age of 11 started World Hijab Day. Growing up in New York, Khan experienced discrimination because of her headscarf. But Nazma argued that the hijab can be a positive assertion of an identity. Muslim scholars have disagreements about whether the religious texts explicitly commands women to wear the veil. Sooner or laterin many Arab countries, the veil became a symbol of national identity.
In most populous Muslim nation in the World, Indonesia women did not wear head coverings until about 30 years ago. Turkey banned the veil because they were not secular. But now most Turkish women wear the veil with complete coverage of the hair, whilst others opted for Western attire, with high necklines and low hemlines also covering their hair.
Nike
, the well know US sportswear company has introduced sports hijabs Now hijabs or abayas begin to appear more in the Mainstream Western Industry. Halima Aden, a top model graced the cover of the Allure magazine July issue sporting a bright red Hilfiger Collection hoodiewith the Nike label peeking underneaths. This Somalian American beauty born in a Kenyan refugee camp is breaking barriers
She also adorned the Vogue Arabia, Fashion Book making headlines in New York and Milan fashion weeks. She is a trail blazer and a glass ceiling breaker. Halima is now one of the most popular Muslim models now, as a result,the Nike company unveiled their plans to launch the Nike Pro Hijab for 2018. Voices from a myriad of talented Muslims female athletes couldn’t be ignored. More recently American Eagle debuted the Denim Hijabs with Halima Aden rocking the item as part of its newest jeans collection.
Recently, In high fashion couture, Dolce and Gabbana launched a collection of Hijab Abayas last year.
Halima in an interview to Allure magazine told “I have much more to offer than any physical appearances, and a hijab protects one against such statements as” You’ve too skiny. You are too fat, look at your hips Indeed Hijab shields me from all such comments.
The hijab or abayas have always made a fashion statement in Muslim majority societies from Jakarta Fashion week to Dubai based fashion bloggers, hijab wearing women are now heard and seen in the fashion industry.
The hijab and abayas are gaining prominence onmany international runaways runaways. Are Abayas well accepted in Sri Lanka..
Most of the teenagers and young women I spoke to in Sri Lanka said. ‘When I first wore it, it wasn’t considered trendy. The rebellious adolescence in me refused and I left home every morning with an elaborate fuchsia or a leopard print piece of fabric wrapped snugly around my head. Another international muslim student ” said ” when I started iwas experimental I pushed boundaries and made the garment more stylish’ What is a a hijab and what is veil? They are perhaps the most polarizing garments of our time. Two metres in length an inconspicuous piece of fabric which has margins garnered international reactions ranging from mandatory in some countries to an outright ban in other.
Now the the sudden surge of hijabs and abayas wearing models on the ramp has made this garment a fashion statement. Some years age, it was unheard of for a modelling agency to line up a abaya model on the ramp. This year alone, abaya, models have walked the ramp for some of the big ,names in fashion ,Should the abayas, hijabs or the veil ever be considered fashionable ? The answer in yes echoed some of the top designers.
Moving to a fashion world is not limited to age, gender nationality and religion. Recently fashion companies have shown that they lend to use hijab in their designs and designs.
In 2017 London was presented with a live show entitled “Muslim lifestyle, witnessing the first week of hjiab fashion, and Halima Aden, showcased some of the contemporary abayas t for the holy month of Ramadan.
This is the 21st century — a time when conventional shackles are being broken off and liberation is becoming a key objective of welfare in societies across the globe. The fashion industry is said to be a platform for putting aside conservative outlook and viewing the world from a much wider and better angle.
Muslim communities are often categorised as ultra-conventional societies — but, let me tell you that theycannot be singled out.. Every community has its own share of orthodoxy. Anyway, many designers have emerged and transformed the fashion industry on an international scale. And t oday, there are many Muslim fashion designers who have become harbingers of good fashion.
Indira Cancer Trust
Ramani Fernando Salons partnered with Indira Cancer Trust and Lalith Dharmawardana to initate the first Hair donation campaign, it is not Cancer Care Trust as reported inthe article last week.
Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka
The 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the UK-based Institute of Hospitality’s Sri Lanka Chapter was held recently at the Ramada Hotel Colombo,.The event provided an evening of camaraderie , reflection of the past and present achievements,setting new benchmarks for the future
The AGM had the presence of two distinguished guests, the Chief Guest Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and the Guest of Honour British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick. Their inspiring speeches were lauded by all hoteliers who were present at the occasion
A special thanks was extended to Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality UK, along with his team, sponsors, committee members, and all attendees for making the event memorable.
Dr. Harsha Jayasingh, Past President of the Institute of Hospitality (UK) Sri Lanka Chapter, emphasised the Institute’s longstanding history and the strength of its Sri Lankan branch. “The Institute of Hospitality (IH) UK has a history of 86 years, and we are proud to be the Sri Lanka Branch. IH Sri Lanka is much stronger now with many members from all areas of the hospitality industry,” he stated.
Dr. Jayasingh highlighted the significant role of tourism in Sri Lanka’s economy,. He said tourism it is the third-largest source of revenue for the country. “Tourism accounts for about 13.3% of total foreign exchange earnings and employs 450,000 people directly and indirectly. The hospitality industry in this island of pearl holds tremendous potential for economic growth, job creations, and cultural exchange,” he added.
He also pointed out more women should be attracted to the industry and advocated for the use of technology in hospitality sector to attract the younger generation.
The newly appointed Chairman Ramesh Dassanayake spoke about the challenges faced by the industry, including the reluctance of youth to join the sector. . Dassanayake expressed concerns over the migration of staff between hotels and the overall ‘brain drain’ in the sector. ” We must maintain high standards in the hotel We must try to attract tourists to Sri Lanka, we must have with many facilities Hence, hotel schools and other professional institutions involved in skills development mustincrease their intakes,” he pointed out.
Chief Guest Sajith Premadasa emphasised the importance of eco tourism and said “We need to have an environmental policy related to tourism in place,” . .
The 32nd AGM of the Institute of Hospitality UK, Sri Lanka Chapter, was a testament to the strength and potential of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry. The insights and commitments shared during the event set a new benchmark for the future.(ZC)
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Life style
He recognizes human identity beyond boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
Visit of Sri Gurudev to Sri Lanka
Humanitarian, spiritual leader and Global Ambassador of Peace Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Sri Gurudev) was in Sri Lanka on a three day tour on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunewardene. Gurudev who inspired a wave of volunteerism and service to moot one of the largest volunteer-based organisations in the world – The Art of Living – visited the various projects under the aegis of the foundation and launched twelve vocational and technical centers around the island. He was accompanied by thousands of followers from Sri Lanka and around the world.
Gurudev who visited Sri Lanka for the sixth time also had a first day cover launched in honour of his visit. He is a strong proponent of spreading happiness, using the unique Sudarshan Kriya, yoga, meditation and practical wisdom to unite people, empower individuals and transform communities. His programmes provide techniques and tools to live a deeper, more joyous life, while his non-profit organisations recognize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
The Art of Living which has more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers across 180 countries has touched in excess of five hundred million people around the world. CNN called it “Life Changing” and The Washington Post headlined it, “Fresh air to millions”.
In Trincomalee, Gurudev met with war victims and had a heartwarming engagement with the children from the children’s homes run by the Foundation. He also visited the Koneswara Temple in Trincomalee and graced the Kumbhabhishekam at Seetha ecogPnize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion. Amman temple at Nuwara Eliya. He held discussions with the trustees on the progress of the foundation’s social service projects, while also holding a special event – Ekamuthuwa – attended by a large number of dignitaries and his devotees from around the world.
His time with the Prime Minister was spent discussing the prospects of unity in diversity and uniting Sri Lanka by adding happiness into the formula of living. In addition he had discussions with the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, prominent business stewards and civil society leaders.
by Zanita Careem
Envison your dream wedding day come to life at the Epitome Hotel, a prestigious city hotel in Kurunegala offering an unrivalled luxury rendors experience for weddings.
The venue is designed to embody opulence and luxury from all quarters for a spectacular wedding in kurunegala,Thier ballroom is the largest banquet facility in Sri Lanka It can be divided into six luxurious pillarless wedding halls on the ground floor and 25pax smaller banquet halls.
It can be easily named as a five star heaven in the heart of the city contributing to a myriad of immense experiences tailored to inspire and delight wedding experiences.
From opulent décor set up to exquisite table decor, lavish food, every detail is meticulously curated to spark your imagination and ignite creativity for a perfect wedding. The previous prestigious wedding shows season one and season two attracted large crowds
were unique events which gave the wedding vendors and potential clients had an opportunity to connect and interact with each other. Beyond being a showcase it was a chance for the wedding vendors to unite and contribute to the vibrancy of the wedding industry. The wedding show covered all area of the bridal industry providing a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became the most popular bridal exhibitions in Kurunegala.This bridal exhibitions allowed brides and grooms to experience first hand the products and services available from suppliers in Sri Lanka
These wedding shows held at The Epitome created a benchmark and gave an opportunity for vendors to create connections to the utmost satisfaction said Harshan Lakshita Executive Director. of the magnificent Hotel
Our wedding shows featured experts and professionals in every field‘ It covered all areas of the bridal industry provided a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became most popular bridal exhibition in this region.We are always open to everyone to join us at our wedding shows in the future. It is an opportunity to discover the incredible talent within our local wedding and bridal vendors to make meaningful relationships and plan thier special day at our breathtaking hotel The Epitome said General Manager Kavinda Caldera
The Epitome Hotel’s bridal show which will be held end of June will buzz with great ideas,advice and inspiration for all those who plan thier dream wedding
…….
The Hotel Epitome’s Wedding Season 3 will marked excellence, celebration and inspiration for those in the wedding industry. The exhibition halls will resonate with ideas on exquisite bridal wear to decor, florists , photography etc and showshowcase the rich tapestry of talent within the local wedding industry. .
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
