The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

"I do believe there is a vast market for fashionable products in Bangladesh. Simply because with time people's attitude and taste towards fashion is evolving. People have started enjoying and experimenting with fashion. The new breed of fashion buyers want to be savvy with their personality traits associated in their products as opposed to being fashion followers," said Samuel Hoque, the latest addition to the Bangladesh male fashion industry and stands out simply because he comes from a pedigree of fashion education from one of the Europe's top fashion and design institutes.

Samuel holds a one-year Diploma in Men' wear Design from the prestigious St Martins College in London and a combined BA (Hons) major degree from University of London in Marketing and Fashion Design from London College of Fashion.

Recently he returned to Bangladesh and is going to start his fashion design studio here soon. His fashion mantra is good clothes simply opens doors. He is trying to achieve with his designs to focus on personal expression, success and for individual achievements and also he is trying to support a man in his quest for individualistic self-expression and actualisation. With his design he is trying to help his consumers to express themselves and providing the right personalised attire, which is exactly right for them.

Samuel's exclusive wear includes an eclectic mix of ethnic and western wear with particular attention to an individual's needs and wants in regards to style, grooming and occasion. He works on appointment basis only, simply to give focused attention to individual clients and has his collection sales through exhibitions.

A meet the press was held at PM Lounge, Tanim Square at Banani in the capital on December 15 during the unveiling of his exclusive collection to share his inspiration and dreams to the media. Samuel himself, artist Nazia Andaleeb Preema, event curator, among others, were present on the occasion.

When asked him who is your target and would he be concentrating on the middle class, he replied, "My target is an individual who enjoys fashion and does not shy away but rather has an open mind to experiment in order to achieve a suitable style tailor made for his everyday lifestyle. My designs are about passion so I am not limiting myself to a certain class or age. If anything I will accommodate and target clients depending on their need and budget."

"I remember my parents at a very young age telling me that any individual can only achieve success in what their heart is passionate about. I felt fashion was and is my passion hence from a young age dedicated to make fashion design a craft which I should master in," he said.

When asked him in his view how has fashion evolved in Bangladesh and in that polymorphous canvas where did he see himself, he said, "As mentioned earlier slowly but surely fashion is evolving in Bangladesh, and within that canvas I want to stand out simply by avoiding to view as a business entity but rather a person who loves fashion hence creates to target any individual who wants a bespoke style which feels unique and looks effortless."

About the bespoke couture designer for men he said that fashion is a topic that pre-occupies men more and more these days. They have realised that looking good is not a department that the ladies have exclusive control over. A sense of fashion is an asset in every aspect of a man's life: business, personal and social. While there are still some that will try to fight it, the reality is that a well-dressed man will get a second look and adding, "In today's world, to stay one step ahead, it is important to try and look one's best. That means developing an own sense of style. Global trend where men are paying more attention to their appearance is taking hold in Bangladesh too. Visiting beauty salons for facials, manicures pedicures, working out at the gym are common among today's metro males," Samuel said. Samuel's working philosophy is that life is about exclusivity. Today's men look for personal expression, success and achievements. Their quest for individualistic self expression and actualisation has moved from their jobs to other areas like houses, cars and very recently towards grooming and personal appearance. He feels that uniqueness lies in every items adaptability to occasion and individuals personality. He does not produce multiple items of a design, as Samuel feels an ideal design blends the persona and physical appearance of a person and will comprise with the final look on a second person.

"Style is innate but fashion is not. But we live at a time that images of fashion is bombarded in our everyday life so may be one forgets about their own personal style and gets sucked into the vicious cycle of spending on fashion fads. My products are designed keeping the modern man in mind with an added bonus of it not being about fashion but about effortless styling and comfort," Samuel said.

His clothes are mesmerising blends of rich colour and fabric, and his signature classic white is styled in ethnic and western fusion wear with a twist. His focus in design is to make each person magnetic. He feels men in Bangladesh have more to offer and natural confidence will only flow once they become very comfortable with their personality and go for fashion and style that blends and grows through proper advised attention to details.

Values that he wants to present in his designs are passion, personality, decadence, an artistic approach which privileges freedom of expression and tailored style.

Samuel wants to establish himself in Dhaka through working with clients on appointment basis to cater to their specific fashion and styling needs and then gradually expanding within Bangladesh and in the long run in the international fashion arena.

Farizaa Sabreen

DIA-ASIANA magazine is the joint effort between UK and Bangladesh. Because of the launch of this stylish magazine a gala fashion show is called "Fashion without Frontiers" was held in BCFCC on the 19th of December at 7 p.m. The exclusive Press Launch of DIA-ASIANA magazine had been held on ETC Dhanmondi at 11 a.m. by Nasrine Karin the editor of the magazine.

Asiana and Asiana Wedding Magazine are the largest selling bi-monthly Asian publications in the Uk. A joint venture has been created between Dia House of Fashion Ltd and I and I media Ltd (UK)(publishers of Asiana) to publish Dia Asiana, Bangladesh Edition, to boost the growing fashion trends in the country along with travel destinations both at home and abroad.

Dia Asiana Bangladesh will cover lifestyles, interiors, textile news, Asian haute cuisine, products and useful details for the readers. Dia Asiana Bangladesh Edition will be in both English and Bangla to have a wider reach in Bengal and elsewhere.

The program of 19th December was inaugurated by the Advisor of Foreign Affaires, Dr. Iftekhar A. Chowdhury and the honorable Advisor for Textile, Mrs. Geetiara Safia Chowdhury. This gala fashion show event was managed by JPR and marketing partner is Media Communications Ltd. This event was sponsored by Warid, Sony Ericsson, Chery, acer and GMG.

The magazine organized an extravagant fashion event styled as 'Fashion without Frontiers'-an international standard fashion show-coupled with equally pertinent musical performances by Habib and multi-talented Laila as the MC for that evening was also singing some English numbers.

Foreign Adviser Iftekhar A Chowdhury inaugurated the fashion show at the Plenary Hall of Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

A wide range of designers showed their startling collections, namely Roxana Salam, Kuhu, Tootli Rahman, Emdadul Haque, Symon and Tenzing, Tanjim, Tanjim and Monira Emdad.

Among them, Kuhu's collection of stunning saris was noteworthy. The vibrating colours and exquisite design spellbound the audience.

Tanzim's "new T-shirt collection" for both men and women was also good.

The most stunning collection of the event was Roxana Salam collection for young Muslim women. The collection was also displayed in Malaysia. Followed by locally made 18 carat jewellery collection.

Monira Emdad of Tangail Sharir Kutir was honoured with 'Lifetime Achievement Award' by the Bangladesh Design Council. Textiles Adviser Geeteara Safiya Choudhuty gave away the award to Monira.

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Country's popular audio, CD and VCD production houses G-Series and Agniveena recently released five new albums. Of them, one is a romantic mixed album of Sumon and Anila, other is new album of band Dour, songs of Bengali movie Akash Choa Bhalobasha, drama Chakro and rest one is a mixed album Ashiq O Ekota.

1) ASHIQ O EKOTA

Genre: Mixed album

Production: Agniveena

Music composer and songwriter: Ashiq

Total songs: 8

Songs: 1) Onnorokom - Ashiq feat Simin, lyrics by Shomit and Ashiq, vocal by Simin, guitars by Oni, bass by Sabin and beats and synths by Ashiq, 2) K Tumi Amar - Ashiq feat Balam and Simin, lyrics by Ashiq and Simin, vocals by Balam and Simin, guitar, percussions and strings by Balam, piano by Ashiq, 3) Boshe Thaka - Chisti feat Shuddho, lyrics by Shuddho and Turjo, vocals, guitar and strings by Shuddho, drums by Turjo and bass by Sabin, 4) Raat - Ashiq feat Mustaq, Nazia and Simin, vocals by Mustaq, Nazia and Simin, esraj by Ekram, santoor by Santunu, sitars by Oni, beats and synths by ashiq, 5) Mone Pore - Ashiq feat Ali, lyrics by Saki and Ashiq, vocals by Ali, acoustic guitars by Oni, guitar solo by Chutti, bass by Joy, drums by Turjo, piano and synths by Ashiq, 6) Bristir Majhe - Ashiq feat Nazia, lyrics by Shomit and Ashiq, vocals by Nazia, alto sax by Andrew, harmonica by Saif, outro guitar solo by Oni, acoustic guitars and bridge progression by Chisti, bass by Sabin, beats. Keys and piano by Ashiq, 7) Sopno - Ashiq feat Balam, lyrics by Saki, vocals and guitars by Balam and piano by Ashiq and 8) Kothay (instrumental) - Ashiq feat Chutti, written and composed by Ashiq and guitar solos by Chutti. Kothay originally released in 2005 by Raaga on G-Series.

2) DOUR

Genre: Band album of Dour

Presentation: G-Series and produced by Iqbal Asif Jewel

Total songs: 10

Present band line-up: Pranjal- vocal and guitar, Pappu - keys and vocals, Shaon - vocal and guitar, Turja - bass and Turjo - drums.

Songs: 1) Parobasi - lyrics and tune by Pranjal, 2) Sagor Pare - lyrics and tunes by Raat, 3) Mukhosh - lyrics by Nishi and tunes by Lizen, 4) Bishonno Nilima - lyrics by Pranjal and tunes by Shaon, 5) Protikkhar Prohor - lyrics and tunes by Shovon, 6) Megher Golpo - lyrics by Sifat and tunes by Pappu, 7) Priyotoma - lyrics by Pranjal and tunes by Shaon, 8) Akash Jabe Chhoya - lyrics and tunes by Pranjal, 9) Dure - lyrics and tunes by Mahbubul Haque and 10) Geye Jabo Tomari Gaan.

3) EKHON AMI

Genre: Mixed romantic album of Sumon and Anila featuring by Fuad

Presentation: Agniveena

Sponsor: Warid Telecom International Ltd

Total songs: 11

Songs: 1) Gaibona - guitar by Maher, 2) Ekhon Ami - lyrics by Shafquat Rabbee and guitar by Maher, violin by Selim, soprano sax by Andrew Morris, 3) Swapnogulo Tomar Moto - guitar by Hamin Ahmed and soprano sax by Andrew Morris, 4) Sobar Jonno Tumi - guitar by Sumon, 5) Tirjak - lyrics and tunes by Upal and guitar by Johan, 6) Tomar Jonno - guitar by Faisal, 7) Ghum Pariye Dio - violin by Selim, 8) Jokhon Charidike - guitar by Faisal, 9) Anneswan - guitar by Chintu and violin by Selim, 10) Nostonir - guitar by Sagor and 11) Sobar Jonno Tumi(?) - guitar by Sumon.

4) CHAKRO

Genre: Bengali drama

Presentation: G-Series

Script: Anisul Haque

Direction: Ashrafi Mithu

Camera: Niaz Mahmud

Background music: Jaglul Alam

Editing: Ashique Billah Khan

Starring: Mahfuz Ahmed, Opi Karim, Tinni, Hillol and others.

Story: Prothoma and Prodhan have decided that they do not live together under a common roof. During their first day of marriage they started quarrelling between them. They did not take a common decision. Prodhan liked his office' new personal assistant Dwitia. Dwitia also liked him. In Prothoma's office a new sub director joined. Recently he got divorced from his wife. Prothoma found him smart. Then divorce between Prothoma and Prodhan was completed. Due to the occasion of divorce Prodhan arranged a party and Prothoma started to live a freedom life with her friends. Then what happened..

5) AKASH CHOA BHALOBASHA

Genre: Film songs of Akash Choa Bhalobasha by SA Haque Alik

Presentation: Agniveena

Music direction: Habib and SI Tutul

Total songs: 9

Songs: 1) Prithibir Joto Sukh - lyrics by SA Haque Alik and artistes- Habib and Nansi, 2) Nojor Na Lage Jeno - lyrics by Jewel Mahmud and artiste - SI Tutul, 3) Hawai Hawai Dolna Dole - lyrics by Jewel Mahmud and artistes- Habib and Nansi, 4) Tumi Swapno Tumi Swargo - lyrics by Kabir Bakul and artiste- Subir Nandi, 5) Tumi Je Amar - lyrics by Kabir Bakul and artiste- SI Tutul, 6) Hridoye Likhechi Tomari Nam - lyrics by Kabir Bakul and artistes- SI Tutul and Samina Chowdhury, 7) Na Chui Na Chuile Tare Na Chuile Mori - lyrics by Jewel Mahmud and artistes- Kanak Chanpa and SI Tutul, 8) Chal Chulohin Swapno Amar - lyrics by Nolok Babu and drama - Achin Pakhi and 9) Hazar Smritir Chand - lyrics by Jewel Mahmud and artiste- Kumar Biswajit, drama- Shesh Adhya.