Category: Lifestyle

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Fix a goal…and make it happen

Monitoring your progress is key to creating lasting change. Assessing improvements on a regular basis can be enough to keep you motivated…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

When we think about New Year resolutions, losing those extra pounds, reading that book, switching to a healthy diet are some of the few things everyone wants to do. The key is to choose your resolutions wisely and make it happen. At study conducted by researchers at the University of Scranton found that 23 percent of people quit working on their resolution just two weeks into the new year, only 19 percent of resolution setters stick to their goals over the long haul.

Here’s a smart guide to identifying the right resolutions to improve your life, creating a plan on how to reach it, and becoming part of the small group of people that successfully achieve their goal.

Measurable goal

Vague resolutions give no one clarity. A statement like “I want to get healthier,” or “I want to be happier” has more weightage, when it is linked to a number. You can tell yourself; I want to go to the gym three times a week,” or “I want to go for a nature trail twice a month.” This will add tangibility to your goal.

Plan for success

If you decide to eat healthily, create a plan that details out your meals in advance. This way there is no room for cheating on your diet. Think about the obstacles you’re likely to encounter in the first weeks after establishing your resolution. Consider how you’ll navigate these challenges, and develop a plan. Planning ahead for the probable challenges can help you feel equipped to handle the unexpected obstacles that crop up along the way as well.



Self-monitoring

Monitoring your progress is key to creating lasting change. Assessing improvements on a regular basis can be enough to keep you motivated. There are smart self-monitoring tools and products such as MyFitnessPal, that help count calories or FreeStyle Libre that help monitor blood glucose levels. There is a smart wearable that makes your life easy and one should leverage them to their advantage.

Internal motivation

Internal motivation to do something, makes you feel more confident and stronger through the process. You’re not going to hate it so much because you know you’re training for better habits in yourself. One of the biggest reasons pledges fail is because they’re externally motivated as it is defined by how other people react to you.

It is important to stick to a handful of resolutions instead of a list of countless goals. Adapt targets at a realistic pace so that each victory boosts confidence and carries you forward in ticking them off the list.

ALSO READ-New reads for new year

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FEATURE Lifestyle

Danube Home launches all-new kids furniture collection

Danube Home launches all-new kids furniture collection

Danube Home launches its all-new kids’ furniture collection that focuses on creating a Happy Space at home for infants, toddlers, tweens, and teenagers…reports Asian Lite News

Every parent wants to give the best life can offer to their kids, but growing minds also need a space of their own to hone their skills, to get a peaceful well-rested lay, while also serving their educational and play needs. Keeping this in mind, Danube Home has launched its all-new kids’ furniture collection that focuses on creating a Happy Space at home for infants, toddlers, tweens, and teenagers.

Every single item in this collection truly captures the spirit of childhood. Every child is different in the way they learn, play, and grow. Danube Home’s all-new kid’s collection embodies this thought process which is why each piece is thoughtfully crafted to seamlessly grow with the child, straight from infancy to their blooming teenage. The collection comprises everything a mom would envision in her motherhood journey, such as nursery cribs, cots, nightstands, bunk beds, study desks, tables, bean bags, and comforter sets.

The Expect the Unexpected collection revolves around a child’s journey from an infant to teenagehood, where anything and everything is uncharted territory. Their new ELIT collection features a convertible nursery range-furniture that grows with the child’s age, from newborn to toddler to kids up to 9yrs of age, nursery day bed with storage, and built-in LED nightlight inspired from the fantasy world of a child.

ALSO READ: Danube Home launches new garden theme catalogue

While the process of pregnancy and childbirth can be overwhelming, Danube Home is here to support mothers with their new range of maternity pillows that provide comfort during the pregnancy and after.

“Today’s millennial parents and children have varied demands and requirements, the ideation of a fully functional collection took birth while I was looking for furniture for my two toddlers and one infant. Our collection’s main aim is to provide a welcoming and nurturing space for children of all age groups to play, grow and learn. I’m sure our transitional furniture collection is something a growing family in the region will love to use” Quoted Adel Sajan Group Managing Director Danube Group.

SAYED HABIB, DIRECTOR, DANUBE HOME AND ECOMMERCE: ” The expectation of parents have increased in terms of what they want in their home and children these days have a mind of their own when it comes to how they want their room to look. Keeping this in mind, the EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED collection meets both these demands. Colour schemes like ivory, grey, muted coral, sky blues, and pinks are aesthetically pleasing and appeal to both parents and children. In addition, we have paid close attention to the quality and durability as we believe these pieces are an investment that will pay off for many years to come.

ALSO READ: Danube Unveils Skyz Tower

With a wide variety of sub-collections like Masal Gen C, Piedra, Retro, Elit, and Golden, Danube Home has hit a home run with this cleverly designed line. This collection also features a wide range of soft furnishing products like comforter sets, cushions, bean bags, curtains, and more in fun and quirky prints.

Danube Home has launched this collection in their flagship store in Al Barsha, but the brand aims to have this collection across all their stores and franchise outlets in no time.

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Fashion Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Celebs on makeup free glow

Kriti Sanon, the new girl who made it to the top is stunning even without makeup. Her all-natural selfies highlight her clean and clear skin tone…Olivia Sarkar

Every now and then, celebrities choose to forego the face-cake, and give their makeup artists, hair stylists, and photoshop a skip. These actors keep it real, keep it fuss-free and keep it fabulous! We spotted a few gals who embrace their natural glow and bask in its glory. Source of all photos is Instagram.
Check them out:

Deepika Padukone

We can’t help but admit Deepika Padukone’s short locks compliment her athletic style choices nowadays. The actress looks effortlessly beautiful in this selfie.

Anushka Sharma

No one can argue that Anuskha Sharma’s flawless skin is as enviable as her performances. This post-workout photo captures her naturally flushed and fit as a fiddle.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Take a lesson from Priyanka Chopra’s beauty book and ensure your skin is hydrated at all times.

Alia Bhatt

The young actress never shies away from posting photos of herself without make-up. In fact her skin is so healthy that she has chosen to go make-up free for while filming award winning performaces like ‘Highway’ and ‘Gullyboy’. But it’s the dimples that are to die for!

Yami Gautam Dhar

You don’t get to be the brand ambassador for one of India’s largest skincare brands if you ain’t go what it takes! Her peaches and cream skin is worth a million bucks.

Parineeti Chopra

The vivacious actress has worked her way to the top of Bollywood. She’s never been hesitant to post pictures of herself without makeup on social media!

Sonam Kapoor Ahuja

Not only does Sonam give us fashion goals, her skin lights up like a million bulbs. So gals the lesson is hydrate, hydrate and hydrate!

Shraddha Kapoor

Shraddha is really active on Instagram even when she’s just lounging in her pyjamas without makeup – kudos to her for being at ease in her own skin.

Kriti Sanon

Kriti Sanon, the new girl who made it to the top is stunning even without makeup. Her all-natural selfies highlight her clean and clear skintone.

Kareena Kapoor Khan

When she played the naive, effervescent girl in Jab We Met, she won our hearts. Kareena practices yoga and lives a healthy lifestyle which only adds to her youthful flush.

ALSO READ-No more stereotypes, proves determined woman entrepreneur

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Just say ‘goodbye’ to dandruff with simple tricks

We often forget to drink water during the winter, which dehydrates the skin and hair, causing more dandruff…reports Asian Lite News

A dry, itchy scalp is the most common cause of dandruff in the winter. A number of variables contribute to this, including dry, chilly air and a high prevalence of the Malassezia fungus. If you want to reduce and treat dandruff, you’ll need to utilise the correct hair care products for the job. Dandruff is by far the most inconvenient and humiliating hair issue.

Dandruff can be caused by stress, a change in climate (severe heat or cold), an overabundance of fatty foods, a change in shampoo, excessive sweat, and even pollution. Dandruff flares up when Malassezia, a naturally occurring microorganism on the scalp, is worsened by any of these circumstances.

Dr Amrendra Kumar, Consultant Dermatologist and Hair Transplant Surgeon, Director of DermaClinix shares 10 tricks to drive away dandruff this winter are as follows-

. Avoid direct heat- One of the most common causes of a flaky scalp is excessive heat. Wet hair can cause headaches and colds, which is why hair dryers are so popular in the winter. However, direct heat exposure, such as from ironing boards and hair dryers, dries the scalp. Instead, towel-dry your hair before allowing it to air dries.

. Cut down on sugar- Sugar is bad for both your skin and your hair. It turns out that it’s also bad for your hair! Excessive oily flakes are caused by high blood sugar levels, which increase dandruff in the winter. Reduce your sugar intake and replace it with honey or jaggery.

. Drink more water- We often forget to drink water during the winter, which dehydrates the skin and hair, causing more dandruff. The average daily water consumption limit is set at 5 litres, but if it’s getting too cold, 4 litres will suffice!

. Use biotin and zinc supplements- Biotin is a hair vitamin that can be found in a variety of foods and is also available as a supplement in pharmacies and supermarkets. Biotin has been found to be “likely effective” in the treatment of biotin deficiency and to be safe when used in the recommended amounts. Deficiency can lead to dandruff. Rule out fungal infection, psoriasis if it is not responding to medicines.

. Change your diet- Vitamin B, zinc, and omega 3 fatty acids are all good for the hair and scalp. Fruits and raw salads should be part of your daily diet. These nutrients are abundant in eggs, fish, bananas, and spinach.

. Brush your hair often- It may aid in scalp stimulation and blood circulation. This will aid in the production of oils that keep the hair and scalp healthy.

. Use a cotton towel- After you’ve washed your hair, wipe it dry with a cotton towel. Towels with a rough texture should be avoided because they can cause more frizz.

. Visit a dermatologist- If your dandruff problem becomes out of hand; seek the advice of a reputable dermatologist. In these situations, an expert will be able to provide you with the best solution, so don’t hesitate to seek advice.

. Use shampoo containing zinc pyrithione, selenium sulphide or 2% ketoconazole- Many anti-dandruff shampoos contains zinc pyrithione shampoo. It is antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial, which means it, can kill fungus, bacteria, and microorganisms that cause itchy, flaky scalp. If you’ve tried these shampoos and other home remedies and still don’t feel better, then consult a dermatologist. The contact period of shampoo should be a minimum of 5 minutes. These shampoos make the hair dry, so use conditioner as well.

. Always keep your hair and scalp clean- When going out in the sun, cover your head with a scarf, hat, or cap. Keeping your hair free of pollutants will aid in its growth. Sweating is normal, but excessive sweat can cause hair buildup. After you’ve exercised or had a particularly sweaty day, always dry your hair.

. In females, oily scalps and severe dandruff may be signs of hormonal imbalance, so rule out that as well. Usually, dandruff does not happen in children, but if it happens, rule out lice infection or fungal infection.

ALSO READ-Let’s make work station more creative

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Let’s make work station more creative

A comfortable chair beside a balcony can also be a productivity hub. A good chair is comfortable, adjustable, and easy to manoeuver…reports Asian Lite News

Home is where the heart is, but for many of us, it is also where we work these days. Working from home is an art form that requires focus and a lack of distractions. Add flair to your work vistas with handcrafted decor elements, whether you’re working 9 to 5 or on a creative project. Take a look at our WFH edit, which includes items that aren’t only for the office.

Is a regular study table too formulaic for you? Pick a console, it accentuates the hallways, adds a style element to bedrooms, and is a good landing spot for your laptop and coffee.

A Lapdesk is key when you want to keep your laptop from overheating on you, and your back scrunching in uncomfortable positions. It can also double as breakfast in bed trays for the weekend!

fabindia

If you haven’t yet experimented with indoor plants, your home office is the place to start. So pick yourself up a fiddle-leaf fig, a maidenhair fern, or a hoya, plant it in our striking planters and breathe easier.

A comfortable chair beside a balcony can also be a productivity hub. A good chair is comfortable, adjustable, and easy to manoeuver.

Light can greatly affect your mood, it’s important to be able to control it in a way that keeps you alert at certain times and more relaxed at others. To achieve such a scheme, flank your desk with a table lamp for visual order, then add a pendant light or two for a softer glow.

ALSO READ-Pandemic made changes in home décor trends

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Health Lifestyle

Healthy eating for skin in Winter

Omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts, flax seeds, and fish like Salmon and Mackerel help in keeping the skin nourished…writes Rohit Shelatkar

Your food habits have a huge impact on your energy levels and even show on your skin. The dietary choices we make every day can either make us feel energetic and look good or can make us look older than our actual age.

Healthy eating is beneficial for maintaining proper body weight as well as boosting the immune system. It rejuvenates your skin and improves your hair quality, thereby leaving you with glowing skin and reduced hair fall. Apart from that, it also helps to smoothen the skin, curb wrinkles and strengthen nails. Skin, during winters, can become dry, and one might not be able to protect it in the right manner despite moisturizers. Certain superfoods can help healthily protect the skin-

Water: This one is one of the most important elements in our daily diet. Water gives our body and skin the much-needed boost of hydration. Consuming ample water makes the skin soft, smooth and supple. If the opposite is done, it can lead to dryness, clogged pores, wrinkles and blemishes. Further, drinking less water leaves you dehydrated that can trigger fatigue and make you look older.

Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts, flax seeds, and fish like Salmon and Mackerel help in keeping the skin nourished. These polyunsaturated fats accelerate the production of the skin’s natural oil barrier, which is critical in keeping your skin hydrated. It even makes it plumper, and younger-looking.

Carrots: Carrots are rich in beta-carotene and lycopene that protect skin from UV damage. Although the sun is not too bright in winters, UV rays are still present all around us. Carrots are also packed with Vitamin A, potassium and antioxidants that keep dry skin and uneven skin tone issues at bay.

Citrus fruits: Winters are the time when fresh juicy and refreshing citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerine, grapefruit, and lime are available in abundance. These vitamin C rich fruits can be excellent winter superfoods. Some common benefits provided are – Vitamin C can help boost immunity, the water content can help keep the body hydrated, and fibre can help improve digestion.

Sweet Potatoes: A winter special is loaded with tons of benefits. Sweet Potatoes are loaded with fibre which keeps the stomach full for a longer time. The high levels of beta-carotene found in sweet potatoes not only nourish the skin but also makes it glow from within. They are essential to boost immunity and help in safeguarding the body against minor ailments.

The change in weather demands a change in diet. With Covid cases on a rise again, it poses a lot of health problems as we continue to work from home and there is less physical activity. Joint problems, weight gain, vitamin D deficiency, constipation are some of the common problems people are facing during self-quarantine. With winter stepping in, dry skin and hair fall also become a cause of concern. Enriching your diet with nutrient-rich foods may help deal with all these problems and let you enjoy good immunity, good skin and overall good health.

ALSO READ-2022 takes a break from traditional bridal fashion

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Lifestyle Lite Blogs

It’s time to have a winter makeover

Winter’s compulsion to obsess about light is palpable. Remove the window screens to make room for sunbathing areas. Sheer curtains in private spaces and attractive valances in living and other communal areas can help to break up the monotony of the inside.

Winter, when hibernating homes battle to remain awake, this necessitates a return to style and statement – a vivacious home renovation. In the midst of the relaxed seasonal mood, winter homes need to find a balance between relaxation and rejuvenation, all wrapped in a swirl of unique decor ideas. Interior Designer Punam Kalra, Creative Director of I’m the Centre For Applied Arts shows you how:

Rich Colour Palettes

Pewter duo available at Interior Designer Punam Kalra, Creative Director of I’m the Centre for Applied Arts.

The warmer tones of the season’s colours counteract the season’s cold breeze. Summer memories are evoked by vibrant, richer hues with a reflected face-a fresh tint of tangerine, a deep sheen of coral, or a more neutral-sided shade of mustard. These hues can be used as solid paints or textured wallpapers on the walls, in unique abstract designs, sensuous art, or natural stone grains, with a slight metallic accent to bring a dramatic twist to the relaxing atmosphere.

Plush Furnishings

Forest ottoman available at Interior Designer Punam Kalra, Creative Director of I’m the Centre for Applied Arts.

Warm upholstery-velvet, fur, suede, and other luxurious fabric-was used to combat the cold in earlier framed pieces. Wrap everything up, from huge pieces like sofas and recliners to small pairings like ottomans, pouffes, and coffee tables. Overshadow the backdated diamond tufts with blind and channel tufts for a modest yet whimsical effect in the overall interior design.

Non-chalant Moodboards

Every place needs a chance to appreciate the season’s real personality. This is why extra throw pillows and blankets can be brought in, with an overabundance of patterns and textures-modest plaids, checks, and other patterns mixed with dense textures and bold-neutral colour duos to evoke winter symbolism. You may unashamedly enjoy the winter scene by laying an oriental carpet, an abstract rug, or a solid dhurrie near your tea tables, along the fire place, or on your couches.

Extroverted Ambience

Winter’s compulsion to obsess about light is palpable. Remove the window screens to make room for sunbathing areas. Sheer curtains in private spaces and attractive valances in living and other communal areas can help to break up the monotony of the inside. Set up a window view with a coffee table, a wingback chair, and a homemade fur rug to look out the window at the grey outdoors and bask in the season’s vibe.

Warm Details

Wood, candles, fireplaces, open BBQs, and other warmer matters come to mind at this time of year. In furnishing, decorating, and even re-decorating, the season honours these components of thermal comfort. Vintage candles, with or without scent, can be placed in an antique candle stand, or warm lighting can be added with vintage chandeliers or rustic pendants that complement the natural golden-yellow glow.Distressed wood can be used as sidetables, shelves, wall hangings, personalised showpieces, and more. You can replicate the summery vibe with artisanal flower vases, fresh indoor houseplants, cosy pottery, earthen tableware, and more, in addition to the usual, demode statements.

In addition, fireplaces exemplify flair and sophistication, and they now serve as a fashion statement. Electric and ethanol fireplaces have taken over the residential scene thanks to their hassle-free operation and aesthetic appeal.

ALSO READ-Pandemic made changes in home décor trends

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Food Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Let’s make ‘HEALTH’ a long-term priority

8 ways to sleep better during COVID-19 stress. (Photo Courtesy: Pixabay)

Vitamin D supplementation is important not just for bone and immune system health, but it can also help avoid chronic health problems…writes Veronica Kumra

There are many ways to give a healthy start to the new year. Follow these tips:
Eat more whole foods: Making a conscious effort to fill your plate with more whole foods (such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and pure protein sources) and less processed foods is the easiest approach to start a healthy year (like bread, cheese, processed meats & pre-made frozen meals).

Choose a sustainable Diet: Rather than following fad diets that promise quick results while jeopardising your metabolism and mental wellness. Diets that you won’t be able to maintain in the long run once you’ve reached your ideal weight without feeling deprived. Then worrying that your weight will return once you resume eating without a fixed diet is not worth the effort.

Choose a dietary plan that not only satisfies your objectives but also fits into your daily routine. Delivers slow but long-lasting benefits. It’s a privilege to have a diet that may become your lifestyle rather than a “diet.” Where you may strike a balance between your social life and your occasional treats without jeopardising your progress or making you feel bad. Making long-term health a priority, developing self-awareness, and eating intuitively is your recipe to a “sustainable transformation”.

Increase Vitamin D intake: Vitamin D supplementation is important not just for bone and immune system health, but it can also help avoid chronic health problems (such as heart disease, diabetes, and some malignancies) and even encourage hair growth. As a result, make sure to catch some sun for at least 15-20 minutes per day and complement with a vitamin D supplement (no more than 4,000IU per day).

Incorporate movement into your daily routine: It doesn’t matter if you’re doing a workout, playing a sport, or simply going for a walk. For maximum functioning, it’s critical to get your blood flowing and stimulate oxygen delivery to every region of your body. Make it a point to include some type of physical activity in your everyday routine.

Prioritize sleep: We often end up preferring socialising above sleeping as overworking has become a badge of honour in our society. We push our bodies to extremes by depriving them of sleep and over-caffeinating them, which leads to anxiety and weakened immunological systems. Sleep deprivation and poor-quality sleep can cause major health issues like insulin resistance, neurological issues, weight gain, depression, and anxiety, to mention a few. As a result, it is critical that we obtain 7-8 hours of excellent sleep each night in order for our bodies to function at their best.

Reduce stress: Stress is a major contributor to practically all health problems, from heart disease, obesity, and diabetes to digestive disorders (such as IBS, GERD, and gastrointestinal problems) and depression. Internal and external sources of stress are both possible. Although the ultimate goal should be to eliminate all stress.

However, while it is virtually impossible, you may reduce stress by engaging in activities such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing, exercise, counselling, or whatever else you enjoy to help you disengage from the outside world and reconnect with yourself. “Me time” is not a self-indulgent indulgence.

Form a morning routine: Having a morning routine is similar to showing up for yourself and prioritising yourself. It’s the same as honouring yourself and prioritising your needs. Following a morning routine allows you to get your day off to a good start by allowing you to be in tune with yourself before dealing with the rest of the world. This way, rather of allowing your day to control you, you take charge of it.

Say your daily affirmations: Speaking your daily affirmations aloud will not turn you into a narcissist, but it will help you stay on track with the proper energy and mindset. Positive self-talk has the ability to transform unbelief, self-doubt, negative thinking, and body shaming attitudes into gratitude and romanticising your existence. So don’t dismiss the importance of positive affirmations.

Set daily intentions: Setting your daily aims has a lot more impact than you might believe. It opens up our receptivity, manifests, and sends out what we want to bring into our lives. Intentions provide us with a sense of direction as well as motivation and inspiration to attain our goals. Together, writing down your intentions and saying your affirmations for the day creates the most effective visualising tool for staying focused and committed to your goals.

10. Choose passion over perfection: Stop doing things half-heartedly. As a result, you put in more effort and become frustrated. However, if you are enthusiastic about a job or work, you should be able to complete it with less effort and more joy. Because you’ll give it your all and put your heart and soul into it. You are defined by your passion. It elevates you and allows you to shine.

(Veronica Kumra is a Holistic Nutritionist)

ALSO READ-PROFILE: Shantibhushan Lal

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-Top News Lifestyle UAE News

SPECIAL: Dubai’s Premiere Fashion Week

Nivedita Saboo

Fashion Week 2021 showcased Asia’s finest designers and their exceptional collections. Premiering at Arena, IMG World of Adventure, on an exquisite purpose- built ramp, the 3-day long fashion extravaganza which delighted every fashion lover and style influencer … A special report by Soniya Kirpalani, Photographs Santosh Rai

Whilst the world is hunkering down, planning how to deal with the 3rd pandemic wave, Dubai hosted Fashion Week 2021.Speaking to Saif Ali Khan, Producer & Organiser of this event and Creative Director Kevin Oliver, offer deep insight into how a platform can spark hope in a sector that is flat-lining and the impact it can have on sustainability for MENASA’s designers.

Dubai Fashion Week

 “We often only see the fashionable side of this industry; this is partly a misnomer. It camouflages the real business behind fashion. Most people don’t realize that behind the flash, Fashion is the 3rd largest generator of GDP and sustains 1/6 jobs” says Saif Ali Khan, the founder of Supreme Events, who produced and organised Fashion Week 2021

 “Keeping the business behind fashion at our core, we decided to shine the spotlight on designers, choreographers, makeup / hair artists, models, light- sound producers who have been in a hiatus for almost two years” Kevin Oliver, Creative Director explained.

Kevin & Saif are stalwarts of Dubai’s Fashion Weeks, who have been producing and directing fashion events for 20+ years. “This is our show of commitment to support the emerging local and regional designers by offering them a viable platform.”

 When Covid 19 impacted the world and lockdowns ensued, it kept both consumers and workers at home, inversely impacting fashion. Fashion lovers, were dressing down Vs dressing up; people had just lost interest in fashion. Like a lot of other industries, the design sector began faced tremendous challenge. Besides fashion designers, the weavers, tailors, manufactures and retail and trade workers were made redundant.

Many major brands J Crew, Brooks Brothers and JCPenney, Debenhams filed for bankruptcy.

House of IKAT

July 2020, after the first lockdown, Dubai set up massive vaccination drive; the region saw recovery, but the Fashion was one of the many sectors whose low immunity to the impact of COVID-19 continued to be felt. However, Dubai’s phoenix like rise from the lockdowns saw a surge in lifestyle consumerism. With events like Expo2020, business forums and small weddings filling Dubai‘s social calendar, there was a noticible spike in demand.

2021, offered new opportunities for fashion lovers to step up and step out. Fashion designers’ producers, weavers, artisans, tailors were all back, urgently looking for work.

The designers began working on their collections, but everyone was tentative and the main reason, they had nowhere to launch. But they realized, unlike big international brands, they had no platform to sell their clothes from. Could they sell couture garments through #Instagram? Or through an expensive online event?

 “They needed some serious brand building, as they had flatlined for almost 2 years,” explains Kevin Oliver, the Creative Director and Cofounder of Fashion Week 2021. “Post 2019 there has been no platform to launch fashion on. So, at this time there was a real urgency. The pandemic has really pushed on the fashion industry to move forward and move faster. We knew we were in the right direction when we received great goodwill, good collaborations and a feeling of cheer, as we developed Fashion Week 2021.”

December 2021, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Fashion Week 2021 showcased Asia’s finest designers and their exceptional collections. Premiering at Arena, IMG World of Adventure, on an exquisite purpose- built ramp, the 3-day long fashion extravaganza which delighted every fashion lover and style influencer. Meshing fashion with a twist of theater, a feat that Kevin Oliver pulled off with excellence. As one of the region’s finest choreographers and cultural curators, his rich experience enables him to keep the fine balance required to showcase design with dignity, yet delight his audiences with a twist of theatrics, musical performances, dance, and even acrobatics!!

Raza Baig

 “Our aim is to revive the business of fashion, stirring livelihood generation for the farmer who grows fiber, weavers, mills, embroidery craft workers, tailors. It is time to shine the spotlight on designers, choreographers, makeup and hair artists, models, light – sound producers, to give them a platform to shine on post pandemic” says Founder & Producer of Fashion Week 2021 Saif Ali Khan.

 Launching 12 of the finest designers, each showcasing their unique cultural signatures, some emerging, some established, reflecting Dubai’s multiculturalism. Our favorites were Angelo Estara, House of Ikat, Lara, Atelier Zuhra, Nivedita, Rocky S and and Varoin Marwah in the menswear category. One of the most endearing experiences was hosted by Splash, a conglomerate that showcased FAD, a well curated representation of graduate designers from local universities with their unique take on fashion.

 Stay tuned for our next article on the top trends that emerged from these ramps.

  • Angelo Estara 2
  • Angelo Estera
  • Dubai Fashion Week
  • FAD Dubai 1
  • House of IKAT
  • Nivedita Saboo
  • Nivedita Saboo
  • Raza Baig
  • Splash
  • Varoin Marwah
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Health Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Pick right pillows for hygienic beauty sleep

People using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines and suffering from obstructive sleep apnea can opt for carefully designed CPAP pillows and get a better sleeping experience than standard pillows…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Why do most of us love the mattresses, comforters, and pillows in hotels? Because they are often fresh and combined with cotton-linen covers or silk covers, offering a cozy and comfortable night’s sleep. However, we hardly give second thoughts to our home pillows, which often show years of stains brown-yellow, or lumps making them harder than rocks.

While the lack of hygiene should be motivation enough for users to change their pillows immediately, most people still procrastinate. Why? Because pillows don’t rank high on their priority list. Well, guess what, it should. Fresh pillows are not only crucial for comfortable and adequate sleep, but they also allow you to have a hygienic beauty sleep. Punit Jindal, MD at Sleepsia, a Pioneer of Memory Foam Pillow technology shares a list of 5 essential factors you should know about pillows:

… and that’s why your neck and back hurt: Like most things, pillows also have a durability period. Considering how often it is used and kept, pillows start flattening. Instead of the soft yet firm loft that supports your spine alignment, these become harder and uncomfortable. Using a pillow without appropriate firmness can do more harm than good. In fact, it can cause issues like cervical pain and disc herniation.

How firm is enough: While the firmness of a pillow depends on the user’s preference, the criteria for proper firmness should apply to all. An ideal pillow should be firm but not hard, soft but not squishy. The loft should be secure enough to prevent the user’s head from sinking in but soft enough to make them feel warm and at ease.

Designs as per requirements: Instead of buying pillows from anywhere, users should be mindful of their designs. For instance, Ergonomic pillows or cervical pillows are specifically designed for offering relief with cervical pain. Similarly, people using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines and suffering from obstructive sleep apnea can opt for carefully designed CPAP pillows and get a better sleeping experience than standard pillows.

Get rid of allergens: Using rundown pillows can cause allergic reactions such as stuffy nose, sneezing spells, and sometimes even fever. The reason behind, old pillows soak up moisture content, making them vulnerable to dust mites and mould. However, the advent of hypoallergenic pillows can offer modern-day users tremendous relief. These pillows can easily resist recurrent household allergens like pollens and dust and enable users to lead a restful life.

Enhanced breathability element: It is widely believed that using fresh pillowcases can reduce the frequency of acne and hair breakage issues. Pillows with appropriate breathability attributes allow them to retain moisture and heat to pass. As a result, they stay dry and unpolluted for users to complete their much-needed beauty sleep.

As per industry experts, consumers should replace old pillows with fresh ones within a span of two years. On the other hand, worn-out pillows can lead to unnecessary neck and back pain, stress, and challenges for people trying to have a relaxed good night’s sleep. To keep up with this volatile and highly hectic lifestyle, you need a good night’s rest. So, opt for a pillow that fits perfectly with the aforementioned factors and unwind your stressful thoughts to dive into the tranquillising state of peaceful night sleep.

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