STAR LIFESTYLE'S FESTIVAL OF COLOURS

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Over the years, Pohela Boishakh has singularly established itself as the most celebrated cultural event in Bangladesh. The week before 14 April comes along has a festive air with last-minute shopping, special broadcasts on TV, and the onslaught of traditional Bangladeshi food such as muri murki, pitha and of course panta bhaat.

While other festivities year round are based on religious and historical events, on Pohela Boishakh we celebrate the Bengali culture. We put on our traditional outfits, flock to melas, meet up with friends and all in all just have a good time revelling in the joys of being a Bengali.

Now, of course, all the social events we partake in on Pohela Boishakh require great attention to be paid to looking flawless while we are out and about. And since the theme for Boishakh has always been red and white and fabulously traditional, we gladly dress according to theme. The hardest part is, however, deciding what to wear. So we resolved to make your decision a little easier.

To welcome the Bengali year 1420, on March 30, 2013, Star Lifestyle hosted the "Festival of Colours," a fashion show that showcased the Boishakh lines of some of the biggest names in the Bangladeshi fashion industry. Raffat Binte Rashid, editor of Star Lifestyle, opened the show with a speech, after which Elita Karim continued to host the show. Participants of this show were Tangail Saree Kutir, Dressy Dale, Aranya, Cats Eye and Mayasir. There was also a presentation on Boishakhi hair and makeup by Farzana Shakil. The event was sponsored by City Bank and American Express.

Some designers remained loyally red and white, while others branched out into different, festive colours. Besides saris, panjabis and shalwar kameez sets, designers also displayed kurtas, tunics and tops for those who want to be unconventional this Boishakh.

Farzana Shakil's makeup looks focused on hair updos, keeping in mind the hot and humid weather and there was emphasis on thick eyeliner, traditional teep and the use of bright eye shadow.

The show finished off with a few words by Editor and Publisher of the Daily Star, Mahfuz Anam. It was indeed a celebration of colours at The Daily Star Centre as models walked the ramp wearing the stunning collections of some of Bangladesh's most noted designers, who all displayed beautiful fabrics in dramatic shades.

'Festival of Colours' was organised by Star Lifestyle. The set design and art direction was done by The Daily Star's General Manager of Productions Selim S H Chowdhury, and the makeup and styling for the entire event was done by Farzana Shakil. The fashion show was choreographed by Airin.