The Writer’s Blog
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DISHONOURED: My cover story & final assignment at Journalism School
From April to November of 2012, my final months of studying journalism at Ryerson University, I was working on this story for the Ryerson Review of Journalism, a magazine circulated across Canada that tackles critical issues in national journalism. Last month, the magazine was published and this week, my story was posted online. You can…
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For Velvet Magazine: “A Pilgrim’s Diary”
This April, my family and I travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform an Umrah pilgrimage. My experience was documented in the May travel issue of Velvet Magazine: Read the full piece here!
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Phashionable Philanthropy: Project Sina
With rampant honour killings and acid burnings of women in Pakistan, it’s no secret that the nation needs some shaping up—and what better way to start than empowering the women? L.A.-based initiative Project Sina aims to create economic opportunities for the class of underprivileged women in Pakistan. By producing t-shirts decorated with their own hand…
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For Velvet Magazine: “Covered Up Culture on the Catwalk”
Abaya-Inspired designs swept the floors of catwalks at F/W 2012 Fashion Weeks — As Paris Fashion Week came to a close this season, dark and dazzling design elements no doubt inspired by women from our deserts were plainly present on the runways, with designers like A.F. Vandevorst and Rick Owens going as far as to…
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Every Hour, 750 Newborns and 60 Mothers Die During Childbirth in Pakistan…
Help reduce these numbers by voting for Mishal Khan, who has applied for a grant from Grand Challenges Canada – Rising Stars in Global Health, to develop a low-cost device that can save lives of mothers and babies when complications occur during childbirth. Mishal aims to overcome maternal and newborn health-risks caused by prolonged labor…
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For Velvet Magazine: “Hippie Chic: Reemami“
Last month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dubai-based graphic designer and fashion designer Reema Al Banna, and was delighted as she walked me through her latest collection, a modern-day fairytale full of flounce, floral prints and fringes. Shot at a local farm, Reema’s Spring/Summer 2012 campaign captures the essence of the free-spirited and whimsical,…
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For Velvet Magazine: “Sole Man”–My Interview with Giuseppe Zanotti
I had the pleasure of meeting shoe extraordinaire Giuseppe Zanotti when he was in Dubai last month for an interview with Velvet Magazine. It was held at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray hotel on the Palm, and though we were in the C Club – a lavishly decorated gold room, he was extremely down to earth…
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For Velvet Magazine: Culture Clash–Modest Muslimahs In The Blogosphere
Recently, I noticed the growing trend of Muslim fashion bloggers on the web, and found it to be a “clash of cultures.” Fashion bloggers, who generally flaunt their daily outfits and thrive on support and publicity would seem to stand miles apart from Muslim women who wear hijab. However, I found a couple of blogs…
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For Velvet Magazine: The Indian Bridal "Tikka" Revolutionized
When Karl Lagerfeld showed his Indian-inspired Pre-Fall 2012 collection at Paris last December, I was overjoyed at the sight of bold jewelled and studded head ornaments that decorated the models’ heads. Then, when I saw a similar style of Indian-inspired head jewellery on the models at the ASHISH Fall/Winter 2012 show, I knew that it…
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Confessions of an Emerging Designer – Read My Feature In Velvet Magazine!
Get a copy of this month’s issue of Velvet Magazine to read a piece I wrote about from the point of view of an emerging designer. I interviewed the regional designers behind Wafa Saifa, Lady Fozaza, Le Grana and Anaya so that they could give some tips to aspiring fashion designers in the Middle East.…
Hafsa Lodi 