An interesting story by Lucky Singh

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the Monarch of a neighbouring kingdom. The Monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the Monarch offered him his freedom, on the condition that he would have to answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.

The question was: 

What do women really want? 

Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the Monarch's proposition to have the answer by the year's end.  King Arthur returned to his Kingdom and began to poll everyone: the Royalty, the Priests, the Wise men, and even the Court Jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer. 

 

Several people advised him to consult the old Witch, for only she would have the right answer. 

But the price would be high as the Witch was well known in the kingdom for the exorbitant fee that she charged.  The last day of the year arrived and King Arthur had no choice but to meet the Witch. She agreed to answer the question, provided that Arthur would have to agree to her conditions. 

The old Witch as a condition desired to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table, and King Arthur's closest friend!

Young Arthur was horrified.  The Witch was hunch-backed and hideous.  She had only one tooth, smell like sewage, made obscene noises and dressed disgustingly. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life. He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden, But Sir Lancelot, on learning of the pre-conditions made by the Witch, said to King Arthur that he did not mind and that he was agreeable, as nothing was too large a sacrifice where it mattered King Arthur's life and preservation of the Round Table.

Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the Witch provided the answer to King Arthur's question "What a woman really wants?" The Witch stated it simply: "It is to be in charge of her own life."  Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth. And that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it was. The neighboring Monarch granted King Arthur his freedom for having answered correctly and Sir Lancelot and the Witch had a wonderful wedding.  The honeymoon hour approached and, Sir Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a wonderful sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on her bed. 

The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened. The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a Witch, she would henceforth be her horrible and deformed self only half the time, and the beautiful maiden the other half. “Which would you prefer? She asked him. "Beautiful during the day.. or at night?" Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day he could have a beautiful woman to show off to his  friends, But at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch! 

Or, Would he prefer having a hideous Witch during the day? But by night a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous, intimate moments?

(If you are a man reading this...) What would YOUR choice be? 

(If you are a woman reading this....) What would YOUR MAN'S choice be?

Do u know what Sir Lancelot chose?

Noble Lancelot, knowing the answer the Witch had given King Arthur to his question, said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself. On hearing this, the Witch announced that she would be beautiful all of the time, because, Sir Lancelot had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life. 

Now... What is the moral to this story?  

1. There is a Witch in every woman, no matter how beautiful she is!

2. If you don't let a woman have her own way, things are going to get ugly.

So, always remember: 

IT'S EITHER "HER WAY" OR IT'S "NO WAY"!!

Introducing the Winter Storms Look from the Burberry Beauty Campaign, natural lips complement dramatic grey smoky eyes for a striking stormy look!

 New Winter Storms Look Range by Burberry

 Lip Cover- Nude Rose No.25

Effortless Mascara- Midnight Black No.01

Light Glow- Tangerine Blush No.06

Eye Definer- Midnight Black No.01

Lip Definer- Nude Beige No. 01

Sheer Eye Shadow- Midnight Black No.18

Sheer Eye Shadow- Pearl Grey No.17

Light Glow- Earthy Blush No.07

Suggestion: Can also be applied during rains and summers with light clothing.

By Sumitra Puri

Like each year, some of the most beautiful and talented young models in the country were present at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival – Brisbane. True to form, they graced catwalks with elegance and poise and a few cheeky grins, and without them out thriving festival would not be possible. We asked a couple of the experts some questions about themselves and their experience of working as part of our team. Lets meet Matisse..

Model: Matisse from Vivien’s Models

 

1. How old are you and where are you from?

I’m 23 and I was born in Fiji, but I moved to Australia when I was 15. I moved to Sydney from Brissy about six months ago so I could further my career.

 

2. Any secret health or beauty “tricks of the trade” you’ve learnt on the job?

Taking all my makeup off at the end of the day, getting plenty of sleep and drinking loads of water.  It sounds so simple, and you hear it all the time, but I didn’t realize how much of a difference those small measures really made until I started modeling and prescribing to the regime religiously. 

3. Tell us about backstage during the festival?
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival – Brisbane is an absolute pleasure.  Backstage is always a bit chaotic, but so are all the big shows and there’s such a friendly vibe here and for me it’s like a big family reunion. The Brisbane girls are darlings and it’s awesome having an excuse for a giant, week-long catch-up.  


4. Which shows were you most looking forward to walking in?
I was super excited about the Swimwear Group Show at Streets Beach.  Unfortunately it rained, which was a little disappointing but the Swimwear shows are always fun because we get to be a bit cute, ham it up a little and there’s always a great energy on the runway.  I think in the end it was still a great show and loads of fun.


5. Of all the designers showing at the festival this year, which is your favourite?
I can’t really pick one! Every year Brisbane’s designers pull together the most exciting collections – pieces that are unique and edgy and different to anything else you might see.  There’s so much talent here and I love that as models, in our small way, we’re helping it be recognised on a national stage.


-Sumitra Puri

Congratulations to Emily Walters from Sydney Institute TAFE NSW who was awarded the Westfield Chermside Australian Fashion Graduate of the Year at Mercedes-Benz fashion festival. Here are some of her award winning designs;

Mumbai, August 21, 2011: Today at an exclusive event at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011, Kareena Kapoor, unveiled Lakmé Absolute – Lakmé’s high-performance, long wear make-up range, which lasts up to 16 hours. She was recently chosen as the Face of the cosmetic giant as she embodies the very qualities the brand stands for. On the occasion, were present Farida Kaliyadan, General Manager, Lakmé and Lakmé Make-up Expert Cory Walia. Cory demonstrated a Lakmé ABSOLUTE look on Kareena Kapoor, the one that she’ll be wearing on the ramp at the Lakmé Grand Finale.

August 21, 2011: Graduating three giant wooden frames hung from the ceiling edged with hundreds of bulbs. The long glass ramp gleamed under the lights. The stage framed in ornate silver with long sheer curtains hid the excitement behind. The packed Ballroom of The Grand Hyatt with standing room only, had hundreds waiting to get in to catch a glimpse of the amazing Lakmé Grand Finale; which ended the Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011, with the outstanding collection from the “Badshah of Bollywood Couture”, Manish Malhotra.

Revealing his interpretations of the high performance long wear makeup range, Lakmé ABSOLUTE, Manish displayed his creative skills by showing garments of ultimate beauty and style. The Lakmé Grand Finale at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011 showcased a collection that was glamorous and sophisticated, with a soul that was Indian. The Lakmé ABSOLUTE range is specially created for the contemporary Indian woman and designed for the Indian skin-tone enabling every woman to be magical every day of her life.

It was a collection of international standard inspired by the looks of Lakmé ABSOLUTE cosmetic range, which combined hi-tech and hi-fashion in the most sensational manner that dazzled the audience

As the lights in the Ballroom dimmed, the stylish AV showed the wonderful products of Lakmé ABSOLUTE and the face of the brand the absolutely gorgeous super star of Bollywood, Kareena Kapoor. Her “ABSOLUTE” favourites from the range are Super Light Mattereal Mousse, Plum and Shine Gloss, ABSOLUTE Lip Last and the Two Way Compact.

From then on it was glamour and glitz all the way, as the silk curtains parted to reveal a giant clock as the backdrop and the stage lined with handsome male models. The first model descended from the ceiling down the lit steps wearing a breathtaking white embellished kurta with accented wing shoulder detailing and a pink diaphanous lehenga.

What followed were the most magnificent Indian and western creations comprising swirling panelled lehengas, amazingly constructed cholis, superb saris and serene avant garde gowns. Each creation was a dream to behold as silver and resham embroidery covered the ensembles in a brilliant manner.

Rich fabrics like, lace, chiffon, silk, net, velvet in primary shades of white and candy floss pink were teamed with black, wine, gold, pale grey, metallics and cherry red. Gowns were either will-power or sexy with plunging ‘V’ necks and moulded to the body and flared into dozens of panels. 

Sheer net appeared for Kalidar covers, which were draped over luxuriously opulent skirts making the ensembles ideal bridal wear. Men’s wear was formal with sherwanis, some with wide cuffs, long smock coats at times pleated or gathered - were at others times lean and layered over kurtas. The colour story was masculine with black grey, white and wine with a hint of fuchsia for collars and cuffs.

At the end of the stunning display by 49 models the lights dimmed, the music rose to a crescendo, the UV lights flashed and the audience held its breadth for the most amazing moment – the appearance of the face of Lakmé ABSOLUTE. As the lights came on, framed against the giant clock high up on the stage, the gorgeous Kareena Kapoor descended down to terra firma amidst thundering applause and took the ramp in a fabulous white layered lace, silk, net gown with a shimmering bodice and a radiant smile with her flawless skin, wearing the beautiful Lakmé ABSOLUTE range of products.