Engendered's Fashion Conscience
By Rachna Kapur
December 20, 2009
Manish Arora
Engendered's Fashion Conscience event took place on December 19, 2009 at the Asia Society. The event started with a star-studded Red Carpet which featured celebrities and fashion designers such as Manish Arora, Mira Nair, Manu Narayan and Vidur Kapur. The event then followed with a fashion show that featured international designers; Manish Arora, Zolaykha Sherzad and Asher Jay. Each designer presented their own fashion lines for the event which illustrated different Engendered messages. Some of the models in the show were South Asian celebrities who walked the runway and modeled clothing from the designers' fashion lines in support of the organization's mission to shine a spotlight on human rights.
Manish Arora, named one of the top ten designers at the 2009 Paris Fashion week, who has designs worn by the likes of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and M.I.A, presented 'POSITIVE'. His line paid tribute to the spirit and resilience of AIDS victims, in order to raise awareness about the importance of safe sex and the complacency surrounding HIV/AIDS decades after the origin of this virus. Arora's designs were full of exuberant colors, embroidery and modern ethnic style which presented a message of happiness. Mira Nair, Oscar-nominated director, presented one of Arora's designs on the runway.
Asher Jay, who is a Parsons school graduate and has worked with reputed names such as Anne Klein and Ralph Lauren, presented her line 'ONE', which focused on gender non-conformity and non-dualistic desire; borrowed from the Buddhist and Tantric myths of Goddess Kurukulla which is deemed bewitching by both sexes. Her styles represented a transition from women's and men's wear to outfits that can be worn by both sexes. Jay's designs had bold basic colors and clear cut lines, however her styles did not appear to have the capability of being worn by both sexes off of the runway. Manu Narayan, last seen on Broadway's "Bombay Dreams" and Vidur Kapur, mainstream South Asian comic, walked the ramp in Jay's designs.
Zolaykha Sherzad, who was recently profiled in Time Magazine and who has built a cultural bridge between Afghanistan and the rest of the world, presented her line 'LOVE', which focused on women who have survived violence and displacement. The line was inspired by Sufi traditions and represents prayers for women who have survived violence and displacement in their lives. Her line was full of enriching colors and beautiful designs. Ami Sheth, of Cartoon Network’s Delocated, modeled some Sherzad's designs on the runway.
The fashion show was followed by an after-party that included Bollywood and American hits spun by DJ Suhel. The night provided guests with an entertaining night of fashion, beautiful dance performances, music and an inspiring message of education around gender, sexuality and religion.
To learn more about Engendered visit: http://engendered.org
Manish Arora, named one of the top ten designers at the 2009 Paris Fashion week, who has designs worn by the likes of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and M.I.A, presented 'POSITIVE'. His line paid tribute to the spirit and resilience of AIDS victims, in order to raise awareness about the importance of safe sex and the complacency surrounding HIV/AIDS decades after the origin of this virus. Arora's designs were full of exuberant colors, embroidery and modern ethnic style which presented a message of happiness. Mira Nair, Oscar-nominated director, presented one of Arora's designs on the runway.
Asher Jay, who is a Parsons school graduate and has worked with reputed names such as Anne Klein and Ralph Lauren, presented her line 'ONE', which focused on gender non-conformity and non-dualistic desire; borrowed from the Buddhist and Tantric myths of Goddess Kurukulla which is deemed bewitching by both sexes. Her styles represented a transition from women's and men's wear to outfits that can be worn by both sexes. Jay's designs had bold basic colors and clear cut lines, however her styles did not appear to have the capability of being worn by both sexes off of the runway. Manu Narayan, last seen on Broadway's "Bombay Dreams" and Vidur Kapur, mainstream South Asian comic, walked the ramp in Jay's designs.
Zolaykha Sherzad, who was recently profiled in Time Magazine and who has built a cultural bridge between Afghanistan and the rest of the world, presented her line 'LOVE', which focused on women who have survived violence and displacement. The line was inspired by Sufi traditions and represents prayers for women who have survived violence and displacement in their lives. Her line was full of enriching colors and beautiful designs. Ami Sheth, of Cartoon Network’s Delocated, modeled some Sherzad's designs on the runway.
The fashion show was followed by an after-party that included Bollywood and American hits spun by DJ Suhel. The night provided guests with an entertaining night of fashion, beautiful dance performances, music and an inspiring message of education around gender, sexuality and religion.
To learn more about Engendered visit: http://engendered.org
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