India to organise first ever SAARC fashion show

New Delhi, Nov 22 (UNI) The first ever SAARC Fashion show will be held on December 7 in the national capital to boost the rich textile and traditions of the South Asian countries.

The fashion extrazvaganza is scheduled to coincide with the 29th SAARC Council of Ministers meeting which will be attended by foreign ministers of all the SAARC nations.

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the country's apex fashion body, has been commissioned by the External Affairs Ministry and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to organise the fashion show, a FDCI release said here.

The fashion show will feature 14 talented designers from eight nations, who will come together for the first time and showcase their creations in a show titled 'Threads of Unity'.

The designers representing India at the event are Ritu Kumar and Anamika Khanna.

The fashion show aims to generate awareness about the rich cultural heritage through textile traditions and indigenous handicraft and embroideries techniques of the SAARC nations.

''The SAARC fashion show will provide a platform for the designers of South Asian countries to work together, thus promoting the spirit of friendship and mutual understanding. This event will truly reflect unity in creativity amongst SAARC nations,''FDCI Director General Rathi Vinay Jha said.

As the current Chair of SAARC, India is committed to improve people to people connectivity within the region. The fashion Show is an important component of the SAARC Cultural Festival, which is the first being organised by India.

In addition to the fashion show, other cultural events like SAARC Food Festival, SAARC Bands Festival, SAARC Folklore Festival, exhibition on the 'Textiles Traditions of South Asia', SAARC Sales Outlet and SAARC Car Rally Photo Exhibition would also be organised as part of the festival.

UNI