Slumdog to catwalk

Designers Ashima and Leena will get children from the Oscar winning film to showcase their creations on the second day of Wills India Fashion Week.

Most designers turn to Bollywood leading ladies to walk the ramp for them during fashion week, but Ashima and Leena Singh have decided to use Azharuddin and Rubina, who played the youngest Jamal and Latika in the Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire, for their show on the second day of the Wills India Fashion Week (WIFW). Leena Singh, one half of the label Ashima-Leena, said, “When Azhauddin and Rubina came back from the Oscars and then went back to their slums, our hearts went out to them. We want to keep their glory alive.”

The designer duo have so far resisted the temptation to use any celebrity to walk the ramp for them during previous fashion weeks. “When people would ask us about which celebrity we would be using for our shows, our response would always be, ‘Our clothes are the real stars’”, Singh added.

The duo’s effort for these two children will not end with the show. “We are launching Ashima-Leena Jai Ho Foundation with this show, ” Sinmgh announced.

The foundation will work with Khushii and hopes to help educate poor children. Adds Singh, “There must be several Rubinas in the slums and hopefully this foundation will reach those children and help them wih their education.’

Their effort is likely to be supported by FDCI, with the apex body’s president likely to present a cheque for the foundation. Singh is also hopeful that the others involved will donate for the Ashima-Leena Jai Ho Foundation.