October 1 holds out a promise of gala celebrations as former Indian model & New York based designer Gazala shows the humane face of fashion as her debut fashion show draws in a starry presence and all in the name of charity.
 There is a distinct tingle in the air. Can you feel it? A whiff of a sublime amalgamation of art, fashion and celebration, that calls for all fashionistas to don their designer ensembles and drink in the elegant air of plush luxury is doing the rounds of the swish set. And, all for a worthy cause. Leading the way is a blast from Mumbai’s glamorous past. Gazala gave up the arc lights of glamour even as she helped her husband, Zakir Chinwalla, set up his travel business in New York. Her desire to explore her first love of fashion designing, however, has brought her back to the city of her birth after a good -- and very productive -- 26 years.
Not that the world of swatches is new to this fledgling designer, having worked with the likes of Oscar de la Renta and Oleg Cassini (a dream start, what say?) when in New York. For the uninitiated, Gazala has been a successful supermodel and one of the first few faces of a leading brand of all things sartorial, Bombay Dyeing. Add to that, an amateur painter, a successful businesswoman, a relentless seeker of knowledge, (her course of continuing education at old alma mater, Parsons is testimonial to the fact) and you have a woman who gives a whole new spin to the word versatile.
 Given her proclivity for creating evening wear, one can readily understand her decision to launch her designer dreams dipping into the vast ocean that is Indian fashion from her homestead, Mumbai, even as our desi couturiers are on the verge of moving lock, stock and barrel to western shores. "Women in New York just don't dress up anymore!" opines Gazala. “Apart from the fact that India has now become a style statement for our Western counterparts, there is this huge market for formal apparel here, so it was only logical that India should be the place to start from. Apart from that, I was lucky to have a friend in Najma Murad, an established couture embroiderer whose unstinted support and help is equally responsible for this collection coming together."
 And a fantastic beginning it is! Throw in trendsetting influences of New York, an ethnic upbringing, an erudite understanding of style, coupled with a genuine love to, well, create and you have a potential designer who may soon be on the speed dial of those that matter. She has plunged right into her debut launch, all packaged with a committed cause -- victims of AIDS -- to tug heart strings and hopefully, loosen the purse strings of the crème de la crème of Mumbai society. Not to mention the latest heartthrob from Bollywood, ABHISHEK BACHACHAN coming on board as chief guest!
The clear size and scale of the hush hush event is proof that Gazala does not believe in doing things half-heartedly. "I had already made up my mind that I was going to go the whole nine yards with my launch here. I didn't want to have just a fashion show. I was keen to be part of an event with heart, which was how the CCDT (Committed Communities Development Trust) came to be involved." And that is not all; a friend from her modelling days, Sharmila Khanna, will be choreographing the ramp show. And yours truly (read Verve) will be right there, cheering on as a celluloid goddess, Sushmita Sen, earns her spurs on the catwalk as she struts in the show-stopping creation, designed specially for Verve.
Art and fashion take on a formal face at the two-day extravaganza, Exclusive Cocktail Reception on invitation only, black-tie et al. October 1 will be a day of reckoning as the city glitterati sits up and takes note of yet another star on the horizon of fashion… and with a charitable heart to boot!
Myriad organisations have united to make Gazala's vision a reality while others, having sworn us to secrecy, are satisfied lending a helping hand away from the spotlight:
PARTNERS IN ARMS
Verve, ever ready to fling its arms wide open for a worthy cause, is a magazine that, in our humble opinion, most style divas swear by. Upholding its spirit of humanity, the magazine has got the big screen's most stylish diva, Sushmita Sen, (Verve cover girl twice over) to catwalk for the cause of the AIDS affected children, draped in an ensemble created specially for Verve by Gazala. The associate partner for the event, committed to the cause, VERVE decided to lend support by spreading awareness about the fund-raiser and what better than giving the show a face. For VERVE readers is a contest where could win yourself 2 passes for the Gala.
GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT
The Crystal Ballroom of the Taj Mahal hotel who have sponsored the event, will play host to the Fashion show with the paintings of eminent artists displayed prominently with each plate for the uber exclusive cocktail reception on invitation only.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The Committed Communities Development Trust (CCDT) was a pioneering effort that began a decade and half back for the HIV/AIDS afflicted. Theirs is an inexhaustible endeavour to reintegrate them into mainstream society.
ART WITH A HEART
 The Gallery Art Resource Trust, a gateway into the world of art, is lending its considerable influence in the commercial aspects involved in the marketing and sale of paintings by upcoming talents and established veterans. Each artist will donate up to 40%-60% to the CCDT. The art Sale will be held at The Tuscan Room, Joss, Kala Ghoda on October, 3 and 4.
Sponsored by Associated Capsules and supported by the The Taj Mahal Hotel, the Art Sale open to the public from 11:00-5:00 pm.
A FASHION FIESTA
For the curious whose interest has been piqued by the mystery that has shrouded the designs of the former model, well-known boutique, Designer Studio, will be holding a preview in the last week of September (tentatively slated for the 24th and 25th) and selling the creations post the October event.
What’s In Store:
Art: 115 paintings specially made for the event. M F Husain, Anjolie Ela Menon, Jehangir Jani, Jehangir Sabavala, Jitish Kallat, …the list goes on and on.
Fashion: 18 near perfect bodies as they glide down the ramp, at the glittering event on October 1 at the Taj.
Bollywood: Sushmita Sen - Embodies the spirit the Verve woman. Verve brings to you from it's coterie of stunning cover girls the eternal goddess of celluloid to walk the ramp…..and all for a good cause! Sushmita will be sashaying down the catwalk in a showstopper outfit created specially for your favourite magazine.
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