Singapore is the venue for a full-blown glamorous attack on cancer. Creative talents -- fashion house, Satya Paul, artist, Senaka Senanayake, jewellers, Ganjam and Radhika Kothari, join hands in a mega event that holds out the promise of a better tomorrow, all in aid of the Bone Marrow Donor Programme.

It holds out a promise of a blend of art and high fashion in sublime harmony. Even as Singapore drapes itself in the hues of India, Perizaad Zorabian, big star of meaningful cinema and Bollywood bombshell waiting to happen, will trade in her histrionics for an evening to sashay down the ramp. And all in the spirit of humanity.

Come October and Singapore, the crown jewel of the Asia Pacific, will display its heart of gold for the world to see. As Singapore sets the stage to launch a super glam attack on the mother of all malignancies, cancer, the creative spirit that spans the entire spectrum of artistic expression comes to the fore. An ensemble cast has joined forces, in the spirit of humanity, for an evening that promises the highest form of aesthetic appeal for connoisseurs of the finer things in life…

THE ARTIST

Senaka Senanayake, is the artist whose talent has spawned the inspiration behind the event that has come to be known as The Gift Of Tomorrow. One of the most prominent artists to emerge from the Emerald Isle, Senanayake, is inspired by the vast canvas of nature, which he translates into works of art. Joyous colours depict the flora and fauna of the tropics and are used with amazing artistic dexterity. Pure, positive and healing hues are the touchstones of Senanayake's brushwork. The Gift Of Tomorrow -- truly an appropriate present to the malady-ridden, for a hope filled future.

THE CAUSE

The crusaders of the cause, BMDP (Bone Marrow Donor Programme) is the organisation fighting to provide the victims of cancer, their last ray of hope. The BMDP, formed in 1993 by Gerald Loong after he lost his son, Andrew, to leukaemia, is a single link in the chain of such like-minded organisations that have taken on the responsibility of finding donors for bone marrow transplants. Radhika Kothari, the multi-faceted woman of enterprise, has taken on the mantle of spearheading the large-scale event and seeing it through successfully.  An unofficial cultural ambassador of India of sorts, Radhika Kothari, the erstwhile president of the organisation she helped set up -- the Indian Woman's Association in Singapore -- is the brain behind many a desi concert in the cultural island called Singapore. It is, as Kothari puts it, “a global database for BMT (bone marrow transplants).” With a staggering 35,000 voluntary donors already registered, a mere 5,000 more -- their target every new year -- should be within easy reach.

THE DESIGNS

Which brings us to the main element of this much-awaited gala. Satya Paul, more famously known for their skill at innovative designs, will provide the glamour element of the soiree. The design house, whose creations go beyond fashion, where couture just becomes a vehicle for the manifestation of a deeper art, has dipped into the vibrant hues of Senanayake’s paintings and translated them onto fabric and drapes. Not a first for the design house that has been known to be inspired by art: whether it is the Inspirational Collection that has reinterpreted the paintings of Piet Mondrian and Matisse among others, or Indian masters like Raja Ravi Varma and S H Raza whose neo-tantric ideals, for instance, made for the perfect depiction on a scarf. Sharan Apparao, of Apparao Galleries, has collaborated with the design house on previous occasions for similar ventures. They have used luxurious fabrics in georgettes, crepes, satins and satin jacquards for the creation of this collection.

The artist’s brushstrokes is the fountain from which their designs for the collection, Inspirational Saris, flow. Kaleidoscopic use of luminous colours, vibrant shades and innovative combinations, the Satya Paul ‘Inspirational Saris’ are magical and promise to enthral with the sheer imagery of the designs.

A progeny of the great movement in fashion that gripped the nation about two decades back, the Satya Paul label has established a vast repertoire of innovative attire. Designing in tandem with the environment and the world around, the creations always add value and meaning to the brand’s design philosophy. Satya Paul helped revive and sustain textile crafts firstly by providing craftsmen all over the country outlets as well as the means of expression, and secondly by re-evoking the awareness of Indian craft forms in the international market. A label with a deep-set commitment to worthy causes, it continues on its journey of creating success with fabric.

THE SPARKLE

The bejewelled glitter from Ganjam, the jewellery house from India that has lent its precious presence to the cause, promises to rival that of the gathered cognoscenti on the evening of the event. Complementing the show-stopping sartorial statement of Satya Paul, are the jewelled inspirations, creating baubles of sparkling elegance from the art.

Famed for its ability to blend traditional Indian motifs and techniques with contemporary designs, Ganjam's jewellery has a contemporary-classic appeal. Each piece is unique in itself and is a tribute to the discerning consumer as much as it is to exquisite craftsmanship and style of jewellery.

Having cut across borders in establishing its patronage, jewels from Ganjam are as popular with home-grown gharanas as with the Far Eastern royalty. A global appeal encased within the glitter of each exotic jewel, Ganjam has taken a bow on many an international platform. Its visit to Singapore this October in the company of other equally recognised names will add yet another twinkle to its portfolio.

VERVE SUPPORTS

October will also see the spirit of Verve in Singapore, championing the worthy benefit along with the rest of the glitterati. A magazine dedicated to the greater good, Verve will lend its support to this fund-raiser that seeks to provide a ray of hope to the many unfortunate victims of cancer and ensure a better tomorrow. And representing Verve is Perizaad Zorabian, the quintessential Verve woman, who will walk the ramp in a Satya Paul show-stopper, enthralling the gathered cognoscenti…