Smile Foundation: Stars Dazzles on Ramp for Champs

An Initiative by Smile Foundation to raise support for education of the girl child

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IndiaCSR News Network

MUMBAI: Smile Foundation, a national level development organization, showcased the 5th edition of its charity fashion show ‘Ramp for Champs’ on April 19, 2014 at ITC Grand Central, Mumbai. With a special focus on education for the girl children, funds raised through Ramp for Champs will be utilized through Smile Foundation’s national programme named Mission Education. Ramp  For Champs  had a robust line-up of 45 participating achievers and personalities from all walks 0f life and 17 responsible brands  who have come together to celebrate the very best of fashion and creative talent.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Neeraj Agarwal, Executive Director, Corporate Communication, LIC India said “Education is every individual’s birth right, more so for the girl child in India who is marginalized by all standards. In India most of the girls fail to enrol in school, and those that do are likely to drop out by the age of 12. The event promises well for the cause, and we are privileged to be associated with Smile Foundation.”
The event started with a very special performance by Singer Shweta Pandit who captivated the crowd with her melodious voice followed by a dance performance by Sandip Soparrkar who mesmerized the crowd with his electrifying moves.

IAM Foundation joined hands with this movement and Ms. Susmita Sen, Former Miss Universe and a renowned philanthropist came forward to support the cause and encouraged all the people to act and make a difference. Expressing her support to the cause, she said.”IAM Foundation is glad to be associated with Smile Foundation, having similar beliefs it was only a matter of time we came together. Girl education and Girl safety are the most prominent issue in India today and that is something we wanted to throw more light on so that more people become aware and work towards eradicating it. I am looking forward to seeing you on 19th of April, 2014, it’s a date with a cause, “GIRL CHILD EDUCATION”

Star designers Archana Kochhar, Ken Ferns , Salim Asgarally, Salima Lalani and Sonaakshi Raaj  extended their support to the cause by showcasing their special collections not with the models but with their muses who were their celebrity and high profile clients .The show was directed by ace choreographer Rashmi Virmani.

India based fashion designer Archana Kochhar has great fellowship for fashion and is feasting her clients through three operational prêt stores in Mumbai. Born in fashion hub of India, Mumbai Archana Kochhar has diverse proficiency for designing and creating excellent outfits. Her muses for the show had eminent personalities from all fields like acting, singing, chefs, working woman to homemakers. Her power list consisted of Amrita Rao, Betty, Hanan Zafri, Chef.Vikas Khanna,  Monisha Jaisingh, Biba Gurha, Rashmi Ganatra, Sobha Lakhani, Anu Anju, Shweta Pandit and Amrita Arora.

Mumbai based designer Ken Ferns, launched his label in 2010 at the India Resort Fashion Week-Goa and thereafter has been showcasing at the Lakme Fashion Week. His work as a wardrobe stylist for BBC Worldwide and Bigg Boss and as a costume designer at Nach Baliye and Jhalak Dikhla Jaa has been seen. He is a recipient of the National Award Apex Trophy, in the Young Designers’ category in the year 2001-2002. His muses were his close friends who came forward to support Ken and his believe in the cause. Sangram Singh and Payal Rohatgi, Shilpa Saklani Agnihotri, Hasleen Kaur, Rajneesh Dugal, Ramona Arena and the young and vibrant cast of the upcoming film Purani Jeans came forward to extend their support to the cause and they were all happy to meet the beneficiaries of the Foundation.

Salim Asgarally, trained extensively at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and the University of California in Los Angeles, Salim Asgarally is one of India’s few formally trained fashion designers. Having trained in the west, his collections reflect an international spirit in style, silhouette and drape, while retaining an Indian sensibility of colour, texture and embellishment. His label is worn not only by fashionable women in India but across the globe.His muses were Aroona Bhatt , Gajara Kothari,Shristi Arya , Soni Razdan , Shaheen Bhatt and Veena Bakshi .

Salima Lalani is a Mumbai based fashion designer who started her career with her mother. She initially started her business in Lucknowi Kurtas. She also built her NRI clientele while living in Sydney and launched a store overseas called ‘De-Chic’. She currently operates out of her flagship store based in Mumbai. Her muses for Ramp For Champs were Sophie Premji, Vinisha Tulsiyan, VJ Andy, Sarita Madhavan, Dr.Mugdha Raut, Sama Sikender, Claudia Ciesla and Deepika Singh who all were all smiles supporting the cause along with Salima .

Label Sonaakshi Raaj is synonymous with opulence, with an intention to create glamorous ensembles catering to women’s couture wear with a design philosophy that is distinctly feminine and refined. By combining tailoring with drapery, the garments are meticulously crafted to styles that are luxurious yet understated with strong emphasis on fabric, cut and colour. Her muses were the most beautiful woman from the tinsel town like Amy Patel, Malvika Raaj, Soumya Tondon, Waluscha D’souza, Anita Raaj, Krishika Lulla, Evelyn Sharma and Susmita Sen. All these famous woman personalities extended their support to the cause and made many heads turn with their grace and poise .

The event was successfully supported by various partners. This Ramp For Champs was presented by LIC of India, Other valuable partners were IAM Foundation, Nerolac, Reliance Capital, Vatika Group, Indira Group of Institutes, Air France KLM, Amway ,Jean Claude, Estrada , SoapBox , One Stop Makeover, Chandrakala Sanap, Telly Chakkar, ITC Grand Central , D Fashion TV, Global Advertisers, Coca Cola. Chef Vikas Khanna was introduced as the goodwill ambassador for ‘Cook for a Smile’ – an upcoming initiative by Smile Foundation.

Addressing on the occasion, Mr. Vikram Singh Verma, Chief Operating Officer, Smile Foundation said, “Through Ramp of Champs we are aiming to bring trend-setters and celebrities together to bring some real and permanent change in the lives of the most deserving children. Education is the most effective tool that can help less privileged children come out of the vicious cycle of poverty and suffering, and transform into an empowered next generation.”He further added, “The privileged section of the society has to come forward and take proactive role in the process of development .We feel encouraged with the support and response towards the cause through Ramp For Champs in Mumbai and I thank all the responsible corporate, designers, celebrities and the guest who made this initiative a great success ”

Ramp for Champs
Ramp for Champs (RFC) is a charity fashion show from Smile Foundation. Ramp for Champs brings fashion designers, eminent public figures and corporate to raise supports for the cause of child education. The Ramp for Champs in Mumbai was the fifth edition, with the first one launched in Bangalore in 2011.
Smile Foundation
Smile Foundation is a national level development organization currently reaching out to more than 300,000 children directly along with their families and the communities through 158 welfare projects on the issues of education, healthcare, livelihood, women empowerment and advocacy across 25 states of India. Adopting a life cycle approach of development, Smile Foundation focuses its interventions on children, their families and the community.