Bachchan family, AIDS awareness in fashion blitzkrieg

  • IndiaGlitz, [Saturday,February 19 2005]

Celebrated Mumbai-based designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla would use the showing for their latest collection as a fundraiser to fight AIDS, even roping in film legend Amitabh Bachchan to walk the runway.

The collection called "9/Nine" would mark 20 years of one of Indian fashion's most enduring and successful relationships - that between Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla.

9/Nine, based on the themes of force, brotherhood and indestructible matter, would be presented at the ITC Grand Central Sunday.

The show, divided into lines like Faces, Sequins Kilm, Exotica, Sequins Floral Drapes, Lotus Pond and Solids, would also have Bollywood stars Rani Mukherjee and Abhishek Bachchan making special appearances.

In fact, the whole of the Bachchan clan would be at the show, barring Jaya Bachchan. Even Amitabh's daughter Shweta Nanda would make a special appearance on the runway.

"We plan to reinvent the Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla label. 'Never seen before' is our dictum for this collection," Abu Jani told IANS. "Our theme for this collection is change with completely new shades, styles and designs, which are grand, unique yet archetypal. The line spells timeless glamour."

The sets would be in Grecian columns and would also have white panels interspersed with mirrors, flowers, candles and curtains of fairy lights.

The designer duo has earlier raised money for AIDS awareness through their shows. In 2000, during the release of their book "A Celebration Of Style", a trust fund was established to support women and children suffering from HIV/AIDS.

The event had raised Rs.4.1 million ($93,600) which was used to build the Ashray shelter. The shelter, supported by Abhishek Bachchan, looks after 250 families and nearly 500 children.

"It is our endeavour to apply our craft for a cause - HIV/AIDS. The generous backing we received the last time we did the show overwhelmed us. We look forward to the same support this time around," said Sandeep Khosla. "We welcome anyone interested to come to Ashray and see the work we are doing there."