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A red alert
Salim Asgarally's Colours of Life collection was aimed straight at women's hearts. The designer used the spotlight on the ramp to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease.
- By Jyoti Kalsi, Gulf News Report
- Published: 00:44 April 27, 2008
- Image Credit: Megan Hirons/Gulf News
- "Colours of Life is an expression of the beauty and innocence of a woman, wherein red stands for her everloving heart," said Asgarally.
Indian designer Salim Asgarally's show on the opening day of The Bride Show Dubai combined fashion with a message about women's health. The designer supported the Dubai Health Authority's Go Red for Women campaign to create awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD) by including several red outfits in his collection titled Colours of Life and a spectacular red bridal ensemble in the show's finale.
Campaign
Before the models walked down the ramp, cardiologists Dr Hind Hassan and Dr Quraitulain Zaidie stepped on stage to tell the audience about the worldwide campaign by the World Heart Federation. “Women are as much at risk as men to CVD, which is the biggest killer of men and women worldwide and in the UAE.
Through this show we want to take the image of ‘the woman in red' to a different level. We want the red dress to be like a red alert to remind women to look after their heart and to make them aware of the simple lifestyle changes that can help to make the heart healthy and prevent CVD," said Dr. Zaidie. The two doctors were among the participants at Women's Healthcare that ran alongside The Bride Show Dubai.
First appearance
Asgarally studied fashion designing in the US, but returned to India to launch his eponymous label. The designer counts many Bollywood and television stars among his customers and also has a loyal clientele in Dubai. In his first appearance at The Bride Show Dubai, the designer showcased his couture and prêt collection for spring-summer 2008.
The garments included hand- embroidered saris teamed with glittering bustiers, backless cholis and beautiful long- sleeved vintage blouses, net kameezes embellished with velvet appliqué and anarkalis with pleated layers worn with churidars and layered skirts, opulent bridal lehengas, beaded ponchos and brocade kaftans in rich shades of red, maroon, turquoise, yellow with gold and silver accents. The designer also displayed a range of jellabiyas in crystal-studded silk and brocade and some sexy evening dresses.
In sharp contrast with the bright colours and opulent embellishments of these outfits was the designer's exquisitely understated line of white churidar kurtas with delicate tone-on-tone embroidery. Here the emphasis was on cuts with the silhouettes ranging from very short pleated kurtis to long flowing tops worn with ruched churidars. The designer also showcased his collection of jewel-encrusted evening bags, shoes and belts.
Beauty and innocence
“Colours of Life is an expression of the beauty and innocence of a woman, wherein red stands for her ever-loving heart. The need to take care of this heart that nurtures life as a mother, daughter and wife is the central theme of my show," said Asgarally. “This collection is also specially designed to bring together years of cultural assimilation between India and the Arab world. Hence I have used Indian embroidery on the jellabiyas and teamed saris with long-sleeved vintage blouses," he added.
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