Naomi Campbell's spectacular Fashion for Relief

Next >

Ladies and gentlemen, Mumbai is officially back.

Tonight, just four months after the horrors of 26/11, India’s most global, cosmopolitan city hosted a star-studded fashion show that the whole world is talking about. Literally.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell and New-York based hotelier Vikram Chatwal combined forces to bring about the charitable event, called Fashion for Relief: Mai Mumbai. And the list of top models, celebrities and designers who participated in the event is simply staggering.

Naomi herself started things off, beginning a deluge of beautiful people in beautiful garments. A few of the famous catwalkers: Deepika Padukone, Malaika Arora Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Ujjwala Raut and many, many more.

As for the 50+ designers, they were the most famous names in International and Indian couture: Dolce & Gabbana, Carolina Herrara, Versace, Diane Von Furstenberg, Roberto Cavalli, Givenchy, Rohit Bal, Wendell Rodricks, Sabyasachi and more.

All of the fabulous creations seen on the ramp are available by silent auction. Proceeds will go towards upgrading and expanding Mumbai’s fleet of ambulances, which will help the city better respond to any future emergencies.

In the post-show press conference, Naomi spoke about why Fashion for Relief: Mai Mumbai was conceived: “During this trip to India, I went to the sites of the Taj and Oberoi Hotels, and it made me immensely sad to hear about the people who died because of the lack of ambulances. This show is about communicating to their families, that we haven’t forgotten. We know that you are grieving your loss, and we want to extend our condolences to you.”

She also had touching words for India and her people: “I was very happy to walk the ramp today, and I should tell you how much I love your country. I have been here many times before, and I think that Indian people are really nice, and have the loveliest smiles. I have the highest regard for your country and its fashion. Indians dress so elegantly.”

And now, without further ado, here's an in-depth look at the fashion show quite unlike any other that Mumbai has ever seen.

Rahul Khanna performed compering duties for the night, opening the show with a short speech on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and how the city is strong enough to recover and get back on its feet. And then it was showtime!

Photographs: Sanjay Sawant & Dominic Xavier

Also see: Day Zero by Krishna Mehta

Next >