BRENT SHOW FOR BRITISH BRIDAL SARIS
Photo by Hannah Walker
Three brand new British bridal saris, the top prize winners in a national competition for British sari patterns, will be on display on Ealing Road, Wembley, this month – the latest stop for the British Sari Story, a celebration of British Asian heritage created by the cultural arts organisation Bridging Arts.
The winning designs by competition entrants Munawar Ahmed of Greenwich, Aarifa Chowdhury of Shadwell, London, and Dhamina Mistry of Loughborough, have been created into dazzling new saris by leading retailer RCKC which is showcasing the new saris for the month of July.
“We’re delighted to have the saris on display in Brent where so much interest has been shown since we started the hunt for a British Sari two years ago,” says Bridging Arts Director Susan Roberts. “We launched the British Sari Story in Willesden Green and we had local two winners in the first national competition. So it is great to be back.”
The annual competition seeking a unique British twist for the sari has been given new momentum this year as two major partners have come on board. RCKC, which specialises in Asian, Indian and ethnic haute couture, will once again create the top three entries and also on board is media partner Asiana magazine. The contest is offering a top prize of £250 to the person who designs a British Sari reflecting Asian experience in 21st Britain, with a uniquely British twist on fabric, pattern and draping style.
RCKC Director Amit Rastogi says the idea of creating a British sari is exciting and important. His firm would like to see the fashion industry throw itself behind the contest.
“There are many people here and across India, Pakistan and Bangladesh who wear saris daily and who will be fascinated to see the results. This is not just a competition, but an important cultural exercise.”
Entry to the competition is free. Competitors are asked to submit sketches of their designs plus instructions of how they think a British Sari might be worn. Entry forms can be downloaded from www.bridging-arts.com or call 020 8749 9010. The closing date is 31 October 2009.
The competition is run in collaboration with the AHRC Fashioning Diaspora Space project, supported by Royal Holloway and the V&A.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. For more information about the national competition and the British Sari Story, email Susan Roberts at info@bridging-arts.com or call 020 3301 3809 or 0794 12 52 444. Entry forms can be downloaded from www.bridging-arts.com
2. RCKC is a top name in Asian, Indian and ethnic haute couture and is one of the most exclusive UK and India-based fashion houses in the UK and India. It provides Indian fashion wear and exclusive Indian Bridal and Groom Wear. Its London base is the Atlip Centre, Ealing Road, Wembley HA0 4LW. Tel: 020 8902 5383. Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 1030am-630pm; Sunday 12 noon-6pm.
3. Asiana, a leading style-setter in the British Asian community, features Asian & Indian Fashion, Wedding, Clothes & Bridal wear. It is published quarterly by iandimedia Ltd, 46.48 East Smithfield, London E1W 1AW. Tel: 020 7709 2010. F: 020 7709 2012.
4. Bridging Arts works with art, design and photography to give people without a voice the chance to speak out, to trigger debate and to open minds. Visit www.bridging-arts.com for more information.
ends