Many local artists and students took action to help raise funds for underprivileged girls in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Sunday night the Union Ballroom became the stage for an Indian Fashion Show, silent auction and a multitude of entertainment.
Many participants took part in the Indian Fabric Fashion show showing off their ability to make many different pieces of work using a meter of Indian fabric and other fabrics as well. The fabrics were made into many garments, accessories, wall hangings and other goods.
After the fashion show, these items were then sold in a silent auction to help raise funds for the Keep Girls in School Project. The project aids Aarti Home in India, which allows children, especially girls, to become educated in a country where they often face daughter devaluation and lack of resources.
The school supports abandoned children of any background and provides a safe place where girls can grow into women who are learners as well as earners, giving them ability, worth and an opportunity to advance India as a progressive country, according to Keep Girls in School Project Facebook page.
“We distributed the same piece of meter Indian fabric to 26 individuals who made anything from quilts to purses and many other items, then we auctioned off items to raise funds for the orphanage. It was also a show case of Indian fabric and design,” said Bonnie Zare, professor in gender and women’s studies, as well as founder and director of the Keep Girls in School Project. “The event went beautifully, I was so proud of my students and the publicity was great.”
There was also entertainment at the event. Everything from Bollywood dancing to Belly dancing, while awards were given to first and second place for the Fashion show. The audience could also vote on who would receive the people’s choice award.
Many people turned out to help support the cause and come for a night of fashion, fundraising and entertainment.
“It was really kind of unique to see the different creations people made all with a meter piece of Indian fabric and how they chose to express their piece,” said Aaron Doyle, a sophomore English major. “The whole night had a very strong theme and just knowing all of this was to help raise funds for a charity was honestly pretty amazing.”
This event was sponsored by MILAAP: Indian Student Organization at the University of Wyoming, Gender and Women’s Studies Program, Quilt Essentials and Laramie Dance Center.
