Fashion
The viral fashion show by slum children that is wowing India
A video of a fashion shoot in India has gone viral and unexpectedly turned a group of underprivileged school children into local celebrities.
The footage shows the children, most of them girls between the ages of 12 and 17, dressed in red and gold outfits fashioned from discarded clothes.
The teenagers designed and tailored the outfits and also doubled up as models to showcase their creations, with the grubby walls and terraces of the slum providing the backdrop for their ramp walk.
The video was filmed and edited by a 15-year-old boy.
The video first appeared earlier this month on the Instagram page of Innovation for Change, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the city of Lucknow.
The charity works with about 400 children from the city’s slums, providing them free food, education and job skills. The children featured in the shoot are students of this NGO.
Mehak Kannojia, one of the models in the video, told the BBC that she and her fellow students closely followed the sartorial choices of Bollywood actresses on Instagram and often duplicated some of their outfits for themselves.
“This time, we decided to pool our resources and worked as a group,” the 16-year-old said.
For their project, they chose wisely – a campaign by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, one of India’s top fashion designers who has dressed Bollywood celebrities, Hollywood actresses and billionaires. In 2018, Kim Kardashian wore his sequinned red sari for a Vogue shoot.
Mukherjee is also known as the “king of weddings” in India. He has dressed thousands of brides, including Bollywood celebrities such as Anushka Sharma and Deepika Padukone. Priyanka Chopra married Nick Jonas in a stunning red Sabyasachi outfit.
IMehak said their project, called Yeh laal rang (the colour red), was inspired by the designer’s heritage bridal collection.
“We sifted through the clothes that had come to us in donation and picked out all the red items. Then we zeroed in on the outfits we wanted to make and began putting them together.”
It was intense work – the girls stitched about a dozen outfits in three-four days but, Mehak says, they had “great fun doing it”.
For the ramp walk, Mehak says they studied the models carefully in Sabyasachi videos and copied their moves.
“Just like his models, some of us wore sunglasses, one drank from a sipper with a straw, while another walked carrying a cloth bundle under her arm.”
Some of it, Mehak says, came together organically. “At one point in the shoot, I was supposed to laugh. At that moment, someone said something funny and I just burst out laughing.”
It was an ambitious project, but the result has won hearts in India. Put together on a shoestring budget with donated clothes, the video went viral after Mukherjee reposted it on his Instagram feed with a heart emoji.
The campaign won widespread praise, with many on social media comparing their work to that of professionals.
The viral video has brought enormous attention to the charity and its school has been visited by several TV channels, some of the children were invited to participate in shows on popular FM radio stations and Bollywood actress Tamannah Bhatia visited them to accept a scarf from the children.
The response, Mehak says, has been “totally unexpected”.
“It feels like a dream come true. All my friends are sharing the video and saying ‘you’ve become famous’. My parents were full of joy when they heard about all the attention we are getting.
“We are feeling wonderful. Now we have only one dream left – to meet Sabyasachi.”
The shoot, however, also received criticism, with some wondering if showing young girls dressed as brides could encourage child marriage in a country where millions of girls are still married off by their families before they turn 18 – the legal age.
The Innovation for Change addressed the concern in a post on Instagram, saying they had no intention to encourage child marriage.
“Our aim is not to promote child marriage in any way. Today, these girls are able to do something like this by fighting against such ideas and restrictions. Please appreciate them, otherwise the morale of these children will fall.”
[BBC]
Charming Anudi Gunasekara (25y) is the reigning Miss World Sri Lanka 2024/25. Hailing from Anuradhapura where she studied at Central College, Anuradhapura, she is a graduate from the University of Kelaniya with a Second Upper BA (Hons) degree in International Studies.
She also holds a Diploma in International Relations from the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS)
An Honorary Member of Rotary International 3220, Anudi is the Founder of Saheli, a non-profit organization to combat period poverty in Sri Lanka.
She represents Sri Lanka at the Miss World grand finale in India in May this year.
Begun in 1951, the Miss World pageant is the world’s oldest beauty pageant. In 1972, Miss World became the first major international pageant to feature a dedicated charity program, “Beauty with a Purpose,” which has since raised millions of dollars for causes such as education, disaster relief, and child healthcare.
Excerpt of interview with this ethereal beauty.
We can see a glow in your face and it looks like you are excited to be part of the Miss World Contest?
Absolutely! Competing in Miss World has always been a dream of mine. Wearing the Sri Lankan sash with pride and representing my country on such a prestigious stage is truly a dream come true. I’m incredibly excited for the main competition!
What made you choose your journey in the world of beauty pageants?
I’ve been modelling since I was 19, and Miss World was always a milestone I aspired to achieve. It wasn’t an overnight decision but rather something I’ve been preparing for over the years. What truly drew me to Miss World is its purpose beyond physical beauty, it made me realize that this is my calling.
Did your parents appreciate your choice of entering into pageantry. If no how did you convinced them?
They have always been incredibly understanding and supportive. As the eldest among my siblings, I grew up as an independent child, and that has built a strong sense of trust. They believe in me and know that I can handle whatever comes my way.
You are not only representing Sri Lanka, but the entire world which also adds responsibilities on your shoulders. One such responsibility will be your association with humanity. Tell us how you will deal?
As Miss Sri Lanka and a participant in Miss World, I recognize that my role extends beyond representing my country, it is also about embracing the responsibility of being a global advocate for humanity.
One of the most effective ways to uphold this responsibility is by using my platform to address pressing social issues, particularly those affecting marginalized women. Through my Beauty with a Purpose project, I have already committed to tackling period poverty in Sri Lanka by raising awareness, improving access to sanitary products, and advocating for policy changes. However, the issue of menstrual equity is not confined to one country; it is a global concern that affects millions of women.
Whether it is period poverty, gender inequality, or access to education, my approach will always be rooted in compassion, action, and sustainable solutions.
Who would be your role model from Miss World pageantry?
Manushi Chhillar was the Miss World who truly inspired me to pursue this journey. Her story and purpose resonated with me, reinforcing my desire to be part of Miss World.
Could you walk as through your prep routine diet, fitness, personality training etc. What will you do if you win the title?
The Miss World Sri Lanka team and I work tirelessly to ensure that I represent myself in the best way possible. Fitness has been a key focus as I prepare for the sports and fitness segment, and while I’m mindful of my diet, I make sure not to restrict my body to the point of discomfort. Balance is important. Additionally, I undergo daily training to refine my personality and overall presentation, ensuring I bring my best self to the competition.
What is beauty according to you and how do you drive purpose in beauty?
To me, beauty is not just about appearance, it is a reflection of one’s character, values, and the impact they create in the world. True beauty lies in kindness, resilience, and the ability to uplift others. I drive purpose in beauty by ensuring that my voice, actions, and platform contribute to meaningful change. As Miss Sri Lanka, I have used my role to advocate for menstrual equity through my Beauty with a Purpose project, addressing period poverty and empowering women with knowledge and resources. Beauty becomes purposeful when it is used as a force for good, when it inspires confidence, creates opportunities, and fosters a sense of belonging.
There are many who debate whether beauty pageants are still relevant or not, what is your stand on this?
Beauty pageants, particularly Miss World, remains highly relevant because they have evolved beyond physical appearance to become platforms for advocacy, empowerment, and social change. When done right, pageants are not just about crowns and titles, they are about purpose, passion, and making a difference. That is why I stand firmly in support of their continued relevance.
Lastly your message for all those aspiring girls who wants to win a beauty pageant?
Don’t approach it as a race, but see it as an opportunity for personal growth and transformation. You don’t need to win a title to make a meaningful impact on society. What truly makes you a queen isn’t the crown you wear, but how you treat others and the positive changes you bring to the world.
By Zanita Careem
By Zanita Careem
CHARINI is a well-known brand renowned for its bold yet elegant statement designs and unique concepts. This season,popular designer CHARINI will be presenting a collection that gives Sri Lankan traditional art a contemporary twist, bringing the mythical creatures of Sri Lankan history to life, beautified with floral elements from ancient paintings.
Each element has been meticulously hand-drawn with intricate details, staying true to the rich heritage of Sri Lankan artistry. These hand-drawn illustrations have then been carefully transformed into artworks, which are printed onto fabric to seamlessly blend tradition with modern design. This fusion of craftsmanship and innovation brings a unique depth to each piece in the collection. This is… the Mythical Ceylon Collection by CHARINI.’’
Nescafé Sri Lanka launched their “Nescafé Fashion Café” at Colombo Fashion Week 2025, a first-of-its-kind experience blending coffee with fashion, serving as the official coffee partner for the event. It was designed to be a unique hub for designers, artists, influencers, and fashion enthusiasts to connect As a brand that awakens senses and fuel ambition, the Nescafe Fashion Cafe will be a creative space where the energy of thr runway meets the warmth of a perfectly brewed cafe. This is a celebration of creativity,individuality, that resonate values deeply with Nescafe said Bernie Stefan Managing Director Nestle Lanka
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