Fashion Capital - Fashion Show Spectacular

Fashion Show Spectacular

Last night the Carlton Towers Hotel in Knightsbridge saw a fashion show spectacular presented by the South African High Commission.

The Meropa Fashion and Jewellery Show and the Phelophepa Health Train hosted a Gala Dinner and Auction much to the delight of the 100 plus guests. With ticket prices set at £250 per person the ambience and goodwill was in abundance supply to support the much acclaimed and well established medical charity Phelophepa Health Train.

Phelophepa means 'good clean health'- a service that has been brought to over 500,000 people since the Train's launch in 1993. The 16 carriages have so far covered a massive 60,000 miles in order to bring healthcare to areas without access to national health services.

The 40 minute fashion show was one definite high light of the evening with Meropa Fashion. Meropa Heritage is a unique partnership between traditional rural skills and the international design and marketing capacity. The Meropa Heritage project has a simple essence - to link the precious skills of our rural women to an existing and well defined demand for beautiful and fashionable clothing the world over.

The collection provided an excellent fusion of cultures with exotic beading and native prints from South Africa with contemporary styled and fitted silhouettes. Fine detail was apparent on the majority of the collection with intricate beading adorning many of the items on both the front and back of garments. The originality of each item was a credit to the collection with inspiration being taken from traditional tribes and ceremonies e.g. the slaughter of animals, weddings et al.

The event was well attended and it was a pleasure to meet the Deputy Minister for Arts and Culture Ntombazana Botha. Mel Frame from Topshop and Claire Harner too along with Lance Clark owner and MD of Clarks and a special mention to Roslyn King too. Many thanks to Deva Ponnoosami for a wonderful night and Angelina Purcell for her witty repartee!

The Phelophepa Health Train is an amazing charity - if you can make a donation to help people that really understand the meaning of the word suffering then please visit www.mhc.org.za