Splendours of the Commonwealth 2013
Splendours Of The Commonwealth Event Celebrates London Fashion Week With Designers From Around The Commonwealth
Lond
on, September, 2013. The registered charity Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund (CCLEF) celebrated this year’s London Fashion Week by hosting Splendours of the Commonwealth on Thursday 12 September 2013 at the May Fair Hotel in London.
Splendours of the Commonwealth is a showcase of talented and bright designers and models from the fashion industry throughout the Commonwealth. The result of a collaborative and creative effort, it has brought together many of the CCLEF’s supporters and partners including the May Fair Hotel, which proudly celebrates its fifth year as “Official Hotel of London Fashion Week”, London Garments Expo, lead sponsor HSBC Bank plc. and Deloitte LLP.
The event promised glitz and glamour, fashion, musical performances and fund raising, and it certainly delivered. During the evening, designers from around the Commonwealth presented their work in a catwalk show, compered by Russell Amerasekera of Epiphany Presentations. The evening also included a pre-show reception, musical entertainment and a silent auction of art works created by pupils from various Commonwealth countries. The designers represented various regions in the Commonwealth: Sika and Tina Lobondi (Africa), Kitty Ferreira and Duchess (The Caribbean), and Ekta Solanki and Shipra Malhotra (Asia). Bags were by Sunita Mukhi from Malta, Europe while the exclusive finale was a stunning creation by Jenny Packham, one of the UK’s top British designers. London Garments Expo directed the designers and Commonwealth models who were recruited from London, while Southampton Solent University students donated their time and skills to the show’s hair and make-up design.
Judith Fisher, event organiser and CCLEF Hon. Treasurer said, “As
a charity, we are fortunate to have had so much assistance from our sponsors, partners and supporters. We are hugely grateful to the May Fair Hotel owners for their generous support. We have also had the invaluable on-going direction and help from the London Garments Expo team. Such assistance, coupled with the equally generous sponsorship from our lead sponsor HSBC plc, and Deloitte LLP, have all contributed immensely to make this happen.” She continued, “Splendours of the Commonwealth 2103 is our inaugural event, a charity event to support our girls sponsored by the CCLEF. The response has been truly inspiring. We would like to thank our various partners including Blick Rothenberg, Cypher Design, Davy’s, Epiphany Presentations, Lola Royle, Madrinha Trust, Marie Claire, Market Accents, Neha’s Cooking, Real Events, Southampton Solent University Students, Sunita Mukhi, The Diplomat, The Sourcing Team Ltd, Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, WEConnect International and Wessex Design Associates Ltd.”
Among the invited guests were members of the Diplomatic Community from the Commonwealth, CCLEF supporters, and senior women in business and corporate life, including Baroness Jo Valentine, sports personalities Tessa Sanderson and Ade Adepitan and other celebrity guests. Present to greet the guests were CCLEF patrons, Baroness Betty Boothroyd and Baroness Shreela Flather, together with various members from the Board of Trustees.
Various art works were auctioned at the end of the evening through a silent aucti
on. Guests also had the opportunity to buy the artworks which have not been included in the silent auction and participate in a draw. These art works have been specially created this summer by pupils from schools where there are girls currently sponsored by the CCLEF.
View our album of pictures here.