One for the girls!

Parineeti Chopra and Urmila Matondkar will walk for designer Manish Malhotra’s London show tonight that supports the female child, as part of a charity fundraiser. The designer, who will display his collection in the UK after nearly 10 years, is supporting the Angeli Foundation, a charity that works to empower the girl child. The line will feature colours inspired from the '50s like corals, blues, whites, embellished in intricate Kashmiri/chikankari work from the small towns of Kashmir and Mijwan. “The silhouettes are flowing and feminine utilising traditional anarkalis, lehengas anarkali saris with a modern twist. Fabrics include chiffons, nets and silks. I have always loved London and was just waiting for the right opportunity to come back,” says Manish.

The event will be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel and proceeds from the ticket sales of the gala fundraiser will go to projects run by the foundation.

Supporting the designer and his cause will be actresses Parineeti and Urmila  who will also walk the ramp. “The foundation works to ‘save’ the girl child. It encourages and supports women and to me there is no better cause to support, than that of empowering the females of this country,” he says, adding “I work in an industry where women are revered and respected. I have had the privilege of dressing some of the most beautiful and powerful women in the world, but when I step out of the door into the stark reality of India, it is not the same. My association with Mijwan girls and now The Angeli Foundation are my small ways of working towards the betterment of women in rural India. I think the concept of the DNA women’s marathon is great and education of the girl child is what can help bring change in the society.”