A fashion week in Kolkata has come to the rescue of the dwindling population of tigers in the country. With a theme of eco-fashion, the five-day 'Kolkata Fashion and Lifestyle Week' (KFLW), beginning February 24, is in support of the 'Save our Tigers' campaign launched by WWF India.
"This is a fashion week with a cause. We will try and create awareness to save the wildlife, especially the tigers. With fewer tigers left in India, now it is high time we became aware of this issue and do our bit to protect the animals," Yudhajit Dutta, organiser of the fashion extravaganza, told reporters today.
Since the United Nations has declared 2010 as the 'International Year of Bio-diversity', KFLW has decided to take this a step further by aiming to present eco-friendly fashion, he said.
The fashion event will try to promote stylised clothing that uses environmentally sensitive fabrics and responsible production techniques.
Though the designers have not been asked to present their collection on this issue, one of the ramp shows of KFLW could be on this theme.
"We plan to donate a certain portion of the proceeds to the 'Save the Tiger' campaign too," Dutta said. According to a recent survey, there has been a sharp decline in the tiger population with an estimated 1,411 of them surviving.
Poaching for fur, bones and other tiger products and loss of their natural habitats due to climate change and human activities like logging, farming and encroachment of forests is being blamed for the declining population.
With big names like Narendra Kumar, JJ Valya, Rock S, Zubair Kirmani, Satya Paul, Anita Dongre, among others, KFLW will also be a platform for young designers.
"We are also promoting the work of indigenous weavers by amalgamating the bio-diversity of different cultures. Their will be two shows dedicated to them. We want to prove that the work of weavers and traditional designs can be very much fashionable," the organiser said.
It will also showcase the beauty and originality of natural fabrics, fibers and dyes. "By focusing on eco-friendliness, we bring forth a very significant social message," he said.
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