When a model trips on stage, you wouldn’t expect an audience at a fashion show to simply clap louder; but then again, the Zonta Club II’s ‘A Night of a Thousand Stars’ was quite unlike any show you may have seen. Staged to raise funds for a premature baby unit for a maternity hospital in [...]

Feeds Editorials Times Online

The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Guess who took the ramp to the cheers of the crowd?

By Smriti Daniel
View(s):

When a model trips on stage, you wouldn’t expect an audience at a fashion show to simply clap louder; but then again, the Zonta Club II’s ‘A Night of a Thousand Stars’ was quite unlike any show you may have seen. Staged to raise funds for a premature baby unit for a maternity hospital in Panadura, the event was before a packed ballroom at the Cinnamon Grand last Sunday. Friends and family came to cheer the models on stage who needed all the encouragement they could get. Considering their day jobs as doctors, lawyers, journalists, CEOs many among the latter had clearly never imagined the possibility that they might have to walk a ramp one day.

The models

The show opened with a host of Sri Lankan beauty queens including the current Ms. Sri Lanka Sabrina Herft. Walking behind them were the heads of some of the country’s biggest advertising agencies. Entrepreneurs, bankers, doctors and journalists followed (dressed in newsprint fabric, the ‘paparazzi’ crowd may have just had the most fun), while groups under mixed themes like Flowers of Summer, Young Achievers, New Kids on the Block and Across the Seas also took to the ramp. The final segment was built around famous faces with the brothers Lanerolle, Danu, Koluu, Noeline Honter, Ramzi and Johann, Romesh Atapattu, Kanjana Godigamuwa and Sangeetha Weeraratne making their way on stage.

Doing the lion’s share of the work were the designers who donated their skills to the cause. The programme choreographed by Lou Ching Wong, showcased special creations by Aslam Hussain, Hameedias, Ruchira Karunaratne for Rebel, Gee Bees Fashion Studio, Buddhi Batiks, Sonali Dharmawardene, Darshi Keerthisena, Chrysanthie Fernandopulle, Yolande Collection, Purnima Abeyratne, Fashion Fabric, Fusion Flip Flop, Flowers of Summer and Lou Ching Wong

One section – Zonta Ladies – put the organisers themselves on the spot, but every group nevertheless had at least one “Zontian” in it, Manthri Perera, Past President and Past District Governor of Zonta Club told the Sunday Times. Explaining that “We had only two months to play around,” Manthri said they were determined not to tax their models unduly and kept rehearsals to the minimum. Pleased to have been proved right, she says, “We thought it would be a crowd puller.”

The funds raised will go toward renovating the facilities at the Kethumathi Maternity Hospital in Panadura. Mr. P.C.H. Dias once owned the spacious premises, sharing its 32 rooms with his 13 children, reveals Dr. Mala Tudawe, the director of Zonta Club II. In his will he ensured the building would become a maternity hospital, a boon for women in the area who would otherwise have to travel to Kalutara or Ratmalana to seek medical advice. However, the facilities, particularly in the premature baby unit, remain less than ideal, a situation Zonta would like to see rectified.

An international organisation based in the U.S, Zonta’s members come from all walks of life but are dedicated to the cause of women and children. On that night, every member of the audience was given a ‘unite ribbon’, marking the launch of their Orange Day campaign, which is intended to raise awareness on violence against women.




Share This Post

DeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspace
comments powered by Disqus

Advertising Rates

Please contact the advertising office on 011 - 2479521 for the advertising rates.