Good cause, lots of glamour, but disappointing show
View(s):By Duvindi Illankoon
For once, the society ladies of Colombo were on time. When we walked into the British High Commission at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, to attend a fashion show to celebrate International Women’s Day, we joined a roomful of female guests, all expectantly awaiting the beginning of the show. It seemed that these exquisitely dressed ladies had the same idea we did-the British are known for their punctuality.
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The British High Commission had organised the show in aid of Equal Ground, a nonprofit organisation committed to creating a safe space for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTIQ) community of Sri Lanka. The organisation provides opportunities for self help including mental wellbeing, economic, social and political empowerment and access to health, housing, education and legal protection.
The funds raised were to be directed to two projects initiated by Equal Ground; a counselling hotline for women by women (particularly for Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender women who face violence and abuse due to their sexual orientation or gender identity) and towards a series of workshops for women (sensitising and educational programmes in rural areas addressing violence against LBT women). Through these, Equal Ground has reached out to an average of 600 women each year for the past six years in areas around the country.
The venue for the fundraiser event was the lovely Courtyard Bar, set in a well lit area towards the back of the High Commission. The small courtyard was lined with two rows of chairs, with a small space in the middle for the catwalk. It seemed that the organisers had rather underestimated their popularity. Many were left standing.
It was to be an evening of high fashion and Glitterati (literally-the show was to launch a Singaporean private collection of the same name). The audience, fuelled by the complimentary food and drink, waited expectantly….and waited. The event scheduled to begin at 7.30 p.m. actually started past 9 p.m. An apology for the delay came fifteen minutes before the delayed start by an organiser, who assured us that good things were worth waiting for.
The show had a great start courtesy of Chatz Fernando. She sang Aretha Franklin’s Natural Woman and Shania Twain’s Man, I feel Like a Woman and had the audience on their feet. Unfortunately (for us and Ms. Fernando and perhaps the organisers as well), the show was not about the music.
The lights dimmed and the much hyped Gliteratti brand was finally unveiled. The abundantly sequined, glittery evening wear was modelled by some brave volunteers, whose effort while commendable fell rather short of doing justice to a fashion show. And so, after a one and a half hour wait, the 30 minute show came to an end.
The British High Commission must certainly be commended for showing their support for International Women’s Day. The ladies who volunteered to model the Glitterati clothing deserve a round of applause for their support for the cause as well. Unfortunately, organisers seemed to have fallen victim to a common misconception that when it comes to charity events-you can put on a mediocre show, and no one will complain because it is in the name of charity.
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