Bollywood in St Andrews

Wednesday 16 April 2008

Students at the University of St Andrews will add some spice to their lives with their first ever Asian fashion show.

The event, which will fuse traditional Asian designs with western fashion, aims to celebrate the diversity of student life in St Andrews.  In an attempt to highlight the integration of east and west, the cross-cultural approach to fashion will see kimonos alongside kilts at this weekend’s event (Saturday 19 April 2008).

Organised by the Asian Society, students will showcase a range of fashion from around the world in what they hope will be the biggest cultural event held in St Andrews.  Named ‘Diya’ after a traditional Indian candle, the event will follow a Bollywood `boy meets girl’ storyline.  The main designer of the evening is Vice President of the Asian Society, Zahra Jaffer, a final year medical student of the University.

Society President, third year student Anji Sewpaul, said, “Diya is the first ever student run Asian fashion show in Scotland, but not only that, it’s going to be the biggest cultural event the University has ever seen.  Diya, a type of candle in Hindi, aims to shed the light on Asian culture by means of stimulating the senses through music, vibrant clothing, food, and atmosphere. But there’s a twist – Diya is not an ordinary fashion show, there’s a Bollywood  storyline intertwined to spice it up as well.

“We are showcasing traditional outfits such as saris, salwar suits and traditional menswear, but we want the focus to be on our integration of Asian Fusion clothing, which is a mix of East and West.  Therefore, though we are using a lot of sarongs from Singapore/Malasyia, Thai silk, Japanese kimonos and Indian/Pakistani clothing, we are mixing them with jeans, t-shirts, skirts and kilts.”

Twenty-one students from across the University are involved in the organising of the show, which is the most ambitious event undertaken by the Asian Society in its six year history.  Models adorned with henna body art will strut their stuff to the sounds of Indian drums (‘dhol’), while belly dancers and a Bhangra hiphop dj will provide the entertainment for the afterparty at the local Aquarium.  As well as a sharkroom chillout area, artists will be on hand to paint traditional henna tattoos.

The Asian Society, established in 2002, is a growing student society consisting of both Asian and non-Asian students.  Over 450 members represent countries from all over the world, including India, Pakistan, Japan, China, America, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Australia and Britain.  The Society hosts regular Bollywood movie nights and three club nights (Bindis) a year, which attract sellout crowds of up to 500 students.

Anji said, “The society has one main goal; to provide a forum for those interested inAsian culture. By hosting regular Asian themed events we hope to raise awareness of the various aspects of Asian culture, such as the traditions and lifestyles.  Our first Asian fashion show is the latest event which we hope will appeal to many different people, with the aim of bringing them together through their interest in Asian culture.”

The show will take place at the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews on Saturday 19 April, 2008 at 7pm.

 

 

For further information contact Anji Sewpaul on 07914 945896 or email [email protected]

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THE SHOW PLEASE CONTACT ANJI BEFORE 12PM FRIDAY 18 APRIL 2008.

 

NOTE TO PICTURE EDITORS:

 

 

IMAGES FROM THE PREVIEW ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE PRESS OFFICE – CONTACTS BELOW.

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Gayle Cook, Press Officer on 01334 467227 / 462529, mobile 07900 050 103, or email [email protected]
Ref:  Bollywood fashion 150408
View the latest University press releases at www.st-andrews.ac.uk


Category Student experience

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