The name’s Khan, James Khan

The Diya Bond villain played by postgraduate student Manav A. Lalwani (photo Elizabeth May).

An Asian version of James Bond, resplendent in traditional Indian clothing, will be brought to life by students at the University of St Andrews this weekend (Saturday 18 April 2009).

Set against the backdrop of a foggy St Andrews, ‘James Khan’ will make his appearance at the annual charity fashion show organised by the University’s Asian Society.  Diya, which first launched two years ago, is the only student run Asian fashion show in Scotland.

Named after a traditional Indian candle, the event aims to celebrate the diversity of student life in St Andrews.  Last year’s show celebrated links between Asia and St Andrews, fusing Sikh tartan turbans with golf wear.  This year will see an action-packed show with a Bond theme, as well as a bit of comedy and a celebration of rain.

Set in both Asia and Scotland, the show will shift from a bohemian masquerade ball in St Andrews to India at the height of monsoon season.

Fashion Show Director, Nikita Naiknavare, said, “This year’s show is all about action-packed comedy and drama, as well as the links between Scotland and Asia.

“We wanted to celebrate the monsoon season in India, which is actually something that people really enjoy, because it’s normally so hot.  However, there is no tradition for rainwear in India, so we’re going to pair typical Scottish wellies and brollies with raincoats and ethnic clothing.”

Since its inception in 2008, the show has taken a cross-cultural approach to fashion, featuring kimonos alongside kilts, fusing traditional Asian designs with western fashion.

This year’s show will centre around a James Bond – Khan on this occasion – storyline full of espionage and passion, complete with Bond, a villain and glamorous Bond girls.

Traditional Scottish and Indian clothing will be on display alongside creations by St Andrews student designers.  Designers include big Asian names such as Amber Malik, Anjana Bhargav, Puja Batra and Bhavna Mukatiwala, as well as Fox & Bhut and Enigma Clothing from Edinburgh.  Student designers featured in this year’s show are Tina Huang, Sakurako Watanabe and Caroline Bitter.

Students from across the University are involved in the organising of the show.   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 club nights (Bindis) a year, which attract sellout crowds of up to 500 students.

All profits from this year’s event will go to Ashraya Initiative, a home for street children in Pune, India.

Diya 2010 will take place at 7pm at the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews on Saturday 18 April.  Tickets, priced from £20, are still available. There is also an after party (Bindi) at The Aquarium, from 10pm to 1am, priced £7.

ENDS

Note to editors

For further information on Diya contact Aniqa Haque on 07877 308904 or email [email protected].

If you would like to attend the show please contact Aniqa Haque before 17.00 on Saturday.

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews.

Contact Gayle Cook, Senior Communications Manager. 01334 467227 / 462529, mobile 07900 050 103, or email [email protected].

Ref:  James Khan 160410

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