Hard Work Pays Off, Women From Kashmir Reach Their Destination - Lakme Fashion Week 2019

Since 2012, USHA has established 206 Silai Schools in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, each of which is helping change the lives of women. Considering the immense talent in Kashmir, in 2018, USHA Silai Label set up a garment design and production cluster in Srinagar. The Kashmir cluster has been a game changer for the women of the valley. Today, the women have reached the city of dreams, Mumbai, to showcase their work and walk the ramp of Lakme Fashion Week 2019.

It's the judgement day for Silai women who have come to Mumbai to not only be a part of the Lakme Fashion Week 2019, but to start new innings. No matter how the show goes, women have imbibed the skills that will help them have a better life.

'Tailoring is a profession that will never shut down. It ensures a lifetime of earnings and I am very thankful to Rajesh Sir and Viren Sir. They taught us very well and helped us whenever we had any doubts and difficulties. What we have learned from them in 15-20 days, we couldn't learn in the last 5 years', says one of the trainees from Kashmir cluster.

Having trained and worked hard for this moment, these women have one last task to perform - walk the ramp with models wearing garments made by them. The rehearsal for the same is in full swing as Krishna Shriram and Rohit Bal support and encourage the women for their first walk on the fashion ramp.

A day before the show, while women rehearse their walk, models try on the outfits produced by talented women.

Along with rehearsing, the women are exploring the city and ceasing every moment as it is their first trip to Mumbai. The team is equally excited and nervous about the show.

Usha Silai team from Kashmir at Jio garden, the venue for the Lakme Fashion Week 2019.

It was a full house! People from different walks of life came to support and praise the work women have done under the guidance of ace designer Rohit Bal. The standing ovation at the end of the show was not only an emotional moment but a testimony of the fact that hard work pays off.

'They have done a fantastic job under Rohit's guidance. What we have witnessed here today was excellent. No wonder he has actually trained and worked with these women and they have done a fantabulous job in his able guidance. It is beautiful and more than anything this was an overwhelming experience', says Gunjan Walia, TV Actor.

From producing a fashion label to walking on the ramp for the first time with Rohit Bal to receiving accolades from actors and designers, the women had a time of their life.

Adopt a Silai School

Do you want to be a part of the huge change that Usha Silai School is bringing about in the lives of millions of rural women? With just a simple click of a button, you can now contribute towards the opening of an Usha Silai School or support various other aspects of the school.

About the Initiative

Kushalta Ke Kadam, an initiative by NDTV and USHA, aims at empowering women from rural India and encourages them to become entrepreneurs by taking up sewing and training others in their respective communities. Since 2011 Usha Silai Campaign has trained more than 3.95 lakh rural women within five years, with 17,000 Silai schools, spanning over 9272 Indian villages in India.

Kushalta Ke Kadam in Season 4 has returned with new goals and vision. The new season will witness the establishment of the new cluster in Kashmir, apart from the existing four clusters setup last year. The women from volatile Kashmir will work with well-known fashion designer Rohit Bal and get an unique opportunity to learn from him and make clothes for him. The work done by the Silai School women will be presented at Lakme Fashion week 2019.

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