Oxfam will show case a women's fashion show by entrepreneur and designer Neishaa Gharat at the London Mela to show the benefits of donating and buying clothes from Oxfam and how this helps fight poverty.
The MELA will take place on Sunday, September 1st 2013 at Gunnersbury Park, London and Oxfam will be raising awareness of its work in South Asia.
Oxfam is the official charity sponsor for the London Mela which celebrates the culture and creativity of South Asia and last year attracted 82,000 people.
Neishaa said: "I love shopping at Oxfam because it is shopping for a good cause. It is not fast fashion that fades. It is clothes that have been loved and want to be loved longer. Shopping at Oxfam is not about following trends, it gives you an opportunity to create your own unique style. New picks that fit within your existing wardrobe to bring a unique twist to that day or evening look.
"I have hand-picked some fantastic finds from Oxfam donations to create the ensemble called the 'Neishaa Gharat for Oxfam Collection'. We have also re-constructed key pieces with hand-made appliqué work. For example we have designed a butterfly garden on a Karen Millen dress. We are designing a scarf dress with beautiful Oxfam-donated silk scarves."
The exclusive preview of the 'Neishaa Gharat for Oxfam collection' will take place at the Oxfam tent, 1.30pm, 4pm and 6pm.
Oxfam will show case 30 pieces for the catwalk. All ensembles will be restyled and recreated from donated Oxfam clothes and accessories. Aashni, Contemporary Indian High Fashion House, London, has donated three designer outfits to the collection.
Neishaa Gharat is also creating an art installation called The Wishing Rail where visitors can play their part in creating it can by tying their wishes for a better world using strips of recycled clothes. The installation will be auctioned to support Oxfam in South Asia.
In South Asia Oxfam has helped millions of people improve their means to make a living, raised awareness of issues such as education, and helped people campaign for their rights.
This year marks 40 years of Oxfam working in Pakistan, where Oxfam has - for example - provided aid to about a million people after the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake and about 2.5 million after the 2010 floods.
This is the second year of Oxfam's involvement with the Mela and last year saw the marking of 60 years of the organisation's work in India. Oxfam is currently responding to the Uttarakhand floods with water, sanitation and shelter. In 2011 Oxfam marked its 40th year of working in Bangladesh by highlighting the millions of people helped in the country through our work to alleviate poverty and preparing for and responding to cyclones and floods.
Oxfam's Trading Director, Andrew Horton said, "Oxfam is very proud to be taking part in the Mela again this year. We look forward to highlighting thework that Oxfam has carried out in South Asia for more than 60 years, especially our work with women.
