Miss Universe Walks The Ramp For AIDS Awareness

The evening chill was just starting to set in when the world's most beautiful women, headed by Miss Universe Natalie Glebova, sashayed down a ramp under a starry sky at a show of fashion, colour and some skin, all aimed at AIDS awareness.

The evening chill was just starting to set in when the world's most beautiful women, headed by Miss Universe Natalie Glebova, sashayed down a ramp under a starry sky at a show of fashion, colour and some skin, all aimed at AIDS awareness.

Glebova was also joined by Miss Afghanistan 2005 Veda Samadzai and six other international models at the show here Wednesday night to promote awareness about AIDS.

Blending Western and Indian styles, New York-based designer Sanjana Jon presented her latest collection at the show, part of a fashion tour that will also cover Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, Hyderabad and Chennai.

The show began with a round of short skirts and tops in plain black, blue, white, pink, yellow and red.

What followed was a heady mix of Western and Indian tastes with embroidered skirts and tops with floral designs. Evening gowns also had an Indian touch with similar floral designs and some embroidery. Office wear included a wide range of trousers, jeans, skirts, shirts, T-shirts and jackets.

However, the high point of the evening was Glebova appearing on stage wearing a $1 million piece of extravagant jewellery studded with 10,000 diamonds that twined around the ring finger and went all the way up the arm, around the shoulder and ended at the heart. Not surprisingly, all the shutterbugs went into overdrive.

The fashion show was part of a campaign to create awareness across India. The organisers plan to raise funds for NGOs and charities involved in fighting AIDS in India and abroad.

'We are here with a message to be united against AIDS. We are spreading this strong message through fashion and glamour that can play a meaningful role in making a difference to the society,' said Sanjana, whose designs have adorned the likes of Hollywood superstar Paris Hilton, former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins and Princess Sara al Saud of Saudi Arabia.

The 23-year-old Miss Universe, a rhythmic gymnast and a motivational speaker, was all praise for Indian culture and clothes.

'I am astonished with Indian culture. The clothes here, specially the saris, are amazing. I will tour the country extensively in the coming few days and will tell people elsewhere what I see here,' she said.

--IANS