Inclusivity is the new Exclusivity - Tamana along FDCI organised its annual fashion show, titled “My India. My Pride”

Walk of Inclusion

Designer Payal Jain with a differently-abled child from Tamana

Designer Samant Chauhan with a differently-abled child from Tamana

Top designers in India lay the foundation of New India creating space for the differently-abled with a walk to celebrate diversity

Tamana along with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) organized its annual fashion show, on September 8, titled “My India. My Pride”, co-hosted by the Hyatt Regency, Delhi. Tamana kids with utmost confidence flaunted designs by leading FDCI designers Amit Aggarwal, Anju Modi, Nitin Bal Chauhan, Payal Jain, Reynu Taandon and Samant Chauhan; who painted the runway with hues of inclusivity and effortlessly brought about unity in diversity in its truest form.

“Fashion is the most potent form of non-verbal communication and this is where we find synergy with Tamana, it gives a voice to the marginalized. On this day, I am proud to announce that the theme of our upcoming LMIFW will be #MyFashionMyTribe. As a fashion body, we hope to be all-encompassing, blurring binaries. To take this concept forward the Grand Finale has been aptly titled  #MyFashionMyFamily. Tamana was a part of our tribe on the ramp today and will always be our family and its all about inclusivity,” said Sunil Sethi, FDCI Chairman.

"Fashion Show 2019 was truly an expression of 'inclusion', the dream of our Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of Unity in Diversity where the enabled and the differently-abled walked the ramp together with infinite love and joy," said Dr. Shayama Chona (Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri Awardee), President Tamana.

The theme of this year’s show was ‘My India, My Pride’ drawing inspiration from India’s singular status as a modern, leading economy that is also one of the world’s oldest civilizations with traditions that go back 5,000 years. The show seeks to tap into this pride and reflect it through magical ensembles, ambiance, and music.

At the show, the differently-abled walked hand in hand with renowned designers, models, students, Principals of premier mainstream schools of the of India showcasing the best of ensembles, exhibiting their untapped potential and proving that they are no different.

For over a decade, Tamana NGO led by its founder President, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri Awardee Dr. Shayama Chona has been advocating the cause of the disabled and spreading awareness about the ‘Inclusion and Integration’ of the differently-abled through its annual fashion show.

What makes this year’s event extra special is that this year the students of Tamana Reverse Integration program will walk the hand with their special buddies. The Tamana Reverse Integration program integrates the typically developing children from the economically disadvantaged sections with the differently-abled students. Thereby enriching the lives of the disadvantaged children with good quality education and providing peer learning opportunities to the differently-abled. These students would be walking in the ensembles designed and manufactured by the differently-abled at the sublimation unit under the guidance of Mr. Avnish Mehrotra at Tamana’s Skill Development Centre.

Images and content credit: W Five Communication Media Release