Draped in designer ensembles, M. Lavanya walked the ramp flashing a big smile. Rani, a five-year-old, sashayed around the stage with confidence and élan. It was a fashion show with a difference as more than 25 differently-abled and orphan children got a makeover and for the first time participated in a fashion show that was organised by New Trendz at the VUDA Children’s Arena on Tuesday. A unique concept executed by hairdresser G Charan Kumar, the show put the spotlight on children from four organisations — Prajwal Vani, Icha Foundation, Netra Vidyalaya and Papa Home.
Ecstatic mood
The mood was ecstatic at the green room backstage before the show began. Here, a team of four hairdressers and two makeup artistes gave a stylish makeover to the children, breaking a social mindset that rarely offers a space for inclusiveness when it comes to fashion and the differently-abled. “These kids are so natural and have incredible confidence. It is hard to believe that they will be walking the ramp for the first time. I have never before come across such co-operating models to work on in my life,” said Mumbai-based makeup artiste Samaira Wallani, who had specially come down to be a part of the special show.
“We planned this show two years ago. But we weren’t sure how the children would take it. Our experience with them has been simply amazing,” she added. For the children, it was a platform where they saw many dreams come true. After 15 days of practice and two hours of professional makeover, the little models walked into the hearts of the audience that gathered to cheer them. “For a section of children who are seldom drawn into the mainstream, this is a rare platform that helps to build their confidence and self-esteem,” said M. Amaravati, mother of Lavanya, a mentally-retarded girl.
The show was the brainchild of Charan, lovingly called as ‘Charan Anna’ by the kids. From over a decade now, Charan has been rendering a unique service to orphan and differently-abled children in the city.
Every Tuesday, he visits orphanages, schools and homes for destitute and differently-abled children to give them a makeover and change the way the world sees them.
He has founded a group called New Trendz, named after his salon, with a team of 15 hairdressers from other salons in the city who give a free makeover to these special children in the city. His initiative has reached Hyderabad and Mumbai and will soon start in Guntur.
“This show was something I have dreamt for a long time. It was an effort to give these kids an opportunity to express themselves, about being appreciated and cherished just the way they are,” Charan added.
