ISLAMABAD: Paper Miracles in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Islamabad Renaissance organised the ‘Colours of Hope’ — a fundraiser fashion show here on Saturday.

Many talented individuals came together to support one cause, putting up a unique show. The objective behind the event was to raise funds for marginalised women, including paraplegic survivors of the 2005 earthquake, who rely on income generated from making paper beads.

Paper Miracles is a social enterprise which uses paper beads made from waste paper to create beautiful products.

The show began with a short documentary featuring Safia Inayat from Kashmir who was injured in the 2005 earthquake. Safia now teaches and makes beads for Paper Miracles and while she uses a wheelchair, she objects to being called disabled. She avers, “You are only disabled when you are dead. As long as you have a mind you are not disabled.”

A beautiful dance was performed by the Japanese troupe ‘Morey Piya’ which featured the brilliant dancers and choreographers Ai-san, Megumi-san, Mino-san and Makiko-san.

Well-known members of the diplomatic community participated in the fashion show as models and included, Ambassador of Argentina Rodolfo Martin Saravia, High Commissioner of Australia Peter Heyward and his wife Susan Heyward, Ambassador of Germany Cyrill Nunn and his wife Tina Nunn, Ambassador of Hungary Istvan Szabo and his wife Emilia, Ambassador of Japan Szabo Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Denmark Jesper Moller Sorensen, Ambassador of Austria Brigitta Blaha, High Commissioner of Canada Heather Cruden, Jasmina Makarevic wife of the Ambassador of Bosnia and Michele Galopin from France.

The glamourous outfits, accessorised by Paper Miracles’ beads, strings, earrings and necklaces drew resounding applause. The bridal dresses were contributed by Bina Sultan while the outfits for men were designed by Ali Nawaz.

Ashida-san and Ambassador Inomata left the audience spellbound by their performance of the wadaiko (traditional Japanese drum).

The Envoys, the band of talented ambassadors, performed ‘Wonderful Tonight’, ‘Cecilia’, ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ and ‘Save the Last Dance’, with Peter Heyward playing the flute, Ambassador Sorensen on the guitar and Ambassador Inomata playing the drums.

Imran Shaukat, a core committee member of the All Pakistan Business Forum and a Rotarian, thanked all the ambassadors.

He said: “Ambassador Saravia came out here and stood like a king. He is an ambassador who has been described as being almost Pakistani. Ambassador Inomata has contributed immensely because of his own great sense of community.”

He added: “At the last fundraiser the Heywards were the only couple from the diplomatic community who participated, and now there are 10. The Heywards have an immense energy which they have brought to promote Paper Miracles for which we are very grateful.”

Dure Najaf Zaidi said: “It was lovely seeing western faces in eastern outfits. The ambassadors carried the clothes so well that it was hard to believe that this was the first time they wore sherwanis and lehngas!”

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2015

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