New Delhi, March 12, 2010: Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), India's largest player in the business of fashion and Khushii - Kinship for humanitarian, social and holistic intervention in India have joined hands to support the NGO's global development initiative, the 'World Action Forum'. The partnership will be formally announced and flagged off at the 15th edition of the Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010.  The forthcoming fashion extravaganza will showcase design-inspired art on auto-rickshaws and will range from handpicking, depictions of life in everyday India amongst others.  Twelve high profile contemporary artists will lend their creative touch and paint on these vehicles.

Collectibles in their own right, these limited edition auto-rickshaws will be formally unveiled at the opening ceremony of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. An auction will take place thereafter at the inaugural evening and funds raised from this auction would then be utilized for various developmental initiatives in line with the World Action Forum.

Artists who will be a part of this unique initiative include Dilip Sharma, Farhad Hussain, George Martin, Hindol Brahmbhatt, Jaishree Burman, Jagannath Panda, Paresh Maity, Sanjay Bhattacharya, Satish Gupta, Sudhanshu Sutar, Yusuf Arakkal and Nitin Bal Chauhan.

Commenting on this noble cause, Mr. Sunil Sethi, President, Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) said, "As a non-profit organization, we at FDCI always felt it's our mandate to work towards the upliftment of the communities we reside in and help the underprivileged realize their dreams. We see the same commitment in Khushii's World Action Forum Initiative (WAF) to empower and develop sustainable livelihoods.  The 15th edition Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week will be an ideal platform to introduce this initiative to create awareness within the fashion fraternity."

He added, "We are pleased to partner with Khushii to achieve our goals towards social and economic development.  Under their umbrella,  we are sure that our reality will come true to improves lives of the poor and just being a part of that process will give us satisfaction."

Harveen Kapoor, General Secretary, Khushii said "Our partnership with FDCI is a major step for cohesive working towards India Development under the aegis of World Action Forum."

Leena Singh, Board Member Khushii said "Being the former Board Member of FDCI for many years and now being on the Board of Khushii, there cannot be a happier and more proud moment for me when, with the support of Mr. Sunil Sethi, President, FDCI, I have been successful in putting both the bodies together for the betterment & upliftment of the other India. "

About Fashion Design Council of India - over a decade in the 'Business of Fashion':

In the last 11 years FDCI has taken the Indian Fashion industry global and secured national pride for the business of fashion. It has been instrumental in promoting the business of fashion and creating new opportunities for all stakeholders. Over the years FDCI has used various marketing platforms, seminars and workshops to promote fashion.  FDCI, a not for profit organization, is the apex industry body in the field of fashion in India. Its primary objective is to provide a cohesive platform for Indian designers and act as the mouthpiece of the industry at all relevant platforms, in a bid to promote Indian fashion - at home and abroad. FDCI is actively involved in promoting the 'business of fashion' and working towards corporatisation of fashion labels in India. FDCI is instrumental in facilitating designer-corporate tie-ups, aimed at expanding the fashion market in the country. To mark its 10th anniversary FDCI introduced India's first couture week in September 2008 and in its 11th year the India Mens Week. For details visit www.fdci.org

About Khushii:

A kinship for Humanitarian, Social and Holistic in India, is a national organization working for the upliftment of the poor and destitute communities in both rural and urban areas of India. It is led by a team of committed philanthropists, headed by the legendary cricketer Mr. Kapil Dev. For details visit www.khushii.org

About World Action Forum (WAF):

The World Action Forum (WAF), an initiative by Khushii, aims to establish a global network of non-profit organizations and funding institutions which would collectively work towards national rehabilitation, it also aims to realize maximum reach and impact for the beneficiaries by collectively raising funds for the member NGO's through CSR initiatives of corporate institutions, funding agencies and independent fundraisers under its umbrella.