Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Reigning Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez will be donning chiffons and georgettes when she campaigns against female foeticide and AIDS in India, but she isn’t comfortable wearing a sari, says designer Sanjana Jon.
The Venezuelan beauty, who arrives in India late Tuesday, has teamed up with Sanjana for the campaign.

Sanjana has designed at least 50 dresses with an interesting mix of Indian and Western styles for Stefania which she would be wearing during their tour to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan from July 7-11 that will end in Bangalore.

“The last time Stefania came to India for a photoshoot of the campaign, we had a quick chat as to what would she like to wear. Keeping in mind the hot weather of India I have tried to make light garments, which she is comfortable wearing.

“I have used a lot of skin friendly fabrics like chiffons and Italian georgettes in the collection,” Sanjana told IANS here.

Sanjana said, “Stefania was keen on donning a sari but when she tried it, she was uncomfortable.”

Sanjana’s collection includes evening gowns, short dresses along with Indian ghagra- cholis in a range of bright colours like turquoise, green and pink.

She also revealed that the beauty queen is keen to learn about Indian culture.

“Stefania is open to knowing more about Indian culture. It is the warmth and affection of our people that reaches out to her, making her eager to experience and cherish our culture,” she said.

This is not the first time that Sanjana is bringing a Miss Universe to India to promote a social cause. She has previously brought Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega, Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins, Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova and Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera. And she says each one of them loved something about India.

“Amelia loved the people here. As she got an opportunity to interact with them she felt she could relate to them. When Jennifer Hawkins came I took her to the Chhattarpur temple and she really loved it,” she said.

“Natalie was the one who was most involved in the culture. She travelled the most in India. She loved watching Bollywood films and their songs. Besides, she was a big fan of India’s gulab jamuns!” Sanjana added.