June 2025 - Magazine - Page 21
LOCAL HISTORY
SOCIETY
Fashion for Passion
a week later that all the stock had been sold and they would need another 24
pieces of each, which was again fulfilled using adrenalin and passion.
It was at this time that Rukshana opened her first boutique in Surrey. With two
young children as part of her family, she suddenly found that she was getting very
involved with the PTA. In 1982 she was asked to organise a fundraising fashion
show and managed to put on a 45 minute show, raising over £1,000. She realised
that charity fashion shows were a way to raise money for charity and get her
clothes recognised.
For the next 25 years Rukshana put on many such fashion shows, raising money
for all kinds of charities. She discovered the benefits of collaborating with other
societies and clubs too, like the WI for refreshments and the Horticultural Society
for flowers. She also went to craft fairs at such venues as Hampton Court and the
NEC, where her work got really noticed.
During the 1980s Rukshana developed a range in raw silk and teamed up with
Christian Dior at one show, who provided the jewelry. No one was allowed to
touch the jewelry except two security men, who insisted on putting the gems
on the models just before they went out on the catwalk and then removing it all
immediately they returned to the changing room.
In 1996 she opened “The Village Well” shop in Surrey, where she offered timeless
fashion using shot silk, which is made up of silk woven from warp and weft yarns
of two or more colours producing an iridescent appearance. This led to a show
at the South African Embassy and Rukshana was then commissioned to make six
individual outfits for the Embassy Ball at Buckingham Palace. Her shows got bigger
and bigger and consequently raised many thousands for charity. One of the biggest
events was a Cancer Research show at the St George’s Hill Lawn Tennis Club, which
was attended by local member Cliff Richard. It was here that she introduced, for
the first time, her highly identifiable Raw and Artemis Silk Patchwork jackets.
Rukshana has now retired from the busy fashion industry, but I can’t help feeling
that she still creates the occasional stunning outfit for her friends.
https://brenchleymatfieldhistsoc.com
Come and see us at the Matfield Fete on Saturday 12th July 2025
Ted Fisher, Chairman
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