Fashion, philanthropy and first ladies will come together for the Fashion 4 Development (F4D) 10th anniversary of the Annual First Ladies Luncheon during the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Week.
A slew of influential figures in entertainment, fashion, activism, politics and business from around the world will gather to support both the UN Sustainable Development Goals and F4D’s efforts to promote positive strategies for sustainable economic growth. As part of the event, F4D will be presenting Agents Of Change Awards to those addressing food security, extreme poverty, education, and those taking action for a healthier planet, preservation of culture, and the empowerment of women and children.
For the first-time ever in the history of F4D, a luminary of Indian origin has been handpicked to attend the prestigious event as well as to be bestowed with a coveted honour. Making it to the event this year will be none other than the philanthropist, businesswoman and fashion icon, Sudha Reddy from Hyderabad.
Evie Evangelou, President and Founder of Fashion 4 Development says, “I am thrilled to bring together global leaders and change-makers from around the world to leverage the expression of fashion for sustainable economic growth and independence of communities worldwide. Sudha Reddy is an extraordinary human being and she inspires goodness and we are pleased to welcome her at this year’s event to share ideas and inspiration for how we can improve sustainable systems – inspiring responsible social change from what we wear to what we eat and how we live.”
Sudha Reddy who chairs the charity office of MEIL and Sudha Reddy Foundation states, “I have always believed that fashion is a vehicle by which culture and heritage is reflected and formed. It’s truly an honour to be invited by Fashion 4 Development for this premium gathering consisting of thought leaders from across the world. I look forward to discussing how India can contribute to sustainability in economic growth.”
As part of her itinerary, Reddy will be attending the 2nd Annual Sustainable Goals Ball which recognizes the importance of sustainable fashion and lifestyle practices. Further she will be felicitated at 10th Annual First Ladies Luncheon which gathers first ladies and royals from around the globe to celebrate the unprecedented cooperation between diplomacy and fashion. She will be felicitated with the Fashion 4 Development Philanthropy Award at the hands of New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi towards her extensive humanitarian work and contributions to sustainability.
Over the years, global celebrities like Charlize Theron, Diane Kruger, Arianna Huffington, Diane Von Furstenberg, Naomi Campbell, Amber Heard, Ellie Goulding, Victoria Beckham, Donna Karan amongst others have been bestowed with awards at this significant event.
The fashionista of Hyderabad will be donning a bespoke Tarun Tahliani ensemble, a royal ivory-lavender kalidar lehenga saree with resham-dori work highlighted with 3D flowers, crystal sequin embellishments and pearls that she will team up with a vintage 15-row Basara pearl Mughal-era inspired necklace for the luncheon. For the ball, she will be wearing a pristine white tipper bow back gown in brocade by veteran Japanese fashion designer Tadashi Shoji accompanied with a pearl head veil by couturier Neeta Lulla. Her statement accessories for the outing will include an embellished Dolce & Gabbana shoulder bag and the Heart Of The Ocean necklace, a tanzanite blue diamond neck piece.
The 2nd Annual Sustainable Goals Banquet will be MCed by F4D Founder Evie Evangelou and co-MCed by Founder, CEO and Chief Mentor of ThreeEQ Jason Ma. It will feature specially curated plant-based cuisine, a fashion exhibit on preserving culture, a floral fashion runway dance by Princess Lockerooo, and a live musical performance by Grammy Award winner Dionne Warwick, who will perform the song “Free,” written by award-winning songwriter Diane Warren and produced by Dionne Warwick’s son, Grammy Award winning producer Damon Elliott. The song is part of the initiative Musicians in the Key of Free, in support of refugees worldwide. At the banquet, F4D presenters including Earthday Network President Kathleen Rogers, Film Producer Michael Simkin, and Education Above All Foundation’s Youth Advocate Ayan Said will present honorees with the Agents of Change awards. The honorees include: – Hugh Evans and Simon Moss of Global Citizen, Impact to End Extreme Poverty Award, accepted by Liza Henshaw, President of Global Citizen – Yunus Dogan, Chairman of Texas Biotech, Impact in Food Security Award – Odessa Rae, Filmmaker and Producer, CNN Film “Navalny”, Impact Through Film Award – Richard Kane, Verijet – Green Travel Award – Education Above All (EAA), Impact Through Education Award. Mubarak Al-Thani, EAA Head of Development, will accept the award on behalf of the Foundation, founded by Her Royal Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.
The 10th Annual First Ladies Luncheon will be MCed by F4D Founder Evie Evangelou and co-MCed by Keynote Speaker and Angel Investor Dame Didi Wong, who will also be inducted into the exclusive F4D Leading Ladies club at the event. The luncheon will feature a “green carpet,” cocktail reception, awards ceremony, and fashion runway show highlighting “Ten Decades of Fashion 1920-2020,” curated by New York Vintage founder Shannon Hoey and designer Bonnie Young of BY.Bonnie Young. The first-of-its kind fashion show will open with an original song from artist and producer Celia Babini AKA CIB, and will feature a mix of pieces from the BY. Bonnie Young collection paired with vintage designer pieces from Shannon Hoey’s New York Vintage. The runway will showcase a modern twist on fashion from various decades – all while focusing on zero waste, locally made and upcycled materials. The luncheon will also present an installation of mannequins, each representing a different decade with iconic pieces from various notable designers. The luncheon will feature remarks by special speaker New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, remarks by Kim Macharia, executive director of Space Prize. There will also be a special presentation of the song “Applause” – written by Diane Warren and performed by Sofia Carson. The song is from the film Tell It Like A Woman, which is produced by Iervolino & Lady Bacardi Entertainment in association with We Do It Together, a non-profit film production company dedicated to gender parity. The performance will be presented by Chiara Tilesi, founder of We Do It Together. Closing the luncheon with a musical performance will be Sirintip, an award-winning experimental trilingual singer and composer with clout in both the pop and jazz worlds. Her new album “Carbon” was recorded at carbon-neutral Manifold Recording, and centers around climate change. The event gathers first ladies and royals from around the globe, as well as diplomats, philanthropists, fashion VIPs, and other key influencers to celebrate the unprecedented cooperation between diplomacy and fashion. Award presenters include Sen. Biaggi and Philanthropist and F4D Ambassador for Africa, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, and will honor: – Grammy and Emmy winning and 13-time Oscar nominated Songwriter Diane Warren and Actress, Singer, and Activist Sofia Carson, Women’s Champion Award – Gina Diez Barroso, Founder of Grupo Diarq, Founder and President of Centro University, and Dalia Empower, Women’s Empowerment Award – Aslaug Magnusdottir, Founder and CEO of Katla and Co-Founder of Moda Operandi, Fashion 4 Development Award and will be announced as F4D Goodwill Ambassador – Sudha Reddy, Director, MEIL and Founder of the Sudha Reddy Foundation, Philanthropy Award – BrieLee Lu, Model and Student, will be named F4D Youth Goodwill Ambassador
About Fashion 4 Development
Fashion 4 Development (F4D) is a private sector global platform founded by Evie Evangelou in January 2011 in support of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and “Every Woman, Every Child”, the UN initiative spearheaded by Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon. F4D builds upon the core leadership principles of the 4Es: Educate, Empower, Enhance and Enrich, and activates partnerships that promote the fashion and textile industry, advance economic and social development activities, preserve culture and empower women. In 2015 F4D committed to support the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and place a significant focus on sustainable lifestyle practices for a healthier world. Fashion 4 Development’s message to promote positive social change is received with open arms around the world, with initiatives in over 20 countries.
Fashion 4 Development’s Annual First Ladies Luncheon is held during the United Nations General Assembly week in New York, to celebrate the unprecedented cooperation between diplomacy and fashion for the greater good of women and children worldwide. First Ladies, UN Ambassadors and VIPs from around the world gather to honor award recipients – our “Agents of Change” – for their humanitarian work. F4D’s First Ladies Luncheon awards include: the Fashion 4 Development Award, Eco Award, Women’s Champion Award, League of Gentlemen Award and Medal of Honor.
About Sudha Reddy
Sudha Reddy’s cements her status as an international force in fashion, after being the only Indian and first Hyderabad origin celebrity to be invited to the prestigious Met Gala in 2021 and Paris Haute Couture Week in 2022. Yet the illustrious industrialist is most beloved for her endeavours in philanthropy and empowerment.
The humanitarian who leads with her heart helms the corporate social responsibility initiatives of Megha Group Of Industries driving several social impact projects across India, while the eponymous Sudha Reddy Foundation aims to support women and children focusing on affordable healthcare and accessible education.
Her extensive charity work includes a collaboration with Elizabeth Hurley to campaign for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Paris and working alongside American actress Eva Longaria to raise awareness about children suffering from chronic diseases at The Global Gift Gala.
Amongst Sudha’s awards and achievements are the Champions Of Change Award by the Telangana Government 2022 and the Young Indian Women Achievers Under 45 Award at Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO) in 2021
