Delhi’s animal lovers embrace fashion for a good cause

Delhi's most influential names and fashion designers came out in support of a unique Charity Auction of Pret and Haute couture on 25 April, 2025, to raise funds for All Creatures Great and Small (ACGS), a leading non-profit animal shelter and rescue.

Founded by prominent human rights activist and Nobel Peace prize nominee Anjali Gopalan, ACGS provides care, shelter, nutrition and unconditional love to animals. “At All Creatures Great and Small, our mission extends far beyond rescue. We are deeply committed to rehabilitation, providing expert medical care, surgeries, and ongoing treatment to ensure every animal has a chance at recovery and a better life. Our work also encompasses education and advocacy through community-driven initiatives like our flagship coexistence Stray Buddy program - we empower citizens to care for and advocate on behalf of animals, conduct awareness workshops, and promote responsible caregiving,” says Anjali Gopalan. In 2024 alone, ACGS treated more than 21,000 animals in 2024 and continues to champion cruelty-free, non-speciesist care.

L-R: Gayatri Shiveshwarkar, Anjali Gopalan, Sonali Mongia Amla, Aparna Bahl, Fatima Mahdi Karan, Ameeta Seth and Sumant Jayakrishnan

Curated with love and purpose by co-hosts Ameeta Seth of Cingari, celebrity choreographer Aparna Bahl, design enthusiast Gayatri Shiveshwarkar, event planner Sonali Mongia Amla and scenographer Sumant Jayakrishan - the event combined a glamorous fashion show with a live auction anchored by Fatima Mahdi Karan. Industry favourites JJ Valaya, Anju Modi, Gaurav Gupta and Tarun Tahiliani, to name a few, donated signature garments from their archives for the auction. “We reached out to the fashion community and were blown away by the response” says Gayatri Shiveshwarkar, “leading designers along with light, sound and music professionals, photographers, stylist and makeup artists, and an eclectic mix of professional models and fashion enthusiasts–came together in a heartbeat to make the event possible." Gauri, from the celeb fashion duo Gauri & Nainika, commented, “The black dress that Nainika wore is actually one of our favourites, and the only reason we chose to part with it is because we knew it was going to support a beautiful cause.”  

“This is more than just a fashion event — it’s a celebration of kindness, community, and creativity,” says Gopalan, “Every bid is a step towards saving an animal’s life.”

Held in one of the capital's elegant residences, the gathering was intimate in scale, but magnanimous in reach, with designers, patrons and partners coming together dynamically to merge high fashion with a higher cause. As Gopalan remarks, “Every rupee raised from the ACGS Auction is allocated to the ongoing care of our animals-covering medical treatments, surgeries, nutritious food, shelter maintenance, and rehabilitation efforts."

But why was a fashion show at the helm of this incredible cause? " The world of glamour and creativity brings with it a certain flamboyance—fashion shows attract diverse participants and generate excitement, making them ideal for raising awareness and funds. We are able to engage new audience and challenge the notion that fashion and compassion are mutually exclusive. It’s about merging aesthetics with ethics—for a cause which is meaningful and inspiring," says Gopalan.

The impact of ACGS extends in fact, beyond animal welfare. Its presence in the local community around the sanctuary in Selakhari village, Faridabad has encouraged and empowered women in the area with meaningful job opportunities, financial independence, life skills and a sense of belonging. To support its growth and objectives, Gopalan says "Everyone can contribute to animal welfare, regardless of their ability to adopt or donate. Ordinary people can make a difference by spreading awareness, and addressing issues about animal cruelty. They can get trained by organisations and work with them in terms of animal welfare. They can participate in community initiatives, volunteer their time, or simply choose to be compassionate in their daily lives-feeding strays. Sharing our stories on social media will also help amplify our mission and reach more people."