Most people in the US of A, may have already heard about the Uniform Project. But for those few who still don’t know, here is a quick update. Uniform Project is the brain child of this quirky, fun and fabulous girl called Sheena Matheiken from Brooklyn, NY. She was born and raised in South India and like most desis in the US, came here to study and then work. Her concept for the Uniform Project is simple. She has decided to wear one dress for a whole year as an exercise in sustainable fashion.

She has 7 pieces of the same black dress designed by her friend and fashion designer Eliza Starbuck, one for each day of the week [incase you were wondering when she does her laundry]. But she wears them in different ways everyday. Every day she reinvents the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which are vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies either donated or bought on ebay. The point of this entire year long exercise is to raise funds for a charity called Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots non-profit founded in Mumbai in 1990 through the volunteered efforts of college students devoted to bringing education to children living in the slums.

She is on her 270^th day today and has already risen over $53,000 in funds. And you can check out her daily outfit updates and make a donation at

http://theuniformproject.com/home/daily/Transverse-planes.html?month=January

Part of this entire adventure which I am sure Sheena had intended was to raise awareness about education of underprivileged children in India. And using design and sustainability to do it, worked perfectly well in the whole realm of “doing the right thing”. But the idea is so fabulous that the awareness has spread wide and how? Interview with BBC, appearance at the London Fashion week, fund raisers in Ireland, New York and now our very own Mumbai, India.

A week ago Sheena was in India, traveling to check out Akanksha projects, meet the children in person, and she where her project funds are actually going to be used. The trip turned out to be an opportunity for Vogue India, Bungalow 8 and Akansha to collaborate with Sheena on yet another fundraiser to help the cause. And what is amazing about this fundraiser is that it is still in tandem with the entire concept of Sustainable Design.

Six of India’s cool fashion designers took on the challenge to convert old saris into fabulous new modern-day wear, accessories and footwear. I mean how cool is it to have zardozi on your ballet slippers? All the proceeds from the sales at the event go to Akanksha’s cause. The designers included Little Shilpa, Miriam Sterhlau, Dadablui, Xylem, Sanchita and the amazing Indian couture guru, James Ferreira. I really wish I were visiting Bombay soon to check out the goodies and instantly add them to my wardrobe. What better way to get some retail therapy than at the cost of good karma?

For more information on the Uniform Project visit http://www.theuniformproject.com/