Second Son

TRAID Trip to India…

Late last year I was lucky enough to visit India with the charity TRAID and Ms. Erin O’Connor. She was visiting women working in the textile industry who have massively benefited from work done by TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid & International Development). Their clothing recycling banks and second-hand shops here in the UK fund projects that ensure fair wages for women working out there who are using traditional embroidery techniques on pieces that end up selling for a pittance on the high street here.

I’ve never visited India before and it was an eye-opener to say the least. We were in some of the poorest parts of Delhi and what surprised me was that not once did I feel intimidated or unwelcome. Nor did I feel the pity that I’d predicted for the women there had more dignity, more joy, beauty and colour than I’d ever expected. As Don McCullin said - ‘the most visually exciting place in the world, where the poorest of people seem always to radiate the greatest dignity.’

Lastly a word on Ms O’Connor. I have to say my view of top-end fashion models was poor, based solely on some terrible nights out in New York and Putney with a couple of prima donnas who lived solely on coke and radiated the warmth of that stupid Japanese pond I jumped into back in December after Nash’s shoe launch. Erin, on the other hand, is quite a gem. Calm, intelligent, commited and devoid of any of the pretension you’d expect to come from her profession and the people around her. I don’t love her and she has a boyfriend. But she is a wonderful woman.

Granted this is the most un-gully post we’ve ever had on here but, many people would say that’s what we do best; I for one am about as gully as a Cornetto. Anyway if you’re interested in seeing and reading more of what TRAID is up to in India then get hold of this Sunday’s Observer colour supplement and if you really want more then get down to the Richard Young gallery in Kensington to see the full photo story (from 2nd Feb for 2 weeks…) Thanks.