Social media is abuzz with glimpses of the most highly regarded charity fundraiser in London, the Animal Ball. For the unversed, the event is hosted annually in London to spread awareness and raise funds for wildlife conservation. This year, the Animal Ball was hosted by HRH King Charles III and Queen Camilla after a three-year gap to mark the 20th anniversary of the NGO, the Elephant Family, which aims to protect Asia's wildlife.
The splendid evening witnessed the presence of some of the most respected names in fashion, and other celebrities and socialites dressed in ballgowns and sustainable animal headgear. Amongst the prominent fashion designers, Indian couturier, Sabyasachi Mukherjee grabbed the limelight as he made eye masks for the King and Queen themselves. Taking to his IG handle, Sabyasachi Mukherjee revealed that he presented the Shola masks to the King and Queen which were carved from shola pith, by using traditional methods. He penned:
"Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla in The Shola Mask from Sabyasachi for the Animal Ball 2023 presented by Elephant Family. I like to tell hyper local stories to the world in an attempt to create economic sustainability for heritage crafts and craftspeople. The Shola masks have been made by hand using age-old artisanal techniques and materials, as a collaboration between the artists from the Sabyasachi Art Foundation and the master craftspeople of Bengal."
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In his note, Sabyasachi Mukherjee further mentioned the significance behind the Shola masks and revealed that it celebrates the continuity of one of Bengal’s most treasured heritage crafts. He further shared that made from sholapith, which is a spongey cork from the aquatic plant that grows in the marshlands of Bengal, the masks pay homage to Bengal’s living heritage and culture. He added:
"The masks celebrate the continuity of one of Bengal’s most treasured heritage crafts that is practiced by about 5,000 artisans. Shola is the craft of carving sholapith, the spongey cork from the aquatic plant that grows in the marshlands of Bengal. Every year the craftspeople make decorations for the deities and entire structures during the Durga Puja celebrations—that is a part of UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Shola Masks are made in homage to Bengal’s living heritage and culture."
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Talking about their Majesties' look for the event, Queen Camilla looked elegant in a blue-hued embroidered tunic top paired with blue palazzo-styled chiffon trousers from the shelves of designer, Anna Valentine. She completed her look with a pair of diamond earrings by Van Cleef and Arpels. On the other hand, King Charles III looked dapper in a blue-hued pantsuit paired with a tie and a pocket square. The royal couple happily posed for some photographs with a few lifesize elephant sculptures in the backdrop.
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For the unversed, the charity works to support the co-existence of humans and wildlife. Since 2020, it has been working in partnership with the British Asian Trust, which was founded by the King in 2007, to support Asia’s wildlife. With the key focus on combining expertise in conservation, management and philanthropy, the charity aims to tackle poverty and promote anti-trafficking and education, while catering to wildlife conservation.
What are your views about the unique Shola masks presented by Sabyasachi Mukherjee to the royal couple?
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