Sanjana Jon, the renowned fashion designer-turned-social worker stands out for her bold personality and unique attitudes. A socially motivated person since her early teens, Sanjana believes in propagating the concept fashion with heart. “Fashion trends in Kerala are definitely blooming. People are far more fashion conscious. People here like to retain the essence of Kerala while they look for innovations,” says Sanjana, who is in Kochi for a fashion event. “The fashion trends that we come across in Milan or Paris may not come down soon to this part of India because we are not too influenced by the global fashion industry. But still there are traces of it coming down to places like Delhi or Mumbai, which is a sign that it will reach us not too late,” she continues.
Sanjana, a postgraduate in sociology from Chennai University, learnt the art of designing through her associations with her brother. “Fashion to me is a medium to the end and that end is to make this world a better place filled with love and light. I do keep the real woman in mind while designing,” she says. Through fashion, she aims to bring about social changes. She is often noted for her social concern and her activities to promote the recognition of the unrecognised. She works on empowering womanhood by tying up with Scenictionary, a contemporary American-based education group, to provide free education for twenty lakh underprivileged girls in Amritsar. “The value of a girl child is always maintained through my fashion and my creativity,” she says.
Sanjana has drawn a fine line between fashion and charity. She takes care of around 350 street animals. She is also associated with the Ministry of Women and Child Development. “I work against Kanya Broon Hatya. The show I put together to save the girl child with the support I got from actors like Salman Khan and almost three hundred other celebrities helped in the easy deliverance of my message,” says Sanjana.
Sanjana actively works for Thalassemia awareness as well as environment and water protection. The socially concerned Sanjana also carried out the first Sanjana Jon Creative Tihar Show and conducted a constructive training programme to make jail inmates a more resourceful part of the community. “I would definitely like to be called a social activist because that is far more meaningful. Humanity is above all and stands much higher than money, fame or fortune,” she opens up. Sanjana recently received the honorary doctorate in both fashion and philanthropy. She was also hailed as the International Woman of Courage on International Human Rights Day.
