London:
A young Bangladeshi woman known just as "Shozna", whose story moved Prince William when he met her at a charity event, has been personally invited by him to his wedding to Kate Middleton on Friday.
Shozna, 20, who suffered a stroke two years ago, is now getting an elegant outfit made by Raishma Islam, a designer well known in Asian circles in London, with Jimmy Choo shoes thrown in as well.
The charity, which seeks to help London's homeless, is Centrepoint, which once had William's mother, Princess Diana, as its chief patron.
William, who took over in 2005, never forgot he was introduced to Centrepoint by his mother. Two years ago, he tried sleeping out rough in the streets of London one exceptionally harsh night in the middle of winter, not as a PR gimmick, but to get first-hand experience of what life could be like for the capital's down and outs.
Shozna, Raishma clarified, was not homeless herself. But the East End girl went through a rough patch in 2009 after suffering a stroke, which left her paralysed on the right side of body and unable to speak. She was given help by Centrepoint and underwent intensive speech therapy and physiotherapy sessions.
William met Shozna at the charity's gala event last summer. He did not forget what she had been through and invited her to his wedding. Those who know William say he has quite a lot of his mother in him.
Raishma, who was asked whether she could make an outfit for Shozna, went one better. "I have arranged for her to have Jimmy Choo shoes, her hair will be done by a top person, Warren Holmes, and make up by another well known person, Armand Beasley," Raishma told The Telegraph.
Holmes, who is creative international director for Nicky Clarke, who has a long list of high-profile clients including princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, said: "I will be aiming to transform the look and texture with a great cut, colour and some extensions too. It will mean several hours of pampering and Shozna deserves every minute."
Beasley promised to give Shozna "a fresh and sophisticated look".
Raishma, who is of Pakistani origin, has pedigree herself. She once worked as an assistant to Princess Diana's bridal gown designer, Elizabeth Emanuel.
Raishma has also made evening gowns for Eugenie and Beatrice, daughters of the Duke and Duchess of York.
The outfit Raishma is creating for Shozna, worth £1,500, is made from silk hand-dyed in India and will be embellished with hand-sewn beading and embroidery.
"It is not an Asian dress," Raishma said. "I am a designer, not an Asian designer. I am thrilled to be creating something really special for Shozna. Her story is incredibly moving and she is a delight to dress as she is so lovely and petite. We sat down together and discussed shapes and colours and came up with the idea of a strapless papaya orange and red dress, with a matching red bolero (jacket). Now the clock is running as I have literally days to make the outfit from scratch, totally made to measure and with some of my signature, ornate beading."
Shozna's reaction was that of Cindrella: "I love the dress and I never thought in a million years I'd one day own a pair of Jimmy Choos. I can't thank everyone who has donated everything enough. It has been the most exciting time of my life."
Shozna, 20, who suffered a stroke two years ago, is now getting an elegant outfit made by Raishma Islam, a designer well known in Asian circles in London, with Jimmy Choo shoes thrown in as well.
The charity, which seeks to help London's homeless, is Centrepoint, which once had William's mother, Princess Diana, as its chief patron.
William, who took over in 2005, never forgot he was introduced to Centrepoint by his mother. Two years ago, he tried sleeping out rough in the streets of London one exceptionally harsh night in the middle of winter, not as a PR gimmick, but to get first-hand experience of what life could be like for the capital's down and outs.
Shozna, Raishma clarified, was not homeless herself. But the East End girl went through a rough patch in 2009 after suffering a stroke, which left her paralysed on the right side of body and unable to speak. She was given help by Centrepoint and underwent intensive speech therapy and physiotherapy sessions.
William met Shozna at the charity's gala event last summer. He did not forget what she had been through and invited her to his wedding. Those who know William say he has quite a lot of his mother in him.
Raishma, who was asked whether she could make an outfit for Shozna, went one better. "I have arranged for her to have Jimmy Choo shoes, her hair will be done by a top person, Warren Holmes, and make up by another well known person, Armand Beasley," Raishma told The Telegraph.
Holmes, who is creative international director for Nicky Clarke, who has a long list of high-profile clients including princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, said: "I will be aiming to transform the look and texture with a great cut, colour and some extensions too. It will mean several hours of pampering and Shozna deserves every minute."
Beasley promised to give Shozna "a fresh and sophisticated look".
Raishma, who is of Pakistani origin, has pedigree herself. She once worked as an assistant to Princess Diana's bridal gown designer, Elizabeth Emanuel.
Raishma has also made evening gowns for Eugenie and Beatrice, daughters of the Duke and Duchess of York.
The outfit Raishma is creating for Shozna, worth £1,500, is made from silk hand-dyed in India and will be embellished with hand-sewn beading and embroidery.
"It is not an Asian dress," Raishma said. "I am a designer, not an Asian designer. I am thrilled to be creating something really special for Shozna. Her story is incredibly moving and she is a delight to dress as she is so lovely and petite. We sat down together and discussed shapes and colours and came up with the idea of a strapless papaya orange and red dress, with a matching red bolero (jacket). Now the clock is running as I have literally days to make the outfit from scratch, totally made to measure and with some of my signature, ornate beading."
Shozna's reaction was that of Cindrella: "I love the dress and I never thought in a million years I'd one day own a pair of Jimmy Choos. I can't thank everyone who has donated everything enough. It has been the most exciting time of my life."
