As we walk in the dust, carefully plotting a path through the loose rocks of concrete and scattered pieces of plastic film, the rough idling of an ageing tuk tuk grows ever closer. From the handlebars of the tuk tuk a thick Indian accent politely calls “Excuse me sir, this market is closed today”, we nod politely and continue to walk without any real sense of direction hoping to find a more legitimate means of transport. The tuk tuk driver putts along beside us and repeats “Please sir, this market is closed today, I can take you to another. 20 rupees”.  This seems a more than fair price, so we agree to take him up on the offer. From the backseat of the tuk tuk I extend my right hand with a “what’s your name brother?” and we are on our way..

In March 2012, to coincide with the launch of our women’s range, Smile Clothing made its first ever visit to India. 

On our first trip to this incredible country we were welcomed with the kind of hospitality and open arms generally afforded to family members and life-long friends by many who were, for want of a better term, complete strangers. 

As is so often the case when we visit new places where the people have so little in a material sense, we are humbled by the generosity and eagerness shown to us, visitors from a foreign land. It is in these moments that we learn so much about other places, people and inevitably about ourselves. 

During this trip we visited many incredible sites, indulging ourselves in the history, food and culture of this rich land. We shared many smiles, many cups of chai, met some amazing people and were even lucky enough to share a home cooked meal with a loving family. During our visit we also made an impromptu clothing drop, providing clothing for the children of families living in a workers camp on the outskirts of Delhi, a clothing drop that was a direct result of a chance encounter with the polite man on the tuk tuk. 

In 2011 Smile Clothing provided over 2000 School Uniforms and T-shirts to children in need. As we steady our ship for further clothing drops in 2012, we plan to go even further using the wind in our sails from our journeys in 2011 to explore, dream, discover and give as many School Uniforms and T-shirts to enable children in need. 

We hope you enjoy this film as much as we did shooting it, and we implore you to forward it on to as many friends as you possibly can.

The more people our One For One model touches, the more assistance we will be able to provide to those in need.

In the meantime - watch, enjoy, share, be inspired, and most importantly...Smile.

Give First, Wear Second.

www.smileclothing.co