Singer-turned-fashion designer Pearl Lowe and her daughter Daisy have just returned from a Christian Aid trip to Salvador, Brazil, where they met women and girls whose lives are being transformed by fashion.

Pearl and Daisy spent time with women in Calafate, a slum area where drugs and violence are rife.

They visited a fashion project which is supported by Christian Aid's partner CESE (Coordinating Committee for Ecumenical Service).

The project, called Costurart, provides a safe haven for local women to come together, make clothes and earn money to improve their lives.

The trip culminated in a fashion show of Costurart's designs, in which one of the world's top young models Daisy took to the catwalk and paraded the women's colourful creations.

Daisy said: 'The fashion show was really exciting. Some girls asked me to show them how I walk the catwalk so we spent ten minutes parading up and down in the courtyard beforehand.

'It was lovely to spend time getting to know them and it gave me a fresh perspective. After this, when I'm back doing a normal show in London or New York, I'll probably look around and think "Actually, all this doesn't matter that much."'

Pearl, who was in the show's front row, said: 'I feel really humbled to be part of this event. I've been to quite a few fashion shows in my time but this is unique, and so much fun.

'I was able to watch the women putting the final touches to their collection and it was wonderful to see them laughing and working together.

'Many of these women used to be too afraid to leave the house but this project is really changing their lives.'

Like many of Brazil's poor neighbourhoods, Calafate is awash with drugs, and women, in particular, bear the brunt.

Many of the streets are no-go areas after dark and women stay in their houses on Sundays as that's when most drug deals - and often gun battles - take place.

It often falls on women's shoulders to bargain with drug dealers over the lives of their brothers, sons and husbands - many of whom are drug addicts.

Their children are also at risk as dealers target children as young as eight to act as drug couriers.

Viviane Hermida from CESE said: 'Domestic violence is another common problem here and drugs only make it worse. Every four minutes, a woman in Brazil is a victim of some form of domestic violence.'

Pearl and Daisy Lowe are the latest public figures to back Christian Aid during Christian Aid Week. Previous supporters include Joseph Fiennes, Bob Geldof and Lemar.

Christian Aid helps people of all religions and none in 50 of the world's poorest country. Christian Aid week runs until 17 May and people can donate at www.christianaid.org.uk

For more information and pictures, please contact Fiona Cowood on fcowood@christian-aid.org or 020 7523 2427.

Footage of Pearl and Daisy's trip can be seen at www.christianaid.org.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Costurart is part of The Women's Collective of Calafate, funded by CESE. Christian Aid has supported CESE's work since 1975.