Couture on a high as Pune’s most inspiring walk the ramp

August 12, 2016

Apart from flashing lights and sparkling diamonds, the opening ceremony of Couture Exhibitions 2016 saw some of Pune’s most inspiring women, including Varsha Chordia, Varsha Talera and Monicka Vadera Poonawalla walk down the ramp with grace and confidence. The opening also saw women who are cancer survivors from the Prashanti Cancer Care Mission walk the ramp exuding elegance and beauty. (*See Disclosure)

“Prashanti is an organisation that helps people with cancer, who cannot afford the treatment, right from the surgery till the process is complete. Last year, we treated more than 800 patients. We help them out with support groups. We connect all the patients and their families. They are all sad and worried but we try to bring them out of that shell. Since, I am a cancer survivor it gives me a chance to set an example for people who are going through it,” explains Pradnya Jog, a cancer survivor who gracefully walked the red carpet.

A display of luxury and lifestyle, Couture Exhibitions is organised by Smita Patwardhan and Naina Mutha, who started this venture out of passion. Speaking about the response received from the opening show, Patwardhan gladly says, “I think that all the women who walked the ramp brought in really high energy. It’s so inspiring to watch the cancer conquerors walk down with so much confidence and poise. I am so happy that so many people came for it and they are coming from all over the city. So far, the response I have got is good. Couture is going to get better every year.”

Kickstarting its sixth edition, Couture Exhibitions has brought together designers from all over the country on one platform. With more than 90 stalls that display jewellery, handicrafts, clothing, shoes, accessories and homeware, Couture has also made it a point to showcase upcoming talent in the country like Ishita Bafna of Little Miss Miu, a children’s wear design brand and Amoha by Vaishali Jain who designs ethnic and Indo-western wear.

The first day of the exhibition saw many people heading to the designer jewellery stores like Notandas and Sons Jewellers, Mehta Brothers Jewellers and Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri (TBZ), while many others were exploring the wide range of south silks at Sthree Collections by Anuradha Bhat and admiring the embroidery of the Kashmiri wear at Jaspreet’s Angad Creations.

“We have put in lots of effort to make this event possible and thankfully both the customers and the jewellers are happy. We did the opening show for a cause, to show how empowered the cancer survivors are. This year we have many renowned names but we want to give more preference to new talent,” states Mutha.

The exhibition continues at the Conrad today (till August 12).

*Pune 365 is a media partner of Couture Exhibitions 2016.