08 September,2010 06:46 AM IST | | Soma Das
A lot can happen when 12 women entrepreneurs come together to give back to society.
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That's how the Sahachari Foundation (meaning 'women walking together') was formed a year ago to empower women and help charitable causes through cultural events. Design One, a pre-Diwali shopping festival, is one of its key draws.
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Aishwarya Nair from Dolce by The Leela will offer cupcakes at Design One.
In its second year, Design One promises to be bigger and better. "We have 85 women participants this year as compared to 70 last year.
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There is something for everyone, and for every budget, but the quality of all products remains top notch," says founding member Gauri Pohoomull.
This is a platform for young talent as well as NGOs to showcase products alongside seasoned designers under one roof, she says. This year, you get to shop for clothes, gift articles, home decor and desserts.
The USP, Pohoomull believes, is that most products are exclusively available here, and unlikely to make it to shop racks.
Proceeds from the sale will go to the Victoria Memorial School for the Blind and the Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Exhibition highlights
Designer Nandita Mahtani will showcase her collection of kurtis and tunics, while Nikasha Tawdey has festive sarees on offer.
Star wife Tania Deol's candlestands, Buddha idols, ornate tissue boxes and photoframes are up for grabs, as is Yama Maskara's collection of home linen.
Watch out for Kokommo high-end bags, footwear and necklaces (Rs 2,500 upwards) and Omoko bags for children and adults (Rs 1,000 upwards).
Designer Trupti Bellad Hermans will showcase sarees, dresses and tunics which she says are perfect for Diwali poojas, lunches and dinners. "The Kali kurtas are embellished with Hyderabadi gota work," says Trupti.
Pooja Hiremath creates bags made from faux leather, embellished with baubles (Rs 2,000 onwards)
Gayatri Ruia, whose NGO Ahilya, will have a stall at the venue, is looking forward to promoting and reviving Maheshwari weaves.
"Handloom Maheshwari sarees made using a special technique, vegetable dyes and jute, silk and wool are on sale.
The borders carry contemporary motifs," says Gayatri. Priced between Rs 800 and Rs 3,000, the sarees are designed by third generation weavers from Maheshwar in Indore, whose ancestors worked for royal families.
If all the walking around makes you hungry, you can tuck into Aishwarya Nair's Dolce beetroot-flavoured Red Velvet cupcakes and Salted Caramel Chocolate cupcakes (Rs 120 upwards).
But if a foot massage is what you really need, then rest assured, the visually impaired students from the Victoria Memorial School for the Blind will see to that.
on September 8 from 1 pm to 7 pm and on September 9 from 10.30 am to 7 pm
At Exhibition Hall, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade.
