They called it the ‘The festival of Hope’. This weekend Fashion Designer Varija Bajaj showcased her collection at the event that witnessed an eyebrow raising number of designers and prominent personalities, who came together to create awareness for cancer by either showcasing their designs or by walking the ramp.
“It is a brilliant concept by Shalini Vig and I am only humbled to be a part of such a noble cause. It is our effort to let cancer patients know that we stand by them to fight this deadly disease,” said designer Varija Bajaj, whose showstopper was the beautiful actress Hrishita Bhatt and Miss India Asia Pacific, Shrishti Rana.
“I am honoured to walk the ramp for Varija as a part of this event. I will feel accomplished if I can make even a wee bit contribution to this noble effort,” said a modest Hrishita Bhatt.
The event saw more than 90 people walk the ramp to support the cause and raise funds for Indian Cancer Society. Meenakshi Dutt, Ashmeen Munjal, designer Sonia Jetleey were just some of the names who walked the ramp.
The show was well attended by Cricketer Manoj Prabhakar, actor Abhinav Chaturvedi, Jeetendra Dharewa, Rajdeep Ranawat, Chhaya Mehrotra, Manuj Shrama, Rajan and Ala Madhu,Seema Puri etc.
Designer Varija Bajaj is a name to reckon in the Indian Bridal Segment. She is an FDCI member and part of the WILLS INDIA FASHION WEEK for past 8 seasons. Being a successful entrepreneur, in an unorganized fashion sector, she is now a case study in ISB Hyderabad, the most reputed B-schools of the country. She has taught in over 12 fashion colleges apart from FMS Delhi and XIC(Xaviers) Mumbai. She is also on the advisory board of various colleges like Amity ,B.D.Somani (Mumbai), Rachna Sansad (Mumbai) to name a few.
Various Bollywood actresses are strong loyalists of her creation. Jacqueline Fernandis, Asin and Karishma Kapoor to name a few. VARIJA retails from her flagship store @ Defence Colony in Delhi, apart from retailing over 40 multi brand stores Pan-India.
She is also associated with a project called “VARIJA Life”- a research project on clothing needs of “special children”
Excerpts from the interview:
Tell us about Varija Bajaj as a person
I am an advertising and a management graduate who accidentally ended up designing, with no formal training in design. I am teaching business of fashion in more than 12 fashion colleges apart from being on the advisory board of quite a few. I am a perfectionist and a hard task master.
Fashion for a cause, please comment.
Varija Design Studio is involved in various CSR activities. ‘Varija Life’ is a project where we are involved in designing clothes for autistic children. ‘Festival of Hope’ is a fund raising event for cancer awareness. We have been involved with Festival of hope for past two seasons where people who donate money walk the ramp in our creations instead of models. It is our effort to let the cancer survivors know that we are with them to fight this battle.
Please tell us something about this collection that you have showcased.
Unlike the Fashion Weeks, the collection showcased at the ‘Festival of hope’ was not for the models but for real people who have donated funds to Indian Cancer Society. So, the idea was not to impose my fashion sensibilities as a collection but to ensure that each one, who walked for our label, looked stunning on the ramp. It was an assorted mix of bright Indian pre-bridal collection and fusion western line with interesting drapes
What is the USP of your label and how do you segment yourself in the Indian fashion industry?
Our forte is mix and match of assorted embroideries, colours and fabrics blended together for a unique look. Our tassels are the element to die for in our creations. Unique and crafted-we have them different in every outfit to enhance the playful, fun and celebrated aspect of every creation.
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