The Grand, as well as the Preppy

TV personality Poornima Indrajith launches her new fashion lounge, Pranaah, with a show at Kochi

Photo: Poornima Indrajith (second from left) with her daughters, show-stopper, Amala Paul, and other models

By Shevlin Sebastian

“Pranaah is my third baby,” says actor, TV personality and now fashion designer, Poornima Indrajith, while on stage at a five-star hotel at Kochi, just before the launch of her fashion lounge logo. Standing next to Poornima are her two daughters, Praarthana, 9, and Nakshatra, 4. “It has been a dream come true,” she says. “I have invited my family and close friends to witness this exciting moment.”

The close friends, sitting on one side of the ramp, are a constellation of stars. They include actor Kunjan, along with his wife, Shobha, Meghana Raj, Bhavana, Shwetha Menon, Geetu Mohandas, Ananya, Ranjini Haridas, Lena, and – gasp! – Manju Warrier. Of course, Manju, who looks pretty and slim, is gradually working her way back into the limelight, after a 14-year hiatus.

Meanwhile, Poornima’s husband, the unassuming star, Indrajith, dressed in a black waistcoat, shirt and trousers, and see-through sunglasses, steps on stage, and says, “I wish Poornima all the best. I am sure she will be successful.” Then he launches into the Mohammed Rafi song, ‘Teri aankhon ke siwa/duniya mein rakha kya hai’. He sings it well enough to receive a heartfelt applause from the audience, especially his mother, Mallika Sukumaran.

In the ensuing fashion show, there are ethnic Indian bridal and semi-bridal clothes, a mix of digital prints along with brocade. There are zip sarees and sarees with belts. Other clothes include skirt-saris, and full sleeved blouses, with bright colours, like gold, black, white, fuchsia and neon. There are short skirts and trousers, salwar kameezes, and chiffon sarees, with fine embroidery work.  

During a break, the singer Sam Shiva, dressed in a leather coat, black jeans and boots, sings the Lionel Richie classic, ‘Hello, is it me you are looking for?’ Most of the stars, especially Ranjini, Swetha and Lena, are mouthing the lyrics.

Overall, the audience is impressed with the designs on show. “Poornima has a signature style,” says Lena. “It is a mix of the grand as well as the preppy. Many youngsters will like it.” 

As for Shwetha, she feels that there is a lot of the designer in her designs. “Poornima, you are going to do my next event,” she says. 

And Kunjan says, wittily, “We can’t live without Pranaah.” As for Manju, she says, “I am proud of Poornima. We wish her all the best.” Mother-in-law 
Mallika gives the final vote of confidence: “Poornima is hard-working and has a passion for fashion. I am sure people will like her designs.” Indeed, the object of all this praise, Poornima does have a talent to design clothes.    

The show-stopper is Amala Paul, who is wearing a floor-length gold dress, with lace fabric and stone embellishments. But there are two other show stoppers too: Praarthana and Nakshatra who walk in the swaying style of models at the conclusion with Amala and makes the audience smile. And so, it is a successful launch for the lively, intense and friendly Poornima. Her clothes are available at Pranaah, 4^th Cross Road, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi. 

(The New Indian Express, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram)