“I have always been a fashionista. Saris and anything in silk are my favourites,” says the popular actress of yesteryears Poornima Bhagyaraj. It was 15 years ago when she realised the designer in her and plunged into the art of making the cut. Operating out of a boutique space Shree’s Ethnic Trends and Bridal Lounge in Chennai, Poornima has been designing wedding saris, custom-made blouses and salwars.
“Bridal-wear is my mainstay. I am in awe of the sheer brilliance of our Indian ethnic wear,” she says. “In my designs, I experiment with motifs and prints. The peacock print is a personal favourite and I repeat it in various styles on my saris.” She is glad that her style is acknowledged by her friends and families and many of her colleagues from the celeb circle throng her boutique now. “I feel elated when people come asking about the saris I wear on the Ninaithale Inikkum show on Vendhar TV. Most of them are my own creations.”
“The quality and finish matters the most to me. I suggest designs to my clients keeping in mind their body type, comfort and style statement. Everyone is unique and the challenge is to design something that suits their personalities,” says Poornima, who designs the clothes for family members for festivals and occasions. She designed the bridal sari and the Dhoti for her son Shanthanu’s wedding.
Poornima is also a proud owner of a wide collection of saris. “Every piece is close to my heart and there are saris that are over four decades old,” she says.
“I revamp them at times. Once I reworked on a 30 years old sari gifted by a friend, removed certain parts of it, added embellishments on the top and it looked stunning. I wore it to the SIIMA Awards and it won me compliments.”
Poornima’s collection of designer blouses are on display at Meena Fashion Expo.
With over 50 stalls from across the country, the expo features saris, salwars, dress materials, kurtis in silk, cotton, georgette and blends.
Apart from clothes, art and craft items, showpieces and paintings made by budding city artists, home furnishings and décor ranging from bed sheets, Yoga mats, doormats, curtains and pillow covers are also on sale. The expo is on till October 11 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Hotel JC Residency on Lady Doak College.
