Pune’s New Funk Bazaars

City-based designer Uzma Poonawalla and Rutuja Baravkar Dumbre,owner,Iris boutique,started this concept of high-end bazaars in May last year. “I was sitting at Terttulia when a random thought of such a bazaar crossed my mind. I chatted with Rutuja on Facebook and we got going,” says Poonawalla. At the first bazaar,though on a small scale,there were designer clothes – Indian and western wear,gorgeous high heels and even nail art. “Generally flea markets have more reasonably priced stuff but our bazaars and our target audience are different,” Poonawalla adds.

From the porch of Terttulia,the Fashion Bazaar concept went on to Stone Water Grill and more recently,in the first week of March,to the Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre as the Moroccan Fashion Bazaar. At Stone Water Grill,shoppers indulged in creations by upcoming Mumbai-based designer Hasya Chandra,Pune’s Shikha Kothari,Moushmi Sanas,designer collections from Iris and Poonawalla’s collection too. The Moroccan Fashion Bazaar boasted of even bigger names – Salim Asgarally,Raman Khanna,Preeti Jhawar and Saloni. Asgarally’s rich,vibrant Indian wear,Jhawar’s hip cross-cultural outfits and Saloni’s traditional Jaipuri clothes were highlights of this fashion fair. “They were all almost sold out and they left with plenty more orders,” Poonawalla says. And this,even though the fashion goods were priced at R 15,000 and above – figures that fall in the ‘expensive’ bracket in Pune.

At High Spirits,flea markets have been a regular feature. From footwear to bangles and jewellery,the stalls are thronged by young Puneites who are out to get their money’s worth. Says Rivka Irani of High Spirits,“This time,my partner Naina Parnaik and I are doing something different. On April 9 and 10,we’re launching Funk Yard India which will add some funk into everyone’s life,be it in the form of an accessory,a fridge magnet,or a hat!” The highlight of this bazaar will be the handmade t-shirts on subjects like oneness,religion,recycling and so on. “And we will be showcasing talent from within Pune. Artists can showcase their works and even interact with guests. Our next step will be to scout talent from all over India,” Irani adds.

It is the ‘interaction’ aspect that makes these events click,Poonawalla feels. “A collection makes a greater impact when the designer is present. At our bazaars,the designers come to Pune and mingle with shoppers. They get a chance to survey the market. Also,it helps Puneites understand the designers’ expressions,” she says.

Another fashion bazaar,on an even larger scale than the previous one,is promised in June this year. “What works is that there are so many designers under one roof,” Poonawalla adds. However,one can say the same for multi-designer stores too,and she’s quick to explain,“Yes,but when designers supply to stores here,they send just 10-15 pieces. However,when they come for these high-end markets,they bring 50-60 of their best creations.” Abhijit Chitnis,director,sales & marketing,Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre,describes fashion bazaars as ‘convenient’. “Everyone is busy with daily schedules and these bazaars give people a chance to go through an entire display of fashion at one spot. In just a couple of hours,you can survey the best of fashion,whereas visiting individual stores located at different ends of the city can take a few days or even weeks,” he says.