Miss India New England: A Timeless Fashion Show kicks off Boston Fashion Week
The Miss India New England: A Timeless Fashion Show featured Indian design collections and the crowning of Miss India New England. Photo Courtesy of Audrey Coleman
By Audrey Coleman, Kelly Egan, and Nia Harmon
A night dedicated to honoring Indian craftsmanship, artistry, design, and talent, Boston Fashion Week’s Miss India New England: A Timeless Fashion Show was nothing short of a celebration. On Sunday, October 13, community members of all ages strut down the runway in traditional and modern Indian garb. The show featured collections from different designers, which were modeled by women of all ages, dance performances, and concluded with a pageant crowning the newest Miss India New England.
For event coordinator and designer, Ruchika Arora, it was important for her to highlight the dedication and uniqueness that went into each item.
“I tried to bring crafts from the world,” said Arora. “Especially from the women from India who do embroidery and beadwork at their homes.”
Alongside Ruchika, the show featured designs by Sonal Gadhavi, and Himanshu Shekhar.
While celebrating Indian culture and fashion, the event was also dedicated to women’s empowerment. “From fashion and from these pageants, we’re giving the opportunity to young girls and also married women to come out and showcase their talents, and not only their beauty outside, but their beauty within,” said Seema Arora, a model and sponsor at the event.
“It encourages self-confidence and it also encourages motivation and looking at all their accomplishments. Other people get inspired too, it’s definitely very empowering.”
The show’s pageant included two rounds of showcasing. In the first, contestants walked down the runway to model their gowns. After, they introduced themselves, briefly sharing their passions and accomplishments. That night, a new Mrs. India New England, Classic Elite Mrs India New England, Miss India Pre-Teen New England, Miss India Teen New England, Miss India New Hampshire, Mrs India Massachusettes, and Face of Runway USA were all crowned. The biggest title, Miss India New England, went to Pallavi George, a young attorney and professor.
“One thing I tell my students pretty often because I’m in the legal field, is you don’t have to be boring and smart,” George said in an interview after the event. “Just like you don’t have to be either pretty or smart. I break those barriers and I go to work every single day as an attorney.”
Boston Fashion Week events will continue through October 19.