Bhubaneswar : After the success of INWEC Women’s Business Mela in May 2022, INWEC Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Women’s Entrepreneurship Council (INWEC) in association with evos now organizing INWEC Fashion & Lifestyle Mela from the 8th Jan 2023 to 12th Jan 2023 at Plantronics Ground, Bhubaneswar where over 120+ women entrepreneurs in the fields of fashion, handlooms and lifestyle businesses are setting up stalls and showcasing their products. The event will also feature Conferences, Seminars & Workshops, Talk Shows, Cultural Events, Fashion Show, Food Festival, Lucky Draws etc. Local artisans, weavers, grass root entrepreneurs and small businesses involved in the handlooms, handicrafts and the rich cultural heritage of the state will be supported and promoted at the event. The event will also explore innovation, technology integration to the traditional weaving industry, new business opportunities and new markets for local artisans through collaboration with national designers and fashion houses. Various national enterprises involved in manufacturing, distribution, and retail sales are expected to participate in the event. The event will also feature 25 fashion shows with designers of Odisha showcasing a varied range of designs from all walks of society. Fashion shows will cater to all segments of the population, ranging from kids, mothers, models, senior citizens, transgender, celebrities, accomplished individuals from Odisha etc. The event is being promoted nationally through ICC, MSME-DFO Government of India, Government of Odisha and through various Media houses. The event will be inaugurated by Honourable Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik and the Honourable Governor His Excellency Shri GaneshiLal will be Chief Guest at the closing ceremony. Various dignitaries have confirmed their participation for the Business Mela.
Mr. Manish Malhotra, Indian Fashion Designer, Bollywood Costume Stylist and Entrepreneur will be visiting Odisha for the first time and designing apparel using Odisha Handloom, Ms Diya Mirza, Miss Asia Pacific International in 2000, Actress & Producer, Mr Irfan Pathan, Former Indian Cricketer turned Commentator & Cricket Analyst, Mr Zayed Khan, Actor & Producer, Ms SoniRazdan, Actress & Director and many more will be the special attraction of this Mela. Arundhati Jewellers and Boyanika is the co-title sponsorer of this mela.
“INWEC Fashion & Lifestyle mela is the first of its kind mela to support our fashion and lifestyle entrepreneurs of Odisha. Most of the INWEC entrepreneurs have businesses in this sector. Also our handlooms and handicrafts have rich culture and heritage rooted in them. These need to appeal to larger section of the society. We are using this mela to promote our handlooms and handicrafts by reinventing the designs and use of fabrics”.
Ms Sukirti Patnaaik, Co-Chairperson INWEC National & Convenor INWEC Odisha, “We have a rich variety of fabrics in our state, we also have designers who can design using our local fabrics and retailers who can promote these designs. Through the INWEC Fashion and Lifestyle mela, we will be bringing everyone together and creating a platform to promote our designs and businesses. The event will be full of activities for everyone to participate”.
Ms Tanaya Patnaik, Co-Convenor INWEC Odisha, “INWECis in the forefront of transformation in Odisha. After the business mela, we felt on the need to promote entrepreneurs who are in the fashion and lifestyle segments as they constituted the majority of our entrepreneurs. The 5 day mela will showcase these entrepreneurs, create awareness and generate new business opportunities for our entrepreneurs”.
Mr J B Pany, Chairman ICC Odisha, “ICC has been a leading various initiatives in Odisha. Our women’s entrepreneurship wing is one of the most dynamic in the country. The Fashion & Lifestyle mela is to promote our businesses not only in Odisha but also create awareness outside the state. The celebrities attending the event will all be spreading the message”. Mr M K Gupta, Co-Chairman ICC Odisha