Runway Raaga’s Curtain Raiser Brings Couture and Conscious Storytelling to Pune

At a time when India’s fashion industry is increasingly shaped by conversations around inclusivity, experience-led showcases and purpose-driven narratives, runway events are evolving beyond visual spectacle. Pune witnessed this shift on January 21 as Runway Raaga’s Curtain Raiser unfolded at The Mills, bringing together couture, conscious storytelling and contemporary design — and Local Samosa was on the ground to witness the event firsthand.

Stories Over Garments

The event, themed The Rhythm of Fashion, brought together designers, media, industry insiders and creatives for an evening that felt more like a carefully curated experience than a standard runway show. Instead of just showcasing garments, the focus was on stories — design, movement and emotion working together to create a more immersive narrative, a direction that reflects how fashion events in India are increasingly prioritising purpose and representation.

The evening opened with a vitiligo-focused segment curated by Chopsy Oberoi. With understated styling and deliberate choreography, it highlighted individuality and representation, setting a reflective tone while echoing the industry’s broader move towards authenticity and inclusivity.

A standout moment came with celebrity designer Ken Ferns’ presentation, Silverblood – The Alchemy of Element 80. Iranian-German actor Elnaaz Norouzi took the role of showstopper, and the collection drew inspiration from mercury — the only metal that exists in a liquid state — exploring ideas of transformation and motion in contemporary couture.

Fluidity and Visual Storytelling on the Runway

Fluid silhouettes glided down the runway, paired with metallic finishes and intricate hand embroidery inspired by molecular structures and atomic movement. Shades of gunmetal, chrome, icy silver, oxidised blue and deep crimson captured the shifting moods of the element, creating a collection that was as much about visual storytelling as it was about design.

Speaking about the creative direction of the evening, Chaitanya Gokhale, Show Director and Choreographer, said, “Runway Raaga was envisioned as an experience where movement, emotion, and design work in harmony. Every segment was crafted to feel expressive and inclusive, allowing fashion to communicate beyond garments.”

Sharing her vision for the platform, Shruti Bengre, Founder & Owner of Merakianz Media House (MMH) and Runway Raaga, added, “Runway Raaga brings together fashion, emotion, and experience. From design to curated cuisines, every element contributes to a layered narrative. Created for the discerning, it is a platform where creative dreams are realised, voices are amplified, and fashion is celebrated without boundaries.”

A Platform for Contemporary Indian Fashion

The presence of prominent fashion influencers alongside leading fashion and beauty journalists further underscored Runway Raaga’s growing position as a platform that champions contemporary fashion through creativity, inclusivity and refined storytelling. With its next showcase scheduled to take place in Goa, the platform continues to expand its footprint across cities.

Runway Raaga’s Curtain Raiser was presented by NECC, in association with Venky’s, Vencobb and RVK Group (Rasik Kadam) and Naresh Sisodia with BMW Bavaria Motors and MINI Bavaria Motors as Luxury Mobility Partners, The Mills, Pune as Venue Partner, Rocket Reels as Streaming Partner and The Gazelle as Hair & Makeup Partner. The showcase was conceptualised by Shruti Bengre and executed by MMH, in association with Naushad Shaikh.