Fashion / #ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show

#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show

Fashion Jun 28, 2023

by Hina P. Ansari

To kick off #ANOKHI20 with three events spanning two days, the ANOKHI Emerald Runway took place at the Westin Airport Hotel in Toronto on Friday June 16th to a sold out crowd. The evening was the premiere fashion event in the city which brought together an incredible selection of curated designs by 7 South Asian designers from India, US and Canada. Presenting their personalized curated unique interpretation of emerald (the anniversary colour), these couturiers gave the full house a spectacular presentation. Check out the key moments from the first the ANOKHI Emerald Series event, including the looks straight from the ANOKHI Emerald Runway!

The evening started with CEO Raj Girn sharing the ANOKHI EMERALD RUNWAY mantra: to celebrate and showcase 20 years of South Asian fashion, style and beauty based on true and pure empowerment of the Divine Feminine in the form of Maha Lakshmi. The MP for Brampton South, Sonia Sidhu presented ANOKHI LIFE with a certificate celebrating the 20 year milestone. This was followed by Dr. Ruby Dhalla, CEO of the Dhalla Group of Companies delivering her Presenting Sponsor’s address.

As part of the ANOKHI EMERALD SERIES, each event also was important as it was to also celebrate our ANOKHI EMERALD Honourees and that was the case for the ANOKHI EMERALD RUNWAY where 5 designers were given that specific recognition.

ANOKHI EMERALD AWARD HONOUREES:

The 5 honourees in the Glamour category presented By the Dhalla Group Of Companies were as follows:

Excellence in Beauty Empowerment: Neelam Verma

Excellence in Fashion: Priya Chhabria

Excellence in Fashion: Archana Kochhar

Excellence in Fashion Design: Dinesh K Ramsay

Lifetime Excellence in Fashion: Naeem Khan

#ANOKHI20: Celebrating 20 Years While Honouring South Asian Empire Builders With Star-Studded Celebrity Fashion Show, Mental Health Awareness Brunch & Entertainment Gala — #ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show: Counter Clockwise from top left: Lord Ganesh statue at the entrance, Neelam Verma on the runway in Mani Jassal, Dr. Ruby Dhalla, Dinesh K Ramsay, Raj Girn with MP Sonia Sidhu. Photo Credits listed below.

Dinesh K Ramsay and Neelam Verma both took to the stage to accept their honours respectively, and they both expressed how important it is to support our community noting ANOKHI’s longstanding dedication to doing. Priya Chhabria, Archana Kochchar sent in personalized video messages of thanks for their recognition while also congratulating Raj Girn and the ANOKHI team. One of the highlights of the evening was the fact that noted celebrity designer Naeem Khan presented his collection for the first time in Canada on the ANOKHI EMERALD RUNWAY and with that sent in his own extended video message of thanks which delighted the fashion enthusiasts all in attendance.

The spirit of celebrating and honouring South Asian talent continued from the red carpet to the ramp where various Canadian notables walked the runway as showstoppers, which turned up the glam to another level. The star-studded roster included Fuad Ahmed, Nobahar Dadui, Sandy Kaur Gill, Sonya Jhas, Ali Kazmi, Husein Madhavji, Harjas Singh and Neelam Verma.

The Fashion Show

The fact that the 7 designers showcased their capsule collection for the ANOKHI EMERALD RUNWAY gave the audience a chance to see up front the incredible designs and the respective creative visions held by each couturier. With the diversity in geography and generations, each designer stood out on their own with their own interpretation which was amazing.

Dinesh K. Ramsay

#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show: — **#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show.** Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions

Mani Jassal

Priya Chhabria

#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show: Showstopper Neelam Verma in Mani Jassal. Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions — **#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show.** Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions

#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show. Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions — **#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show. Photo Credit: Showstopper Sandy Kaur Gill in Mani Jassal.** Nisarg Media Productions

Rivesse By Ishan Sanghvi

#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show. Photo Credit: Showstopper Sandy Kaur Gill in Mani Jassal. Nisarg Media Productions — **#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show. (L-R) Fuad Ahmed, Ali Kazmi and Harjas Singh.** Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions

#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show. Photo Credit: (L-R) Fuad Ahmed, Ali Kazmi and Harjas Singh. Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions — **#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show.** Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions

Navaa By Ravleen Kaur

#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show: (L-R): Showstoppers Husein Minhaj, Harjas Singh, Ali Kazmi, Faud Ahmed with designer Ishan (front). Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions — **#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show.** Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions

Archana Kochhar

#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show. Ravleen Kaur (right). Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions — **#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show.** Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions

Naeem Khan

#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show: Showstopper Sonya Jas in the finale. Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions — **#ANOKHI20: Stunning Designs Lit Up The Ramp At The ANOKHI Emerald Runway Show.** Photo Credit: Nisarg Media Productions

The fashion show concluded with Raj Girn who was also the Master of Ceremonies to walk the runway with her son Karam. It was a surprise request that the audience loved the mother son moment!

Guests enjoyed food by by Zauq and dessert by Cheezeco, as well as snack stations by our sponsors KFI The Indian Sauce Company and Shana Foods. Mocktails were provided by Rubicon Exotic, with cocktails provided by Five Rivers Punjabi Whisky & Blue Peacock Vodka.

Thank you to all of our #ANOKHI20 Sponsors & Partners! We encourage you all to check their websites (click on their names) and explore their social media!

EVENT HOST: ANOKHI LIFE

IN SUPPORT OF: CENTRE FOR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH (CAMH)

VENUE & HOTEL SPONSOR: THE WESTIN TORONTO AIRPORT HOTEL

THE ANOKHI EMERALD RUNWAY & BALL PRESENTED BY: DHALLA GROUP OF COMPANIES

ANOKHI EMERALD BRUNCH PRESENTED BY: MERIDIAN CREDIT UNION

TALENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY: THE OPEN CHEST CONFIDENCE ACADEMY

PLATINUM SPONSOR: KFI THE INDIAN SAUCE COMPANY

GOLD SPONSOR: BIOARO

GOLD SPONSOR: KEEK

GOLD SPONSOR: MANTELLA CORPORATION

GOLD SPONSOR: ROWENTA

GOLD SPONSOR/BROADCAST MEDIA PARTNER: ZEE TV CANADA HD

SILVER/ JUICE SPONSOR: RUBICON EXOTIC

SILVER SPONSOR: SHANA

SILVER SPONSOR: SHARMA SINGH IMMIGRATION SERVICES INC.

SILVER SPONSOR/RADIO PARTNER: RUKUS AVENUE RADIO

FRONT STAGE LOGISTICS AND SHOW MANAGEMENT: STYLEWORTHY

FASHION SHOW MANAGEMENT: FEMIDA SIDI

BACKSTAGE MANAGEMENT, MODELS & FASHION CHOREOGRAPHY: TORONTO FASHION ACADEMY

DECOR PARTNER: TOP DIAMOND EVENTS & PARTY RENTALS

DECOR CONSULTING BY: CHIC LUXURY EVENTS

BAR & FLOOR WRAPS SPONSOR: PARAGON DESIGNS

AUDIO & VISUAL PARTNER: EMPIRE ENTERTAINMENT

AWARD DESIGN & SHOW ANIMATIONS BY: DAN FILIP RADU 3D ANIMATION & VIDEO PRODUCTION

MEDIA & PR: MEDIAWORKS

ANOKHI EMERALD BRUNCH FIRESIDE CHAT #1 BROUGHT TO YOU BY: HOME OF DENTISTRY

ANOKHI EMERALD BRUNCH FIRESIDE CHAT #2 BROUGHT TO YOU BY: ALOE ACCOUNTING AND TAX PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION

ANOKHI EMERALD BRUNCH FIRESIDE CHAT #3 BROUGHT TO YOU BY: GLOW COLLEGE OF ARTISTIC DESIGN

RAJ GIRN’S HAIR & MAKEUP PROVIDED BY: THE BEAUTY CONCEPT BY SHIRLEY WU

RAJ GIRN’S JEWELLERY PROVIDED BY: BANGLEZ

RAJ GIRN’S CLUTCHES PROVIDED BY: CLUTCHEEET

HAIR SPONSOR: PRIVE HAIR GALLERY

MAKEUP SPONSOR: VASANTI COSMETICS

DJ PARTNER: TORONTO DJ ACADEMY

DJ PARTNER: DJ RESHIV

BRONZE/WHISKEY SPONSOR: FIVE RIVERS PUNJABI WHISKEY

BRONZE/VODKA SPONSOR: BLUE PEACOCK VODKA

ANNIVERSARY CAKE PROVIDED BY: KATE FRASCH

PHOTO & VIDEO PARTNER: NISARGMEDIA PRODUCTIONS

RED CARPET COVERAGE: ANOKHI UNCENSORED

RED CARPET COVERAGE: GETTY IMAGES

ONLINE MEDIA PARTNER: DISSDASH

COMMUNITY PARTNER: GTA SOUTH ASIAN MEDIA NETWORK

COMMUNITY PARTNER: SAPNA TORONTO

We Like To Thank Our Valued Sweepstakes Sponsors

ANOKHI LIFE, CLUTCHEET, EAST BOUTIQUE , KFI THE INDIAN SAUCE COMPANY, MUBARAK CLUTCHES, ROWENTA, RUBICON EXOTIC, SAHIBA FASHIONS, SHANA FOODS , THE OPEN CHEST CONFIDENCE ACADEMY

Main Image Photo Credit & Red Carpet Photo Credits for ANOKHI EMERALD RUNWAY, ANOKHI EMERALD BRUNCH, ANOKHI EMERALD BALL: © 2023 ANOKHI LIFE. Shawn Goldberg, signed with Getty Images/Shutterstock/Sopa Images.

Hina P. Ansari

Author

Hina P. Ansari is a graduate from The University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario). Since then she has carved a successful career in Canada's national fashion-publishing world as the Entertainment/Photo Editor at FLARE Magazine, Canada's national fashion magazine. She was the first South Asian in...

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