There were days when powerful and stylish women like Parmeshwar Godrej, Nina Pillai and later Queenie Singh and Sheetal Mafatlal, to name a few, were considered the gracious high priestesses of society. They were known for hosting the most fabulous parties that saw high profile guests like Imran Khan and Richard Gere in attendance, apart from some hotties from the film industry.
While there has been a paradigm shift when it comes to the whole concept of Page 3, what with the Bollywood mania creeping into the scene like a virus, there are the Poonawalla ladies, who are redefining the term fashionista and are charm and elegance personified. We are talking about Natasha and Michelle Poonawalla, the wives of the scions of the Poonawalla empire.
While Natasha is married to Cyrus Poonawalla’s son, the dishy Adar Poonawalla, Michelle is his cousin Yohan Poonawalla’s better half. That they belong to a family that has been enveloped in unseen luxury for years must make taking the family’s glam quotient forward easier for these two divas.
Natasha and Michelle are not just pretty faces, who are swathed in luxury togs and are seen sporting accessories (bags, watches, hats, shoes) of high end brands from head to toe. While both are philanthropists in their own right, Natasha is also the chairperson on the Viloo Poonawalla Foundation and the Executive Director of the family-owned Serum Institute of India. Often seen in the parties that matter, wearing the choicest couture, Natasha is also the hostess with the mostest at the parties she hosts. Apparently, the high society lady is on first term basis with the world’s top designers like Domenico Dolce, Stefano Gabbana and Gucci’s Alessandro Michele.
Michelle, on the other hand, is a hands-on artist, and may not be as party hearty as Natasha, but that doesn’t take away from her style quotient or the exalted life she leads. A bit reserved and shy, she prefers her art workshops for children with special needs rather than be seen at every party around town. However, when it comes to hosting her friends in her majestic manor in Pune, you will find Michelle, dressed to the nines in nothing less than high end couture, never ending heels, and perfect make-up, warmly taking care of her close friends.
The new first ladies of high society? Yes, definitely so!
