Even before we had Facebook, Poornima is somebody who took the style scene by storm and that too, with plenty of followers. She just needs to make an appearance at a wedding, or any popular television show, and then the phone at home rings incessantly.
Everyone has a thing or two to say about her unique style quotient and how the elements just stand out, making the effect that it ought to make.
She can go to any lengths to ensure that the accessorizing is spot on and the perfection in costuming is never compromised. Even if the wearer tires out, for Poornima there is no going back on creating that dramatic effect that only the perfect attire can bring about. She just has to see the appreciative twinkle in the eyes of her customer.
In a time, when even the word ‘Styling’ was never too known, did you even imagine that you were going to be a professional stylist in the future?
Till last year I never even thought that I would put up a shop of my own. I was the happiest when I realized that my setting up a shop was never a surprise for anyone. That I did it quite late was the complaint doing the rounds. It was only when I began styling others that I understood the amount of dedication this task requires. I have clarity about my likes and dislikes, so dressing up myself was easier. But now the case is different. My clients trust me with making them look gorgeous on the most important day of their lives. It’s an art and since I am passionate about this, it helps.
Is it mostly stars that come for styling to 'Pranaah'?
It is nowadays brides that require the help of a stylist. Unlike the earlier times, there are 3 or even 4 functions associated with the marriage ceremony. If the girl has to carry the style that we suggest with élan, then she herself should have the confidence that it suits her best. In other words, we have to take care of every details right from mental framing, costumes, patterns, jewellery, make-up, appearance etc.
What are your personal styling secrets?
Minimalism & Elegance... To a bride that is getting ready to wear 50 sovereigns of gold for her wedding, I will say that she has to do away with 5 chains and all the bangles too. Get 5 sovereigns into one chain and 2 bangles and that is what we can call elegant. Once a bride came to me wearing a chain that covered most of her neck, I asked her if she had the guts to wear only a single neck piece for her wedding. She agreed.
We made a maroon collared blouse to go with the necklace. She looked splendid like a model on the ramp on that day. Even when you have to wear 5 chains, they need to be worn in a balanced manner to impart a classy feel. One her wedding day, I want every bride to look two notches higher than what she imagines to look like, to go much beyond their dreams.
Are Malayalees accepting of stylists?
Why do we have so many machines meant for reducing weight in Kerala, why are people ready to spend so much on medicines that promise to ward off baldness or pot-bellies? Keralites are in general extremely conscious of how they look when compared to those from other states. I have many IT professionals coming to me asking for suggestions on what to wear to a conference or a dinner party. In Mumbai, every other celebrity has their own personal stylists. I am confident that in no time, styling will not be a thing of wonder in Kerala.
Where do you think you must have got your styling sense from?
I think I got it from my mother. She used to be a fashion revolutionary of sorts. Whenever she buys a new saree, the first thing she does was to cut off the attached matching blouse piece. Then she would go around tirelessly in search of the material for a blouse that she has in mind. She designs it differently and when she wears it to a function, there are at least 10 admirers enquiring after it. I remember every birthday of mine by the dresses that she used to design for me and the accessories to go with it too. If it is a pink dress, she would go around all over Kochi in search of a matching pink and white polka dot shoes for it. She never fails to surprise me with her selections.
An excellent sense of fashion, and a talent for acting, then how come, we don’t see you in cinema?
I didn’t leave cinema by putting a full stop to acting. With marriage, my preferences changed. Indran is somebody who is so involved with films most of the time. So there has to be somebody to bring up the kids with responsibility. I took up that happily.
What is the beauty in life, if it continues as it is? I have the habit of writing down my priorities for the day, since I was quite young. At one point of time my biggest concern was that my daughter Prarthana wasn’t eating enough. When I had Nakshatra, the next tensions revolved around her. And now it is my new job. Once my kids are older, I might consider acting again. Very soon you will see me as the stylist of a Lijo Jose Pellisserry movie.
Has being the host for film based shows like Edavelayil, Kadha Ithuvare... helped you with this new job?
My entire family is in the movies. And I have lots of friends in the industry too. But that doesn’t mean the stars are obliged to open up their hearts to me. Well even if I am aware of their secrets, I would never pressurize them to lay it out in the open. I don’t want them going around saying that they have lost all their peace of mind after an interview with me! I have utmost admiration and respect for the stars. I don’t think you can ever win anything by destroying another. That is never a ‘win’ at all.
Do you plan your life for success?
It’s not like you make a blueprint for life, and follow it to the T. I do contemplate what it is, that will come my way. Starting a fashion store has been my dream for quite some time now. If it was before 5 years, then my children would have been too small. I would not have thought of doing this if it was after 5 years when the kids are in their teenage years. Now is the right time and only when I was sure about it, I started planning it.
Girly style
This is a style that suits college going girls. A crushed silk skirt, Phulkari duppatta and a short top, accessorize with colourful glass bangles, silver ear danglers, and red glass belt for a great and sexy feel.
Neck piece with a difference
If you have a great piece of accessory, it makes sense to choose the right dress to go with it. The prominence here is a saree to go with the jewellery and not the jewellery to go with the saree. The green stone neck piece is taken away from the neck and stitched onto the shoulder. And because the neck is left plain, the blouse has an ornamental touch to its neckline.
Neon is back
Neon makes a guest appearance now and then in clothes and jewellery too. It’s going to be a spring of neon colours now. Don’t keep these shades away just because it doesn’t go with the Malayalee skin tones. For a neon fuchsia stone necklace, team up with an off colour saree and transparent blouse. This makes the necklace stand out and you won’t get the feeling that the dressing has gone overboard.