Women and shopping are notoriously inseparable. Giving the women of our city an opportunity to shop till they drop was Heena Rahul with her Go Glam Diwali Dhamaka, the two day shopping extravagance. This sixth edition of Go Glam Shopping festival brought together about 45 vendors from across the country.

The countdown for Diwali has begun and this shopping festival gave visitors an opportunity to shop for clothes, accessories, home decor products, and even pooja items for this season. A majority of vendors were homemakers who otherwise sold stuff from the comfort of their homes. Vanisha L. Shivani, owner of her home-based brand Skill Box, had on display several rangolies and torans, all handcrafted by her. There were simple ones with minimum work on them while some rangolies were elaborately decorated with bright sequences.

Selling handcrafted cosmetics made from 100 percent natural ingredients was Lakshana Leelakrishnan. She had on display soaps, fragrance, and shampoos among other products that she manufactures herself. “I source marigold flowers directly from a remote farm near Mysore for these Fleur D’or soaps. Honey that I use in some of my products is sourced from a village in Ooty,” Lakshana said.

For Divya Balasubramaiam, the proprietress of home-based brand Altus Formo, this was her fourth participation as vendor at the Go Glam Shopping Expo. “I sell garments for kids and ladies. I sell tunics, tops, kurtis and gowns. All my products are handpicked by me and I source them from across the country,” Divya said. Selling jewellery crafted from semi-precious stones was Suvarna Suchinndran, of brand name Evania. Also selling handcrafted unique terracotta jewellery was Raji Nandakumar of Shrishti from Palakkad.

“Next week is my best friend’s birthday and she is a big fan of terracotta jewellery. I have purchased a nice neck piece for her birthday gift. I’m sure she will like it as it matches her birthday dress,” Sujatha Shuvkumar, a college-student said. Also doing some heavy shopping was homemaker Latha Narayan. “I have purchased some rangolies for the pooja room in my home. I have two house warming ceremonies to attend next week. I have purchased cotton bedspreads and I think they are useful gifts to give,” she said.