IMPACT 2023 Lights Up Pune with a Grand Celebration of Fashion, Empowerment, and International Women’s Day

Pune: On the evening of March 8, Pune witnessed one of its most spectacular fashion and cultural showcases as IMPACT 2023 unfolded at the iconic Kopa Mall in Koregaon Park. Organized by Pankhuri Vijayvergia – CEO Volokal, the event marked International Women’s Day with a powerful blend of couture, inclusivity, and celebration of women’s strength.
The grand runway featured celebrated Bollywood designer Rohit Verma, who presented his stunning couture collection titled “An Evening in Paris.” The showcase concluded with Bollywood actress Mugdha Godse taking center stage as the showstopper, drawing applause from the packed audience of Pune’s leading entrepreneurs, socialites, influencers, and fashion enthusiasts.
Presented by Volokal and powered by Airox Technologies, IMPACT 2023 transformed the luxury venue into a vibrant runway arena celebrating creativity, resilience, and empowerment.
In a powerful opening segment dedicated to the spirit of Naari Shakti, the event featured a special showcase by designer Geetakshi, herself a physically challenged designer who has become an inspiration in the fashion industry. Ten remarkable models, all physically challenged women, walked the runway wearing her designs ~ a moving moment that symbolized courage, inclusion, and the limitless potential of women.The segment received a standing ovation from the audience, setting the tone for an evening that was as meaningful as it was glamorous.A Grand Fashion Following the opening segment, the runway came alive with 40 professional models presenting Rohit Verma’s couture line, featuring intricate embroidery, dramatic silhouettes, and Parisian-inspired glamour.
The show was meticulously executed with professional runway choreography by Dheeraj Bankar, while Shahroz Shah from the Montello Modelling Academy led the show direction, ensuring a seamless and visually captivating production.
Model management and backstage operations were handled by The Montello Modelling Agency, which coordinated the participation of 50 models and ensured flawless backstage execution.
The beauty looks for the runway were curated by Lakmé Academy Swargate, the official makeup and hair partner, who created sophisticated runway-ready looks for the entire showcase. IMPACT 2023 was brought to life through a strong ecosystem of collaborators and partners that supported the event’s vision. Soumita Das ~ CEO PM Production joined as the associate partner, working closely with Volokal to deliver the evening’s grand production. The dazzling jewellery worn on the runway was presented by Aurique, adding brilliance and elegance to the couture looks.
Entertainment for the evening was curated by Shott India, while event curations were led by Vinayak, bringing together a sophisticated blend of fashion, music, and immersive experiences. Guests also enjoyed curated beverages presented by Panaka, the evening’s official pouring partner.
A Vision for Pune’s Fashion Future
IMPACT 2023 was conceptualized and led by Pankhuri Vijayvergia, founder of Volokal, along with supporting partner Soumita Das. Their vision was to create a platform that merges luxury fashion with meaningful storytelling and social impact.
Speaking about the event, Vijayvergia said the goal was to create an experience that celebrates women not just through fashion, but through purpose and representation.
“Our vision with IMPACT is to create a platform that celebrates the strength, creativity, and resilience of women. Fashion has the power to tell stories and inspire change, and tonight was about bringing that spirit to Pune,” she said.
A Night Pune Will Remember
With star power, couture glamour, and a deeply meaningful cause at its core, IMPACT 2023 successfully positioned itself as one of Pune’s most talked-about fashion events of the year.
From powerful runway moments to celebrity appearances and an audience filled with the city’s most influential personalities, the evening set a new benchmark for luxury experiential events in Pune.
As the lights dimmed and the final applause echoed through Kopa Mall, IMPACT 2023 left behind a clear message — when fashion meets purpose, the impact goes far beyond the runway.