The Fashion Brunch Redefines International Women’s Day with Powerful Focus on Addiction, Recovery & Resilience
Eight South Asian Women Share Their Stories Then Take to the Catwalk in a Bold Fashion Showcase
The annual Fashion Brunch marks its 7th Anniversary with its most courageous and thought-provoking theme to date: Addiction, Recovery & Reclaiming Identity under the powerful campaign banner
“No Shame, Just Stories of Survival.”
Taking place at the Sheraton Skyline Heathrow on Sunday 8th March, this International Women’s Day edition will spotlight eight extraordinary South Asian women who have faced addiction in its many forms and reclaimed their lives.
In a bold reimagining of the traditional fashion show, each speaker will not only share her story but also walk the runway in a “Fashion Showcase Redefined,” transforming the catwalk into a platform for storytelling, resilience and empowerment. The women will be dressed in couture designs by luxury designer Arinder Bhullar and Mona Lisa Sarees.
Eight Women. Eight Stories. One Message of Hope.
This year’s speakers include:
• Sejal Patel – A survivor of Class A drug addiction and domestic abuse who found her turning point through motherhood and is now rebuilding her life in sobriety.
• Jas Pone – Recently featured on Saving Mum on Channel 4, Jas shared her journey through grief and alcohol dependency. The documentary produced and directed by her daughter, author and filmmaker Maleena Pone and has ignited vital conversations within South Asian communities about maternal addiction, healing, and resilience.
• Nisha Chandra – Known as “The Cockney Copper,” the police detective and TEDx speaker overcame a 12-year battle with alcohol and is now eight years sober.
• Reena Chotai – After 37 years of alcohol and gambling addiction, she is now 6.5 years sober and challenging community taboos.
• Sonia Gupta – Speaking openly about emotional and financial dependency that left her £20,000 in debt — and how she rebuilt her life.
• Kim Kaur – A Sikh woman, domestic abuse survivor and former Class A drug user, now nearly 20 years drug-free and co-founder of SAFIR (South Asian Females in Recovery).
• Lakhami Bhambra – After losing her father, Lakhami fell victim to psychic scams and a cycle of “course addiction,” spending £30,000 chasing quick-fix solutions. Through reconnecting with her own healing, she now helps others avoid exploitative schemes and empowers them to heal authentically through energy work and intuitive wellness.
• Jag Kumar – A former “functional” alcoholic who chose sobriety at 39 to break generational trauma cycles for her daughter.
Fashion Showcase Redefined
More than a fashion event, The Fashion Brunch blends powerful panel discussions, live entertainment, Salon Privé catwalks, VIP shopping and high-level networking for 250–300 dynamic women across industries.
This year’s runway goes beyond aesthetics. It honours survival. It celebrates truth. It declares No Shame, Just Stories of Survival.
By placing addiction and recovery centre stage on International Women’s Day, The Fashion Brunch challenges cultural silence within South Asian communities and creates space for honest dialogue, healing and support.
