Michelle Poonawalla joins Prince Charles and Camilla, makes the elephant a favourite

Pune-based Michelle Poonawalla, wife of businessman Yohan Poonawalla, is well-known in society circles for the butterfly motif that she favours, in her art and her wardrobe. That may soon change though. She may have a new favourite from the animal kingdom: the elephant.

This comes in the light of her association with the Elephant Parade India. It is a project by the charitable organisation Elephant Family, that is committed to protecting the Asian elephants and counts among its patrons UK’s Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla.


Poonawalla's elephant-shaped bag from Harrods

Such has been the impact of this association, that not only has the artist in Michelle embraced the elephant but so has the fashion lover in her. It has found a spot in her extensive wardrobe. “In my personal space, I just had a few elephant print cushions. But after I associated with the Elephant Parade, I started noticing the motif a lot more.

I came across this elephant -shaped bag at Harrods (London) soon after and purchased it,” she told ETPanache. The butterfly has competition.