South Asian Fashion Week 2023: Uplifting Designers from the Diaspora
Creativity flourishes when the pool of inspiration is vast. Fashion is a perfect example of this, where designers have long been inspired by cultures from around the world, including from South Asia. Historically, designs imitating the shape of the sari, a traditional women’s garment, or utilizing materials like chiffron-crepe did not note the South Asian influence. That’s why Hetal Patel and Shipra Sharma pioneered the South Asian Fashion Week event in New York City.
The event was just held for the second year in a row from September 9th through 13th during which various shows were held categorized by streetwear, sustainability, menswear, traditional, bridal, and Indo-western styles. All shows featured designers, models and creatives from South Asia and the diaspora.
The event showcases South Asian designs, textiles, beadwork, and embroidery, among other elements of South Asian fashion and culture. Beyond uplifting the long-standing traditions in South Asian design, the shows also feature innovative and modern approaches to South Asian styles.
Hetal and Shipra stated that this year their focus was less on well-known designers from home countries as those designers already had a good deal of recognition. This year’s show was therefore centered on South Asia diaspora designers.
To support this focus, the founders piloted the South Asian Fashion Council who will mentor budding South Asian designers. In five years, they hope to provide scholarships to South Asian students who want to study fashion.
What’s more, the event also held a space for South Asian small businesses to showcase their talents in jewelry, floral arrangements, fashion apps, and more! Attendees could learn more and support these vendors at “The Bazaar experience.”
10 years ago, when Shipra started her quest to launch South Asian Fashion Week, she was told that South Asian fashion was “too extravagant” for the average American. As a result of hers and Patel’s initiative, it seems the resounding sentiment in New York and across America now is: how do we get more!?
