It’s the onset of the international fashion season and with the recent conclusion of the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) SS’23, your Instagram is probably exploding with the hottest street styles and glamorous runway photos. Held between September 9 and 14, the fashion week shows and presentations hit several new milestones with several iconic and trendsetting styles gracing the runways. From Fendi celebrating 25 years of the Baguette’s “it bag” status to Tonu Burch's Spring/Summer 2023 paying an ode to the early 90s to Tommy Hilfiger introducing his newest TH monogram with “Tommy Factory” and more.
While many international names headlined the runway, a few Indian designers managed to create a cultural dialogue between India and the world truly.
NYFW has long been evolving to keep up with what matters most across the globe. The latest initiative coming out of NYFW in 2022 is the official launch of the city’s first-ever South Asian NYFW that seeks to uplift South Asian fashion that is inspired by both traditional and modern South Asian culture.
Here are the Indian designers carrying the narratives and tales of Indian designs while celebrating the history and culture of the community universally:
1. Mayyur Girotra at SANYFW
Designer Mayyur Girotra headlined the first-ever South Asian New-York Fashion Week (SANYFW) with his latest collection - ‘Zamani’. It featured a variety of Indian craftsmanship in every piece, bringing a melting pot of various unique textile crafts. The designer juxtaposes blacks and whites with vibrant colours through the classical lehengas and kurtas, sherwanis for men.
2. INIFD at NYFW
The young designers of the Inter National Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD) presented at NYFW with their collection, Indian Fashion Trunk. The collection depicted India's rich culture, indigenous craftsmanship, art, design, originality, and textiles from different states of India. Futuristic in nature yet traditional in the soul, the collection indeed serves as a beautiful glimpse at where the fashion industry is headed towards.
3. Archana Kochhar at NYFW
Veteran designer, Archana Kochhar presented her collection at NYFW titled ‘Jharokha’ at the Hall of Mirrors. The edit celebrated handloom textiles created by women weavers from the state of Madhya Pradesh. The designer had roped in leading social media influencers of Indian origin as showstoppers - Delhi-based husband-wife duo, Gaurav Taneja and Ritu Rathee Taneja, of Flying Beast fame, were joined by Mumbai-based lifestyle influencer Aashna Hedge.
4. Kanika Goyal at NYFW
Delhi-based designer Kanika Goyal was back for her second innings at NYFW. Featuring exotic motifs of dragons and Jaguars plunging into alternate realities, Starseed is a unique print collection, delving more into Y2K-inspired graphics and a subtle nod to the 70s. Even denim which is the label’s DNA got a distinct deconstructed treatment for the season. In fluid silks, breezy cotton, light knits and jacquards, the collection featured deconstructed gowns, mini dresses, and pantsuits in both oversized and bodycon fits.