From NYFW To The Emmys, South Asian Fashion Is Having Its Moment

Holi Chic by Megha debuted at New York Fashion Week while Menik Gooneratne wore a Kynah lehengha to the 2021 Emmy Awards red carpet.

It's not often you see a sari on the red carpet or runway in the western world, but that's starting to change. From New York Fashion Week to the Emmy Awards, the last few weeks have been filled with glam star-studded events in America, and South Asians have brought their fashion A-game.

US-based label, Holi Chic by Megha debuted at NYFW with eight exclusive pieces including an upcycled sari blazer and shorts set, banarasi silk lehenga skirt and a denim sari. Founded by Megha Rao, the fashion brand that's known for its Indo-western range partnered with Product of Culture and NYC retailer, Flying Solo for fashion week.

Their guest list included some well-known South Asian media personalities including Never Have I Ever's Richa Moorjani, Jay Sean, Jalebi Baby's mastermind, Tesher, and TikTok's famous Jikaria Sisters.

Megha said one of the brand's goals at the NYFW was to normalise wearing South Asian fashion beyond weddings and extravagant events.

"This was the reason we embraced at the opportunity to present at NYFW," she wrote on her Instagram account. "Each and every look was intentional, designed to prove that you can show off Indian textiles and crafts within your everyday life.

"My team and I have big plans over the next year with a key goal to continue to find unique ways to celebrate our beautiful culture on the daily. So much more in store for you."

Earlier this week Sri Lankan Australian actress Menik Gooneratne arrived at the 2021 Emmy Awards in a sparkling silver lehenga from LA-based South Asian fashion retailer, Kynah. Founded by Aisha Rawji, Kynah stocks everything from bridal, guest and resort wear, and Menik's gorgeous outfit called the "Radha Lehenga by Kynah x Seema Gujral" was teamed with glistening earrings from Blossom Box.

Also wearing Kynah at the Emmys was The Late Show with Stephen Colbert cast member Pratima Mani in a shiny maroon sari paired with a strappy black blouse – divine!

The incredibly diverse display of South Asian looks on the runway and red carpet is heartwarming and important. And using an obvious though powerful hashtag, Menik perfectly summarised the significance of bringing our culture and fashion to the forefront. "Representationmatters", she wrote. And that, it certainly does.