It's not often you'll see me wearing a sari. Not because I don't like them. In fact, they're incredibly elegant and becoming on all women, no matter what shape or size. No, I don't wear saris often simply because I'm awful at wearing them. Sari-wearing requires a certain level of skill and practice. Getting the folds in the front to be all even, making sure the sari fall is the right length, seeing to it that the sari sits at the right height...it's tricky, tricky business! That's when moms come in really handy! With the help of my experienced mom, I was able to wrap this 9 yards of pretty fabric around myself this past weekend. The occasion? We held a Satyanarayan pooja (prayer ceremony) at our place. It was the perfect occasion to bust out this mustard- and green-colored sari with sequins. It wasn't a very heavy sari, making it appropriate for daytime wear. With matching jewelry and a bindi to complete the look, I was all set to go. It took some time but hey, I got there! And I lasted several comfortable hours in the sari, feeling all glam and fancy. Indeed, the sari has this amazing ability to transform one's look into one of quiet sophistication...or at least, that's how I see it! Meanwhile, my two boys wore their kurtas for the occasion. Of course, it took them all of 10 minutes to get ready.

New York Fashion Week just wrapped up, and although we weren’t able to attend this year, we definitely kept a pulse on the shows through pictures and articles. In the last few years, I have noticed that Indian designers have started to play a greater role in the international fashion scene by appearing in NYFW events and having their creations worn by celebrities on the red carpet. With detailed embroideries, fine textiles, and so-called “exotic” prints and designs, it is exciting to see Indian designers take center stage.

These are a few designers that have built a name for themselves with their lust-worthy creations.

Naeem Khan

Born in India and educated in textiles by his father and grandfather, who were also designers, Naeem Khan adds a touch of traditional Indian embroideries to his repertoire of sophisticated gowns and dresses. His designs have been worn by First Lady Michelle Obama and the Queen of Jordan, as well as celebrities like Beyonce, Penelope Cruz, and Eva Longoria.

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Falguni and Shane Peacock

Falguni and Shane Peacock have created a signature brand that uses vibrant prints and feathers to create peacock-like imagery in their creations. While I certainly couldn’t carry off any of their runway designs in real life, the colorful and shocking designs have been worn by many celebrities at red carpet events and concerts.

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Prabal Gurung

Nepalese designer Prabal Gurung started his apprenticeship in New Delhi and later at Parsons in NYC. He worked with Cynthia Rowley’s design team before launching his own collection in 2009. I first heard of (and lusted after) his creations when I saw Bollywood stars, such as Sonam Kapoor, wear them. Since then, all the Hollywood A-listers as well as Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton have worn his gowns. Considering he was on unemployment funds when he started off his career, it is especially gratifying to see his success.

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Sachin + Babi

Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia met when they were studying at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and married and launched their own line after graduating (ah, what a cute love story)! What I love about their collection is that it is ready to wear for the everyday wardrobe. While their designs have been used by high-end fashion houses such as Oscar de la Renta and Lanvin, they’ve also created outfits for average folks like us. Their collection is available at Saks Fifth Avenue, 6pm.com, Bergdorf Goodman, Shopbop, and Anthropologie.

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It makes me proud to see desi designers succeed in the international space and I only expect this to continue in the years to come. What designers have caught your eye lately?

For a review of desis making it big in the entertainment industry, check out our previous post. 

With the globalization of our society, the intermingling of different cultures and customs is becoming all more the norm. This is definitely true with the ever-increasing presence of Indian culture in the US. It started first with a greater awareness and understanding of different Indian customs (heck, even my Citibank tellers in DC wished me Happy Diwali and offered me kaju barfi sweets last year!) and the increasing screen presence of Indian dance on popular TV shows, such as So You Can Think You Can Dance. Now, Indian-inspired designs are making a presence in American fashion as well.

Clockwise from Top: Paisley Top, Kaju Barfi at Citibank, Indian Kurti

Gone are the days where I had to reserve Indian clothes for just our festivals and visiting the temple! Now I like to add an essence of "desi-ness" to my everyday wardrobe with the ever-increasing interest in and availability of kurtis and Indian-inspired tunics. Did you know that paisleys, which are seen in tops and dresses these days originated in India? Indian prints and beaded designs can be spotted almost everywhere, from Forever 21 to Zara.  Kurtis are certainly a very diverse piece of attire – they can be worn with jeans, paired with tights, or worn by themselves with a belt if long enough.

I’ve collected quite an assortment of kurtis over the years, some from India and Thailand, and some from stores right here in the US. When colorful, I like to pair these tunics with simple black leggings, but if I’m trying to play it up, I wear Indian-inspired bangles or earrings, which you can also get at your local Forever 21!

Pairing a tunic with tights in Spain!

A casual Indian-inspired tunic paired with a belt and jeans