SANYFW | New York | Kick Off at Baar Baar, NYC

The first-ever South Asian New York Fashion Week (SANYFW) kicked off with a launch at Baar Baar, a first-of-its-kind Indian Gastro Bar in New York.

This will not just be a week to hype South Asian designers and fashion icons. It is the initiation of the formation of the South Asian Fashion Council that will change the way the industry looks at our culture and clothing.

Developed by fashion entrepreneur Shipra Sharma in partnership with Hetal Patel, SANYFW seeks to uplift fashion that is inspired by both traditional and modern South Asian culture. “Lehengas turned into co-ord sets. Sarees turned into gowns with drapes. Palazzo pants became wide-legged pants. We want to reclaim that narrative and introduce the world to the origins of these silhouettes and designs,” said Founder and CEO Sharma during the SANYFW Summer Kick-Off event. “At SANYFW, we intend to highlight and share the history of our fashion and culture, while celebrating the fashion pioneers who have been trailblazers for our community universally.” Sharma first began envisioning SANYFW 9 years ago and continued the dream with the help of the community. She believes that this is a means of bridging the gap between South Asian fashion and the Western world, as our fashion is, in its truest form, a source of inspiration to designers around the globe.

Diaspora designers from all across America, as well as, international shores have joined the campaign. Emerging designers like Bedi.NYC, Recover Season, RKJ Designs, What is Moirė?, Pali, Aks Mathur, Kalamandir Fashion, AARIAH by Sabbineni x Avigna Fine Jewels, and Tai by Studio 9696 will showcase their creations to the New York audience till September 14.

Taking place during the official Spring/Summer 2022 New York Fashion Week calendar, the week-long experience will be hosted at a variety of iconic Manhattan venues. In addition to the runway shows, SANYFW will also offer a ‘Bazaar’ of South Asian vendors, as well as, health and wellness pop-ups.