Indian American designers impress audience at New York Fashion Week

Indian American designers made a distinct impression and impressed the audiences at New York Fashion Week with plenty of glitz and glamor starting on February 1th. Prominent among them was the Indian American and Chicago-based fashion designer Mac Duggal, who had made his New York Fashion Week debut this year, among the items featured this year from his highly-acclaimed ‘Fabulouss!’ line were a prom collection for plus-sized teens, who often go unrepresented in the fashion industry.

Duggal’s line has become the gold standard in plus size clothing for those seeking a full-figured option. His enthusiasm for women’s fashion was originally conceived from merging the colorfully rich designs of India’s royal history and opulent traditions. His early creations have stamped his legacy as a force to be reckoned with in the world of prom dresses and apparel.

Mac Duggal’s enthusiasm for women’s couture fashion began with the merging of the vibrant designs of his homeland’s royal history and opulent traditions with a sophisticated and contemporary design aesthetic.
Arriving in the United States in 1983 at the age of 23, Duggal began his road to success with his first collection, “Creative Creations,” a line of dazzling gowns blending Indian beauty and elegance with Western styling.
Expanding his collection to 12 distinct social occasion lines, the Mac Duggal brand has transformed into a highly sought after label courted by A list celebrities including Shakira, Carrie Underwood, Gwenyth Paltrow, Khloe Kardashian, Eva Longoria, Paris Hilton and many more.
As Khan’s final design made its way down the runway Feb. 14 — a grand, glistening, golden bridal gown, with a gold floral crown and a cascading veil with a black-and-gold train — the soundtrack played Maya Angelou reading her poem, “Human Family.”
“The variety of our skin tones can confuse, bemuse, delight, brown and pink and beige and purple, tan and blue and white,” the poem reads in part. It closes by saying, three times: “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.”
Actress Sara Jessica Parker was seen sitting in the front row for Duggal’s show, and was seen standing and cheering, as well.

Designer Naeem Khan’s gowns have become a favorite of former First Lady Michelle Obama. Raised in Mumbai, Khan’s vast knowledge of textiles was influenced by his father and grandfather, both of whom designed clothing for India’s royal families. Khan started his own line in 2003 and has dressed other well-known names, including Beyonce, Kate Middleton, and Taylor Swift.

“My family has been in the fashion business for over one hundred years in India, so it has always been a part of my life,” he said. “I have brought the tradition and craftsmanship of my heritage to very classic and sleek shapes, and I think that is what sets me apart,” he said.

IANS reports that Indian American designer Premal Badiani also showcased her latest collection, titled “Root Cause,” at the New York Fashion Week and her inspiration was to “bring awareness of the human impact on the environment.”
“The inspiration behind this collection is to bring awareness of the human impact on the environment and to promote social responsibility by adopting sustainable fashion as a lifestyle choice,” she said in a statement.
“The primary fabric used that is made from natural cellulosic fibers and produced from wood pulp, a natural renewable resource. This highlights the brand’s philosophy of environmental awareness that believes caring about the planet is not a seasonal choice but needs to be done all year round. Through this collection, the brand wants to promote sustainable fashion in the luxury market,” added Badiani.

Most religious groups in USA rate Hindus fairly warmly, according to “polling and analysis” posted by Washington DC headquartered Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank, on February 15.
Asked to rate a variety of groups on a “feeling thermometer” ranging from 0 to 100, Americans’ feelings toward Hindus have shifted from relatively neutral place of 50 in 2014 on the thermometer to somewhat warmer rating of 58.
Americans aged 18-29 put the Hindus at 64 on the thermometer, which is higher than Jews, Atheists, Evangelical Christians, Mainline Protestants, Muslims and Mormons. Jews gave Hindus a thermometer rating of 70, which is highest given to Hindus by any religious group.
Hindus were rated at 70 by those who had personal connections with someone in the Hindu community, as compared to 54 given by those who had no such connection.
But only 22% of Americans say they personally know a Hindu. These were among the findings of a new Pew Research Center survey of 4,248 adults conducted between January nine to 23 on the Center’s nationally representative American Trends Panel.
Meanwhile Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, congratulating the American Hindu community on climbing higher on the warmth scale; urged them to continue with the traditional values of hard work, higher morals, stress on education, sanctity of marriage, etc.; amidst so many distractions.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, advised Hindus to focus on inner search, stay pure, explore the vast wisdom of scriptures, make spirituality more attractive to youth and children, stay away from the greed, and always keep God in the life.