By Aarna Patel
It’s undeniable that recently, Indian fashion has significantly influenced American culture. From Zara's collections to Scandinavian scarf summers, the cross-cultural exchange has greatly impacted the fashion landscape. This isn’t a criticism but rather to tell the industry that their bandannas are actually Gujarati Bandhani, and Scandinavian scarf styles have existed since the 6th century. Welcome to Indian fashion, America—we've been waiting for you.
As the use of social media increases, we see more and more fashion trends. To some, Scandinavian Scarf Summers are the next big thing, but what they don’t know is that Indian women have been rocking them for generations. This trend consists of a long dress with a sheer scarf—sound familiar? It's now popular among wedding guests and tourists and got its name from a viral TikTok. The video spread the news far and wide of this new trend, and thankfully, through the power of social media, people are now embracing this traditional outfit and calling it by its actual name, a kurta. A kurta at a wedding in Greece—who would’ve thought?
This isn’t just a recent trend, Indian fashion has always had a huge influence on global fashion industries as well including luxury brands. Gucci’s 2018 Spring collection included several pieces inspired by Gujarati Bandhani which could also be compared to a bandada and even Hermes has a saree collection. Many Indian designers also collaborate with big brands to further promote Indian fashion such as the H&M X Sabyasachi 2020 Collection. It blended traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern silhouettes. The collection featured embroidered dresses, tunics, and sarees, bringing Sabyasachi’s signature style to a global audience. Free People also has Indian-inspired jewelry in their collections such as jhumkas and chunky bangles. These pieces reflect traditional Indian designs and craftsmanship, adding a touch of ethnic flair to modern outfits. Even Anthropologie, a popular retailer, incorporates traditional Indian textiles into their home decor collections. Items like hand-embroidered pillows, block-printed curtains, and intricate rugs showcase the influence of Indian design on modern-day homes adding some more flavor to your home.
The biggest show-stopper of them all, and my personal favorite, has to be Dior's Autumn 2023 collection, showcased at the Gateway of India in Mumbai. It featured traditional Indian designs such as kurta-inspired sets, embroidered jackets, the most perfect Lady Dior blinged-out bags highlighting the craftsmanship and heritage of Indian textiles. This gave the rest of the world the perfect lens and just a drop of what Indian fashion really was. It was the peak of moving from pastels to more vibrant, and rich colors and greatly impacted the entire fashion industry as a whole. Even when celebrities like Zendaya and Gigi Hadid attended the opening of the NMACC in India in their Indian attire, they left everyone and every industry across the world in shock but; that’s a story for another time.
The growing popularity of Indian fashion in the U.S. is a testament to the richness and versatility of traditional Indian textiles and designs. The colors, patterns, and sustainable practices embedded in Indian fashion have added a new dimension to the American fashion scene. As more people adapt the origins and cultural significance of these styles, we can look forward to a more diverse fashion industry that celebrates global heritage. So next time you put on a bandana or you’re packing your kurta for Greece, remember the beautiful history and craftsmanship behind it. Here’s to embracing and celebrating the fusion of cultures through fashion.
(Aarna Patel is a high school senior from Grand Blanc, Michigan with an interest in studying neuroscience or human biology and pursuing a career in medicine. Article submission coordinated by Krishiv Shah)
