The inaugural Lashkaaraa Diwali Couture Show 2022 organised by SRf Creatists, a Saroni Roy Foundation initiative, was hosted recently at the Ryde Diwali Fair 2022 by Ryde Indian Association.
The festive couture show was conceptualised and produced by Indian-Australian actor, model and influencer Saroni Roy. It aimed to support and promote women entrepreneurs in the business of fashion.
The couture show featured Australia’s high profile models, actors and influencers, like Jessica Grace, Norah Masige, Carolina Ovalle, Zoran Saher, Indy Halder, Saroni Roy and Nripesh Ahuja, showcasing the opulent, heritage craftsmanship of India’s festive couture.
The couture show also blended with the Australian Spring-Summer Fashion colour palette of mauve, sky, lilac, pastel pink, peach, silver, a soiree of bling, sparkle and elegance.
WATCH VIDEO: Lashkaaraa Diwali Couture Show 2022
Saroni Roy, Founder and Director, SRf Creatists & Saroni Roy Foundation said “Festive couture is one of the biggest markets in the business of fashion globally…I figured, several South Asian women in Australia run these small & micro-businesses, mostly from home, selling exquisite collection of traditional jewellery, ethnic wear, accessories and more. Most of them have the dream and the passion to become a global brand but lack the vision, the platform and the resources to achieve it”.
“With my vast experience and knowledge of working in the media, PR, entertainment & fashion industry, I wanted to create an accelerator platform, an ecosystem, a couture show which brings together professional models, hair & makeup artists, influencers, a large audience of potential buyers, showcasing their collection, aspects which only bigger fashion brands & runways have access to. So it’s not just to promote these small & micro businesses during the festive season but to help them achieve that bigger dream of becoming a global fashion label.”
The fashion labels showcased were Pooja’s Couture, Orchid Fashion Club, Noor-E-Lucknow as the jewellery partner, Hair & Makeup by Makeup Artistry by Rashi & Glam Soul by Kaur, all women-founded micro businesses.
Ms Roy, who is also former Ms India Australia Goodwill Ambassador 2018 and DEI Advocate & Body Activist, turned showstopper wearing a peach & silver, Swarovski-studded, handcrafted, festive lehenga by Pooja’s Couture.
“As a cancer-survivor, facing multiple invisible disabilities, it’s imperative to highlight body diversity at fashion shows & editorial shoots. The models & influencers that walked my show reflect the DEI ethos of diversity of age, size, ethnicity, disability, in the fashion & entertainment industry, showcasing the modern multicultural Australia.”
The Lashkaaraa Diwali Couture Show with funding support aims to scale-up over the years creating more opportunities for upcoming fashion labels, models, actors, influencers, creatives and artists from diverse background.
