Diwali, the “festival of lights” marked by the South Asian diaspora, began on Friday, November 6, following the Hindu lunar calendar. According to Vogue, the holiday signifies a new year, prosperity and the triumph of good over evil. In the U.S., it has also become a season of weeks-long parties, dinners and gatherings before the official start of the festival.

ŌUSHQ and the CFDA at The Standard

For the second annual Diwali Noir, the fashion platform ŌUSHQ partnered with the Council of Fashion Designers of America at Boom at the Standard High Line. Founder Jessel Taank hosted alongside Prakti Beauty founder Pritika Swarup and the CFDA’s Marc Karimzadeh. The dress code was “Indian-inspired,” and Taank said the aim was to move past stereotypes of Indian fashion as occasionwear-heavy. She wore a Prabal Gurung gown, while Swarup chose a pink Rahul Mishra dress.

The night also marked the relaunch of ŌUSHQ’s multi-brand e-commerce site and a new editorial section. Music ranged from Bollywood hits to Afro tech, and by 1 a.m. the Champagne had run out, Vogue reported.

Gold House in Los Angeles

At The Majestic Downtown, Gold House held what it called its largest Gold Diwali yet. The cast and producers of the film Ramayana: Part 1: Rise of a Legend, released November 5, introduced the movie, which Vogue says has grossed more than $56 million. Gold House announced a partnership with the nonprofit film fund South Stack Studios to launch the Gold Stack Shorts Fund, supporting short films and micro-series about South Asian stories.

Guests included Freida Pinto, Tan France and Hannah Simone. The décor featured marigolds and brass lanterns, and a Carrom Game Lounge featured a one-off hand-painted carrom board by designer Anita Dongre. DJ MissNINJA performed with live tabla.

Sabyasachi at the Met

Following his multi-year collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum and his first New York show in nearly 20 years, designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee hosted a Diwali party in the museum’s Charles Engelhard Court. Guests included Kal Penn, Fern Mallis and Imran Amed, while Anjula Acharia, Taank and Micaela Erlanger wore head-to-toe Sabyasachi. A six-piece band played, and a 16-foot grazing table featured sweets, lobster, oysters and cheese. Spiced margaritas were described as an emerging signature cocktail of the season.

All That Glitters Diwali Ball

Acharia’s annual black-tie ball, presented with Lexus, took over the Ambassador’s Clubhouse in NoMad. Guests included Mira Nair, Jay Sean, Bela Bajaria and Aasif Mandvi. Acharia called the evening a “love letter to New York” and to rising South Asians. The venue was filled with red flowers, a Rhudeva scent station offered engraved perfumes, and Punjabi dishes such as Wagyu-infused naan were served.

Vogue’s account suggests Diwali in the U.S. increasingly combines tradition with fashion, food and community-building.

Source: vogue.com

Image: vogue.com