Shehnaai Couture’s 10th Anniversary Fashion Show Dazzles for a Good Cause

On Tuesday, May 19, Shehnaai Couture celebrated their tenth year as New York’s premier Indian Multi-designer Studio at New York City’s South Asian restaurant and lounge, Pranna.

On Tuesday, May 19, Shehnaai Couture celebrated their tenth year as New York’s premier Indian multi-designer studio at New York City’s South Asian restaurant and lounge, Pranna.

In 2004, founders Shirin and Sanjeev Vinayak opened Shehnaai Couture in Long Island— but it wasn’t long before the husband and wife duo moved their location to Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, where their network of clients have increased ever since.

On this ten-year celebration, the show—filled with more than 350 guests, which including news anchor Joya Dass, comedian Anish Shah, actors Anaam Shahjahan and Ami Sheth, and musicians Deep Singh, Falu and Meetu Chilana—kept a lively beat throughout the night.

DJ Amrit from Bollywood DJs kept an upbeat spin while models graced the runway for two separate collections: Fall/Winter 2015 and Spring/Summer 2016.

“It has been a journey. We brought Indian fashion here because we needed it ourselves and saw this gaping hole in the market,” Vinayak said. “Today, it isn’t just a luxury for South Asian-Americans, it’s a necessity. We’ve seen glamorous times and trying times—other stores have come and faded away—and we’ve fought to stay at the top of the game.”

In the first collection, Fall/Winter 2015, models showcased jeweled-toned lehengas and kalidaars, while complimenting the collection with pastel colored dhotis with jackets and silhouetted gowns.

Models were accessorized with gold rose-hair pieces and given light dusky eye makeup to highlight the femininity of the collection.

“We represent both established and emerging designers from India, and Indian designers from the U.S.,” Vinayak said. “Walking the runway at the fashion show tonight are outfits by designers Bhanuni by Jyoti Sharma and Rabbani Rakha from their India Fashion Week collection, Saanshé from her Bridal Asia collection, and Mitan Ghosh and Bubber Couture.”

The show also featured four cancer survivors who graced the runway proudly in Saanshé lehengas, sarees and kurtas, which were subsequently auctioned off with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society.

“Tonight’s show, tonight everything is a tribute to them,” Vinayak said. “We wish them all the fighters and survivors out there lots and lots of love and we wish them success. It’s befitting that we dedicate our show today to these wonderful ladies fighting their battle with cancer. We support their journey with all we can and we hope, that  by bidding at our silent auction today, our guests will too.”

Designer Sabah Arenja Vig of Saanshé, who flew in from India to attend the event said, “It’s hard enough to go through cancer treatments and these women deserve a moment to celebrate their strength. I was honored that they chose my collection.”

For more details about the Shehnaai Couture collection, visit www.shehnaaiusa.com.