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Nazranaa brings Indian epics to NYFW
The collection reimagines India’s forgotten literature and philosophy through couture.
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Staff Reporter - Thu, 18, Sep 2025
- 15:27 EDT
- 12
Nazranaa at NYFW / Image courtesy- Neerja Patel
Centuries-old Sanskrit verses found new life under the New York lights as designer label Nazranaa unveiled Samskriti, its 18-piece Spring/Summer 2026 collection that transforms sherwanis and lehengas into canvases for India’s epics.
The couture line draws inspiration from India’s epics, poetry, and philosophy. Among the main highlights was Surya Pandita’s Shri Ramakrishna Vilomakavyam—a 15th-century Sanskrit poem that narrates the Ramayana when read left to right and Krishna’s life when read right to left.
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“As a child, I was fascinated by ambigrams in Angels & Demons. Discovering this Sanskrit palindromic poem years later, I was awed by its brilliance,” said co-founder Shashank Gupta. “Through fashion, we wanted to honor such forgotten treasures and give our ancestors the credit they deserve.”
The showstopper piece—a 24-panel lehenga—paid homage to Maharishi Valmiki’s weaving of the Gayatri Mantra into the Ramayana. Each panel began with a syllable of the mantra, followed by verses and hand-painted scenes, while its dupatta depicted sage Valmiki inscribing the epic.
Founded in 2012 by siblings Shashank and Shivangi Gupta Singh, Nazranaa has become a cornerstone of South Asian couture in America. Over the past decade, Singh has dressed over 10,000 brides, with designs appearing at Cannes, the Emmys, the Grammys, and the Oscars.
Alongside her, Shashank has built the brand’s menswear and media presence through Nazranaa Diaries, and jewelry designer Rashi Gupta has expanded its reach into custom costume jewelry.
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