Sarees, lehengas and sharp embellished tailoring filled the Ambassadors Clubhouse on Saturday night as the All That Glitters Diwali Ball returned to New York. In a few short years, the ball has become an East meets West blockbuster of a red carpet, all sequins, mirror work and statement jewels. The invitation-only, black-tie evening is the creation of Anjula Acharia, who is largely credited with the rise of South Asian artists in Hollywood like Priyanka Chopra Jonas, whom she represents.
“This ball is my love letter to the diaspora community,” she told WWD. “It’s my love letter to New Yorkers. It’s my love letter to South Asians that are rising and thriving.”
Mumbai-based brand Falguni Shane Peacock dressed many of the night’s guests.
“We love coming back every year for this because everyone’s so enthusiastic and it’s so much fun. It’s wonderful to see Diwali even becoming an official holiday in many parts of America now,” Shane Peacock said.
For the designers, who retail across the United States and have a showroom in New York, the Diwali Ball red carpet showcases the full breadth of Indian handicraft.
Revolve fashion director and chief merchandising officer Divya Mathur, who attended the event, said she sees South Asian style moving well past the red carpet, with skirts and short tops turning up in Western collections. “There’s so much of that Eastern influence making its way into not just red carpet, but everyday dressing,” says Mathur, the retailer’s chief merchandising officer and fashion director.
Filmmaker Mira Nair, and mother of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, recalled the smaller Diwali gatherings she once hosted at home on Riverside Drive. “We would light candles and hope that other people would understand that this is our new year … this is our Diwali,” she said.
This year she said the holiday had a feel. “Diwali is a little different because my mother passed away two months ago,” Nair shared of her mother, Delhi-based social worker and activist Praveen Nair. Nair tied the larger meaning of Diwali to giving everyone a voice, across the arts and politics. “That too is the spirit of Diwali: that we are all here to be counted for, to be seen, and to be actually celebrating ourselves and our amazing community.”
Bela Bajaria, whose exit as Netflix’s chief content officer was announced days before the ball, flew in from L.A. and spoke about celebrating Diwali in a city that has become home to her family.
“It’s amazing to be here in New York celebrating Diwali,” she said. “New York now is home to my three children. So now it’s a home. It’s family vibes being here together tonight.” She also cheered the presence of South Asians across the entertainment industry, calling it “so incredible” to see them both in front of and behind the camera.
Nimesh Patel, fresh off his debut Netflix original special, “Buy the Dip,” arrived in a piece from Kareena’s Closet. He quipped it was humbling to be surrounded by so many talents from the community.
Also spotted: Robert Kyncl, chief executive officer of Warner Music Group; actor Aasif Mandvi; actresses Amrit Kaur and Avantika Vandanapu; writer and performer Alok Menon; Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal and Prakti Beauty founder Pritika Swarup. Rising I-Pop singer-songwriter Rhea Raj, who signed a joint venture deal with Republic Records and Hybe UMG last month, performed.
“For me, it’s about the community and allies, a chance to celebrate the people that have been working so hard for so many decades — because all boats rise together,” said Acharia.
The event, supported by Lexus, gives brands a chance to reach out to an affluent and powerful community. Anita Chatterjee, founder of A-Game, recalled Acharia predicting years ago that “everyone’s gonna know about Diwali.” Her verdict in the room: “Mission accomplished!”