Henna is the Midas Touch at Coachella: How South Asian Fashion has Shaped the West

Seerat Saini via Instagram: @seeratsaini

“Style me like one of your South Asian girls” is the alternative phrase that comes to mind when thinking about how Ssouth Asian culture and tradition marked its essence in western fashion and beauty since the 1800s. Harem pants, pashmina shawls, caftans, paisley prints, ayurvedic lifestyle, neem oils and yoga poses being a few western favourites.

British Vogue 2026 Balloon Trousers

British Vouge 2025 South African American actress Charlize Theron in a paisley print skirt

British Vogue 2026 Balloon Trousers | British Vouge 2025 South African American actress Charlize Theron in a paisley print skirt

It comes as no surprise that Coachella, an American Arts and Music festival inspired by different genres, some being rock, pop, indie and hip-hop adopted a bohemian-chic look by its attendees during the festival’s 2010 comeback. Chaotic colours, tie-dye accents and nomadic enthused style was the then-trend.

American Actress and Singer Vanessa Hudgens is considered the “Queen of Coachella” to present day audiences for her enigmatic fashion sense during her attendance in the 2010s.

The chaotic, free-spirited approach to styling and accessorizing became a topic of scrutiny when onlookers identified outfits paired with symbolic and religious adornments from various cultures. South Asian nuances at Coachella are shown to be treated like must-have or go-to festival paraphernalia.

Vanessa Hudgens at Coachella 2014 wearing caftan accessorized with stacked jewellery and a traditional South Asian bindi | Model Kendall Jenner at Coachella 2014 wearing a traditional South Asian bridal nath | Vogue India – South Indian actress Deepika Padukone in traditional wedding attire.

Accounts of South Asian add-ons included bindis, henna, maag tikkas and the nath. It was contested that items worn to accentuate alternative aesthetic disrespected its cultural significance and intended use.

Western brands to this day promote century old South Asian practices and modern takes on traditional attire without crediting its origin. 

Prada released leather sandals in 2025 at the Milan Fashion Week typical of traditional Kolhapuri chappal Indian sandals not acknowledging the footwear’s origin. 

Model wearing Prada’s new leather sandal at the June 2025 Milan Fashion Week in Milan, Italy | Model wearing traditional Kolhapuri Chappal at the March 2009 Lakme India Fashion Week in Mumbai, India

This understandable created a social media storm. Indian designers and online users criticized the Italian brand for cultural appropriation. Prada later issued a statement crediting the centuries old Indian design. 

South Asian influencers have used their platforms to celebrate, educate and give credit to the overlooked backbone of modern fashion and beauty. Proving Asian style is a multi-faceted powerhouse in its own league.

Seerat Saini via Instagram: @seeratsaini

American Punjabi influencer Seerat Saini made a revolutionary fashion statement wearing exclusively South Asian designed outfits for the 3-day festival. New Delhi based designer Rimzin Dadu took an incredible 200 hours on these outfits, flawless sequin work channeling a risqué traditional fit. 

The phrase “it’s not that deep” has proven time again that it is in fact that deep. Saini’s Coachella fits made fashion headlines featuring in Forbes and Harper’s Bazaar India. There was once again a shift in Coachella fashion, this time paying homage to South Asian couture.

Aditya Madiraju at the Coachella 2026

It can be conceived that fashion and beauty should not be met with restlessness. There is importance in understanding and acknowledging the fabrics, accessories, practices and traditions we consume. A fashion house cannot be a home without representation, respect and love.