Indian-American siblings bring spiritual couture to New York fashion week with ‘Samskriti’

Highlights:

• Fourth consecutive NYFW showcase by siblings Shivangi Gupta Singh and Shashank Gupta of ‘Nazranaa.’
• Collection ‘Samskriti’ inspired by India’s temples, Mahakumbh, Varanasi, and ancient Sanskrit literature.
• Showstopper lehenga featured 24 panels honoring Valmiki’s Gayatri Mantra in the Ramayana.
• Sherwanis and lehengas used digital printing, hand-painting, and intricate embroidery to capture India’s cultural richness.
• Designers aim to bridge Indian and American cultures, encouraging youth to embrace traditions like Garba and Diwali.

At the prestigious New York Fashion Week, New Jersey-based siblings Shivangi Gupta Singh and Shashank Gupta showcased their vibrant Spring-Summer 2026 collection, Samskriti, under their fashion and bridalwear brand Nazranaa. The 18-piece collection, featuring sherwanis and lehengas, celebrated Indian cultural and spiritual heritage, drawing inspiration from ancient texts, temples, and legendary figures.

A return to roots

Shashank Gupta, co-creator and co-owner of Nazranaa, explained that while their previous three collections at NYFW leaned towards fusion, this year's Samskriti was deeply rooted in their personal spiritual journeys starting in 2019. “We wanted to give center stage to our rediscovered Indian heritage, beyond household teachings or history books,” Gupta told PTI.

The collection pays homage to iconic cultural landmarks and spiritual events such as the Mahakumbh, Sun Temple at Konark, Varanasi, Mount Kailash, Tirupati Balaji, Lord Krishna’s birth, Meenakshi Temple, Vrindavan, and the Ganga Aarti.

Inspired by ancient texts and artistry

One key inspiration was the Shri Ramakrishna Vilomakavyam, a 15th-century Sanskrit palindrome poem that tells the story of Lord Ram when read forwards and Lord Krishna when read backward. Gupta expressed awe at this ambigrammatic poetry, saying, “I wanted to shine light on treasures of our culture through my love language—fashion.”

The showstopper lehenga honored Maharishi Valmiki’s integration of the Gayatri Mantra into the Ramayana, designed with 24 hand-painted panels, each depicting verses of the epic. Another lehenga digitally printed and embellished showcased the historic Mahakumbh gathering, the world's largest human congregation.

Personal and cultural significance

The siblings have deep ties to Varanasi, where their family’s entrepreneurial journey began with a saree store centuries ago. A lehenga honored this heritage through motifs of the city and Maa Ganga, enhanced by exquisite handwork. The sherwani designs reflected the stunning sculptural details of the Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple in Madurai, rendered in vibrant colors.

Bridging cultures through fashion

Nazranaa, established in 2012, is a leading South Asian bridal boutique in the U.S., catering to diaspora connoisseurs. The duo sees fashion as a bridge between Indian and American cultures. Shashank said, “I want kids in high school and college to come to Diwali and Garba celebrations, blending cultures. India’s spiritual richness has so much to offer.”

Through Samskriti, Shivangi and Shashank Gupta bring Indian art, literature, and philosophy to a global stage, blending timeless cultural narratives with contemporary couture at New York Fashion Week.