Today we’d like to introduce you to Rahat Khan.
Rahat, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a young girl growing up in the United States, I was always on the lookout for clothing that connected me to my rich and vibrant culture. I was uninspired by standard American fashion, but I also wanted to go beyond the traditional three-piece suits that are quite often the norm in desi culture. From very early on, I spent countless hours watching my mother and aunt make beautiful outfits for my sister and I; surrounded by colorful fabric and the comforting sound of the sewing machine, I always dreamt of the day when I would be able to design my own lenghas, shalwar kameez, and sarees. As soon as I could, I began sewing my own designs – initially for my dolls and pets and later for my own wardrobe – taking constant inspiration from my love for desi fashion, my obsession with Bollywood, and the elaborate textiles I was lucky to have grown up around. I loved the creative freedom I had as a designer to authentically incorporate my culture and personal style into outfits that I could wear for everything from school to social events.
It is said that every great dream begins with a dreamer. Even as a young woman navigating through life, I wanted to find a way to turn my childhood dream of a modern desi fashion brand into reality, and so, Desi Ever After was born. With this brand, I am excited to be able to merge my love for my culture with my passion for modern desi fashion into a brand that truly encompasses the essence of Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladesi cultures and is an extension of my unapologetically desi personality.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like every business, we have had our ups and downs, but I have got by and learnt to thrive with the support of our community and my conviction in what we do and stand for.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Being a desi woman in America is a unique challenge. While our heritage comes from a vibrant and colorful culture, it’s not always easy to integrate it into our wardrobes. Desi Ever After helps you to seamlessly bridge the gap between your desi and western identities; we encourage South Asian women to hold their culture close to their hearts and empower them to live authentically through modern clothing that is designed with a strong focus on self-expression and sustainability.
Desi Ever After believes fashion is the truest form of self-expression; we help Desi women to go beyond the traditional three-piece suit with clothing that is designed to be mixed and matched to take you from a social gathering to work to desi weddings and beyond. Our clothing gives you the freedom to proudly embrace your multi-layered identity and yet, go beyond the confines of traditional desi clothing.
We believe now, more than ever, fashion should be produced and consumed consciously and sustainably. That is why Desi Ever After designs all clothing to be worn in multiple ways and for multiple occasions. Gone are the days of buying a different outfit for every single event; our versatile sets are designed such that they can be worn together or individually as separates. We also strongly believe that desi fashion should be accessible and that is why we aim to keep our prices as accessible as possible. Desi fashion is fun but also expensive; with our focus on sustainability and accessibility, we are here to help you go beyond the barriers of tradition and effortlessly wear your culture on your sleeve.
Whether you are looking for a new outfit for your best friend’s wedding festivities, a desi holiday party, or simply a well-made staple piece to add to your wardrobe, Desi Ever After will help you find something that you will love and treasure for years to come.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see the focus shifting towards culturally-rich brands that have an authentic voice and a long-term vision for their success. I also think that all brands will put sustainability, accessibility, and versatility at the forefront and create products that help their customers live as their most authentic selves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://desieverafter.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/desieverafter?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Image Credits
Amber Rain Photography
