At the All That Glitters Diwali Ball, an annual celebration hosted by entrepreneur Anjula Acharia, hundreds of guests gathered at the Lotte New York City Palace in their best South Asian splendour to commemorate the festival of lights. It has become one of the most prestigious events of the Diwali season and has played host to various celebrities, CEOs, and media leaders, many of whom save their most festive look for this one night.
This year, the room was filled with unforgettable looks. A stunning gold corset here, a glittering emerald necklace there, and kohl-rimmed eyes sparkling with excitement as actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas walks by.
“When I look around today, I see the success stories that each and every one of you are,” Jonas said to the crowd in her speech on stage, thanking Acharia, who’s been her long-time manager. “You all are just such an example to the next generation.”
Getting that perfect fit for a night like this can be hard, but with options ranging from several New York boutiques to rental websites and even shipping clothes from Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, there’s no shortage of choices.
“I love all of our South Asian designers, they’re so talented and iconic, but it can be so hard to choose who to wear,” Bollywood star Nora Fatehi tells Teen Vogue. In the past, she’s worn custom looks by Indian designer couple Falguni and Shane Peacock. This year, she “switched it up” in a crystal-embellished Manish Malhotra ensemble — a metallic red, black, and gold corset and matching floor-length skirt resplendent with Indian mirror work, known as shisha or abhala bharat.
Meanwhile, reality television mogul Jessel Taank spotlighted Indian designer Sawan Gandhi by wearing a black sequined off-the-shoulder lehenga.
The Real Housewives of New York cast member, who has donned the likes of established titans like Anita Dongre and Anamika Khanna, has focused her attention on young and emerging talent, especially designers who are lesser known in the U.S.
“I love supporting someone who’s more untapped,” she said, raving about Gandhi’s work and his fresh design aesthetic as well as a new favorite, Pakistan-based Hussain Rehar. Taank completed the look with a huge emerald choker and earrings by modern fine jewelry brand Anayah.
The first half of the gala was held in the Manhattan hotel’s courtyard, a famous “Gossip Girl” opening shot. Organized by A-Game PR’s Anita Chatterjee and her team, guests were treated to elaborate flower arrangements, custom drinks, and a lavish dinner. Lamb biryani, dal makhani, and warm parathas were just some of the items on the menu, prepared by Chef Vikas Khanna, owner of the celebrated Bungalow restaurant.
Among the glitz and glamor of bespoke couture, many younger attendees opted to rent their outfits.
“It’s the most sustainable way to celebrate culture without overconsumption,” said Surya Garg, a manager at Gold House, one of the evening’s sponsors, who dazzled in a Seema Gujral lehenga from new reselling platform The Borrowed. She said many Gen Zers like her do so because they want to explore different designers but not break the bank or harm the planet.
UTA Next Gen Lead Ziad Ahmed also rented, heading to Harleen Kaur’s showroom for his white and pink floral patterned sherwani. Meanwhile, his former cofounder Shaina Zafar selected her bejeweled pink lehenga from Preserve, another rental platform. Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Versha Sharma wore an embroidered pink and baby blue lehenga on loan from Manshaa Studio, founded by designer Archana Vig.
The clothes on display were fit for a palace, keeping with the “royal refinery” theme of the night, but accessories had their moment too. Several haathphools, a popular type of South Asian jewelry worn on the hand, were spotted. For fashion influencer Jully Patel though, her statement piece was something all over her TikTok and Instagram feed. “Corsets, corsets, corsets! That’s all I see right now!” she said.
She wore a gold one over her red sari from Itrh, turning the fit into a showstopper. Flowers adorning sleek buns were a popular choice too; from Chopra to attendees like fashion influencer Vishakha Holsambre.
Photos were definitely top of mind as guests rushed to document their outfits and meetings with celebrities. Before heading inside the hotel for the afterparty, they posed for group and solo shots at the two portrait studios, on the grand staircases, and on the dance floor, lit up by musical duo Kunal Merchant and Kahani from Indo Warehouse.
Giving back to the community is a large part of what makes Diwali so important — it celebrates the triumph of good over evil and marks the beginning of the Hindu new year, so many people volunteer or donate to charities. That’s why each year, Acharia gives the proceeds from the night to a charity. This year, the party, which was supported by the financial efforts of brands like Invisalign and Lexus, raised money for two causes: the South Asian Council for Social Services and King Charles’ British Asian Trust.
Although Diwali is a Hindu festival, also celebrated by Jains and Sikhs, it’s become a key cultural moment for the larger South Asian diaspora and beyond. Attendees like Ahmed, who is Muslim, note that bringing together people from many diverse backgrounds is exactly why Acharia’s event is so successful. “So many people here in this room have stood up for me and my Muslim brothers and sisters at a time when we really needed the support, so this is me showing up for them. Being there for each other is how we truly build a resilient community,” he said.
