Meet the Founders — and Designers — Behind South Asian New York Fashion Week

SS: Akriti by Shakun is a Punjab-based designer. They're using this type of embroidery, called phulkari, [which is] threadwork on cotton or silk fabric. It's passed down from generation to generation so mothers and grandmothers — ever since they were little girls — start weaving these phulkari garments, and they get passed down as heirloom pieces.

Akriti uses phulkari fabric that has been upcycled; it's like hundreds-of-year-old fabric that is upcycled into these beautiful new-age, bridal designs. From the quality of fabric that that brand uses to the creativity, all of it is such a great testament to Punjabi culture.