What makes your style stand out?

My style stands out because I embrace duality by pairing things that “don’t go together” to make people pause and look closer. I love fusing South Asian fabrics with Western silhouettes, queerness with tradition, structure with fluidity. My style tells a story of contradictions finding harmony. It’s more than what I wear - it’s how I express identity, inclusivity, and the freedom to show up as my truest self.

What’s your dream fashion moment?

My dream fashion moment is seeing my line, Ila, evolve into a brand that’s not just about fashion, but about community and creating space where people find confidence and connection through what they wear. I want my designs to help others express and embrace the intersections of who they are. Success, to me, is watching someone wear a piece I’ve created and feel more like themselves than they did before; that’s the impact I dream of making.

What would you do with $20,000?

I’d use the $20,000 to give my brand, Ila, the momentum it deserves and sharing what I’ve started with more people and inviting them into the movement I’m building around fashion as wearable art. This funding would help expand production, refine designs, and strengthen the community around self-expression. $20,000 would help me turn this dream into a deeper reality - one where fashion becomes a language for self-expression and belonging.