All That Glitters Diwali Ball Proved Gen Z Is Redefining Desi Glam

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. The event is lauded by many as the “hardest invite of the season,” and it 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.