Priya Ahluwalia is a designer rooted in reality; most seasons she’s championing the unsung hidden figures. But for fall 2024, she opened the doors into her brain and embraced fantasy by referencing Nigerian folklore fairy tales.
“My last collection was set inside the British Library, where I spent a lot of time thinking about books and stories, so I built my own visual dreamworld around that as my moodboard,” said the designer backstage.
The collection was a departure from Ahluwalia’s often vibrant, wearable pieces — this time she experimented with new things such as the color black; diamond prints subtly blending into the denim pants; an extravagant skirt with its own back shield; denim layered onto denim, creating a mishmash of blues.
“I’m so proud because when I walk down the street in Soho [where her new office space is based], I see people actually wearing Ahluwalia. That’s why I started doing the brand, but I like also theatrics and drama,” said the designer, who balanced everyday clothes with fun show pieces only fit for special occasions or red carpets.
Backstage, Ahluwalia revealed that she was very happy as she watched her show from a TV screen in the fitting room.
