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Save this story Save Story Save this story Diwali—which translates to “festival of lights”—fêted by the global South Asian diaspora is a five-day celebration that began on Friday, November 6, a date decided by the Hindu lunar calendar. Diwali marks the new year, brings the promise of prosperity, and signifies the triumph of good over evil. While customs range across religion and region, the festival often means dedicating hours to baking sweets and lighting an unfathomable number of tea light candles, as well as giving up meat, fish, and alcohol. There’s also the deep cleaning rituals—to make room for blessings.
But in the U.S., more epicurean customs have emerged, which means weeks of parties, dinners, and gatherings in the lead-up. It’s proving to be a loophole for more indulgent fanfare before the official start of Diwali. Here’s Vogue’s look inside the celebrations everyone was talking about this year.
“Look around, look out the windows: We’re in New York City,” Jessel Taank told the crowd gathered at Boom at the Standard High Line. For the ŌUSHQ founder and Real Housewives of New York star, this soirée was one she had been dreaming of for some time. “On January 1st I wrote in my little notebook, ‘Host Diwali at The Standard’ as it was something I really wanted to do,” she said. “Growing up, Diwali was more of an intimate, community thing and what it’s become is so extraordinary.”
For the second annual Diwali Noir party presented by the fashion platform in partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Taank was joined on hosting duty by Prakti Beauty founder and model Pritika Swarup and the CFDA’s Marc Karimzadeh.
The high-octane evening invited guests to embrace an “Indian-inspired” dress code. “We really wanted to crush the stereotypes, because when you think of Indian fashion it is really occasionwear-heavy, big lehenga cupcakes, and embellishments,” Taank told Vogue. “I don't think Indian fashion is like that anymore. There’s a lot of creative energy coming from the Middle East and India that doesn’t get enough credit and recognition.”
Taank wore a metallic and bejeweled chocolate gown by Prabal Gurung, while Swarup opted for a bright punch-pink floor-length Rahul Mishra dress. “Look at everyone here tonight,” Swarup chimed in. “We wanted them to have their own interpretation of what modern Indian fashion is—and everyone looks incredible.”
Jenna Lyons donned sunglasses and an all-black ensemble topped with a bow, designer Sami Miro adorned herself in jewels from luxury Indian brand Outhouse, and mother-daughter duo Rachel Roy and Ava Dash took traditional Indian garments—palazzo pants and baroque blouses—and played with silhouettes, adding plumes of crimson fur and a flash of midriff.
While Diwali was the reason for the celebration, the night itself felt like an exercise in cultural exchange and discovery. Guests included Daniel Boulud, Bibhu Mohapatra, Kate Davidson Hudson, Katya Tolstova, Madhulika Sharma, Ankur Jain, Carly Cushnie, Ronny Kobo, Michelle Ochs, Roopal Patel, Dhaval Bhanusali, Azeezah Khan, Natalie De’Banco, Priya Shukla, Jay Sean, Akbar Hamid, and Junaid Mahmood, alongside Taank’s fellow cast members Sai De Silva, Erika Hammond, and Devyn Simone.
The evening also marked the official re-launch of ŌUSHQ’s multi-brand e-commerce website and the introduction of its new editorial destination dedicated to fashion, culture, and designer discovery. Behind the bar, towers of Johnnie Walker Blue Label bottles spiraled towards the ceiling as bartenders whipped up martinis, margaritas, and poured countless glasses of Champagne. Hammond and De Silva sipped cocktails and giggled with Miro, while stylist Micaela Erlanger perched at the end of the bar with Natasha Das, founder of Danarys, who nibbled on spicy bites of lamb, and morsels like samosas and pakora. “Diwali is quickly becoming one of my favorite party seasons,” Erlanger quipped.
On the other side of the room, the dance floor heaved, as Bollywood favorites like the 1999 hit “Dilbar” blended with Afro tech, while the Egyptian hit “Ah Ya Albi” played alongside Keinemusik’s “Move.” The music paused once briefly to give way to dancers who, atop the bar, performed a routine that, much like the dress code, blended India and the West.
“Can I just say, I don’t remember the last time I was in a room with so many beautiful people and so many beautifully dressed people,” added Karimzadeh, senior director of content and communications at the CFDA. “This is amazing.”
As speeches concluded, the party loosened further, turning from a bustling soiree to an all-out “rager”—to quote Taank. EDM and hip-hop boomed through the speakers, drinks spilled, dresses were trampled on, and by 1 a.m. the Champagne eventually ran out.
Next Slide Arrow Gold House “We take for granted that the journey from gas to dust to protostar to star to supernova takes more than just a miracle—it takes time,” Gold House executive chairman and CEO Bing Chen shared in his remarks at The Majestic Downtown. It was a fitting metaphor for what Gold House called its largest Gold Diwali yet.
The organization threw its celebration for the Festival of Lights in Los Angeles, marking both its expansion as an institution and Diwali’s growing relevance. “Diwali is a celebration of light, community, and connection, and we wanted to bring that spirit to our Gold Diwali while honoring how culture shapes who we are and the possibilities we create,” Chen said.
The event began with the cast and producers of Ramayana: Part 1: Rise of a Legend introducing themselves and the film, released on November 5, which has already grossed over $56 million at the box office. It is also the most expensive film to be made in the region.
Gold House met the moment and announced a new partnership with nonprofit film fund South Stack Studios to launch the Gold Stack Shorts Fund, supporting short films and micro-series focused on South Asian stories.
The crowd, which was a bustling gathering of prominent entertainers, CEOs, and creators, brought together the likes of Freida Pinto, Tan France, Hannah Simone, Avantika, Dhar Mann, Richa Moorjani, and Rhea Raj, as well as Blumhouse president Abhijay Prakash, Poshmark founder Manish Chandra, and Anita Chatterjee.
Many attendees stuck to tradition, with jewel-toned lehengas, statement jewelry, saris, and bright sherwanis, but some played around with patent corsets in place of blouses and mini skirts.
Around the room, orange and golden marigolds were arranged in big, lush clusters with tropical palm fronds and brass lanterns. Friends, old and new, came together and enjoyed Diwali customs: Some grazed on a South Asian menu by Rasoi Catering, many danced as DJ MissNINJA performed with a live tabla performance, and others congregated in a dedicated Carrom Game Lounge where they played the traditional board game.
Indian luxury designer Anita Dongre debuted a one-off carrom board, painted by hand in collaboration with Gold House, that recontextualizes the tabletop game as a contemporary design object. Also on display was the Cuyana x Gold House Marigold Charm, a limited-edition piece released earlier in October.
Next Slide Arrow Sabyasachi Indian fashion house Sabyasachi’s multi-year collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum culminated in his first New York show in almost 20 years. So hosting the first Diwali party of its kind inside the hallowed halls of the storied institution, in many ways, felt fated.
“Ever since New York started having an official Diwali calendar, I wanted to host a party—and what could be a better venue than this,” designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee told Vogue . “It’s so iconic and it’s so New York. I think people are excited about this, so I’m very honored.”
Inside the American Wing’s Charles Engelhard Court, a crowd gathered to show off their opulent garments, from sleek sherwanis and richly textured shalwar kameez to sequined dresses and sharply tailored suits. Close friends of the designer, like Anjula Acharia, Jessel Taank, and Micaela Erlanger, all wore head-to-toe Sabyasachi looks, right down to the jewelry.
Guests in attendance included Kal Penn, Amy Fine Collins, Fern Mallis, Rhea Raj, Romilly Newman, Alioune Badara Fall, Nell Rebowe, Shruti Ganguly, Marie Ecot, Merritt Beck, Linda Fargo, Isiah Magsino, Imran Amed, Yumi Shin, Jully Patel, Angelica Hicks, and Carlos Mota.
As a six-piece band rattled off sultry renditions of songs like Dean Martin’s “Sway,” attendees were greeted with silver trays of Dom Pérignon Champagne and Petrossian caviar. Though most ended up mesmerized by what stood in the center of the room: A spectacular 16-foot-long grazing table, which was more like a culinary cornucopia outfitted with a peacock and an astounding bloom of ranunculus, roses, peonies, and winterberries. On offer, towering croquembouches, meringues, decadent cakes, and overflowing displays of fine chocolates and Indian sweets were placed alongside a lavish raw bar of fresh Maine lobster and oysters, fine Iberico ham, and endless types of cheese.
As Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji and designer Waris Ahluwalia eagerly posed for photos with Sabyasachi, excited brides-to-be lined up to introduce themselves to the designer, brimming with equal parts awe and nerves. Other guests sipped on spiced margaritas—which seems to be the emerging signature cocktail of the Diwali season—and lounged by the fountains.
Once the drinks dwindled and the band packed up, guests slowly made their way outside, reluctant to end the glamorous night. As everyone spilled out onto the iconic Met steps, a few who glittered even in the darkness of the crisp fall night beckoned for one more photo. For some, this was just another swanky party in Manhattan, but for those who grew up celebrating Diwali, it was a night for the history books.
Next Slide Arrow All That Glitters Diwali Ball Buzzy Indian restaurant the Ambassador’s Clubhouse turned Manhattan’s NoMad into a vibrant hub of revelry, as Anjula Acharia welcomed an exclusive guest list to her glitzy annual black-tie ball. “So many of you didn’t get plus ones,” she quipped over the mic. “So it means that all of you have to talk to everybody.”
The beloved All That Glitters Diwali Ball once again celebrated South Asian excellence, presented in partnership with Lexus. Guests in attendance included Avantika Vandanapu, Jay Sean, Rhea Raj, Bela Bajaria, Jessel Taank, Aasif Mandvi, Poorna Jagannathan, Mira Nair, Amrit Kaur, Nimesh Patel, Sheena Melwani, designers Falguni and Shane Peacock, and Revolve’s Divya Mathur.
“Tonight is my love letter to New York and all the South Asians here that are rising and thriving,” Acharia said. “So many of you have been grinding for decades. This is a celebration of all the work that you do for our community and for yourselves. I’m just so proud to honor all of you and I really mean that from the bottom of my heart.”
New York’s sudden cold snap was no match for the glamour that was put on show. Outside, some braved the cold for a Rhudeva scent station that offered engraved bottles of perfumes, including Dusky Diwali with notes of saffron, salted pistachio, and sandalwood. Inside, the room was a smorgasbord of crimson, as red flowers layered every surface from floor to ceiling.
As guests cozied up, sipping on piquant negronis, lassi-flavored cocktails, and martinis, bright plates of Punjabi food were passed around. Think: Wagyu-infused naan and lamb curry to samosas and spiced bites of goat. Subtlety was not on the menu, nor was it the dress code. Feathers trailed behind glittery saris, sequins caught the candlelight, and silk pooled and swished, while jhumkas and bangles clinked as Calvin Harris, Burna Boy, Charli XCX, and Vishal Dadlani boomed through the speakers.
“This is a far cry from the Diwaliis that I used to host myself, 20 or 30 years ago on Riverside Drive,” filmmaker Mira Nair told the crowd. “We are all here to be counted for, to be seen, and to be actually celebrating ourselves and our amazing community, that finally is visible in the most powerful of ways.”
East met West, as Jagannathan opted for South Asian designer Rahul Mishra in an untraditional rendition of desi opulence. Taank took a more modern route, and revealed her back tattoo with a pearlescent Tarun Tahiliani halter gown, while actress Avantika stuck with tradition in a warm copper lehenga and clutched onto a Coach Tabby purse.
For everyone in attendance, more was, well, more. Acharia floated across the room in a gilded silver Falguni Shane Peacock train adorned with feather cuffs, and Raj also tapped the designer for a custom magenta feathered two-piece that felt fitting for the rising pop star.
As the dance floor got warmed up (and subsequently didn’t stop until after 1 a.m.), Anita Chatterjee, founder of A-Game Public Relations, recalled: “Years ago, I remember being in Anjula’s Tribeca loft, where she put together a small Diwali party. Back then, she told me: ‘One day, everyone's gonna know about Diwali. There's going to be so many parties, and that’s what I want. I want our holiday and what we do to be seen by all.’ Anjula: mission accomplished. We did it!”
Next Slide Arrow A Luminous Table Passerine co-founders Maneesh K. Goyal and Alvina Patel Buxani shut down their Flatiron restaurant and set the scene for an early Diwali celebration with their second annual A Luminous Table dinner.
The gathering, which also raised funds for the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, was co-hosted by filmmaker Mira Nair, journalist Radhika Jones, and novelist Salman Rushdie.
A crowd from across fashion, finance, politics, and art convened, including Tamron Hall, Aasif Mandvi and B.D. Wong, Bibhu Mohapatra, Waris Ahluwalia, Alok Vaid-Menon, and June Ambrose, who eschewed her signature statement hat for sparkles and silk.
In true desi style, guests wore bright splashes of color, embellished lehengas, and luxurious saris, filling the air with soft metallic pops of bangles and jhumkas. Those without traditional outfits reveled in color, sparkles, and sequins. After all, it’s one of the few times all-black is considered a faux pas in New York City.
After a cocktail reception with plenty of Moët Hennessy on offer, a family-style dinner was served by executive Chef Gaurav Bathla. Guests took their seats at tables laden with bud vases of tulips, hyacinths, and carnations and quickly made introductions. Ambrose shook hands with Zara Rahim, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s senior advisor, Rushdie and Italian artist Francesco Clemente chatted over red wine, and art curator Racquel Chevremont and her fiancé Mel Corpus made fast friends with their seat mates.
Siblings and friends were purposefully separated, as were some couples. “I created the seating chart that way intentionally,” Buxani told Vogue . “I wanted to create new friends so I separated some old ones. I think I have a good idea of who would get along.”
The food forged connections too. Starters like Goan chicken cafreal, Tamil shrimp Chettinad, and a samosa in Levantine katafi were quickly devoured, followed by baskets of naan and rice and a short rib pot pie filled with Old Delhi nihari, plumes of steam escaping from under its laminated pastry when theatrically cracked into.
Community was the guiding principle of the night, as co-hosts shared their stories of how Diwali offered respite as they navigated identity, immigration, and religion.
“When I was growing up in Bombay, the festivals were for all of us. It didn’t matter if we were Hindu, Muslim, Parsi—Diwali was ours,” Rushdie shared. “We all celebrated everything. And I think that this spirit is alive in this gathering.”
The celebrated novelist also noted that this energy is no longer part of the India he once knew.“There is something going on in India right now. India is boiling. And I would feel wrong not to say, maybe it’s not the thing to say in a restaurant, to celebrate the cockroach. But the young people of India have given us the most hopeful moment for a very long time.”
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is a propulsive Gen Z political movement in India that emerged earlier this year, using protests and demonstrations to demand government accountability, transparency, and major reforms across employment, education, and elections. Some have even referred to it as the Mamdani effect.
“I’m here as a mama cockroach,” Nair announced to the room to raucous cheers and applause, as the room swelled at the mention of her son, Zohran Mamdani. “Happy Diwali to all of us who believe in change. God knows the Cockroach Janta Party is reminding us that it is not enough to be quiet, it is not enough to celebrate, it is not enough to cease to question.” Her speech culminated in the room serenading her with a surprise birthday singalong.
As hot sticky date puddings covered in jaggery caramel filled the tables, Goyal stood for one last announcement. “In the old school tradition of people who live above their bodegas or restaurants, my husband and I, we live above this restaurant. There’s an after-hang at our apartment upstairs, and whether you come for 10 minutes or for two hours, everybody’s welcome. And let’s be honest, we’re New Yorkers. We like to see each other’s apartments!”
As the last sips of chili margaritas and tomato martinis were polished off, people slowly began heading for the door, and onwards to Goyal’s apartment for one more drink, one more story, and to make one more friend.
Source: Lifestyle
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