Paaie Hosts Community Fashion Show at Dulles Town Center Mall in Virginia

Paaie, a Virginia-based South Asian fashion brand, hosted a fashion show in partnership with Dulles Town Center Mall on June 6, 2026, at the Mall, in Sterling, Virginia.

The family-friendly event featured 75 models showcasing Paaie’s signature collections, highlighting a blend of traditional South Asian attire and contemporary fashion. The runway presentation highlighted Paaie’s mission of bringing “Indian craftsmanship and global fashion,” together in a way that connects “generations and communities,” according to organizers Yashvi Gupta and Riya Gupta. 

More than 500 people attended the event, which featured participants including Mrs. India DMV USA 2025 Mohini Swapnil, Mrs. Asia Pacific Universe 2026 Dr. Sonya Upadhyay, Mrs. India USA 2025 First Runner-Up Sapna Mishra, and Miss India DMV USA 2025 Mahika Rami.

According to Yashvi and Riya, the event represented more than a fashion showcase. They described it as a celebration of family, empowerment, diversity, and the growing influence of South Asian fashion within the local community. With models of varying ages and backgrounds, the runway served as a platform for “confidence, self-expression, and representation.”

Yashvi said, “I’m truly grateful for the incredible support we received from our community, team, sponsors, and families. Our models brought so much energy, elegance, and heart to the runway, making the show a memorable celebration for everyone involved.”

She added, “Paaie’s journey continues because of the people who believe in us, support us, and grow with us. Together, we are celebrating not just fashion, but community, culture, and a shared vision.”

Riya noted the strong support the brand received throughout the planning process. “Seeing the love and support that has come together throughout this journey has been truly incredible. We may work behind the scenes, it is our models who bring the Paaie vision to life on the runway,” she said.

Riya added that the models’ “belief, energy, and dedication” mean everything to Paaie and that the event would not have been possible without them.

According to Yashvi and Riya, Paaie has organized fashion shows in New York, Paris, Orlando, and Washington, D.C., over the past four years, steadily expanding its presence on national and international fashion platforms.

Following successful showcases at New York Fashion Week and other major fashion events, the Dulles Town Center presentation brought that experience back to Virginia, where the brand continues to serve as a “cultural and fashion hub” for the South Asian community, they said.

Chitra Inbarajan, a senior Paaie model and brand ambassador, described the event as a memorable experience. “It was one of the best experiences from start to finish. Everything was very well organized, and the Paaie team and fellow models were amazing,” she said.

Inbarajan noted that the mall setting provided a “unique opportunity” to showcase Indian fashion by “blending tradition” with “modern style” while engaging directly with the community.

Surbhi Ray, a model who traveled from North Carolina to participate in the show, praised the event’s inclusivity and organization.

“Paiee hosted an exceptional fashion show featuring 75 models of all ages and backgrounds, celebrating fashion, confidence, and diversity,” she said. “Paaie is dedicated to creating opportunities for aspiring and experienced models to develop their skills, build confidence, and showcase their talent through professionally curated fashion events.”

Ray said she had the opportunity to open one of the show segments and also participate in the “Together in Style” segment alongside her daughter, making the experience especially meaningful.

She described the event as “seamlessly executed,” with a “vibrant audience” and “incredible energy” throughout.

“It was inspiring to see how Paaie empowers individuals of all levels, making every model feel confident and valued on stage. I look forward to continuing this journey and growing alongside this wonderful community,” Ray added.

Dr. Sonya Upadhyay, who traveled from Connecticut to participate as Mrs. Asia Pacific Universe 2026, also praised the event.

“It was a beautiful, enriching and immersive fashion experience to walk the runway at Paaie’s summer fashion show. It was a culturally immersive amalgamation of traditional and western outfits for women and traditional outfits for men,” she said.

“A diverse group of models displayed the outfits beautifully and it was my absolute honor to celebrate and be a part of Paaie’s successful event.”

Founded by the Gupta family, including Mayank, Anjali, Riya, and Yashvi Gupta, Paaie has grown from a business focused on ethnic jewelry and silver products into a recognized South Asian fashion brand. The company operates a flagship store at Dulles Town Center and maintains an online retail presence, offering fashion collections for men, women, and children while blending traditional Indian heritage with contemporary design.

Looking ahead, Mayank said the team is preparing for several upcoming events, including New York Fashion Week on September 11 and 12, 2026, and the Miss India DC, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia competition.

According to him, each milestone reflects Paaie’s commitment to “celebrating culture, empowering individuals, and bringing South Asian fashion to larger stages.”

The event received support from several sponsors and community partners. Paaie expressed gratitude to sponsors Global Seva Fund and Hayati New York, a luxury fragrance brand. Debasish Chowdhuri served as the master of ceremonies.

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