South Asian Brand Paaie Stages Four Runway Shows at NYFW

Virginia-based South Asian fashion brand Paaie returned to New York Fashion Week on September 11 and 12, 2026, presenting four runway shows that celebrated South Asian heritage, contemporary design and diversity.

Known for combining traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, Paaie unveiled a collection highlighting the versatility and global appeal of South Asian fashion. According to the brand, the four-show format showcased “different styles, personalities and runway moments” throughout the two-day presentation.

Each show opened and concluded with a featured personality, creating four distinctive runway experiences.

The show openers were:

• Nancy Gordon
• Priyanka Jain, Ms. Elite Universe USA
• Shivali Manchanda, Mrs. Connecticut USA
• Yuvika Kumari

The showstoppers were:

• T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman, editor-in-chief of South Asian Herald
• Sonya Upadhyay, Mrs. Asia Pacific Universe 2026
• Sapna Mishra, Mrs. India USA 2024 first runner-up
• Rajvatan Singh, recognized as the first Sikh model in the United Kingdom to walk the runway at UK India Fashion Week

The lineup also featured Harper’s Bazaar cover model Helen Chi and models representing a range of professional, cultural and creative backgrounds.

For Paaie, the runway continues to serve as more than a presentation of clothing. The brand sees its fashion shows as an opportunity to bring South Asian design, craftsmanship and culture into spaces where audiences from many different backgrounds can experience them.

“Every show has its own energy, and this season was especially meaningful because we were able to create four different runway experiences within one New York Fashion Week showcase,” the Paaie family said. “Our models, show openers and showstoppers each brought something unique to the runway, and seeing the collection come alive through them was incredibly special.”

The September showcase marked another chapter in Paaie’s growing presence on international fashion platforms. Since its New York Fashion Week debut in 2023, the brand has continued to present collections in New York, Paris, Washington, D.C., Orlando and other fashion and community events. 

South Asian Herald previously highlighted Paaie’s ability to combine “heritage with contemporary design” while building a broader presence in South Asian fashion.

Paaie was built as a family venture from the beginning by Mayank and Anjali Gupta, along with their daughters Riya and Yashvi Gupta, added the founders of Paiee noting what began as a smaller business focused on ethnic jewelry and silver products expanded into apparel, accessories, e-commerce and a physical retail presence.

Today, Paaie operates its flagship showroom at Dulles Town Center in Virginia while also serving customers online through Paaie.com. The brand’s collections include women’s, men’s and children’s South Asian fashion, along with jewelry and accessories.

The September 2026 showcase followed another important milestone for the family — the second anniversary of Paaie’s Dulles Town Center showroom.

“We are incredibly grateful to every model, customer, friend, partner and member of the community who continues to support us,” the Paaie family said. “Every runway show gives us another opportunity to represent South Asian fashion in a way that feels both rooted in tradition and relevant to today. None of these milestones would be possible without the people who continue to believe in Paaie.”

“I had an incredible fashion week experience showcasing the spectacular design by PAAIE representing the rich Indian cultural heritage on an international fashion platform by HITECHMODA,” said Dr. Sonya Upadhyay, Mrs. Asia Pacific Universe 2026. 

Another model, Priyanka Jain noted she has had the wonderful opportunity to work with Paaie on multiple fashion shows, including international events, and have always felt truly grateful to be part of their journey.

“The Paaie family is one of the best fashion teams I have worked with. They treat their models with so much care, respect, and warmth—truly like family,” Jain added. “Their clothing collections are beautiful, creative, and thoughtfully designed, and it has always been a pleasure representing their brand on the runway.”

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