Viva Street Style: Politics, pride and fashion take center stage at Diwali festival

Vibrant colours, a mix of tradition and modernity and a celebration of New Zealanders from all walks of life were on full display at the annual Diwali festival in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Since its inception in 2002, the Diwali festival, also known as the ‘Festival of Lights’, has been a highlight
in a cultural calendar showcasing the diversity and vibrancy of the Indian diaspora.

The two-day event took place last weekend at Aotea Square, featuring traditional and contemporary music, dance and stalls offering Indian delicacies and handicrafts.

The official opening of the event was attended by representatives of local iwi Ngati Whātua Ōrākei, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson and BNZ CEO Dan Higgins – the bank is the title sponsor of the Diwali festival.

This year’s festival, presented by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, also showcased a diversity of personal style, with a variety of attendees and performers celebrating Diwali in a unique display of pride and expression.

“Local tangata whenua are honored to celebrate this event this year and it is a great celebration that needs to be preserved in Tāmaki Makaurau,” iwi lead cultural co-ordinator CJ Gilbert said. “We welcome other cultures to our beautiful city.” For the first time in the event’s 23 years, a local iwi has officially become part of the Diwali committee.

Part of repeating this message, of course, is the politics of style. Personal identity and joyful expression of culture were on full display as the rest of the weekend’s festivities demonstrated the power of Diwali’s message – to find hope and lightness amid darkness and to celebrate the festival’s focus on inclusivity.

To document a unique expression of style, I teamed up with award-winning New Zealand Herald photographer Dean Purcell to find the most interesting images from opening day. From Simpson’s multicolored tunic and pants to Alvin Ram’s mix of tradition and modernity with a layered kurta over jeans, the following personal style examples are a welcome reminder of the power of fashion to uplift and celebrate our communities.

Michelle, a member of the Taal dance troupe, stood out with her intricate jewelry and hairstyle after the performance. Dressed in a hoodie and sweatpants, her approach to beauty featured intricate details, from flowers woven into her hair to layers of Indian jewelry. Waking up at 6:30 a.m. to prepare for the event, the dancer is joined by other dancers from various age groups, including the junior and senior groups, who will perform on the main stage throughout the weekend. “Our group is mainly made up of Fijian Indians. For me, Diwali represents all parts of Indian culture.”

The Deputy Mayor of Auckland is always ready for any event and occasion, and this dip-dyed set caught her eye for Diwali. “I was driving through Mount Roskill and as soon as I saw this in one of the boutiques I thought, ‘I’ve got to have this!'” on display, complete with matching yellow ankle boots.

To support his sister’s performance, Jason’s unique floral kurta stood out that day. The qualified optometrist at Auckland City Hospital is also a trained microblader and owns the Blade Brow. “I like flowers and this really resonated with me. I bought it from Kaysons in New Lynn.” The boutique specializes in special occasion wear and Indian jewelry. “To me, Diwali represents lightness over darkness and just celebrating the good things in life.”

One of the leading performers of the Dance Workx troupe, Manthan looks commanding dressed as Afzal Khan, the legendary general who served the Adil Shahi dynasty in the Bijapur Sultanate of India in the 16th century. The 6-foot-7 Manthan says he finds joy in costumes and storytelling.

Manthan’s co-star Charmi wears a layered silk dress known as the Nauvari sari, using almost 9 meters of fabric to create this intricate look. “This is my first time wearing such a saree and it comes from the Maharashtra region. I love the opportunity to wear something special and celebrate Diwali in such an outfit.”

Ritu Jain and Pooja Mathur

Moments before taking the stage, Ritu and Pooja helped each other get dressed in elaborate saris, adorned with nose jewelry and henna tattoos on their arms.

Matt, who had just finished performing with his school friends from Pakuranga College, paired his kurta with white trousers and trainers. “My friend Ral is a professional dancer and he really got me and our friends into it,” says Matt. “It all started with school performances, and now we hold competitions. It’s a lot of fun.”

K. Susmita Reddy with daughter Ameya

The mother and daughter were one of many families who settled in Aotea Square, united by a passion for culture. “This is our fifth year coming to Auckland’s Diwali festival to celebrate and I love seeing people come together to celebrate the festival of lights. I am grateful to meet friends and family from all over India.”

What caught our attention about Alvin’s look was the casual pairing of the kurta with jeans – a perfect mix of traditional and western wardrobe pieces. “Diwali is a real opportunity for families to come and enjoy the holiday,” says Alvin. “It’s a celebration of our culture and heritage and what we bring to New Zealand through our communities.” Alvin bought his kurta from one of Auckland’s leading Indian fashion suppliers, Roop Darshan in Mt Roskill.

Walking by in the red and orange stripes, Michelle stood out with her flamboyance. The design is a salwar kameez, a two-piece garment resembling pajamas (salwar) and tunics (kameez). She accessorized her look with jewelry and sandals.

Michelle’s mother, Alice, also wears a similar kit. “Diwali is for everyone to come together and enjoy it. This is a very festive time and a great opportunity for loved ones to connect and celebrate.” Creating a beautiful draped effect, her navy tie-dye pants pair well with her gold tunic top.

Alina Cora, Sienna Takayama (center) and Zalie Stewart

The friends, who attended the event with one of their parents, wore complementary looks that combined their personal styles with Indian elements. “This is a great opportunity for them to come and see Diwali,” explained one of their parents. “I am an Indian and Diwali means a lot to us. This is the basis of diversity and culture that unites our people. This is a hugely inclusive celebration and it means a lot to us to be here with the next generation.”

The 16-year-old girl takes on the role of the legendary historical figure with an elaborate crown and detailed makeup.

Dan Ahwa is Vivafashion and creative director of the magazine, as well as senior journalist for the magazine’s premium lifestyle New Zealand Heraldspecializing in the intersection of style, luxury, art and culture. He is also an award-winning stylist with over 17 years of experience and co-author and co-curator of a book and exhibition. Moana Currents: Dressing Aotearoa Now.

The most important part of our fashion reporting is celebrating, not dictating, how people dress.

Sari and Sisterhood. For millions of Indian women, a beautiful constant in life is the sari – a simple garment that has stood the test of time through centuries of changing cultures and fashions, remaining a bastion of Indian tradition.