Sikhism is a very tolerant religion, with the goal of having no hate or animosity towards anyone, regardless of skin color, race, or gender. Because it is a faith of tolerance and respect for others, young Sikhs feel free to express themselves in various ways, such as through social media and fashion, without fear of being mocked or rebuked by other people in their community. Take for instance fashion influencer and healthcare administrator Sunny Singh Boparai, who recently participated in a fashion show for a South Asian designer’s new collection. Boparai took to the runway in a long floral skirt, a white sherwani top, and a turban, which was a departure from the more traditional menswear garb consisting of a Kurta and pajama.
In an interview with Teen Vogue, Boparai said that his fashion sense can be a powerful form of self expression while staying true to his cultural heritage. “It lets me blend elements of my Sikh tradition with contemporary style so I can create a unique aesthetic that actually reflects my personality,” he adds. Apart from Boparai, other young Sikhs have also found their own sense of style while honoring their culture and tradition. Here's how stylish Sikhs are blending tradition with modern attire to express themselves through fashion.
Sikh Chic to Disarm and Break Barriers
A lot of South Asians display their culture or religious observance through their attire, whether they're attending a special event or just following their daily routine. For instance, to attend prom night, some young women will wear a prom gown designed with Indian influences, while others will wear an elaborate lehanga as a nod to their heritage. Meanwhile, the majority of Sikhs make it a point to incorporate an important element of their traditional garb in their everyday wear. According to a Pew Study, nearly 70 percent of Sikh men wear turbans, and 86 percent of Sikh women wear a head covering when leaving the house.
Due to stereotypes and misconceptions, people who are not familiar with Sikhism may feel uncomfortable or even fear upon seeing a man wearing a turban. For this reason, Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada's New Democratic party, has taken to dressing up in Sikh Chic-style to disarm people and initiate healthy conversation about Sikh fashion and culture. In an interview with Toronto Life, Singh said that his wardrobe is mostly made up of bespoke suits, colorful turbans, and pocket squares. “Fashion is both social armor and a barrier breaker,” he said. “If I'm wearing a bright turban, for example, it's a conversation starter.” Over the years, the young politician has been photographed wearing dapper suits paired with a bright pink, marigold, mint green, wine red, or an icy blue turban.
Creating Sustainable and Inclusive Fashion
Apart from respecting others, Sikhism also encourages people to respect and love the environment. According to the Sikh Holy Scripture, “Air is the guru, water is the father, and Earth is the great mother. Day and night are like two nurses who look after us.” Since Sikhs have a high regard for nature and all living things, some Sikh fashion creatives like Harleen Kaur have taken such values to heart by producing sustainable clothing for everyone.
The designer and CEO grew up in a Sikh Punjabi household, and she has made it her mission to produce sustainable, ethically made clothing for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion. The New York-based designer makes it a point to produce pieces locally and ethically, and all her workers receive a fair wage. Since 2016, Kaur has been practicing small batch production in her NYC factory, using eco-conscious OEKO-Tex fabrics and zero-waste techniques to lower her company's carbon footprint. She also designs her pieces in such a way that they can be worn often and in lots of different ways. “Rewearing is an essential part of sustainability,” she says.
Fashion Art for Body Positivity and Inclusivity
Many designer brands claim to be body positive, but there are very few high-end brands that cater to all sizes. To represent a more realistic range of bodies in the fashion world, illustrator Jasjyot Singh Hans created a zine called “Sikh Ladies in Sick Fashion.” The zine contains 20 pages of illustrations of Sikh women of all sizes and shapes wearing high-end clothing, paired with turbans and kara bangles. According to Singh, brands need to do better research when casting for fashion shows and campaigns, particularly when it comes to casting people of color or people of different body sizes. “We shouldn't have to normalize diversity, because diversity is normal,” he adds.
Stylish Sikhs are changing how the world views fashion and Sikhism. By combining traditional attire with modern elements and staying true to their beliefs, these creatives prove that fashion can be inclusive, diverse, and sustainable, and can spark conversations about culture and faith.