Meet Rahat Khan | Founder at Desi Ever After

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rahat Khan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rahat, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
As a young girl growing up in the United States, I was always on the lookout for clothing that connected me to my rich and vibrant culture. I was uninspired by standard American fashion but I also wanted to go beyond the traditional three piece suits that are quite often the norm in desi culture. Inspired by my love for Bollywood movies and the elaborate textiles that are synonymous with desi fashion, I began sewing my own designs – initially for my dolls and pets and later for my own wardrobe. I loved the creative freedom it gave me to authentically incorporate my culture and personal style into outfits that I could wear for everything from school to social events. As a child, I also spent a lot of time with my aunt, who is an accomplished designer and seamstress. I always came home fulfilled by the time I spent with her, surrounded by colourful fabric and the comforting sound of her sewing machine.

It is said that every great dream begins with a dreamer. Even as a young woman navigating through life, I wanted to find a way to turn my childhood dream of a modern desi fashion brand into reality. With Desi Ever After, I am excited to be able to merge my love for my culture with my passion for modern desi fashion into a brand that truly encompasses the essence of Pakistani, Indian and Bangladesi cultures and is an extension of my unapologetically desi personality. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, which is why all our pieces are designed and manufactured keeping in mind the planet and its people. We also ensure that every DEA piece is designed with a focus on versatility and to be mixed and matched with other items from your wardrobe. I love how this allows for the outfit to be constantly restyled and become a part of your wardrobe for years to come. Growing up, fashion has helped me to honour my culture and express my personal style and I hope to empower the members of our community to live authentically and express themselves creatively through fashion as well.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Being a desi woman in America is a unique challenge. While we are a proud product of a vibrant and colourful culture, it’s not always easy to integrate it into our wardrobes. Desi Ever After helps you to seamlessly bridge the gap between your desi and western identities; we encourage South Asian women to hold their culture close to their hearts and empower them to live authentically through modern clothing that is designed with a strong focus on sustainability and affordability.

Desi Ever After believes fashion is the truest form of self-expression; we help desi womxn to go beyond the traditional three piece suit, with clothing that is designed to be mixed and matched to take you from a social gathering to work to desi weddings and beyond. Our clothing gives you the freedom to proudly embrace your multi-layered identity and yet, go beyond the confines of traditional desi clothing.

We also believe that now, more than ever, fashion should be produced and consumed consciously and sustainably. That is why, Desi Ever After designs all our clothing to be worn in multiple ways and for multiple occasions. Gone are the days of buying a different outfit for every single event; our versatile sets are designed such that they can be worn together or individually as separates. We also strongly believe that desi fashion should be accessible and that is why we aim to keep our prices as affordable as possible. Desi fashion is fun but also costly; with our focus on sustainability and affordability, we are here to help you go beyond the barriers of tradition and effortlessly wear your culture on your sleeve.

Whether you are looking for a new outfit for your best friend’s wedding festivities, a desi holiday party or simply a well-made staple piece to add to your wardrobe, Desi Ever After will help you find something that you will love and treasure for years to come.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Because I love everything desi, the first place would be Badmaash in Downtown LA. Santa Monica Pier for a beach day.
Venice Beach for the vibe and Salt & Straw.
Howl in’ Ray’s for a late bite.
Beauty & Essex for a night out.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My daughters are my biggest inspiration. I also want to thank my family, friends and the DEA community who have been instrumental in the success of the brand and have given me the motivation and encouragement to continue building and growing Desi Ever After.

Website: https://desieverafter.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/desieverafter?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Image Credits
Kaanya Oberoi, Amber Rain Photography, Rina Puri