Paris-based fashion creator Nivya Thattandi Manickam turned heads in a lehenga on the metro.
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00:00This woman went viral for wearing a lehenga on the Paris metro.
00:04Nivea Thatandi Manikam, a South Indian creator based in Paris working in fashion marketing,
00:09recently turned heads with her desi baddie look. She wore a bright orange lehenga with
00:13a sleeveless blouse featuring intricate zari work. She topped off the look with a mangtika,
00:18gold bangles, a detailed naath, a choker, layered necklaces and chic sunglasses,
00:23a style that's racked up over 1 million views online. While many praised her outfit,
00:27some couldn't resist trolling it as a Scandinavian moment.
00:31This refers to a controversial trend where the South Asian dupatta is rebranded by Western
00:35influencers as a new Scandinavian fashion item, sparking backlash for cultural appropriation.
00:41However, when we asked why she chose to wear a lehenga, Nivea said it's time we stop being the
00:45silent muse of global style and start taking up space. I want the world to truly value Indian
00:51fashion's legacy and artistry. She said the response she got ranged from surprise to selfies,
00:56yet she never felt uncomfortable, whether riding the metro or wandering through Paris' busiest
01:01tourist places. She told us that she was just 19 when she started restyling her mom's old
01:06sarees into modern outfits and didn't know back then that this small act would become
01:11the heartbeat of her creative journey. What's your take on Nivea's look? Tell us in the comments.