Renowned for his rhythmic beats and unmatched stage presence, Daler Mehndi, the Father of Indian Pop Music, mesmerized audiences once again, but this time not with his voice, but with his unparalleled style as he graced the runway at the Bombay Times Fashion Week. Adorned in the latest collection by esteemed Thai designer Suwannee by Sam, titled ‘Blossoming Through Resilience,’ Tunak Tunak star epitomized the essence of resilience, rebirth, and the indomitable human spirit.
His distinct style choices, both on and off-stage, transcend the ordinary, amplifying his larger than life aura and a simpleton spirit as an icon of fashion and cultural fusion.
The ‘Blossoming Through Resilience’ collection, the title coined by his wife Taran Mehndi for the Thai designer Suwanee by Sam which is inspired by the elemental forces of nature, pays homage to the four elements – earth, air, fire, and water – weaving them together in perfect harmony aligns with Daler Mehndi’s love for Mother Earth.
Mehndi is happy to collaborate since each piece in the collection boasts eco prints that capture the essence of nature’s raw beauty, inviting wearers to embrace their inner strength and resilience.
Speaking about his collaboration with Suwannee by Sam and the inspiration behind the collection, Daler Mehndi expressed, ”The ‘Blossoming Through Resilience’ collection not only celebrates the enduring power of the human spirit but also serves as a reminder of our connection to the natural world. Our shared vision resonates not just in fabric and form, but in a deeper commitment to raise awareness about our precious environment. Together, we weave threads of style and sustainability, illuminating the runway with a message of harmony and hope”
Sam Sethi the designer of Suwannee by Sam states ”Blossoming Through Resilience is an extremely personal collection for me. It’s a celebration of my daughter’s survival story through the elemental forces of nature and fashion, my creative expression. She overcame stage 5 kidney disease, 24 years of marijuana addiction, and came back from death. Similarly the King of Pop Dalerji is such an inspiring, reseilliant powerhouse himself. My family connected with him and his family during their recent visit to Bangkok. We established a profound connection with him, sharing the narrative and inspiration behind the collection, which has been a journey filled with emotional highs and lows. It was during this exchange that he graciously agreed to join us for the show, lending his star-studded aura and presence to our event as the celebrity showstopper. I am truly thankful to him and everyone involved. May it serve as a heartfelt reminder of the enduring beauty that emerges from perseverance and the fulfillment of dreams amidst life challenges”
Suwannee Sethi Makeup Artist/ producer, Showstopper for Suwannee by Sam says ”I am truly grateful and thankful to have a second chance at life. To be able to be here in Mumbai, walking the runway for my dad’s latest collection, Blossoming Through Resilience. This collection and it’s narrative is a celebration of the human spirit and nature through his incredible fashion. Inspired from my survival story of overcoming lupus, stage 5 kidney disease, 24 years of marijuana addiction, and coming back from death. The direction of the show was collaborative journey between Taran Mehndi, myself and my dad. Both my dad and Taran encouraged that I be the showstopper for the show as we were planning. The Sethi and Mehndi families bonded during their recent visit to Bangkok. The friendship sparked deep conversations where we were inspired by each other’s respective journeys. Dalerji, The King of pop, with a heart of gold, was so touched that he graciously agreed to be a part of this celebration of strength and courage as the celebrity showstopper! I am so looking forward to showcasing resilience and power, through nature, fashion, creation, and beautiful music of Dalerji and my soul sister Remee a multi talented Thai-Indian artist. It’s a collective familial showcase. Come join us at Bombay Times Fashion Week, Friday May 3rd 14:00 for an unparalleled celebration of life and triumph”
Daler Mehndi stands as a pioneering luminary, illuminating the path towards a greener, more sustainable future. Back in the 90s, long before the urgency of climate action took center stage, he was already sowing the seeds of awareness about the paramount importance of tree planting. His tireless efforts have borne fruit, quite literally, as he has spearheaded the planting of over 10 lakhs trees across the Delhi NCR area and beyond.
In an age where artists often grapple with maintaining authenticity while evolving, Daler Mehndi stands out. His journey is a masterclass in balancing respect for one’s roots with an appetite for global trends. As he continues to blaze his trail, the world will be watching every step of his; every step upward and onward.
