Talent: Niki Mehra Madan. Photographer: Greg Alexander.
Niki Mehra Madan isn’t just serving looks. She’s telling stories. From the red carpet to Instagram, the Indian fashion creator is turning heads with her bold style choices and love for Asian designers. We caught up with her to chat about fashion with heart, cultural pride, and why mixing things up across borders might just be the future of luxury.
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam (HBZVN): You’ve chosen Vietnamese designers for your Cannes red carpet looks two years in a row. What draws you to Vietnamese fashion?
NIKI MEHRA MADAN: I’m constantly inspired by fashion that tells a story, and Vietnamese designers do that so beautifully. Their craftsmanship, attention to detail, and ability to blend tradition with modernity resonate deeply with me. There’s a quiet confidence in Vietnamese design that makes a bold statement — and that’s exactly what I look for when choosing red carpet pieces.
Dress, Hacchi Couture.
HBZVN: As an Indian creator, what does it mean to you to wear and celebrate Asian designs on a global platform?
NIKI MEHRA MADAN: It’s empowering. As someone who represents South Asia on global stages, I see it as a responsibility to spotlight the incredible talent across our region. Wearing Asian designers is not just about fashion. It’s about representation and breaking the Western monopoly on global fashion narratives.
HBZVN: Do you think the future of fashion is moving toward a more collaborative, cross-cultural space, especially within Asia?
NIKI MEHRA MADAN: Absolutely, and I’m here for it. There’s a growing shift where Asian voices are no longer waiting for validation from the West. We’re collaborating, celebrating each other, and defining our own fashion language, together. That cross-cultural synergy, especially within Asia, is where the future lies.
Dress, Ivette Bianchi Couture.
HBZVN: How did your Cannes experience this year reflect your style evolution and cultural influences?
NIKI MEHRA MADAN: This year felt like a full-circle moment. I wore a Vietnamese designer and accessorized the look with a new Indian homegrown label. A blend of elevated glam with cultural homage. It was less about just making a fashion statement and more about showing growth, both as a creator and as a woman who knows her roots but isn’t afraid to reimagine them.
HBZVN: What role do you think digital creators now play in shaping conversations around fashion, particularly in luxury spaces?
NIKI MEHRA MADAN: We’re not just showcasing fashion anymore, we’re shaping its narrative. Luxury today is about identity and authenticity, not just exclusivity. Digital creators bring in diverse stories, cultural nuance, and real-time engagement. We’re making fashion more inclusive, relatable, and forward-thinking, one post at a time.
Photographer: Greg Alexander @gregalexanderofficial
Art Director: Sebastien Vienne @sebastienvienne
Talent: Niki Mehra @nikimehra
Stylist: @twinklebardolia
Designer: @federicafuscodesign
Hair & Makeup @lozanibeautu
Production: @mephistophelesproductions
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
