Beautiful, flowy, ornate—lehengas hold a significant presence in the upbringing of many Desi girls. And while this cultural garment is beloved by many, there are numerous antiquated qualities to the traditional lehenga. In her latest installment of her Desi Innovators series, our writer @saumyamonga interviews the founder and CEO of Desi Is Me, @milliebarman. A local Bay Area clothing brand, @desiisme is devoted to providing affordable, comfortable, and elegant designs. These lehengas are not only a much-needed update to tradition, but they also represent and empower the bicultural experience of South Asian American women.

Black lives matter. They should have mattered at all times, not just when it comes to upholding their safety against police brutality. It should matter on how we consume art and commerce, it should be embedded in our lives. Here at Kollaboration, “We believe that artistry is one of the most effective and inspiring forms of activism, capable of changing hearts and minds to perceive the world as a more inclusive and harmonious place.” However we as Asian-Americans have our own struggle with how we use our silence, as a protection of being harmed. Throughout history, silence is the ongoing weapon that harms Black community, minimizing their pain and anger. If we Asian-Americans want to share the stage with our Black artists, we have to acknowledge our privileges and be a better ally to Black people.