Carrie’s Diwali look but make it…NOT fashion

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By Fareeha Molvi

(This post was originally published to Instagram on January 6, 2022)

For the uninitiated “And Just Like That” is the reboot to the well-loved, if flawed, long-running HBO series “Sex and the City.” If you’re like me, you’ve re-watched the whole series dozens of times. I adore the amazing fashion, friendships and the fantasy they’ve created, wherein writers can afford NYC brownstones. 

Naturally, it’s hard to reboot such an iconic show. But I was surprised to find myself not entirely hating “And Just Like That.” Sure, it’s had its fair share of cringey moments as a show that originated in the ‘90s attempts to reinvent itself within the more “woke” context of today. But SATC’s shortcomings regarding diversity, played-out stereotypes and whatever that second movie set in Dubai was are well-documented. I’m not expecting “And Just Like That” to suddenly be able to deliver on those fronts. But one thing SATC has always delivered on is the fashion. 

“Come on Carrie, you wouldn’t have done this if you were wearing Chanel or Prada. Put some respect on our (non-white) designers’ names too.”

So, when the Diwali episode premiered yesterday, I was ready to look past the cheesy comparisons of arranged marriages to finding the right apartment. I was ready to overlook that the episode was titled “Diwali” but only spent 5 minutes at the actual Diwali party. I was even ready to look past the whole “it’s not cultural appropriation, it’s cultural appreciation” bit. SATC has never gotten this stuff right, why would I expect that now? 

However, I fully expected Carrie to serve us a South Asian look in her iconic style. There’s so much synergy there: Carrie loves a flair for the dramatic – South Asian fashion is all about the drama. She loves a fascinator – we’re all about the head piece statements. 

What we got was a dizzying and strange assortment of flowers on her head that was more Coachella than cool Sabyasachi campaign. Speaking of inspiration they could have drawn from, it’s as easy as searching South Asian wedding hashtags on Instagram and Voila! An infinite amount of chic hairstyles to complement South Asian outfits – many of them incorporate flowers!

You could say it’s just one look. But this is from a show that LIVES for the looks! Also, I’ll argue the hair distracted and detracted from the actual lehnga (which was beautiful) by South Asian designer Falguni Shane Peacock. Come on Carrie, you wouldn’t have done this if you were wearing Chanel or Prada. Put some respect on our (non-white) designers’ names too. 

What do you think? Do you agree or has the pandemmy gotten to me?