Pushing Boundaries Through Fashion
NYFW 2024 Exclusive with Raisa Rafique, the New Face of Bengali Fashion.
New York has been buzzing with models, designers, and celebrities for one of the most anticipated events in fashion—New York Fashion Week (NYFW). This year’s event marked a special moment for Raisa Rafique, the 21-year-old founder of Raiue. Raisa is not just any designer—she has become the youngest Bengali designer to ever present at NYFW, carving her place in the fashion industry.
Originally from Bangladesh, Raisa moved to New York City to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). In 2020, she founded Raiue, and in just a few years, her brand has been offered to present at three Fashion Weeks.
Raisa’s NYFW showcase featured two stunning collections. Gaze highlighted femininity with flowing silhouettes and elegant, western-style designs. And Iccha which drew inspiration from traditional Bengali attire. Both collections were rich in details, from intricate garment designs to authentic Bengali jewellery, and featured a diverse cast of models which reestablishes her mission for inclusivity within the fashion industry.
Despite her rapid rise, Raisa’s journey has been anything but smooth. “The pressure was immense,” she shared, managing her brand alongside a full-time role as a production and logistics associate. “No one understands how much time goes into the production unless you see it first-hand.”, said Raiue model, Lisa Malmstrom.
Raisa also expressed her frustration over the separation of designers by race, often placing South Asian designers in South Asian New York Fashion Week (SANYFW) rather than the main event. “It’s a glass ceiling that never made sense to me,” she said, acknowledging the importance of SANYFW but emphasising that it reinforces racial divides.
Her American education provided her with an advantage over her fellow Bengali designers, which, she points out that too, reflects an underlying discrimination. “We might have different skin tones, but we all have the same abilities,” Raisa emphasized, hoping to dismantle these barriers and bring more diversity to high fashion.
Her goal for Raiue has always been to showcase Bengali heritage. “I wanted to showcase my culture… that was my goal from the beginning,” she stated, eager to bring a sense of pride and recognition to her home country.
For Raisa Rafique and Raiue, the journey has only just begun. Not only is the brand pushing fashion boundaries, but it also questions industry norms and strives for a more inclusive, equal future.