RETURN TO ROOTS

MADAME GANDHI

ARTIST & ACTIVIST, TOPANGA

“I feel like a global child, but my fashion consistently pays homage to my Indian heritage. For instance, wearing a bindi with a simple, cotton outfit from James Perse is a seamless integration for me. I have grown up with organic cotton fabrics, bright colours, and hemp clothing, and I have noticed an increasing interest in Indian fabrics and styles here in Topanga, where I have been living for the past year during the pandemic.

I usually wear small, gold, hoop earrings with my dailywear; they serve as a reminder of my childhood in Mumbai in the late ’90s. I also wear a gold necklace that says “Own Your Voice” that was created for me by Bhindi Jewelers in Artesia, which is essentially the Little India of Los Angeles. And I always accessorise with several gold bands on my fingers, as they keep me connected to my grandparents, who are of Indian origin.

I take after my mother and grandmother in my love for merging the different aspects of my culture. My family has always, actively-encouraged fashion and self-expression, and