Priya Ahluwalia

Priya Ahluwalia is a British fashion designer and founder of the apparel brand Ahluwalia. She gained notability for her approach to sustainable fashion. Ahluwalia’s work focuses on upcycling, ethical practices, and exploring identity through multiculturalism.

Early life and education

Ahluwalia was born to a second generation British-Indian mother from Newcastle and a Nigerian father and grew up in Tooting. Her multicultural upbringing influenced her design philosophy.
Ahluwalia attended a girls school and had a Saturday job in Kingston. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion from the University for the Creative Arts in 2015. She completed a Master of Arts in Menswear at University of Westminster in 2018.

Career

Ahluwalia launched the clothing brand, Ahluwalia, in 2018. The brand focuses on creating clothing using deadstock fabrics and vintage textiles. Her designs draw inspiration from her trips to Lagos, Nigeria, and Panipat, India, as well as her experiences growing up in London.
Ahluwalia has collaborated with brands such as Adidas Originals, Mulberry, Microsoft, and PUMA. These include a "capsule collection" with Mulberry using repurposed leather and the Circulate platform with Microsoft, which integrates technology into upcycling.
Ahluwalia's work has received recognition in the fashion industry for its focus on sustainability and storytelling. She was awarded the H&M Design Award, was a finalist for the LVMH Prize, and received the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.
Ahluwalia’s designs have been featured in exhibitions and installations globally, where her use of textiles often emphasizes the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry.