Padani for ELLE India

From Sri Lanka to Paris, model, stylist and podcaster Padani weaves her story into the fabric of the lungi, a garment she grew up with, worn by uncles in the rice fields and on the veranda.

Now, in the bustling streets of Paris, she reimagines it exclusively for ELLE, with a mix of tradition and modern edge, pairing the Madras check with sharp blazers and effortlessly transforming it into tops and skirts. For her, the lungi is more than just clothing; it’s a link to her past, a nod to her heritage, and a canvas for her personal evolution.