Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Dr. Ketaki Deshpande & Papi Amisi Debut at Bentonville Fashion Week

Making a powerful debut at the Bentonville Fashion Week Fall/Winter Show at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall, Dr. Ketaki Deshpande and Papi Amisi brought art, heritage, and innovation together in a breathtaking display of cultural fusion.

Dr. Deshpande, a Film Studies professor, channels her sharp analytical eye into fashion that embodies both resistance and reclamation. Her pieces tell visual stories, bold, thought-provoking, and unapologetically expressive. Partnering with her is Papi Amisi, an exceptional artisan and designer who blends Congolese aesthetics with modern, futuristic design.

Together, their collaboration transcends borders and time. The result is a cross-cultural collection that celebrates ancestral memory, weaving together Indian textile traditions and Congolese futurism, all while beautifully honoring the Día de los Muertos theme.

Each garment walks the line between past and future, memory and imagination, creating a runway experience that was both spiritual and avant-garde. Check out both their runways below.

Click to Watch Dr. Ketaki Deshpande Runway

Click to Watch Papi Amisi Runway