KATSEYE's Lara Raj said her Indian-inspired styling at Paris Fashion Week was a tribute to her mother and Bollywood actor Rekha after her appearance at Loewe's Spring/Summer 2027 show drew attention online.
Raj attended the 2 October show at the Château de Vincennes with fellow KATSEYE member Megan Skiendiel. The appearance marked their Paris Fashion Week debut.
The 20-year-old singer wore a canary-yellow leather halter dress with Indian-inspired accessories, including a jewelled bindi and stacks of anklets. She also wore red kumkum along her hair parting.
The red mark prompted debate among social media users, some of whom interpreted it as sindoor and questioned its use as part of a fashion look. Raj identified it as kumkum and later explained its connection to her family, childhood and spiritual traditions.
Lara Raj Calls Kumkum a Sacred Blessing
Raj said wearing Indian jewellery and kumkum with the yellow Loewe dress made her feel confident and beautiful. She explained that kumkum has been part of her life since childhood and described receiving it as a sacred blessing from her family during puja and aarti. She also associates it with intuition, strength and divine feminine energy.
Kumkum is used in Hindu religious and cultural practices, with its meaning and use varying across communities and traditions. Sindoor is traditionally associated with marriage in many Hindu communities, while kumkum has broader ritual and cultural uses.
Raj's explanation followed online criticism from social media users who interpreted the red mark as sindoor. Some Instagram commenters characterised the styling as performative or questioned her use of the symbol, while other users defended Raj and pointed to her Indian heritage.
Her Mother and Rekha Inspired the Look
Raj said she styled the look in her own way while paying homage to Rekha, whom she considers her longtime style icon, and to her mother, whom she described as the woman she looks up to most.
She said she has long admired the way both women embrace Indian beauty with boldness, individuality and grace. Raj said she wanted to channel some of that influence while celebrating her heritage.
Rekha has long incorporated saris, traditional jewellery, bindis and other Indian beauty elements into her public appearances. Raj has also previously incorporated Indian cultural elements, including bindis, into her public styling.
KATSEYE Members Make Their Paris Fashion Week Debut
Raj and Skiendiel made their Paris Fashion Week debuts together at the Loewe show.
For her first appearance, Raj chose a bright look that matched the bold and regal style she has described as central to her wardrobe. She initially considered the canary-yellow leather dress a risk but said its colour reminded her of sunshine and complemented her skin tone. The dress also appealed to Raj because she felt the colour suited the Château de Vincennes setting. She said wearing it made her feel beautiful.
Skiendiel took a contrasting approach in a slouchy brown blouse with a plunging neckline, a black pleated leather skirt and a teal Loewe Whisker bag.
The two singers attended the show at the Château de Vincennes, where designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez presented Loewe's Spring/Summer 2027 collection. The presentation took place inside a specially constructed circular arena on the grounds of the historic site.
Lara Raj later thanked Loewe and explained on Instagram that the kumkum was connected to her family, childhood and spiritual traditions.
