Claiming My Space: Why My Sari Was More Than Just An Outfit Choice

Last week, I walked into the PRCA UK Awards wearing a sari. On the surface, it was just an outfit choice. But for me, a British Punjabi woman working in the PR industry, it became something far more significant: an act of grounding, of resistance, and of joyful self-claiming in a time when the national conversation around identity feels increasingly narrow and hostile.

In the UK, especially right now, racial tensions echo loudly through headlines, debates, and comments sections. They can make even the most confident among us shrink a little. They whisper questions like, Do I belong? Am I seen? Am I allowed to occupy this space fully as myself?

Wearing my sari last week was my answer.

I didn’t wear it to make a spectacle. I wore it because it is a part of me, a part I refuse to sideline to suit a version of “Britishness”. I am British. I am Punjabi. I am both at once. That duality isn’t a conflict; it’s a richness. And stepping into that room wrapped in my heritage felt like an affirmation: I have every right to be here exactly as I am.

One thing I love about the PR industry is that, at its best, it understands the power of representation, narrative, and authenticity. It attracts storytellers, bridge-builders, and cultural translators, people who know that diverse voices don’t weaken a story; they strengthen it.

Working at the PRCA has given me a front-row seat to all of this. I’ve watched the organisation harness that beautiful energy and channel it into ensuring that we work in a safer, more unified, and truly diverse industry. After eight years at the PRCA, I think it’s safe to say that I’m proud of where I work. It celebrates every difference, recognising that it is those differences that make us stronger as a team.

These moments of visible cultural pride matter. They reinforce the power of showing up fully, even when the world feels unsettled. So be bold, celebrate your culture, and allow the world to celebrate with you.