About Dhanak Humayun
I am an award-winning New Zealand fashion designer, creative director, and community leader, working under my couture label Rakshi’s Design, named in honour of my mother. Based in Aotearoa New Zealand, my work celebrates storytelling, cultural heritage, and couture craftsmanship through designs that blend South Asian artistry with contemporary global fashion.
My career has taken me across cultures and industries, from fashion runways to film wardrobes. I have created wardrobe pieces for Bollywood films, television series, music videos, and international fashion productions, working with celebrated personalities across Bollywood, Hollywood, and New Zealand, including Colin Mathura-Jeffree, Rajshri Deshpande, and singer Jyotica Tangri. My creations have been showcased internationally, including recognition connected to New York Fashion Week, where my couture work and storytelling designs received attention for representing New Zealand fashion on a global stage.
In 2025, my Matariki couture collection was exhibited at the Papakura Museum as part of a three-month fashion exhibition celebrating Māori storytelling, culture, and the nine stars of Matariki through wearable art. The collection became recognised for combining dramatic couture silhouettes with cultural symbolism and community connection.
Over the years, I have been honoured with numerous awards and recognitions for both fashion and community leadership. I received the Best Fashion Designer in Evening Wear recognition through Dress for Success and have been recognised by leading newspapers, magazines, and media platforms for my contributions to fashion, multicultural arts, and community initiatives.
My work and journey have also been recognised through awards presented by Bollywood actresses Neelam Kothari and Poonam Dhillon, as well as acknowledgements from New Zealand public figures including Vanushi Walters and Greg Fleming and Members of Parliament for my contributions to fashion, arts, and community engagement.
Recognised by
Prime minister of New Zealand
Christopher Mark Luxon
Beyond design, I am deeply involved in leadership and mentorship within the fashion and cultural industries. Dhanak Humayun has served on judging panels for Mrs New Zealand and other international and national pageants for more than five years and was also invited as part of the judging panel at Manila Fashion Week. Through these roles, I continue to support emerging talent, diversity in fashion, and opportunities for women and multicultural communities.
Alongside fashion, I proudly serve as a Local Board Member for Pōkeno under the Waikato District Council, where I remain committed to empowering communities, supporting local arts and culture, and creating platforms that bring people together through creativity and storytelling.
Rakshi’s Design
Rakshi’s Design is a New Zealand-based couture fashion brand that specialises in evening gowns, wedding gowns, cultural couture collections, and bespoke pieces. Each garment is carefully handcrafted, with a strong emphasis on NZ-made quality, cultural storytelling, and sustainable practices by engaging local students and women in the making process.
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Years of Experience
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Gowns Designed
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Client Satisfaction
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Fashion Awards
/ Why Choose Us
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Papakura Museum (2025), with gowns showcased for 3 months
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presented by Bollywood actress Neelam Kothari (2024). Winner of Best Fashion Designer award presented by Bollywood actress Poonam DILLON ( 2023) Awarded by Community Award for fashion designing by Newspapers
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Indian community cultural awards, and multiple fashion magazines
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Papakura Museum, New Zealand designers, and international platforms
