At just 20, Monash student Rithvik Kadiresan (RK) has carved out a distinctive space for South Asian creatives through his fashion label, PAASM.
Over the past two years, he has worked hard to craft a clothing brand of curated pieces that represent South Asian culture — yet PAASM has evolved into something far greater.
What began as a fashion brand has evolved into a platform that fosters culture, community and creative expression.
This vision came to life over the weekend at Sruti 2025, an event that brought together artists, designers and musicians in an intimate setting.
“There was never a third space for these people to connect,” RK said.
“A lot of these people have never even walked in the same building as each other.”
Hosted in collaboration with a local café, Sruti offered a relaxed space for South Asian creatives to meet and celebrate shared heritage through art, music and fashion.
Now in its second year, Sruti saw a wave of new faces and a more streamlined setup, supported by a small but dedicated team.
“It was so small and contained, and we really focused on making sure the artists felt comfortable,” RK said.
“Everyone was willing to help out and be open to new people.”
Highlights of the night included intimate live performances that, as RK described, felt “like doing karaoke with your friends”.
For RK, PAASM is more than just a brand — it’s a cultural movement built on a clear purpose.
It aims to represent South Asian youth through physical fashion garments and community events.
Additionally, the brand cements the notion that creative expression is the solution to the exploitation of South Asian culture.
“To represent our roots aesthetically is our way of reclaiming our heritage,” RK says. “There’s a lot of prejudice, and I think creativity is the way to challenge stereotypes.”
As RK explains, PAASM’s mission is to create “a world where brown culture is packaged aesthetically for the youth — allowing education, appreciation and a sense of pride in self-expression.”
Looking ahead, RK hopes to expand Sruti next year while maintaining its intimate, inclusive atmosphere — a space where people can connect, express themselves and feel seen.
