Here's What You Missed On Day 1, 2 and 3 Of The Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI

Embellished bodices, sculpted ballgowns, checkered lungis, and more, at the Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI, the leading luminaries reimagined the ever-evolving fashion landscape, and it was a sight to behold. After a heartfelt opening night at The Kunj, the week returned home to its favourite venue, The Grand, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, for a four-day soirée of fashion, flair, and frenzy.

Here’s everything you missed on from the most-awaited week in Indian fashion:

Papa Don’t Preach by Shubhika x Enamor

Making a bold statement on the Indian approach to womenswear, Papa Don’t Preach, in collaboration with Enamor, presented a cosmos-coded, bejewelled collection of lingerie that honestly deserves to be worn on the outside. With a mix of lehengas and signature Papa Don’t Preach drama, the range redefined innerwear as a canvas for confidence, featuring star-studded lace bralettes, elegant corsets, cropped blazers, decorated veils, and kaleedas as bags, all sitting at the intersection of high-octane glamour, opulence, and self-expression. Inspired and born of the celestial, the mystical and the magical elements of the cosmos, the

Each piece reflected a dreamy journey through the cosmos, featuring thoughtful designs crafted in satin, lace, and embroidery — from strapless balconette bras to wired corsets and sophisticated push-up styles — all made to help women feel powerful and radiant. The showstopper moment came when Ayesha Kanga walked the ramp in a glittering bodysuit paired with a mini black tiered veil and black tights, embodying luxury, boldness, and celestial allure.

Gauri & Nainika x Mothercare

It seems this is the year for unexpected collaborations. Gauri & Nainika teamed up with Mothercare to turn the runway into a fairytale moment, taking the audience straight back to their princess dreams. As the Harry Potter soundtrack filled the air, little models walked the runway in style. Sculpted ballgowns, oil-on-canvas-inspired prints, polka dots, bold florals, and tailored versions of each ensemble made for a show guaranteed to win the “Me and Mini Me” contest.

For Spring–Summer 2026, the designer duo drew inspiration from the romance of painted canvases, moody roses, and light-filled florals to create miniature edits that echoed the richness of their mainline collections. Crafted in silk organza, tulle, chiffon, and silk mikado, the dresses featured full skirts, bows, ruffles, lace, and velvet accents — blending elegance with a touch of whimsy.

Satya Paul

Ditching the traditional runway this time, Satya Paul returned to the week with “The Night Garden” - an immersive glimpse into the brand’s festive prints, reimagined sarees, and modernised drapes, reflecting the brand’s vision of giving a contemporary twist to the Indian classic.. Offering a peek into the future, the house also announced an exclusive upcoming collaboration with actress Aditi Rao Hydari.

Sharing her thoughts on this new partnership, Aditi said, “I am really thrilled and am looking forward to this new creative journey with Satya Paul. The brand’s signature style of reinterpreting the saree with a modern sensibility is exciting. My vision is to build on this foundation by creating versatile, effortless pieces that speak to those who seek beauty and luxury with a strong sense of individuality.”

Abraham & Thakore

Ending Day 3 on a high note, Gen Z favourite Veer Pahariya closed the show for Abraham & Thakore’s “Warp & Weft.” The collection reimagined India’s most humble drapes — the dhoti and lungi — through a futuristic lens, blending cultural nostalgia with global appeal. Models glided down the ramp to Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” dressed in soft Tencel ensembles accented with gajras, staying true to A&T’s signature monochrome palette with subtle hints of red. The designers gave the traditional dhoti a chic makeover, turning it into handkerchief skirts and baby doll tops, while the relaxed lungi was redefined as formal occasion wear.

Women’s wear featured a touch of understated glamour — think sequins, metallic embroidery, and clean, refined silhouettes. Standouts included a plunging mini dress layered under a structured trench coat and slit palazzo pants paired with a peplum blouse. For men, the vibe was effortless yet elevated, with softly tailored bandhgalas, bandhies, and kurtas enhanced by subtle surface embellishments. The checked two-button jacket and fluid trousers exuded quiet confidence.

Bringing the show to a stylish finale, Veer Pahariya made a dashing appearance in white embellished trousers and a detailed bundgala jacket, commanding the runway with easy charisma and refined charm.

To put it simply, experimental yet exceptional. Lack of imagination has been tossed out of the box; this season, designers struck the perfect balance between classic and future-forward - something not everyone manages to achieve.

Day 2

Vibrant hues, unconventional bags, swagger strolls, and so much more went down on Day 2

of Lakmē Fashion Week. With the festive season around the corner and international

recognition at heart, designers diversified their narratives - bridal lehengas, red-carpet

gowns, contemporary menswear, and resort-ready sets - each collection proving that Indian

fashion is as global as it is grounded. Let’s spill the beans on everything that went down the runway (and the ateliers):

Ankush Jain, Jigar & Nikita, and Sanjukta Dutta

Day 2 of Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI opened with a stunning line-up by Ankush Jain, Jigar & Nikita, and Sanjukta Dutta, each presenting a unique take on Indian craftsmanship and storytelling.

Ankush Jain’s “Eternal Bloom” told a royal tale inspired by castles, nature, and grace. With motifs of deer, horses, flowers, and doves, the collection brought together strength and elegance through zari work, 3D embellishments, tassels, and sculpted fabrics. The palette — from sap green and rust to gold and ice blue — created a dreamy yet powerful showcase that felt both poetic and timeless.

Jigar & Nikita’s “11°E” symbolised a creative awakening from the East. “11” holds mystical meaning for the duo and “E” stands for East. The collection symbolised a global awakening of Indian artistry. Dreamy, hypnotic Indo-Western pieces for both men and women came alive through intricate patterns, age-old craftsmanship, and modern silhouettes: grandeur, opulence, and a gilded kind of luxury.

For all the brides (and bridesmaids) reading this — your moodboard just got an upgrade.

Sanjukta Dutta’s “Gadhuli” (meaning twilight) paid homage to the magical hour between day and night. In deep black and maroon tones, she reimagined the traditional mekhela chador into sarees, dhotis, skirts, and anarkalis that felt rooted yet refined. With delicate handwoven motifs and contemporary cuts, the line celebrated women who embody both strength and serenity, capturing the quiet beauty of dusk in every fold.

 Ajay Kumar, Anurag Gupta, and Label Rahul Dasgupta

Ajay Kumar brought his signature flair for colour, print, and drama to the runway with his new collection, The Wild Monarch, at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI for Autumn/Winter 2025. Known for his bold and unconventional style, Ajay’s latest line was a royal celebration of maximalism. The palette was rich and regal with jewel tones of red, gold, yellow, and deep green, while prints and motifs drew from the wild, featuring tigers, peacocks, lotuses, and phoenixes. His menswear silhouettes were strong and sharply tailored, seen in printed bombers, structured jackets, striped pants, colourful parkas, suits, silk kurta sets, and engineered kurtas. Using silk cotton, linen, seersucker, and fine cotton, the collection layered textures and bold prints with zardozi and appliqué details, perfectly blending traditional craft with modern flair.

Anurag Gupta’s “An Ode to Hokusai” paid tribute to the legendary Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai and his iconic Ukiyo-e style. Inspired by the movement of waves and fluid forms, the collection translated Japanese art into fashion, with architectural silhouettes, flowing garments, and intricate surface details. A major highlight was Anurag’s collaboration with IIT Delhi’s IndigoTex, introducing Indiwool Denim, the world’s first 100% indigo-dyed wool denim, made from locally sourced wool from Kullu and Dharamshala and developed using plasma technology. The innovation not only showcased India’s textile prowess but also promoted sustainability, reducing water use and extending fabric life.

Rahul Dasgupta’s “Co-existence” explored harmony among diverse opinions, ideologies, and beliefs, translated into an experimental menswear line. He played with contrasting materials, like denim and silk organza, creating a unique dialogue between rugged and delicate textures. Known for his craftsmanship, Rahul incorporated shibori-dyed yarns, beaded embellishments, and stone work to add festive sparkle. Each piece reflected impeccable tailoring, with relaxed silhouettes and creative surface techniques.

Arjan Dugal and Siddhartha Bansal

At Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI, Arjan Dugal and Siddhartha Bansal brought two distinct yet equally captivating worlds to the runway. From brides to grooms (and their best men), Arjan Dugal’s Fall/Winter ’25 collection declared one thing loud and clear: Indian menswear is far more than suits. With Habutai silk, subtle dori work, and a minimal yet assertive palette, Dugal’s line embodied quiet confidence and charisma. The perfectly tailored kurtas, sherwanis, and Nehru jackets carried that understated swagger, punctuated by red socks peeking through floor-length trousers — exactly the kind of look any wedding crush would wear.

And just like that, the mood flipped — a 180° shift from Dugal’s structured suaveness to Bansal’s flowy fantasy. Paradise City SS’26 felt like a flight straight to Estonia’s summer gardens — an ode to candy skies, jelly flowers, and frozen blooms. Siddhartha Bansal’s “Frozen Blooms” was a whimsical escape into candy hues and translucent textures, inspired by jelly flowers, frozen petals, and summer coolers. With its dreamy palette and romantic undertones, the collection celebrated joy, wanderlust, and cooling sensuality. Silhouettes flowed with ease: kaftans, safari jackets, and co-ord sets in sorbet pastels and candy brights. But the real scene-stealers? The bags. Candy box clutches, beaded handbags, pillow-shaped totes, and floral bouquet purses turned heads, while leather mini pouches and chunky resin bangles sealed the “full bloom” energy.

Samant Chauhan

At Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI, Samant Chauhan’s “First Breath” wowed with a stunning mix of light and shadow, showcasing architectural tailoring on luxurious silks. Swarovski crystals added a soft shimmer, while delicate embroidery enhanced the elegance. The silhouettes were sharp, elongated, and sometimes cinched for a stylish effect, creating a perfect balance of fabric, colour, detail, and shape. “First Breath” was more than couture — it was a dramatic, structured, and refined celebration of modern elegance.

Tasva

When Tasva says “Ladkewale,” they mean it. The brand turned the ramp into a live sehra bandhi, complete with dhol beats, dancing groomsmen, and a line-up featuring celebrity chef Ranveer Brar, Suvir Saran, and actor Ayush Mehra. The Tasva collection is a modern celebration of Indian heritage, blending luxurious fabrics with timeless craftsmanship for the contemporary festive wardrobe. Using silk blends, custom jacquards, and viscose, the collection highlights traditional techniques like Zardozi, pearl, applique, mirror, Aari, and Dori embroidery. Inspired by paisley, Tree of Life, Toile de Jouy, mosaic art, relief sculpture, and Lippan (mud mirror) work, the designs mix grandeur with the subtle play of light. The colour palette ranges from vibrant and earthy tones to traditional wedding shades like ivory, royal jade, gold, taupe, and salmon, offering versatile festive options.

Moscow Fashion Week Presents Hatsibana

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), in partnership with Moscow Fashion Week, showcased Russian designer Fatima Shogenova, founder of Hatsibana. Hatsibana’s latest collection, “Amazon,” was inspired by the artwork of Ruslan Shameev. The line translated bold brushstrokes and rich symbolism into wearable fashion that celebrates female strength and elegance. Intricately handcrafted jackets with graphic prints reflected the abstract elements of the painting, while a palette of deep ochre, gold, burgundy, dark blue, brown, and green captured the spirit of the modern warrior woman. By blending classic silhouettes with eclectic touches, the collection highlighted a perfect balance of power and grace.

Needless to say, Day 2 offered quite the spectacle: the shaadi szn is upon us, and the buffet for buyers has been set, regal, radiant, and refreshingly real. From opulent bridal dreams to menswear with charm, and accessories that screamed individuality, craftsmanship met charisma, with festive fervour in the air and couture on full display. But will the wedding dreams persist, or will the mod glam of high fashion take over?

Day 3

Essé, Kritika Murarka and Richa Khemka

At Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI, Essé, Kritika Murarka, and Richa Khemka presented three unique and captivating collections. Essé’s “Threads in Motion” explored the art of knitting, turning every loop and knot into a story. Inspired by Indian crafts, the collection blended tradition with modern design, celebrating creativity and thoughtful construction.

Kritika Murarka took inspiration from Mata Ortiz pottery, transforming geometric patterns, bird motifs, and earthy textures into silks and cottons. Bold stripes, checks, and hand-drawn prints reimagined heritage crafts for contemporary fashion, emphasising slow fashion and Indian artistry.

Richa Khemka’s “Vantage” drew from nature and landscapes, combining rich velvets, sheer organza, metallics, beads, and pearls. Each piece balanced strength and delicacy, boldness and grace, creating a collection that felt timeless, layered, and deeply poetic.

Nikita Mhaisalkar & Mahima Mahajan

Nikita’s “Beyond” takes us on a journey of hope, faith, and cosmic wonder. Inspired by the idea that everyone carries an inner spark, the collection draws from celestial energy and unseen worlds, celebrating dreams felt more than seen. Mystical and infinite, Beyond is a tribute to the magic just beyond imagination.

FANAH by Mahima Mahajan blends reality and fantasy in a celebration of love beyond the self. Using ethereal pastels, jewel tones, signature florals, delicate embroidery, and soft textures, the collection feels less like clothing and more like a love poem woven in thread and tulle.

Floor kissing gowns, lehenga style saris, anarkalis and more for the ladies with jackets and kurta sets for men, there’s a piece in store for everyone! The designer dedicates the song, “Chaand Sifaarish” to her range which shifted from serene pastel hues to rich jewel tones. The gorgeous Vaani Kapoor closes the show looking like an India Barbie in a baby pink printed lehenga and corset blouse with spaghetti straps, leaving the room in awe of her flair and charm.

Itrh

On Day Three of Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI, Lakme Salon x ITRH presented a gold mine of a collection. Channelling the grandeur of a big fat Indian wedding, the collection featured intricate mirror work, reflective corsets, and rich red-and-gold ensembles, celebrating the radiance of the Indian bride adorned in timeless Jadau jewels and flowing silks. Each piece captured the bride’s journey from a shy young woman to a glowing bride taking her seven sacred steps around the Agni.

With models and their full pallus and bedazzled blinding tops, kicking off the show, we saw a range of tiny cholis paired with lehengas, signature style sarees, and appliqué work anarkalis. Contemporising the traditional, there were mirror-work embellished corsets, with deep necklines and falling straps and fishtail skirts that hugged the body oh-so-effortlessly. With pearl and mirror trails for hair, the designers made a statement.

Closing the show with all her ada and nazaquat, the Bollywood OG - Tabu, in an emerald green brocade anarkali, with a heavy work organza dupatta.

The runway was a masterclass in styling and exclusivity. Tabu closed the show in a stunning emerald green anarkali, perfect for the modern middle-aged woman, while the ever-glamorous Sakshi Sindwani lit up the ramp in a striking blue off-shoulder contemporary saree.

Pankaj & Nidhi

Payal Jain

Payal Jain’s latest collection, “Paris Mon Amour,” was a love letter to the city of lights, inspired by the chic men and women of Paris and their effortless sense of style. Blending elegance with ease, the collection reflected years of the designer’s connection with French fashion. The collection “Paris Mon Amour” is inspired by the effortless charm of Parisian men and women.

The ivory mulmul was highlighted with Chikankari floral motifs, while hand-stitched lace stacks, cutwork detailing in cotton, and layered appliqués brought an exciting and fresh take on East Meets West. Abundance of free-flowing fenim and the fringe detailing added an unconventional quality to the collection. There were free-flowing silhouettes, sometimes cinched at the waist, or in the form of flair pants and skirts. The lace gloves, layered pearl chains, crochet bags, cotton scarves and wicker suitcases with white lilies- all added to the love for Paris the designer resonates with.

Internet personality Nitibha Kaul looked super stylish in an all white embroidered look with relaxed pants and a bikini top, and a much-awaited return to the ramp by Mandira Bedi, closing the show in an elegant white power gown and a sheer long scarf that trailed sensually behind.

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R|ELAN™️ X Ashish Soni

R|ELAN™️ x Ashish N Soni at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI brought the glamour of an imagined evening at the Grand Budapest Hotel to the runway. Black became more than a colour, it set the mood. Sculptural jackets, flowing gowns, and wide trousers played with texture and shadow, creating depth and contrast. Made in collaboration with R|Elan™️, the collection used advanced fabrics that combine performance with elegance, celebrating identity, sophistication, and innovation for those who aim to stand out and own the room.

Shantnu Nikhil

Marking Shantnu Nikhil’s all-women's wear debut on the Indian runway. NEXA presents Shantnu Nikhil Couture at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI. The collection, “Velora,” is a Red-Carpet ode to unapologetic glamour, created in collaboration with the Limited Edition Phantom Blaq by Grand Vitara. Drawing inspiration from the cinematic allure of the 1930s, Velora reimagines the era’s iconic red-carpet glamour through structured silhouettes, flowing drapery, and bold defiance. Corseted bodices, plunging lines, and gowns that move like liquid architecture create a powerful, seductive aesthetic. Designed for women who command attention rather than conform, Velora turns the red carpet into a stage to own.