From emerging designers reimagining Indian craftsmanship to established names exploring new interpretations of heritage, Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) brought together a diverse set of creative perspectives. With student showcases, international design exchange and collections by Subbah Studio, Abhishek Chauhan Studio, Day & Age, Samant Chauhan, Suneet Varma and Tasva by Tarun Tahiliani, the runway offered a glimpse into the evolving language of contemporary fashion.
1. NIF Global’s The Runway Spotlights Student Talent
Exploring the theme ‘The Modern Professional’, NIF Global’s The Runway presented 44 student-designed garments that reinterpreted contemporary workwear through individuality, functionality and personal style. Selected designs were developed further through professional styling, giving students the opportunity to experience the journey from concept development to a professional runway presentation. Actress Tejasswi Prakash walked as the showstopper, adding a celebrity moment to a showcase centred on the next generation of Indian design talent.
2. GenNext Introduces Three Emerging Design Labels
NIF Global Presents GenNext brought together three distinct creative voices. Subbah Studio by Nimisha Diwakar looked at Kolkata's Mullick Ghat flower market for Hustle & the Hue, combining hand-painted Batik, Khadi, silk and intricate embroidery. Abhishek Chauhan Studio’s Alchemy explored transformation and individuality through sculptural silhouettes, experimental materials and unconventional construction. Meanwhile, Day & Age by Shreya Parasrampuria and Sharan Adka presented Neither This Nor That, examining fluid identity through Indian and Iranian mythology. Vintage Kantha quilts became one-of-a-kind garments, layered with appliqué, beadwork and embroidery. Together, the collections demonstrated how emerging designers are reinterpreting craft through distinct contemporary perspectives.
3. Sergey Sysoev Brings Russian Fashion to Delhi
Presented through the FDCI and Moscow Fashion Week collaboration, Russian designer Sergey Sysoev introduced Indian audiences to his approach to contemporary prêt-à-porter. Drawing from Russian folk art, architecture, history and decorative traditions, his design language combined sophisticated silhouettes, tailoring, knitwear and distinctive textile treatments. The showcase offered a perspective on how cultural heritage can inform modern dressing while strengthening creative exchange between the Indian and Russian fashion industries. No individual showstopper was confirmed for the presentation.
4. Samant Chauhan and Jaisalmer Celebrate Indian Craft
Designer Samant Chauhan and Jaisalmer Crafted Bar Collectible brought together Bhagalpur’s silk-weaving heritage and a contemporary interpretation of luxury. Known for his work with regional handloom traditions, Chauhan continues to translate the textile’s distinctive qualities into modern silhouettes. The collaboration extended this craft-led approach beyond clothing through a Crafted Bar experience and special collectibles inspired by Indian craftsmanship. Actress Pavleen Gujral closed the showcase, adding a celebrity moment to a presentation centred on the relationship between traditional skills, contemporary design and the stories behind Indian craft.
5. SV by Suneet Varma Pays Tribute to Kashi
With Kashi, Suneet Varma explored the colours, textures and folklore of the historic city, drawing inspiration from the changing light over the Ganges, from dawn to the evening aarti. Reds, purples, maroons and blacks defined the collection, which featured draped saris, dhoti skirts, jackets and tunics detailed with embroidery, handwork and tassels. Actress Nitanshi Goel walked as the showstopper, bringing the collection’s contemporary interpretation of Indian heritage to the runway. The presentation also reflected Varma’s effort to develop a ready-to-wear vocabulary rooted in Indian aesthetics while appealing to the modern woman.
6. Tasva by Tarun Tahiliani Reimagines Indian Menswear
Tasva by Tarun Tahiliani explored the evolving wardrobe of the modern Indian groom, balancing traditional craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes. Drawing inspiration from the Tree of Life, Lipan art, paisleys and the interplay of light, the collection featured Aari work, Zardozi, mirror work and pearl embellishments. Asymmetrical sherwanis, dinner jackets and Indo-Western ensembles moved between softer shades of ivory, lilac and jade and richer jewel tones. Actor Ali Fazal took the runway as showstopper in an ivory sherwani paired with a shawl, embodying the collection’s understated take on Indian elegance.
From student-led experimentation and international design exchange to craft-led collections and contemporary occasionwear, these six showcases reflected the range of perspectives shaping Indian fashion today.
Day 2 Highlights of Lakme Fashion Week’s First Ever Digital Edition