From Aneeth Arora’s pink Barbie playground for péro to Anushree Reddy’s zardozi brides, Tarun Tahiliani’s grooms, Suneet Varma’s ode to Kashi, Ashish N Soni’s pinstripes and Namrata Joshipura’s glittering blacks, Lakme Fashion Week 2026 in partnership with FDCI showed Indian craft at its youngest and boldest. With the festive and wedding season almost here, there is plenty worth stealing for every mehndi, sangeet and reception. Here is the front row.
Kashi Calling
Suneet Varma’s SV traced Kashi from dawn to evening aarti in reds and blacks. Here, an embroidered black corset and wide trousers meet a red stole knotted at the waist, its tail embroidered with Kashi’s ghats.
Shadow Play
Namrata Joshipura’s Obsidian, presented by debutant OPPO, played shadow against shine, with commanding blacks catching the light at every step. One model wore a strapless black blouson top over a floor-length flare beaded in glittering silver zigzags, with matching opera gloves, proof that evening glamour still loves a little drama.
Pink Playdate
Aneeth Arora opened the week with péro’s Barbie collaboration, Dream Dress-Up, presented by Lakme and Tira, and it was pure play: ribbon-bowed pink jacket, tiered skirt, knee socks, butter-yellow heels and a charm-laden basket bag.
Sharp Stripes
Ashish N Soni cut Arvind’s cottons, wools, linens and bamboo into clean, easy tailoring, with select looks heading to The Arvind Stores. Showstopper Jim Sarbh walked in a black pinstripe coat with knit sleeves and a polka-dot bow tie, a sly mix that made old-school dressing feel young.
Corner Office
NIF Global’s students reworked workwear for ‘The Modern Professional’, and Tejasswi Prakash walked in a maroon pinstripe waistcoat, balloon-sleeved shirt and slit grey wrap skirt, jacket in hand.
Something Blue
Anushree Reddy returned to her sketchbook for Maya, piling zardozi, sequins and beads onto brides who dream freely, with Lakme Salon on beauty. Sara Arjun closed the show in a powder-blue fishtail gown with ivory threadwork and a scalloped peplum.
Groom’s Grace
Tarun Tahiliani’s Tasva turned the Tree of Life, Lipan art and paisleys into occasionwear for the modern groom. Showstopper Ali Fazal wore an ivory sherwani over a blush kurta, with an embroidered stole and gold juttis.
Spirited Silk
Samant Chauhan, long a champion of Bhagalpur’s silk weavers, teamed with Radico Khaitan’s Jaisalmer gin, pairing handloom with Indian botanicals through a crafted bar and collectibles. On the runway, a model wore draped ivory silk with an embroidered bralette and belt in pastel florals, under a cropped jacket trailing a sheer cape, finished with a jewelled choker.