#Updated: Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI—everything that you should know

It’s that time of the season again when all eyes are on fashion and what’s next! With Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI starting today, sartorial enthusiasts have their excitement soaring through the window, especially with the kind of designers showcasing this season. We have a mix of up-and-coming designers and veterans, making it the best of both worlds. 

At Harper’s Bazaar India, we will be keeping you posted on all the exciting highlights and trends, so you can bookmark it, and keep coming back for more. Here is what the lineup for this week looks like:

Day 1

Much-needed conversations around sustainability will find their way as LFW begins on a conscious note. The day begins with a showcase by GenNext designers such as Hiro, Koytoy, Koiai, and Rudraksh Dwivedi. The day will move forward with stunning presentations by Anavila, Akaaro, Doodlage, Bodice, Vaishali S, and others. The closing show will be a grand one with multiple designers such Suket Dhir, Shruti Sancheti, etc. 

Day 2

Take note of the Atelier showcase by Limerick by Abirr N' Nanki, Flirtatious by Aakriti and familiarise yourself with designers like Sameer Madan, Varun Nidhika, etc. Also, don’t miss out on the shows of Tarun Tahiliani, Siddhartha Bansal and Antar-Agni. 

Day 3

On the third day, take in the statement styles and works of designers such as Eshaa Amiin whose experiments with prints, colours and boho-chic styles have always stood out. Stay on to witness collections by Anushree Reddy, Disha Patil, RitikaMirchandani, Namrata Joshipura, Monisha Jaising and of course the ever-favourite Arpita Mehta, known for her use of whites, golds, and mirror embellished work. 

Day 4

The last day of Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI will witness the stellar work of Bhumika Sharma, Sejal Kamdar, and Mahima Mahajan.  Rina Dhaka, Saisha, Drhuv Vaish and Sahil Aneja too will be showcasing their work and collections on the runway—something you definitely don’t want to miss. 

Highlights from day 1 and 2

Sari in its unrestricted, rawest form for Anavila

Spotlighting dabu, a traditional Rajasthani textile printing technique, Anavila’s collection showed sari in its truest shape—free-flowing and fluid. She brought out the versatility of the six yards through myriad, unconventional drapes. 

The ocean came alive in flowy shapes in Vaishali S’ show

Aptly titled ‘Abyss’, Vaishali’s show explored the depths of the ocean through an extravagant showcase. Sea residents like anemones, starfish, seaweed, and even undulating waves were replicated into shimmering weaves crafted with metallic silk. 

Vijay Verma took centre stage for Divyam Mehta’s ‘Kacho’

Actor Vijay Verma closed the show for Divyam Mehta’s Khadi India collection dressed in an exquisite bandhgala and khadi denim combo that featured intricate patterns inspired by Rabari wall art. The Gujarati craft was the mainstay of the designer’s ‘Kacho’ line that was seen on jackets and dupattas too, alongside abstract prints in dual tones. 

Rakulpreet was the perfect showstopper for Shruti Sancheti’s Khadi collection 

Shruti Sancheti’s collection for Khadi India was all about easy-breezy, oversized silhouettes acting as a canvas for fine Mukaish embroidery, block prints, stripes, and checks. Actress Rakulpreet turned muse for the designer and walked down the runway donning an indigo trench paired with a matching embroidered bustier and a panelled, striped shirt. 

Flowy silhouettes and fun prints continue to rule 

Flirtatious India, which has Sanya Malhotra as its showstopper, brought vacation vibes to the runway with its collection that was inspired by the hit TV series ‘The White Lotus’, whose second season took place in Italy. Lemons, umbrellas and more found their way onto breezy outfits. 

Return of maximalism with ITRH’s showcase 

Titled “Dancing Queen”, ITRH’s collection was all about bling, bling, and more bling. A homage to disco, their showcase had multiple showstoppers—Sonakshi Sinha, Anaita Shroff Adajania, Anshula Kapoor, Antara Motiwala Marwah, and Moses Paul to drive home the ‘more is more’ motto. 

Power-walking finds space on the runway with Antar-Agni 

Antar-Agni’s “Disquiet” embodied the title in their showcase that had the models power-walking on the runway. The collection, crafted with gentle, free-flowing cuts in cotton silks and cottons, featured the label’s signature pleats and drapes to create movement. 

Sobhita Dhulipala turned muse for Tarun Tahiliani’s Luxe Pret showcase

Tarun Tahiliani’s collection was an ode to the drape—from man clothing himself in the most basic of drapes to the way it has evolved into myriad forms over time. For the showcase, it was spotlighted through everything from elegant saris, opulent lehengas, to the stunning red sari-gown that showstopper Sobhita Dhulipala donned.