Rewild 2026: Anita Dongre rethinks the future of fashion

The year began not with personal resolutions, but with a collective one—to rethink the future of fashion. Under the open skies of Vadodara’s Lukshmi Vilas Palace, couturier Anita Dongre presented Rewild 2026, a fashion fundraiser co-hosted by Radhikaraje Gaekwad, the Maharani of Vadodara. Set against the historic palace, the evening brought together craft, conservation, and conscious design.

Launched in 2023, Rewild by Anita Dongre stems from a cause deeply personal to the designer. At its core, the initiative reinforces the idea that co-existence is essential to the future of fashion. It serves as a quiet yet compelling entry point into a larger conversation on sustainability and fashion for good—something Dongre often describes as the need to “slow down”. “For me, Fashion for Good is about creating beauty with responsibility and intention. Every choice we make as designers, from materials and craftsmanship, carries consequences, and Fashion for Good is about ensuring those consequences are positive. It is about ensuring that the future we shape—of fashion, of nature, and of our communities—is one that we share,” she explains.

Unsurprisingly, the venue itself emerged as one of the evening’s strongest statements. Lukshmi Vilas Palace became both the backdrop and the muse for the showcase—a choice that felt instinctive for the designer. “When I first visited the palace, I instantly fell in love with it. Rewild is about honouring what already exists—our crafts, our ecosystems, and our cultural legacies—and the palace reflects that beautifully,” Dongre shares. Beyond the architecture, the alignment of values made the setting especially meaningful. “I also connected instantly with Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad. Her father, Dr MK Ranjitsinh Jhala, was a pioneering conservationist whose work played a significant role in shaping India’s wildlife protection movement. Knowing that the palace continues to carry forward this legacy of care for the natural world made it feel like the most authentic home for Rewild,” she adds.

 

The palace and its guests bore witness to a luxe prêt collection rooted in craftsmanship yet contemporary in silhouette. Each look felt eminently wish-list worthy, with design, fabric, and intention reflecting the brand’s philosophy while complementing the palace’s timeless grandeur. From romantic chiffons and macramé to the bold richness of Benarasi weaves—and even the unexpected introduction of Bermuda shorts reimagined for the Indian runway—the collection struck a balance between personal expression and deliberate design. “In my early twenties, I wore a lot of sheer chiffons and whites, which is reflected in this collection. For motifs, I was inspired by forests, seen in the colours—deep emeralds, midnight blues, and blacks, complemented by ivories, warm golds, butter yellows, and softer, sunlit tones. We worked with Benaras-woven textiles, airy sheers, hand-painted Pichhwai, and delicate cutwork, allowing each technique to breathe rather than overwhelm,” Dongre concludes.

The experience began with a flower shower and a guided palace tour, followed by a visit to Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum, offering a glimpse into the family’s extensive and remarkable art collection. Highlights of the two-day itinerary also included moments spent around the nearly 140-year-old banyan tree and candid conversations at a café run by the LGBTQAI+ community.

Rewild 2026 stood as a reminder that when fashion leads with purpose, it leaves behind something far more enduring than a fleeting trend.
 

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