The September fashion edit: From modern take on Indian heritage to Formula 1 deals

September's fashion scene is influenced by a revitalised conversation between tradition and innovation, from luxury brands forming unexpected creative collaborations to traditional craftsmanship. These are the newest releases, partnerships, and artistic innovations leaving their mark on the fashion industry, from Kutch's elaborate beading and India's vast textile archives to Celine's reinvention of a classic athletic design and Dior's entry into the film industry.

These are the most recent releases and industry advancements shaping fashion discourse, from brand-new designer partnerships and heritage-led collections to new interpretations of Indian craftsmanship and luxury's changing creative landscape.

Where Kutch's heritage meets contemporary fashion and fine jewellery 

Kartik Research and MOI Fine Jewellery come together in a collaboration exploring the evolving language of Indian craftsmanship, identity and belonging. While Kartik Research reinterprets inherited techniques through contemporary design, MOI traces the communities, histories and rituals that give these practices their meaning. Rooted in Kutch’s rich material heritage, the collaboration draws on Western India’s glass beadwork traditions, including motibharat, with MOI creating handcrafted beadwork buttons for a select few Kartik Research jackets. Bringing together traditional technique and contemporary fashion, the project will be celebrated through a meet-and-greet at Kartik Research’s Manhattan store on September 18, followed by a preview of MOI’s latest fine jewellery collection, including its Serai Collectibles line, on September 19.

Kareena Kapoor Khan joins Ritu Kumar for a heritage-inspired collection 

Ritu Kumar and Kareena Kapoor Khan are coming together for a collection that draws from the fashion house’s rich textile archives while giving its heritage a contemporary interpretation. Referencing Jamawar weaves, Chintz florals, Farrukhabad block prints, and regional embroidery traditions, the collection brings archival influences into modern silhouettes. The collaboration also builds on Kareena’s longstanding relationship with the house, including Ritu Kumar’s restoration of the Pataudi heirloom she wore for her wedding. With the actor representing the collection, the partnership marks another chapter in their association while exploring how India’s textile heritage can evolve for a new generation.

Surily G's Gulnaar brings a festive mood to modern heirlooms 

Surily G’s latest chapter of Modern Heirlooms 2026, Gulnaar, brings colour, craftsmanship, and occasion dressing together for the festive season. Conceived by designer Surily DP Goel, the 15-look collection is designed around celebrations ranging from garba nights and pujas to mehendis. Rich silks are detailed with mirror work, pearls, coins, resham embroidery, and appliqué across lehengas, drape skirts, kaftans, shararas, sarees, and kurta sets. A palette of pink, yellow, gold, and ivory adds to the celebratory mood, while the collection continues the designer’s contemporary interpretation of Indian craftsmanship.

Celine reimagines Reebok's iconic fitness sneaker in butter-soft leather 

Celine has given Reebok’s iconic Freestyle Lo a luxurious makeover, transforming the 1982 fitness sneaker into a butter-soft lambskin leather style. One of the first athletic shoes designed specifically for women, the original silhouette is reimagined under creative director Michael Rider, retaining its low-top profile, perforated toe box and padded construction. Celine’s signature branding and refined leather finish lend the sporty design a distinctly Parisian edge, while eight colourways—including Peanut, Oxblood and Fluo Red—offer a contemporary take on the nostalgic sneaker. The collaboration reflects fashion’s continued interest in elevating archival sportswear through a luxury lens.

Gap debuts the GapBag collection by Reed Krakoff 

Gap is expanding its accessories offering with The GapBag Collection, designed by Reed Krakoff, the brand’s executive director of accessories. Launched on September 8, the collection comprises five silhouettes: the Five-Pocket Tote, Hoodie Tote, Favorite Tote, Crescent Bag, and Shoulder Bag. Drawing from Gap’s recognisable design language, the bags feature denim washes, jean-stitch detailing, and hoodie-inspired elements. The Five-Pocket Tote references the construction of classic Gap jeans, while charms and keychains offer opportunities for personalisation. Priced from $30 to $148, the collection extends the brand’s American aesthetic into everyday accessories, balancing functionality with a more elevated approach to handbag design.

Jaipur Rugs brings the art of Indian craft to Mumbai with its new Empire Mills flagship

Jaipur Rugs has unveiled a new 20,000 sq. ft. flagship at Mumbai’s historic Empire Mills in Lower Parel, bringing together the city’s textile heritage and the brand’s weaving traditions. Housed within a former industrial warehouse in the Girangaon precinct, the space retains original architectural elements, including its Victorian steel structure, pitched roof and clerestory glazing, while introducing an immersive retail experience centred on Indian craftsmanship. More than a conventional showroom, the flagship presents contemporary collections and heritage weaves through curated environments of colour, texture, and material. Artisans hand-weave rugs in real time, while mesh partitions offer a glimpse into the making process. A vertical rug archive and suspended origami-inspired metal-bird installation further shape the space. The flagship reflects Jaipur Rugs’ evolution into a global Indian design brand, placing craft, provenance and the artisan at the centre of its retail experience.

Prada expands its historic galleria in Milan into a new multi-level destination 

Prada has expanded its historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II location in Milan, where the company, originally founded as Fratelli Prada in 1913, opened its first-ever point of sale. The newly transformed eight-floor complex brings together womenswear and menswear boutiques, Marchesi 1824, art, private hospitality, and PRADASPHERE, the brand’s first permanent exhibition tracing more than a century of creativity. The space also introduces the APPARTAMENTO, a private setting imagined as an 18th-century apartment featuring an exhibition curated by photographer Andreas Gursky, alongside Passaggio Segreto, which connects the women’s and men’s stores through lesser-known pieces from Prada’s archives. Atop Marchesi 1824, PRADASPHERE brings together artefacts spanning fashion, art, architecture, film, culture, and sport, offering an immersive look at the house’s evolution from 1913 to the present day.

Louis Vuitton, Nicolas Ghesquière, and Pat McGrath unite for their first beauty collaboration 

Louis Vuitton has unveiled its first beauty collaboration between artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière and makeup artist Dame Pat McGrath. The limited-edition collection celebrates the house’s iconic Monogram through a selection of eye and lip products, including two eyeshadow palettes, Monogram Dune and Monogram Infrarouge, alongside four lip colours. Bringing together McGrath’s beauty expertise and Louis Vuitton’s distinctive visual codes, the collection explores contrasting colour stories through luxurious packaging, marking another development in the fashion house’s expanding beauty universe.

Swadesh and Mayyur Girotra come together to reimagine India's textile heritage

Swadesh is set to host an exclusive preview of its collaboration with designer Mayyur Girotra on September 17 at its Eros IMAX flagship in Mumbai. Bringing together Swadesh’s celebration of India’s artisanal traditions and Girotra’s contemporary design sensibility, the collaboration reinterprets the country’s textile heritage through a modern lens. The intimate preview and high tea will spotlight the craftsmanship of India’s weaving communities, celebrating the relationship between traditional techniques and contemporary design. The collaboration places craft, culture, and innovation at the heart of the evening.

Dior and A24 take fashion beyond the runway 

Dior has announced a two-year creative partnership with independent entertainment company A24, bringing fashion and film together through a programme spanning cinema, theatre and live events. The collaboration begins at A24’s historic Cherry Lane Theatre in New York, reflecting the fashion house’s interest in cultural storytelling beyond traditional runway presentations. Developed during Jonathan Anderson’s tenure at Dior, the partnership explores the intersection of fashion, filmmaking and performance, creating new avenues for creative exchange between the two industries.

Gucci Enters Formula 1 with a New Partnership with Alpine

Gucci has announced a partnership with Alpine that will see the fashion house become the team’s title sponsor for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The agreement brings together Gucci’s luxury identity and motorsport’s performance-driven world, extending the brand’s presence into a space where fashion, sport and global culture increasingly intersect. Announced in 2026 ahead of the upcoming season, the partnership reflects the growing relationship between luxury fashion and Formula 1’s international audience.

Tarun Tahiliani Presents Autumn Winter 2026 Through the Lens of India Modern

Tarun Tahiliani has unveiled his Autumn Winter 2026 collection, bringing his signature philosophy of India Modern to life through a showcase celebrating contemporary Indian occasion wear, presented alongside the launch of BMW’s new 7 Series range in Delhi. Rooted in the designer’s approach to reinterpreting Indian craftsmanship, the collection explores the relationship between structure and fluidity through sculptural corsetry, pre-draped sarees, architectural lehengas, tailored jumpsuits, and elevated separates. Drawing inspiration from Byzantine opulence, Rococo florals, Pichwai, Zubeida, Crystal Relic, Impressionism, and Chantilly Lace, the collection brings together intricate embroidery, heritage weaves, crystal embellishments, and lightweight fabrics. 

Dario Vitale appointed creative director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani accessories

The Armani Group has appointed Dario Vitale as Creative Director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani Accessories, making him the first person outside the Armani family to take on the role. Bringing extensive experience in the international fashion industry and a focus on product, quality and contemporary design, Vitale’s appointment marks a new chapter in the Group’s creative direction while respecting the aesthetic values established by Giorgio Armani. Taking on the dual role with immediate effect, Vitale will contribute to the evolution of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani’s accessories offering, bridging innovation with the houses’ established design identities. 

As fashion continues to evolve through the interplay of heritage and innovation, September’s latest developments reflect an industry that is looking beyond conventional boundaries. From India’s rich artisanal traditions finding new expressions to luxury houses embracing fresh creative partnerships, these launches and collaborations reveal how craftsmanship, culture, and contemporary design continue to shape fashion’s next chapter.

Lead image: The brands 

Also read: What’s making fashion headlines this August

Also read: September’s biggest fashion news, launches, and collaborations