Lakmē Fashion Week’s 25th anniversary marked a monumental moment in the evolution of Indian fashion, celebrating a journey that redefined creativity, artistry, and innovation. The event provided creative artists with a premier platform to make their debut and lead the way in fashion and beauty. The unforgettable gala, hosted by Lakmē, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), and Reliance Brands, celebrated a rich legacy built over decades.

The evening began with a tribute to the visionaries who had shaped the industry, including Rajesh Pratap, JJ Valaya, Namrata Joshipura, Varun Bahl, Manish Malhotra, Ashish Soni and Tarun Tahiliani among many others, who presented their awe-inspiring creations.

Acclaimed actor and producer Kal Penn hosted the evening, bringing glamour and wit to the event. Known for his roles in The Namesake and the Harold & Kumar series, as well as his tenure in the Obama administration, Penn elevated the gala with his charisma and deep appreciation for artistry.

Superstar Kareena Kapoor Khan returned to the ramp, reprising her role as a face of Lakmē for the second time. She opened the show with a nostalgic speech highlighting her past association with the brand and Lakmē fashion week x FDCI. She was a dreamy vision dressed in a white ensemble.

Over 30 celebrated designers, including several who had previously headlined the Lakmē Grand Finale and shaped the visual language of beauty and fashion at Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI over the years, came together to showcase their creative brilliance. They redefined the integration of beauty and fashion, further enhancing the grandeur of this milestone celebration.

Pic: Lakmē Iconic Faces L-R (Shimona Nath Indrani Dasgupta Lisa Ray Lisa Haydon Saraj Jane Dias Akil Kumar)

Adding to the evening’s star power, iconic Lakmē faces—Lisa Ray, Lisa Haydon, Indrani Dasgupta, Sarah Jane Dias, Shimona Nath and Archana Akil Kumar and more talents who had embodied beauty and grace through the years, returned to the ramp, reviving the magic of past finales and celebrating their pivotal role in defining Lakmē’s fashion legacy.

Pic: Kareena Kapoor Khan returns as Lakmē's face for the second time

The exclusive Gala Red Carpet was hosted by supermodel Ujjwala Raut and fashion expert Jessel Tank, setting the stage for an evening of high glamour and prestige. The evening also featured exquisite and captivating live acts, adding an extra layer of luxury and excitement to the event.

Speaking at the event, Sunil Sethi, Chairman of FDCI, shared, “25 years was a milestone, and for FDCI, this wouldn’t have been possible without our co-travelers, Lakmē and Reliance Brands Limited. In this eventful and design-soaked journey, one thing was clear, the growth of fashion over the years. This year the celebrations were robust, reflecting on how we shaped design and its sinuous curves through crafts and heritage. Let’s raise a toast to the future, forward with insightful and innovative ideas that will change our relationship with style. The trio of Lakmē, Reliance Brands Limited, and FDCI led the way as 30 incredible design gurus. We appreciated everyone who had stood by us rock solid.”

Sunanda Khaitan, Vice President of Lakmē India, added, “Lakmē’s longstanding and consistent commitment to furthering fashion in India was unprecedented. It gave fashion designers, makeup artists, and models a world-class platform to showcase their creativity. While fashion may sometimes feel like it’s only accessible to a select few, Lakmē’s contribution to LFW made it a cultural phenomenon, merging fashion and beauty. For the past 25 years, Lakmē, through innovations debuted each season, led the charge on beauty, bringing beauty trends to India. We collaborated closely with the best fashion talent in the country to curate their collections, complementing the beauty trends for the season.”

Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President of Reliance Brands, concluded, “The platform’s 25th anniversary was not just a celebration, it was a powerful reflection of how far Indian fashion had come and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. This Gala brought together pioneers and pathbreakers of the industry in an unprecedented showcase of design excellence. From iconic designers to global talent like Kal Penn joining us as host, the evening was a historic tribute to creativity, culture, and collaboration.”

Participating designers:
1. Tarun Tahiliani
2. ⁠ Gauri Nainika
3. ⁠Ritu Beri
4. ⁠Varun Bahl
5. ⁠Monisha Jaising
6. ⁠Ashish N Soni
7. Falguni Shane Peacock
8. ⁠Narendra Kumar
9. ⁠Rohit Gandhi Rahul Khanna
10. ⁠Rajesh Pratap Singh
11. ⁠Raw Mango
12. ⁠Pankaj & Nidhi
13. ⁠Alpana & Neeraj
14. ⁠Namrata Joshipura
15. ⁠Shantanu Nikhil
16. ⁠Bibhu Mohapatra
17. ⁠Rina Dhaka
18. ⁠Amit Aggarwal
19. ⁠Rahul Mishra
20. ⁠Anshu Arora
21. ⁠Bodice
22. ⁠Gaurav Gupta
23. ⁠Anamika Khanna
24. ⁠Suneet Varma
25. ⁠Malini Ramani
26. ⁠Manish Malhotra
27. ⁠Anita Dongre
28. ⁠JJ Valaya
29. ⁠Ritu Kumar
30. ⁠Rohit Bal