LAKMĒ FASHION WEEK FASHION DESIGN COUNCIL OF INDIA FDCI MUMBAI JIO WORLD CONVENTION CENTRE HOUSE OF LAKMĒ RELIANCE BRANDS LIMITED INDIAN FASHION WEEK RUNWAY SHOWCASES PERO GRAND FINALE LAKMĒ 9TO5 BEACH EDIT INDIAN DESIGNERS MANISH MALHOTRA NATIONAL
MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
By IFAB MEDIA - NEWS BUREAU - March 12, 2026 | 362 9 minutes read
Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) returns to Mumbai from 19–22 March 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre.
Building on its enduring legacy and influence within the Indian fashion ecosystem, the spotlight now turns to Mumbai where the next chapter of Lakmē Fashion Week will unfold. With its bi-annual editions in Mumbai and New Delhi, the platform has played a defining role in shaping India’s fashion narrative, both nationally and on the global stage.
Presented by the House of Lakmē, the Fashion Design Council of India, and Reliance Brands, the Mumbai edition will serve as a powerful convergence of creativity, commerce, and cultural expression. Founded in 1999 as India’s most definitive fashion week, the platform has evolved into a strong partnership that brings together celebrated designers and emerging talent, while spotlighting bold runway showcases, immersive experiences, and forward-looking conversations around sustainability, diversity, and the future of fashion.
The House of Lakmē continues to define the intersection of beauty and fashion in India, shaping trends at scale and championing self-expression on and off the runway. As a driving force behind Lakmē Fashion Week, the brand has consistently positioned the platform as a space where cutting-edge design meets next-generation beauty innovation, season after season.
The House of Lakmē Grand Finale this March will close with a spectacular showcase by Péro, marking the brand’s first-ever Grand Finale. In focus is the new Lakmē 9to5 Beach Edit, India’s first SPF-infused makeup range designed for Indian summers and on-the-go lifestyles. Blending sun protection with high-performance formulas across face and lips, the collection delivers sweat-proof, heat-resistant, lightweight finishes that last through long days and humidity, redefining everyday makeup as both protective and performance-driven.
With over 400 members, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) continues to strengthen and expand India’s fashion ecosystem by supporting, nurturing, and spotlighting the country’s finest creative talent. Deeply rooted in India’s rich heritage of indigenous crafts and handloom traditions, FDCI remains committed to championing the “Made in India” ethos. Through initiatives such as the FDCI Showroom at the event, buyers and attendees gain direct access to designers’ latest collections, reinforcing the business of fashion central to FDCI’s mission. The four-day initiative culminates in the FDCI Stockroom, offering visitors an opportunity to shop designer creations at exclusive, limited-period prices.
This season, FDCI presents a thoughtfully curated lineup of showcases celebrating both established names and emerging voices. Highlights include FDCI Boys Club, featuring dynamic collections by Countrymade, Dhruv Vaish, Sahil Aneja, and Vivek Karunakaran, each bringing a distinctive perspective to contemporary menswear.
The season will also see FDCI x KVIC, where Samant Chauhan, Shruti Sancheti, Pawan Sachdeva, and COEK present their latest collections, alongside the return of FDCI x Pearl Academy First Cut, spotlighting cutting-edge work from standout students of Pearl Academy reaffirming FDCI’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and nurturing future talent. The opening night will feature an exclusive presentation featuring AK|OK Anamika Khanna. Continuing its long-standing association with fashion, NEXA presents Manish Malhotra, where the designer will unveil his new Luxury Pret line.
Under the designer discovery programme NIF Global Presents GenNext, winners Jubinav Chadha, Taarini Anand, and Saim Ghani will unveil their breakthrough collections, highlighting fresh perspectives and emerging creative voices. Alongside this, The Runway, another signature initiative by NIF Global, will feature curated showcases by emerging designers, offering students a dedicated platform to experiment, innovate, and engage with industry leaders, media, and fashion enthusiasts.
Further elevating the season, Reliance Brands Limited spotlights the winner of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge, with Varshne from CRCLE set to showcase her collection on the runway. Having emerged from one of India’s most forward-looking sustainability initiatives, the showcase celebrates circular, responsible, and future-focused design. In addition, R|Elan™ partners with Payal Pratap for a denim-led runway presentation, highlighting innovation in fabric development and responsible design. A highlight showcase will be the debut of Kartik Research on the Indian runway as part of the Fashion Trust Arabia collaboration with Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (NMACC). Together, these initiatives reinforce Reliance's commitment to nurturing talent and championing forward-thinking creativity on the runway.
Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI remains one of India’s most anticipated fashion destinations, drawing audiences from across the country and beyond. Extending its reach beyond physical boundaries, every showcase will be streamed live across Lakmē, Lakmē Fashion Week, and FDCI social platforms, as well as on JioTV on OTT, bringing the energy of the runway to fashion enthusiasts everywhere in real time.
Sunanda Khaitan, CMO, Beauty & Wellbeing, Hindustan Unilever, shared, “For us, fashion and beauty have always been deeply personal forms of self-expression. This season, we wanted to focus on beauty that feels intuitive, modern, and easy to make your own. With the launch of Lakmē 9to5 Beach Edit, we’re embracing a more practical, summer-ready approach to makeup, one that brings together sun care and performance in a way that fits seamlessly into everyday life. For the House of Lakmē Grand Finale, we are delighted to collaborate with PERO, a brand whose deep-rooted craftsmanship and design language resonate strongly with our vision. Together, fashion and beauty will celebrate authenticity and individuality, translating the spirit of the runway into looks that feel expressive yet effortless."
Commenting on the upcoming season, Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI, said: “Every edition of Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI is an opportunity to reflect on how far Indian fashion has come and where it is headed next. Returning to Mumbai feels especially meaningful as we continue to build a platform that supports designers at every stage of their journey. This season is about encouraging creativity, strengthening the business of fashion, and creating real opportunities that help Indian design grow with confidence and purpose.”
“Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI continues to be a platform where creativity, collaboration, and talent come together in meaningful ways. The Mumbai edition brings forward designers who are not just showcasing collections, but shaping the future of Indian fashion. Working closely with our partners, we’re proud to support initiatives that encourage innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth for the industry.” added Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands.
Other major showcases include:-
● Marking a significant first, Indriya comes on board as presenting partner for the first time, spotlighting Amit Aggarwal renowned for his sculptural, future-forward couture that seamlessly blends innovation, craftsmanship, and a distinctly modern Indian aesthetic.
● SUPIMA Presents AFEW Rahul Mishra: A fashion showcase spotlighting AFEW Rahul Mishra’s refined take on luxury cotton, craftsmanship, and contemporary elegance through SUPIMA.
● Lakmē Salon x Verandah: Lakmē Salon partners with Verandah to bring a showcase of bold design and contemporary fashion. This collaboration celebrates craftsmanship, creativity, and the next generation of style innovators.
● 1664 x Abraham & Thakore: A powerful collaboration blending Abraham & Thakore’s intellectual minimalism with 1664’s contemporary retail lens, spotlighting modern Indian design codes.
● NEXA Spotlight returns as a platform championing emerging talent, continuing its commitment to nurturing designers reshaping the industry with originality and forward-thinking creativity. This season, spotlight winner Anurag Gupta takes centre stage, presenting his showcase as the newest voice to emerge from the initiative.
● 360 ONE Presents Aisha Rao: Aisha Rao’s maximalist, print-forward universe takes center stage in a showcase that celebrates colour, craftsmanship, and individuality.
● Leading Designer labels Bhumika Sharma, Ritika Mirchandani, Chola, Satya Paul will additionally showcase this season.
● MAX comes back on the runway with a collection titled “Unserious Everything”
Spanning four days, the event brings together celebrated names and next-gen talent for a series of landmark showcases. Please refer to the attached schedule for the comprehensive line-up.
