Anamika Khanna on Indian reprensentation and AK|OK's London Fashion Week debut

It's been a monumental night for Anamika Khanna. The Indian designer returned to London Fashion Week after over a decade for the debut of her line, AK|OK. As captivating as her show was to leave the fashion sphere buzzing before India woke up on the other side of the world, it is far from Anamika's first rodeo across the globe. Born in Kolkata and skilled in multiple art forms; from classical dance to painting, Anamika went on to intertwine her reverence for Indian craftsmanship with a contemporary design language. The result was indigenous textiles, embellished capes and her signature dhoti saree which won critical acclaim on the runways of the world, from Paris to London, while also being worn by the likes of Shakira and Oprah Winfrey. The designer; who was HELLO! India's March 2024 cover star with her sons, Viraj and Vishesh as well as the winner of HELLO! Hall Of Fame's Designer of the Year in 2016, now returns to speak to Dayle Pereira-Alemao about her experience at London Fashion Week, Indian representation on the global stage and more.

HELLO!: Detail your experience debuting AK|OK Anamika Khanna at London Fashion Week.

Anamika Khanna: Even though I’ve shown internationally before, it’s AK|OK’s first time at London Fashion Week, and it feels like starting afresh because AK|OK is such a different universe from couture. To introduce it at LFW, where the energy is so experimental and inclusive, felt like the right kind of challenge. There were butterflies, of course, but also this joy of watching the brand take its first big international step. 

HELLO!: What was the inspiration behind your collection and why did you chose to showcase it at London Fashion Week?

Anamika Khanna: The collection really began with this imagined London girl who is effortless, unbothered but with roots in India. Maybe she finds an angarkha in her grandmother’s trunk in Rajasthan and then she makes it her own in London. That interplay of nostalgia and reinvention shaped the whole story. London itself felt like the natural place to showcase it, because the city celebrates individuality and has always welcomed diverse cultures; AK|OK fits into that energy seamlessly.

HELLO!: As India has become a source of inspiration for global designers, how important is Indian representation on the global stage?

Anamika Khanna: I think it’s crucial. India has so much to offer in terms of our craft, textiles, and philosophy of design. It goes far beyond the “ethnic” label it’s often reduced to. When Indian designers showcase globally, it shifts that narrative. It tells the world that India is not just heritage, but also modernity, innovation, and versatility.

HELLO!: What are your thoughts on Indian designs reaching the world and how can international designers do it the right way?

Anamika Khanna: Representation has to come from a place of respect. Our crafts are centuries old, built on generations of knowledge. To simply borrow motifs or techniques without understanding the depth behind them, risks turning them into a costume. The right way is to study, to collaborate with artisans, and to reinterpret in a context that feels authentic. That’s when Indian design truly shines on the world stage.

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HELLO!: How has the Indian fashion industry changed in the recent past?

Anamika Khanna: It’s evolved so much. We’re far more globally aware now, and the industry has become sharper, more professional, and better organised. There’s also this new energy from younger designers who are experimenting fearlessly, yet staying rooted in heritage. And what excites me most is that today’s generation of consumers also wants meaning; it isn’t just buying fashion, they’re buying into its story, its roots, and its meaning.

HELLO!: What do you hope to see happen in the industry?

Anamika Khanna: I hope to see Indian fashion carve out its own global space where it’s not seen as “ethnic” or “exotic,” but simply as fashion with a unique voice. At the same time, I want us to continue preserving our incredible crafts and making them relevant to the next generation. If we can balance the two, global relevance with local authenticity, I think Indian fashion will truly claim its place on the world map.

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