Craft and culture take centre stage at India Couture Week 2026

India's biggest celebration of couture continues to bring together the country's leading designers, each presenting a distinct vision of Indian craftsmanship through a contemporary lens. Hyundai India Couture Week 2026, in association with Nexxus New York and presented by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), has once again become a showcase of heritage, innovation and storytelling, with every presentation extending far beyond the runway.

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On day 5 of the event, the spotlight shifted to Arpita Mehta, who made her India Couture Week debut with Ceremonial, a collection that reimagined India's textile heritage for the modern woman. Revisiting crafts such as bandhani, banarasi, tissue and kantha, the designer celebrated ceremonial dressing as something deeply personal and constantly evolving. Signature mirror work was layered with vintage-inspired gemstone embroidery across sculpted lehengas, fluid sarees, contemporary drapes and occasion separates that balanced tradition with modern ease.

Adding to this season's celebration of Indian craftsmanship, Kunal Rawal unveiled Rawalgarh, a bold expression of contemporary Indian menswear. Presented at Hyundai India Couture Week 2026, the collection explored the intersection of heritage, innovation and modern tailoring through engineered textiles, intelligent construction and evolving craftsmanship. Reinforcing Rawal's signature approach to occasion wear, Rawalgarh reimagined traditional Indian menswear with refined silhouettes and contemporary design, highlighting how couture continues to evolve while remaining rooted in artisanal excellence.

With more presentations still to come in the last 2 days of the showcase, India Couture Week 2026 continues to reaffirm the country's position as a global destination for craftsmanship, creativity and luxury fashion.

(Also Read: India Couture Week 2026's weekend rounds up artistically with a play of colour and structure)