This season at Lakmē Fashion Week, in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the runway depicted power, femininity, and reinvention through various designs and high-fashion looks. Designers explored fresh silhouettes, bold fabrics, and cross-cultural inspirations, celebrating women who embrace individuality and strength in style.
Top fashion trends
These standout trends will be shaping the new era of occasion wear in coming months.
1. The Corset Comeback:
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Corsets are no longer just a vintage fantasy but they’ve evolved into a symbol of strength and structure. Designer Fatima Shogenova of Hatsibana, as part of the FDCI x Russian Fashion Council designer exchange programme, presented corsets as statement layers over voluminous dresses with exaggerated sleeves, creating a dramatic dialogue between rigidity and flow. She showcased looks that felt both commanding and feminine, perfectly suited for women who like their power dressing with a touch of theatre.
- Style Tip: For those looking to translate this trend off the runway, think of pairing a structured corset belt over a flowing dress or crisp white shirt. It instantly cinches the waist while adding a hint of old-world glamour to a modern ensemble. Choose corsets in softer materials like satin or denim for daily wear and save metallic or embroidered versions for parties or evening occasions.
Design duo Pankaj & Nidhi’s ‘Araquis’ collection reimagined eveningwear through the lens of regal futurism and warrior elegance. The runway shimmered with sculpted bodices, molten gold textures, and armour-like silhouettes that celebrated a woman’s inner strength. One of the standout looks on actress Mrunal Thakur was a golden bodice with a black high-slit skirt displaying power and sensuality in equal measure.
- Style tip: Metallics are making a serious comeback this season, and not just for parties. From burnished golds and smoked copper to silver blues, these hues add instant drama to festive wardrobes. Pair a metallic top with a matte bottom or accessorize your look with subtle gold-toned jewellery to keep the balance between statement and sophistication.
3. Polka Dots and Ruffles:
For those who lean toward romantic and whimsical fashion, Gauri & Nainika’s Spring–Summer 2026 collection is your ultimate muse. The designer duo reintroduced polka dots, full skirts, bows, and ruffles in luxurious fabrics like silk organza and tulle. The voluminous dresses and duchess satin gowns in regal hues brought back a cinematic sense of grandeur.
- Style tip: Whether it’s a ruffled blouse with a pencil skirt or a polka-dotted dress with a cinched waist, the look is timeless yet fresh and perfect for festive brunches or cocktail soirées. Keep accessories minimal and hair styled in soft curls or a sleek bun to let the drama of ruffles and prints shine through.
In Payal Jain’s collection “Paris Mon Amour,” white took center stage as pure, poetic, and powerfully chic. Inspired by Parisian elegance, the all-white ensembles featured embroidered pants, crochet shawls, lace overlays, and hand-stitched appliqués, crafted from Banarasi cotton and ivory mulmul.
- Style tip: From oversized gilets to breezy shirt dresses cinched with floral belts — white-on-white is the new statement for women who prefer minimalism with depth. Add texture through accessories like crochet gloves, raffia totes, or layered pearl jewellery. For eveningwear, pair your whites with metallic heels or bold red lips for a striking contrast.
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