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.
One of the most anticipated highlights this March is the House of Lakmē Grand Finale, which is set to close with a spectacular showcase by Péro. This is a major milestone for the label, marking its first-ever appearance in the prestigious finale slot.
The spotlight this season isn’t just on the clothes, but also on a significant beauty breakthrough: the new Lakmē 9to5 Beach Edit. As India’s first SPF-infused makeup range, it’s specifically engineered for the intensity of Indian summers and the fast-paced, on-the-go lifestyles of modern consumers. By blending essential sun protection with high-performance formulas for both face and lips, the collection promises a lightweight, sweat-proof, and heat-resistant finish—essentially redefining everyday makeup as something that is as protective as it is performance-driven, even in high humidity.
Parallel to these innovations, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) continues its mission to strengthen the national fashion ecosystem. With a massive network of over 400 members, the FDCI remains the backbone for nurturing the country’s finest creative talent. Their commitment to the “Made in India” ethos is deeply rooted in indigenous crafts and handloom traditions, ensuring that heritage stays relevant on the modern runway.
For those looking at the commercial side of things, the FDCI Showroom at the event provides buyers and attendees direct access to the latest designer collections, reinforcing the “business of fashion” that is so central to the FDCI’s mission. The entire four-day event eventually wraps up with the FDCI Stockroom, giving visitors a rare opportunity to shop these 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 excitement kicks off on opening night with an exclusive presentation by AK|OK by Anamika Khanna, setting the tone for a week of high-energy fashion. Adding to the star-studded lineup, NEXA continues its long-standing partnership with the event to present Manish Malhotra, who will be unveiling his highly anticipated new Luxury Pret line—a move sure to be a major talking point for the season.
But it’s not just about the icons; the platform is also doubling down on the next generation. Through the NIF Global Presents GenNext program, we’ll see breakthrough collections from winners Jubinav Chadha, Taarini Anand, and Saim Ghani. These emerging voices, along with student designers from The Runway initiative, are being given a massive stage to engage directly with industry leaders and the global media.
Sustainability and innovation are also taking a front-row seat this year. Reliance Brands Limited is spotlighting Varshne from CRCLE, the winner of the R|Elan™ Circular Design Challenge, whose work is at the forefront of future-focused, responsible design. We’ll also see a unique denim-led presentation from Payal Pratap in partnership with R|Elan™, and a much-awaited Indian runway debut for Kartik Research—a collaboration with Fashion Trust Arabia and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (NMACC).
For those who can’t make it to the venue in person, the energy of the runway is more accessible than ever. Every single showcase will be streamed live across the Lakmē and FDCI social platforms, as well as on JioTV, ensuring that fashion enthusiasts everywhere can tune in to the action in real time.
Sunanda Khaitan, CMO, Beauty & Wellbeing, Hindustan Unilever, shared, “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. 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.
Beyond the headliners, the schedule is packed with high-concept collaborations and creative debuts. Here’s a quick look at the other major power-players and partnerships to watch for this March:
- Indriya x Amit Aggarwal : 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 high-octane days, this edition of Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI is more than just a calendar event—it’s a landmark showcase where the legends of Indian couture meet the disruptive energy of next-gen talent. As Mumbai prepares for this sartorial takeover, fashion enthusiasts can look forward to a week that doesn’t just follow trends but sets them.
The Power Behind the Runway This iconic event is fueled by a unique triple-threat partnership: the House of Lakmē, India’s trendsetting beauty pioneer since 1952; the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the apex body representing over 400 designers with a mission to take the ‘Made in India’ label global; and Reliance Brands Limited, the powerhouse responsible for bringing the world’s most prestigious luxury and lifestyle names to the Indian consumer.
