This week, Lakmē Fashion Week (LFW), in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and Reliance, will mark a milestone—25 years of shaping Indian fashion.
From its early days at The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai to its upcoming showcase at Jio World Convention Centre, the journey has been nothing short of evolutionary. The Lakmē Fashion Week has been a battleground of creativity, a launchpad for emerging talent, and a spectacle where Bollywood, business, and couture collide in the most dramatic ways. After all these years, it has remained the definitive voice of Indian fashion—defying conventions and setting new trends every season.
You May Also Like: Iconic Men's Met Gala Looks Through the Years
From the groundbreaking introduction of the ‘Gen Next’ program, which launched names like Rahul Mishra, to the spectacle of Bollywood showstoppers redefining runway walks, LFW has continuously rewritten the rules of fashion presentation. It has championed inclusivity with India’s first plus-size model hunt, shattered taboos with moments like Carol Gracias’ maternity walk, and propelled Indian designers onto the global stage, with the likes of Gaurav Gupta making waves at Paris Haute Couture Week.
In celebrating 25 years of LFW, we look back at 25 defining moments that have shaped the fabric of Indian fashion.
The debut edition of LFW saw 33 designers from across India presenting their prêt collections in Delhi. The show at Taj Palace Convention Centre went on for over seven days and hosted 27 shows.The energy was raw, the ambitions high, and Indian fashion had found its first structured platform.
A defining moment for genius Sabyasachi Mukherjee. His game-changing debut collection fused colonial Calcutta’s romance with bohemian street style, and transported audiences to a world of vintage nostalgia.
Malhotra cemented the concept of the celebrity showstopper, bringing Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor to the runway—sparking a trend that remains unique to Indian fashion weeks.
Long before Rihanna made pregnancy fashion a fashion moment, Kareena Kapoor Khan did it first at LFW, glowing as she walked for Sabyasachi in an embroidered lehenga.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell lent her star power to LFW, walking for the Maharashtra Flood Relief Charity Show and cementing the event’s global relevance.
The Gen Next program was introduced as a launchpad for emerging designers, and over the years, it has propelled the careers of some of India’s biggest names. Masaba Gupta, Rahul Mishra, Nachiket Barve, and Aneeth Arora are just a few of the talents who found their footing through this initiative. Today, it remains one of LFW’s most significant contributions to the fashion industry, continuously shaping the future of Indian design.
You May Also Like: Rajesh Pratap Singh's Love Affair With The Royal Enfield Classic 350
In a groundbreaking move, LFW hosted India’s first-ever plus-size fashion show, curated by designer Shilpa Chavan of Little Shilpa. The show challenged traditional beauty standards, offering representation to body types often ignored by the mainstream fashion industry.
After a health hiatus, the former Miss Universe returned to the ramp, embodying resilience and timeless glamour. Walking for designer Sunita Shanker, she received a standing ovation, marking a poignant moment in her career.
At 71, the Bollywood legend walked for Shahin Mannan in a bold red pantsuit.
After years away from the runway, Tabu walked the ramp for designer Gaurav Gupta at Lakme Fashion Week in 2019.
In an unprecedented move, two of India’s biggest fashion entities—the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and Lakmē Fashion Week—came together to present a unified fashion week. This merger marked a new era of collaboration in Indian fashion, bringing together the best of both platforms.
In an unexpected yet delightful crossover, designer Aneeth Arora’s label, Péro, collaborated with Hello Kitty for a whimsical collection at LFW 2024. Blending nostalgia with contemporary fashion, the collection featured vibrant colors, playful motifs, and an effortlessly youthful aesthetic.
Sustainability took center stage as Abraham & Thakore presented a collection crafted entirely from upcycled materials. Garbage bags, old CDs, and discarded fabrics were transformed into high-fashion ensembles, making a bold statement on luxury and waste.
Nepalese model Anjali Lama made history as the first transgender model to walk the LFW runway. Her presence was a powerful moment for diversity and representation in Indian fashion, signaling a shift towards greater inclusivity in the industry.
Monisha Jaising presented a collection aboard a luxury cruise liner, turning the runway into an experience.
You May Also Like: The Shantnu & Nikhil Man Is A Hardcore Romantic
The fashion-meets-performance moment saw Cirque du Soleil artists mesmerize audiences at a grand finale show.
His sculptural couture caught international attention, eventually dressing Beyoncé and debuting at Paris Haute Couture Week.
Originally designed to celebrate traditional textiles, the now “Sustainable Fashion Day” has evolved into LFW’s most important initiatives, blending fashion with conscious choices every year.
For the first time, the LFW runway became a runway for activism with the ‘Save Our Tigers’ initiative. 40 designers united to create a striking collection that advocated for tiger conservation.
You May Also Like: What Makes Rohit Bal Beautiful
The pandemic forced LFW to innovate, moving to a digital format and revolutionizing how fashion was presented in India.
Known for his opulent bridal couture, Tarun Tahliani took a bold step recently with his luxury prêt collection, OTT. His collection is a bold fusion of heritage and contemporary design, proving that ready-to-wear can still be extravagant.
The supermodel made headlines as she walked for designer Gaurang Shah while she was visible pregnant. Her appearance sparked widespread conversations around inclusivity and body positivity.
After a prolonged health setback, the late Rohit Bal made a dazzling comeback at LFW 2024. His collection was an ode to Indian heritage, featuring intricate hand embroidery and Kashmiri influences.
LFW has often merged fashion with social impact, and in 2017, Shades of India partnered with the NGO Kranti to empower girls from Mumbai’s red-light districts. Instead of professional models, the show featured young women who shared their stories through spoken word and fashion.
The supermodel and TV-host walked for Tarun Tahiliani in 2017, in a walk that left everyone stunned. Clad in an exquisitely draped saree-gown hybrid, she exuded confidence, elegance, and power, reminding everyone why she remains an enduring fashion icon.