The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) is returning with the Hyundai India Couture Week 2026 in association with Nexxus New York, scheduled from July 23 to 29. While the core of the event remains anchored at New Delhi’s Taj Palace, this edition marks a historic structural shift — for the first time in the platform’s history, the inaugural showcase is moving out of the capital.
This year’s curated lineup features a powerful mix of heritage legends and contemporary innovators. The distinguished list of couturiers and design houses presenting their collections includes JJ Valaya, Tarun Tahiliani, Anamika Khanna, Rahul Mishra, Falguni Shane Peacock, Kunal Rawal, Rimzim Dadu, Rohit Bal, Masaba, Aisha Rao, Jayanti Reddy, Arpita Mehta, and Roseroom by Isha Jajodia.
Collection by Amit Aggarwal
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Special Arrangement
On July 23, the event makes its first-ever out-of-State detour, landing at the historic Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad with designer Anamika Khanna showcasing her collection. Her opening collection is a poetic look at a “lost civilisation”, told through both menswear and womenswear. Instead of just sending down pretty garments, Anamika is focussing on the women behind the looms. “At its heart, the collection is a celebration of the women whose labour, intuition, and artistry have preserved cultural narratives across generations,” she says.
For her, the Hyderabad debut is about balancing legacy with the present. “I am continually interested in how craft can remain deeply rooted yet feel entirely contemporary,” she says. FDCI chairman Sunil Sethi is banking on this change of scenery to set a new tone. “Anamika’s work is deeply rooted in craft while constantly pushing creative boundaries,” he says, calling the out-of-State move a landmark moment for the platform.
Outfit by Amit Aggarwal
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Special Arrangement
Once the showcase returns to New Delhi’s Taj Palace, the remaining designers will take the runway, culminating in a grand closing show on July 29 by globally-acclaimed designer Rahul Mishra. One of the country’s leading couturiers, the husband-wife duo of Falguni-Shane Peacock will open the show in Delhi on July 24 and are “excited and honoured” to be doing so. “It is a privilege to mark this moment alongside Kohler and the Fashion Design Council of India, whose shared commitment to craftsmanship, innovation and design continues to inspire us,” they say.
JJ Valaya’s Autumn-Winter 2026 collection will feature his signature layered historical narratives and theatricality. The designer points out that the real challenge for contemporary Indian couture lies in how it defines itself globally. “Our strength in craft and artisanal excellence is unquestionable, but I believe the future will depend on moving beyond craft as the principal narrative. Strong design identities, original thought and the ability to build distinctive ’houses’ will define the next chapter,” Valaya says. He emphasises that the global industry needs to recognise Indian fashion for its intellectual contributions rather than just its manufacturing capabilities.
Falguni-Shane Peacock with Akshay Kumar
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Taking up Valaya’s cue of moving ‘beyond craft as the principal narrative’ is Rimzim Dadu, for whom expanding the definition of couture beyond conventional wedding wear remains a career-long focus. “For me, couture has never been defined by bridalwear. It’s defined by curiosity,” Dadu explains. “I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of transforming the familiar into the unexpected — making steel behave like fabric, turning architectural references into garments, or using materials in ways they were never intended to be used.” This season, Rimzim is pairing her signature steel wire techniques with mother-of-pearl, a pairing inspired by Mughal inlay work and historic jewellery. “I was interested in the contrast between the two — one industrial and structural, the other organic, delicate and luminous. You’ll definitely see steel this season, but not in the way you’ve seen it before. It’s softer, more sculptural and more intricate, almost dissolving into the garment rather than announcing itself.”
While Rimzim uses Mughal heritage to experiment with industrial metals, Jayanti Reddy uses it to reshape classic textile forms. Marking her third consecutive year at India Couture Week following her 2024 debut, Jayanti is continuing her exploration of regional heritage, turning to Hyderabad’s architectural landscape for inspiration. Moving away from last year’s upcycled textiles, her latest collection reinterprets Nizami design elements, including arches, jalis, carved stucco, and old palace interiors, into contemporary forms. “This season, the inspiration comes from the timeless beauty of Hyderabad’s architecture and the elegance of the Nizami era. I wanted to reinterpret them in a modern way rather than recreate them,” she notes.
Jayanti Reddy and Jhanvi Kapoor
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Special Arrangement
Looks like the message from the runways this year is pretty clear — Indian couture is actively designing its future in a way that ensures its rich heritage remains deeply rooted yet entirely contemporary.
Published – July 16, 2026 04:40 pm IST