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Rkive city to present ‘Reclaim The City’ at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI 2025 with R|Elan

Sustainable fashion label Rkive city, winner of the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge 2024, is set to debut its first solo runway collection, Reclaim The City, at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI on 27th March 2025 at The Atelier, Jio World Convention Centre. This milestone follows their victory in the prestigious competition, organized in partnership with the United Nations in India to promote circular fashion.

Launched six years ago by Reliance Industries Limited, the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge (CDC) has emerged as a leading platform for sustainable innovation. In collaboration with Lakme Fashion Week and global partners like Istituto Marangoni, British Council, and Redress Design Challenge, CDC nurtures emerging designers who redefine the fashion industry through eco-conscious practices. Since expanding globally in 2023, it has reinforced its mission to drive circularity across the UK, EU, and Asia-Pacific.

Reclaim The City is a 36-look collection that explores memory and transformation through reconstructed textiles. Built from salvaged scraps, repurposed denim workwear, and reimagined silhouettes, each piece is crafted entirely from post-consumer materials.

Techniques such as block printing, patchwork, and creative waste management breathe new life into discarded garments, particularly office shirts once deemed imperfect. The collection highlights the beauty of repair and reinvention, preserving cultural elements in a rapidly modernizing world.

As Mumbai undergoes massive redevelopment, Rkive city’s collection serves as a reminder to balance heritage with progress. For the brand, revival is not nostalgia but an active reimagining honoring the past while shaping the future of sustainable fashion.

Rkive city to present ‘Reclaim The City’ at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI 2025 with R|Elan

FDCI to host dedicated menswear showcase at Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI 2025 in Mumbai

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) will host The Boys Club, a dedicated menswear showcase, at Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI on March 27 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

The showcase will feature three collections: Metamorphosis by Anurag Gupta, Monolith by Linetribe, and Nawabs of Bengal by Roy Calcutta. It aims to highlight the increasing influence of contemporary menswear and further strengthen the presence of menswear in the Indian fashion industry.

Emphasizing on the council’s commitment to supporting menswear designers, Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI, following the success of FDCI India Men’s Weekend 2025 in Jaipur, the Council is carrying that momentum forward with this showcase at Lakmé Fashion Week.

The council is proud to see Indian menswear evolving, and support emerging designers, two of whom will be making their debut at the fashion week, he adds.

The 2025 edition of Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI will be held from March 26-30, 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

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Actor Adhyayan Suman collaborates with Divita Rai for luxury fashion brand, ‘Duchess Kumari’

Actor Adhyayan Suman will collaborate with former Miss Universe India Divita Rai and designer Alka Suman to launch a luxury fashion brand titled, ‘Duchess Kumari.’

The brand, ‘Duchess Kumari’ will be launched with two distinct ranges; pret and bespoke that will include pantsuits, gowns, dresses, etc.

The brand’s designs will include a bold mix of Indian textiles like brocades, raw silk, chanderi, and ikkat coupled with western-inspired elements such as bows, polka dots, pearls, and crystal embellishments.

In a joint statement, Suman and Rai say, the brand is a product of the prevalent mindset shift amongst individuals that emphasizes on creating one’s own success story rather than waiting for an opportunity to do so,

The brand will launch its debut collection on March 23, 2025.   

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LFW X FDCI 2025 to launch with AK|OK show in Mumbai

The 2025 edition of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) X Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) will launch with a fashion show by designer Anamika Khanna’s label AK|OK in Mumbai.

The fashion show will be held in collaboration with Lakme 9 to 5 hya-matte range. The collection celebrates bold, ambitious women who own their space, lead with confidence, and inspire others with their strength and individuality, says Khanna.

Sunanda Khaitan, Vice President, Lakme adds, the initiative brings together two legacy brands that share a deep commitment to innovation and individuality. Rooted in effortless sophistication, Khanna’s signature aesthetic perfectly complements the Lakme 9 to 5 hya-matte range with both being designed for the modern woman who balances style with substance.

Scheduled from March 26-30, 2025, Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI 2025 edition will be held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. 

LFW X FDCI 2025 to launch with AK|OK show in Mumbai

Indian fashion retailers speed up collections as demand for new styles rises

Fashion retailers like Arvind Fashions, Trent, Blackberrys, and Madura Fashion & Lifestyle are accelerating their collection rollouts, shifting from the traditional six-month cycle to frequent launches. This shift aligns with rising consumer demand, particularly from Gen Z, for fast-changing styles influenced by social media trends.

A recent study reveals that 11 per cent of collections now launch in 3-5 months, with 2 per cent reducing lead times to under three months compared to the previous norm of 6-9 months for 39 per cent of collections.

Retailers are streamlining supply chains to improve agility. Arvind's Vice-Chairman Kulin Lalbhai notes that moving from wholesale to direct distribution has enhanced control and speed. Trent’s MD, P Venkatesalu, says manufacturing timelines have shrunk by 20 per cent due to improved ecosystem efficiency.

Startups like Groyyo, Zyod, and Fashinza are leveraging tech to cut design-to-launch times from six months to six weeks. They optimize procurement, track production, and reduce inventory risks. Zyod co-founder Ankit Jaipuria says they create nearly 10,000 styles monthly.

With tech-driven efficiencies, Indian fashion retailers are rapidly adapting to a dynamic market, ensuring quicker, trend-focused launches.

Indian fashion retailers speed up collections as demand for new styles rises

India to boost presence at Moscow Fashion Week with collections by two FDCI brands

India will boost its presence at the Moscow Fashion Week this year, with two brands by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI): Khadi India and designer Samant Chauhan showcasing their collections at the event.  

Known for his exquisite embroidery on Bhagalpur silk, Chauhan is a regular at international fashion events. He emphasizes, the opportunity offered by the Fashion Week allows the brand to expand its global reach and connect with the Russian market, he says. The platform allows the brand to showcase its designs to an international audience, adds Chauhan.

The collaboration between Moscow Fashion Week and the FDCI has fostered a strong exchange between the two fashion scenes. Last year, known for its modest fashion, Russian label Measure made a successful appearance at Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI in India. This year too, the brand will make a comeback with its collection in Moscow.  

Another Russian brand, Solagel will present its evening wear featuring crystal-embellished fabrics. The brand’s designs have graced celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, and Jennifer Lopez, who recently wore a custom leopard-print jumpsuit by the brand in the UAE.

Continuing  to strengthen its position as a major fashion hub, Moscow Fashion Week fosters international collaborations while also showcasing diverse design talent.  

India to boost presence at Moscow Fashion Week with collections by two FDCI brands

The future of fashion belongs to disruptors, says Arvind’s Kulin Lalbhai

Disruption is no longer a choice but a necessity in the fashion industry, said Kulin Lalbhai, Vice Chairman, Arvind, in a keynote address at The Economic Times Great India Retail Summit 2025 in Mumbai. “The future belongs to those who disrupt themselves before being disrupted,” he asserted, urging brands to rethink their strategies in an era dominated by digital innovation, rapid inventory shifts, and sustainability concerns.

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With a legacy spanning 120 years, Arvind has been at the forefront of India’s fashion evolution—introducing denim to the country and building iconic brands like Arrow, Flying Machine, U.S. Polo, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein. Lalbhai emphasized continuous reinvention is the key to survival. “Retail has always centered around the store, but today, the real battleground is the smartphone,” he pointed out, a paradigm shift towards digital-first consumer engagement.

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India’s evolving fashion market

India’s fashion industry, valued at $100 billion and growing at 10 per cent annually, faces a paradox. While brands grapple with sluggish consumption trends, consumer demand remains strong for those who can innovate.

Citing an example, Lalbhai noted, “While we discuss sluggish consumption, the same market saw Mahindra sell Rs 9,000 crore worth of EVs in a single day. There is demand, but brands must evolve to tap into it.”

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To thrive in this rapidly shifting landscape, Lalbhai outlined three key transformations that fashion brands must embrace:

Become smarter:  AI-driven decision-making, is replacing traditional manual planning across design, sourcing, merchandising, and marketing. “Data-backed insights will soon dictate every aspect of fashion retail,” he said.

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Become faster: The era of seasonal collections is fading, making way for real-time inventory turns and instant trend adaptation. Brands must be agile and responsive to ever-changing consumer demands.

Become greener: Sustainability is no longer a mere value-add; it is a fundamental expectation from consumers. “Eco-friendly processes and responsible sourcing are now critical to long-term brand loyalty,” Lalbhai stressed.

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The retail revolution, a call to action

Lalbhai’s vision for ‘Fashion 4.0 goes beyond adaptation—it’s about leading the charge in retail disruption. “Retail’s next phase isn’t about keeping up—it’s about leading the disruption,” he concluded, challenging industry leaders to take bold steps toward digital transformation, operational efficiency, and sustainable fashion practices.

As brands navigate the complexities of modern retail, Lalbhai’s insights serve as a reminder that the future will favor those who proactively embrace change rather than react to it.

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