The grand finale of the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour's latest edition concluded in Kolkata, delivering a powerful and experimental narrative that aimed to redefine the future of Indian fashion craftsmanship. The event, set against the iconic Howrah Bridge, turned the historic Hooghly River into a spectacular, unconventional runway.
A Riverine Stage for a Fashion Revolution
The showcase was a collaborative effort with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). It presented an avant-garde collection by celebrated designer Anamika Khanna for her label AK | OK. The collection's core philosophy was to treat traditional Indian craft not as a relic of the past but as a dynamic, evolving force. Khanna deconstructed familiar artisanal techniques like zardozi, chikankari, and mirror work, reassembling them through futuristic tailoring, metallic accents, and graphics inspired by cosmic themes.
The show itself was a theatrical production. It unfolded on a barge anchored in the middle of the Hooghly River, transformed into a floating fashion theatre. The dramatic opening featured divers emerging onto the stage, with scaffolding illuminated by dynamic lights, smoke, and sound. Models walked to a high-energy score as responsive lasers tracked their movement, building palpable tension and momentum.
Star Power and Sculptural Statements
The narrative reached its peak with a powerful series of chainmail looks, presented as a unified statement, followed by sculptural silhouettes designed for motion. The finale delivered a dramatic crescendo when actor Ishaán Khatter, the show's showstopper, arrived via speedboat. His appearance culminated in a collective closing moment with the models, all framed by the majestic Howrah Bridge.
Adding a layer of cultural depth to the evening was The Bengal Paddle vessel. Its museum-like interiors, housing a Riverine Museum with rare marine artefacts, hosted the city's elite before they were ferried to the main barge. This created an immersive cultural backdrop that complemented the fashion showcase's sophistication.
Voices from the Vanguard
Debasree Dasgupta, CMO of Pernod Ricard India, stated that the Kolkata chapter captured the transformative essence of fashion. She emphasized that their 'Future Is Crafted' theme was a statement on the extraordinary potential at the convergence of heritage and innovation.
Designer Anamika Khanna expressed her delight in showcasing a deconstructed and reimagined version of Indian craftsmanship for the modern world, finding the audience's embrace of this bold reinterpretation truly exhilarating.
Showstopper Ishaán Khatter shared that the experience resonated with his instinct to experiment. He found it incredibly exciting to witness craftsmanship break traditional molds and take on a sharper, more expressive form, feeling he was part of actively shaping fashion, not just displaying it.
Sunil Sethi, Chairman of FDCI, highlighted the successful collaboration, noting that the Kolkata edition celebrated creativity and culture while setting the pace for the future of Indian fashion.
The event underscored Blenders Pride Fashion Tour's continued role in steering major conversations within the fashion and cultural landscape of India.
