Fashion, elegance, and creativity came alive at this year’s Lakmé Fashion Week, held from October 9 to 13 at the Grand Hotel in Delhi. The 49th edition of this prestigious event, in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), embraced a captivating theme that showcased a diverse array of collections. Highlights included the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge (CDC), an annual competition in partnership with the UN in India, which featured seven finalists—three of them international labels—competing for prize money and the opportunity to showcase their collection on the runway next season.
This year’s lineup was a true feast for the eyes, with Bollywood stars like Bhumi Pednekar and Fatima Sana Sheikh gracing the runway, alongside shining Olympian Manu Bhaker, who stole the show as the showstopper. The event featured the Denim Edit, highlighting iconic designers and sustainable collections from R|Elan™ and Huemn, as well as the debut of Marks & Spencer. From outfits crafted from recycled materials like garbage bags and discarded CDs to playful Hello Kitty and Japanese Harajuku street style looks, alongside exquisite Indian embroidery, Lakmé Fashion Week truly celebrated the spirit of innovation in fashion.
About Lakmé Fashion Week
Founded in 1999, Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) is one of India’s most prestigious fashion events, held biannually in Mumbai. It serves as a platform for both established and emerging designers to showcase a blend of traditional Indian wear and contemporary styles. LFW is known for its elaborate runway shows, often themed around sustainability and innovation, and it includes workshops and discussions that encourage learning and networking within the fashion industry. Attracting a wide audience of fashion enthusiasts, celebrities, and industry professionals, the event has increasingly focused on inclusivity and eco-friendly practices, making it a significant celebration of creativity and innovation in the global fashion landscape.
Best Dressed Stars At The Lakmé Fashion Week 2024 x FDCI
1. Bhumi Pednekar
Bhumi Pednekar dazzled as the showstopper for designer Richa Khemka, wearing a stunning black net and shimmer dress with a fishtail silhouette. The outfit featured a striking long tail, complemented by gold accessories and a bold gold belt that highlighted the dress beautifully. She finished the look with a sleek bun hairstyle.
2. Manu Bhaker
Indian Olympian Manu Bhaker stole the spotlight at Lakmé Fashion Week 2024 as she walked the runway for the Marks & Spencer showcase. Known for her sharpshooting skills, Manu styled in a simple yet elegant black dress in a beautiful autumn-inspired outfit.
3. Shefali Shah
Shefali Shah radiated glamour as she took the runway as the showstopper for Abraham & Thakore’s collection, wearing a breathtaking sequin saree. Her outfit featured a striking jet-black sari crafted from garbage bags and discarded CDs, beautifully embodying the theme of “finding beauty in what the world has discarded.”
4. Tara Sutaria:
Tara Sutaria took the runway for Varsha and Rittu’s collection Awigna, wearing a breathtaking pastel lehenga adorned with exquisite embroidery, making it one of the most glamorous looks at the event. Her delicate jewelry beautifully highlighted the intricate patterns of the lehenga. Radiating in pink, Tara’s hair bun was decorated with flowers, and she completed her look with a bold black and silver choker and matching earrings.
5. Dia Mirza
Dia Mirza walked the runway for designer Samant Chauhan’s bridal collection, Ethereal Bloom. She wore a velvety red gown adorned with floral accents, perfectly reflecting the beauty of flowers and paying homage to the collection’s theme. Her look was enhanced by stunning Indian earrings and a touch of red lipstick, adding a glamorous finish to her elegant appearance.
6. Ananya Pandey
Ananya Pandey took the runway as the showstopper for Rohit Bal’s collection, Kaaynat: A Bloom in the Universe, wearing a stunning red and black embroidered gown. The actress wore a floral lehenga set featuring a heavily draped skirt, a blouse, and a short cape. She complemented her look with natural makeup, a bold red lip, and a messy bun.
7. Shriya Saran
South Indian actress Shriya Saran lit up the runway as the showstopper for designer Payal Singhal. Adorned in an elegant ivory and gold anarkali, complemented by a white necklace, she captivated the audience with a mesmerizing Umrao Jaan-inspired Kathak dance set to the enchanting beats of ‘In Aakhon Ki Masti’.
8. Ujwalla Raut
Indian supermodel Ujjwala Raut closed the show for designer Abhishek Sharma in a stunning beige gown featuring intricate detailing, a thigh-high slit, and a dramatic feather-like train. Inspired by Indian grasslands, the gown utilized layered fabrics shaped like blades of grass. Sharma’s collection beautifully combined kantha embroidery, 3D embellishments, draping, and beadwork for a striking dramatic effect.
9. Shilpa Shetty
Actress Shilpa Shetty graced the runway in a stunning pink bridal lehenga from Megha Bansal’s latest collection, Khwaab—Khwaishyon Ka Shamiyana. She wore a beautiful three-layered lehenga paired with a matching off-shoulder blouse, adorned with sequined work, intricate embroidery, and shiny embellishments. She completed her look with a loose-braided hairstyle and a soft pink-toned makeup.
10. Fatima Sana Shaikh
Fatima Sana Shaikh dazzled as the showstopper for the ‘Chor Bazar’ collection by NIF students Chetan Mali and Mahendra Choudhary showcase their talent. She looked radiant in a fitted ivory outfit with an off-white shirt and a flared skirt cinched with a bold brown belt, complemented by minimal makeup, sleek hair, and elegant gold jewelry.
