The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour concluded its latest edition in Kolkata with a spectacular finale that boldly redefined how Indian craft can evolve in contemporary fashion. Set against the iconic Howrah Bridge, the grand showcase transformed the Hooghly River into an immersive runway, signalling a decisive shift toward fashion’s next chapter.
Held in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the finale featured an experimental collection by designer Anamika Khanna under her AK | OK label, with actor Ishaan Khatter commanding attention as the showstopper. Staying true to the tour’s theme, Future Is Crafted, the presentation challenged the idea of craftsmanship as something fixed in time. Instead, it positioned craft as fluid, adaptive and open to radical reinterpretation.
Anamika Khanna deconstructed traditional techniques such as zardozi, chikankari and mirror work, reconstructing them through futuristic silhouettes, metallic accents and cosmic-inspired graphics. The result was a collection that blurred the line between heritage and innovation, pushing Indian fashion into a more global, experimental space.
The show unfolded on a barge anchored mid-river, turning it into a floating fashion theatre. Dramatic visuals set the tone as divers emerged onto the structure, with light, smoke and sound animating the scaffolding. Models appeared in sync with a pulsating score as responsive lasers shifted with every movement. The narrative built toward striking chainmail ensembles and sculptural forms, before reaching its peak with Ishaan Khatter’s arrival by speedboat, closing the show against the illuminated Howrah Bridge.
Guests were first welcomed aboard The Bengal Paddle, a heritage vessel with museum-like interiors and a riverine exhibition tracing the Hooghly’s cultural legacy, adding depth and context to the evening.
Speaking on the finale, Pernod Ricard India CMO Debasree Dasgupta described the Kolkata chapter as a powerful expression of how tradition and innovation can converge. Anamika Khanna echoed the sentiment, calling the audience’s response to her reimagined craft “exhilarating.” Ishaan Khatter added that being part of a moment where fashion actively shaped the future felt instinctively aligned with his own creative ethos.
