At the heart of India Couture Week 2025’s Day 3 showcase in New Delhi, two design powerhouses—Amit Aggarwal and Falguni Shane Peacock—presented strikingly different yet thematically resonant collections
As India Couture Week 2025 unfolded in New Delhi, Day 3 brought together two distinct visions of grandeur and identity. While Amit Aggarwal invited audiences into the microscopic poetry of the human genome with his DNA-inspired collection Arcanum, Falguni Shane Peacock turned the spotlight on the opulence of Indian royalty with Raj Mahal Bijoux. Bridging the realms of science and heritage, structure and sparkle, the evening was a spectacular reminder of how Indian couture continues to evolve—layered, conceptual, and unapologetically regal. Making the moment even more iconic was Akshay Kumar’s dazzling return to the runway, adding star power to an already show-stopping night.
For Amit Aggarwal, couture has never been confined to the superficial—it is a science, a philosophy, a living organism. With his latest collection Arcanum, unveiled on Day 3 of the Hyundai India Couture Week 2025, the designer dissected the very DNA of being, crafting a multi-sensory fashion experience that transcends fabric.
Split into five evocative chapters—Origin, Bloom, Pulse, Mutation, and Memory—Arcanum unravels the intimate choreography of life itself. From the cocoon-like ensembles of Origin, where life lies dormant, to the lush blossoming of Bloom with petal-like pleats and luminous polymers, each piece is coded with intent. Pulse sees garments animate with metal veinwork and parametric structures, while Mutation embraces chaos through asymmetry and dynamic textiles. The finale, Memory, channels ancestral artistry through ikat-inspired sculptural couture, elegantly bridging heritage and futurism.
Aggarwal’s visual language—constructed through micro-pleats, sculpted polymers, and crystal topographies—invites the audience to wear not just a garment but a transformation. In Arcanum, fashion becomes metaphysical. The jewellery collaboration with Isvari and accessories by Nebula by Titan complemented the collection’s ethereal energy, accentuating its conceptual depth.
In contrast, Falguni Shane Peacock’s showstopper collection Raj Mahal Bijoux turned the lens toward India’s majestic legacy, weaving a shimmering narrative of palatial grandeur. Held at the opulent Taj Palace, the collection drew from the timeless elegance of Indian royalty—from Baroda’s marble peacocks to Jaipur’s gilded halls—translating architectural splendour into couture fantasy.
This season’s pièce de résistance? Actor Akshay Kumar’s much-awaited return to the runway after a decade. Clad in a pristine ivory sherwani, Kumar cut a regal figure as he closed the show, bringing the collection’s modern maharaja vision to life. The ensemble, tailored to precision and adorned with subtle gold detailing, captured the effortless confidence of the Falguni Shane Peacock muse: stately, powerful, and unapologetically elegant.
Raj Mahal Bijoux featured a parade of sheer veils, ornate capes, and draped silks interspersed with zardozi embroidery, sequinned textures, and heirloom-inspired detailing. Jewel-toned accents, referencing uncut diamonds and emeralds, paid homage to India’s legendary royal treasures. Yet, nothing felt dated—the silhouettes, though steeped in tradition, exuded a contemporary sensibility perfect for the new-age couture consumer.
The designers’ continued emphasis on craftsmanship—highlighted through their collaboration with Archana Aggarwal Jewellery—is a reminder that Indian couture is as much about the hand as it is about the imagination.
While Amit Aggarwal immersed the audience in a molecular narrative of transformation, and Falguni Shane Peacock revived the grandiosity of royal India, both collections ultimately spoke a common language: one of legacy, identity, and reimagination. Whether it’s the double helix or a diamond-studded sherwani, Day 3 of India Couture Week 2025 proved that couture is not just worn—it is decoded, preserved, and reborn.
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As Akshay Kumar’s return to the ramp trended across platforms and fashion enthusiasts applauded Aggarwal’s cerebral couture, Day 3 stood as a masterclass in how Indian fashion continues to evolve—rooted deeply in its past, while boldly redefining its future.