Sometimes, all it takes to live through life is a little magic. On Day 3 of Lakmē Fashion WeekXFDCI, we were reminded of a world full of wonder at designer Siddhartha Bansal’s Spring/Summer 26 showcase ‘Paradise City’. As the show began, the candy colours of bright yellows, greens, reds, orange and fuschia pink danced in front of us on the runway in safari jackets, flirty column dresses, relaxed kaftans, and fluid co-ord sets. On them, jelly flowers and frozen blooms inspired by ice candies, and cake decorations added a layer of decadence and romanticism, in a nod to Bansal’s idea of creating “happy dressing”.
What further caught our eye was unconventional accessories — from tiny pouches that doubled up as necklaces, tinted glasses, pillow bags, candy box clutches, organza boots, printed scarves to floral bouquet clutches that built a complete narrative about how a “fashion forward lady”might actually live and travel in a paradise city.
For Bansal, a textile design graduate from NIIFT, who believes in creating wearable art pieces, this collection highlights the story of the designer’s muse – a global citizen, who is constantly on the move from one city to another. She lives fully in each moment, romanticizes life and brings happiness wherever she goes. “Smart, well-read, and passionate about art,” she curates her personal style with souvenirs and accessories collected during her travels, creating an ensemble that’s deeply personal, eclectic and bohemian.We sat with the designer post show to take notes on vacation wear trends, and what defines the fashion and style of global citizens of today.
What’s the inspiration for your LFW collection Paradise City?
It’s really about finding magic in the everyday. Paradise City celebrates those small moments we often rush past – a perfect morning coffee, light hitting a window just right, the way a city feels at dawn. The collection captures this spirit of living fully in each moment and finding joy wherever you are. The visual inspiration came from these unexpectedly beautiful things: ice crystals melting in the sun, elaborate cake decorations, that glassy translucence of hard candy. Frozen flowers especially – there’s something so fragile and stunning about them. I kept thinking about textures that make you want to touch them, colors that make you smile. That sense of wonder and curiosity drove the entire collection.
Tell us about your love for travel, and any memorable places that have inspired this collection.
Travel, for me, has always been about collecting pieces of the world. This collection explores the idea of the modern nomad – someone who moves fluidly between cultures and cities, picking up inspiration everywhere. It’s about curating personal style with souvenirs and accessories from different places, creating something deeply individual. The aesthetic is eclectic, bohemian, built on this belief that borders are artificial—that we’re all connected, just separated by lines on a map. Paradise City reflects that philosophy: every piece can stand alone or come together with others, like memories from different journeys combining to tell one story.
Tell us about the fabrics, colour palette, and motifs in the collection.
The colors are unapologetically joyful – sorbet pastels, candy brights, these gorgeous ice-dyed gradients that feel like summer distilled into fabric. The motifs include jelly-beaded florals that almost look edible, pressed-petal designs that feel like botanical specimens come to life, and crystal embellishments that catch light in unexpected ways. Everything flows like water – the fabrics have this liquid quality, reshaping rather than constraining. There’s a cooling sensuality to the pieces, like capturing the freshness of a perfectly frozen flower. It sounds abstract, but when you see them, it makes complete sense.
Which embroidery techniques or embellishments are used in the collection?
The craftsmanship got pretty wild with this one, honestly. We’re doing 3D hand embroidery that literally transforms flat fabric into sculptural, almost architectural surfaces. It’s intricate needlework – the kind that takes time and real skill. Crystal-like embellishments scatter across pieces, jelly-beaded florals add dimension, pressed-petal motifs create texture. Everything’s meant to be touched, to create this tactile experience beyond just visual appeal. The embellishments aren’t decoration—they’re integral to how each garment tells its story.
Which vacation wear trends will be outdated this season, and what is going to replace them?
I think we’re moving past seasonal predictability and conventional vacation wear formulas. Paradise City operates through what I call playful soft power – reimagining utility with romance. Safari jackets become whimsical, structured pieces gain fluidity. The collection challenges the idea that vacation dressing has to follow certain rules. We’re blurring lines between art and attire, between what’s expected and what surprises you. Soft-power tailoring replaces rigid resort uniforms. That shift feels overdue.
What defines a global citizen today?
It’s about curiosity, being well-read, genuinely interested in the world beyond your immediate bubble. A passion for art and culture. But more fundamentally, it’s understanding that we’re all connected. that divisions are artificial and what unites us is real. The collection reflects this through its eclectic, bohemian sensibility: nothing matches conventionally, but everything works because it’s authentically assembled. Being a global citizen isn’t about passport stamps – it’s about openness, empathy, and carrying the beauty of the world with you, whether in perspective or in the pieces you collect along the way. Paradise City embodies that philosophy.
