In a groundbreaking moment for Indian fashion, Shantnu & Nikhil made their debut at Moscow Fashion Week on September 1, 2025, presenting Armouré—their first-ever all-women’s couture collection. Known globally for revolutionizing Indian menswear couture, the designer duo now turns their attention to the modern woman with a fierce, unapologetically powerful showcase that blends Indian craftsmanship with red carpet glamour.
With over 25 years of owning their creative narrative, Shantnu & Nikhil have built a couture language rooted in India’s cultural legacy yet boldly contemporary. Their debut in Moscow—long seen as a cultural crossroads—marks not just an international showcase, but a global statement of intent. “Moscow represents a cultural crossroad, steeped in imperial legacy yet brimming with contemporary appetite for couture,” shared the designers. “Our debut here is more than a showcase; it is a statement of intent. Through this collection, we explore the paradox of the modern woman: sensual yet armoured, intimate yet resistant.“
The collection, titled Armouré, draws from the sensuality of 1930s fashion—an era when silhouettes oscillated between sculptural architecture and draped softness. With shimmering hand-applied embellishments, pearl-studded embroideries, metallic brocade, and cascading crystals, each piece evokes strength with elegance. The colour palette is as bold as its message—dominion reds, midnight blacks, liquid silvers, and opulent pearl tones.
Crafted for women who command attention on their own terms, Armouré lives at the intersection of glamour and power. From sculpted bodices to fluid capes, every design speaks to the layered identity of today’s woman—resilient, sensual, and self-possessed.
Shantnu & Nikhil also credit the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) for making this milestone possible. “The FDCI has played a pivotal role in shaping this cultural bridge between India and Russia, with Chairman Sunil Sethi championing the presence of Indian fashion and craftsmanship to a global audience,” the designers acknowledged.
Denis Alipov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to India, lauded the collaboration: “Their debut at Moscow Fashion Week marks a significant milestone in strengthening cultural ties between Russia and India. Through fashion, this collaboration celebrates national identity, craftsmanship, and the dynamic evolution of design, fostering dialogue within the global fashion community.“
Moscow Fashion Week, culminating on September 2, 2025, is also hosting the BRICS+ Fashion Summit, uniting industry leaders and innovators from over 65 countries to explore the future of fashion, sustainability, and global design conversations. Within this dynamic space, Armouré not only puts Indian couture on the map—it declares its power and place in the modern world.
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