Category: Fit & Fabulous

Fit & Fabulous

Blenders Pride Fashion Tour Redefines Craft, Shapes Fashion’s Next Move in Kolkata

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Blenders Pride Fashion Tour brought its latest edition to a powerful close in Kolkata, delivering a breakthrough fashion narrative that challenged conventional ideas of craft and design. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Howrah Bridge, the finale transformed the Hooghly River into an immersive runway, where fashion moved beyond tradition and into a bold new future.

In collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India, the showcase featured an experimental collection by designer Anamika Khanna’s AK | OK, with actor Ishaan Khatter as showstopper. The collection dismantled familiar craft techniques such as zardozi, chikankari, and mirror work, reassembling them through futuristic tailoring, metallic elements, and cosmic-inspired graphics, positioning craftsmanship as a living, evolving force rather than a static tradition.

The show unfolded on a barge anchored mid-river, turning it into a floating theatre of fashion. Divers emerged onto the structure as light, smoke, sound, and responsive lasers brought the space alive. Models appeared from within the scaffolding, building momentum as the narrative intensified, culminating in bold chainmail looks and sculptural silhouettes. The finale reached its peak with Ishaan Khatter’s dramatic arrival by speedboat, closing the show against the illuminated Howrah Bridge.

Adding depth to the evening was The Bengal Paddlevessel, which hosted guests within its museum-like interiors before transporting them to the barge. The Riverine Museum inside, featuring rare marine artefacts and installations tracing the Hooghly’s legacy, provided a rich cultural context that complemented the contemporary showcase.

Speaking on the occasion, Pernod Ricard India CMO Debasree Dasgupta said the Kolkata finale embodied the spirit of the tour, reinforcing the idea that heritage and innovation can converge to create transformative fashion experiences. Designer Anamika Khanna described the collaboration as an opportunity to deconstruct and reimagine Indian craftsmanship for the modern world, while Ishaan Khatter noted that the experience resonated with his own instinct to experiment and move beyond the expected. FDCI Chairman Sunil Sethi highlighted the collaboration as a celebration of creativity and a marker for the future of Indian fashion.

The Kolkata finale underscored Blenders Pride Fashion Tour’s vision of shaping fashion’s next move, where tradition evolves, innovation leads, and craft finds renewed expression on a global stage.

Fit & Fabulous

Blenders Pride Fashion Tour Shifts into High Gear with Jaipur’s Motorcore Showcase

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Blenders Pride Fashion Tour drove fashion firmly into the fast lane as it arrived in Jaipur with an electrifying showcase that blended the thrill of motorsport with the boldness of high-fashion innovation. Marking the next chapter of the Tour’s evolving narrative, the Jaipur edition celebrated “Fashion’s Next Move,” transforming the runway into a space where speed, precision, and style collided.

In collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the showcase reimagined the traditional catwalk as a dynamic motorsport circuit. Leading designers Namrata Joshipura and Abhishek Paatni embraced motorcore-inspired aesthetics, drawing from racing silhouettes, metallic finishes, tactical forms, and the raw energy of the racetrack. Their designs created a symphony of movement and power, giving the audience a futuristic vision of where India’s fashion is headed.

Adding to the spectacle, Harnaaz Sandhu captivated as the show’s finale showstopper, exuding glamour and confidence with each step. Rapper Raftaar closed the night with a performance that matched the pace and pulse of the showcase, blending sound, rhythm, and attitude into an electrifying climax. Together, they embodied the seamless fusion of culture, celebrity, and contemporary creativity that defines the Tour.

The experience unfolded across three conceptual laps—The Start Line, The Pit Lane, and The Glam Night—each segment offering a new layer of storytelling. The stage shifted continually, evolving from sharp racing silhouettes to sleek chrome-driven ensembles, ending with a high-voltage display of glamour. The night culminated with a thrilling sports car stunt that elevated the audience’s excitement and reinforced the theme of speed and power.

This edition amplified India’s cultural and creative frequency, capturing a mood that is sharp, fast, and unstoppable. The Tour positioned itself as a catalyst for shaping new conversations in the world of fashion, blending craftsmanship, technology, performance, and bold creative direction. Pernod Ricard India CMO Debasree Dasgupta shared that the Tour’s ambition has always been to shape cultural narratives, and the Jaipur chapter took this aim further by uniting motorsports and fashion in an immersive experience.

Designers Abhishek Paatni and Namrata Joshipura echoed this sentiment, expressing how the collaboration allowed them to experiment with new energies, aesthetics, and forms. Their collections demonstrated a fluid yet powerful integration of speed and couture, presenting a vision of fashion that moves boldly towards the future. Harnaaz Sandhu described her experience as an adrenaline-filled moment of confidence, while Raftaar praised the Tour for pushing fashion onto an entirely new track. FDCI Chairman Sunil Sethi highlighted the synergy between two major fashion institutions joining forces to set new creative benchmarks.

With Jaipur leaving a blazing trail of fashion and adrenaline behind, the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour now heads to Kolkata. There, designer Anamika Khanna will reinterpret craftsmanship through a contemporary lens, with Ishaan Khatter as showstopper on December 20. The Tour continues its journey by constantly reinventing the runway and steering Indian fashion toward fresh, powerful, and forward-moving expressions.

Fit & Fabulous

Beyoncé Returns to the Met Gala After 10 Years as 2026 Co-Chair

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Beyoncé is returning to the Met Gala for the first time in a decade, stepping into the spotlight as a co-chair for the 2026 edition of fashion’s biggest night. Vogue announced that the “Cowboy Carter” creator will host the May 4 event alongside Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams and Anna Wintour. The prestigious annual gala, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will also mark the debut of the museum’s new 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries, named after the legendary magazine publisher behind Vogue, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. The Met revealed that the upcoming exhibition, titled “Costume Art,” will be the first major showcase within the new space.

Designer Anthony Vaccarello and Zoë Kravitz will serve as co-chairs of the Met Gala Host Committee, joined by notable members including Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat, Gwendoline Christie, Misty Copeland, Elizabeth Debicki, Lena Dunham, Lisa, Sam Smith, Teyana Taylor, A’ja Wilson and others. With such an impressive lineup, the 2026 gala promises to be one of the most star-studded in recent history.

Beyoncé’s last Met Gala appearance was in 2016 for the “Manus x Machina” theme, where she stunned in a nude Givenchy Haute Couture gown. Over the years, she has delivered some of the gala’s most iconic looks, including her unforgettable sheer Givenchy gown for the 2015 “China: Through the Looking Glass” theme. She made her Met Gala debut in 2008 and attended annually from 2011 to 2016, often choosing designs from Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci.

Vogue highlighted her influence in its announcement, noting that her long, groundbreaking career — spanning her Destiny’s Child era to her global superstar status today — has produced countless memorable fashion moments. Her return as co-chair is expected to bring another show-stopping red carpet moment after ten years away.

Met Gala co-chairs are not just figureheads; they play an important role in shaping the event. Along with hosting the night, they collaborate with Anna Wintour on guest lists, décor and the evening’s menu. Co-chairs are also known to take the stage during the dinner portion of the event, which remains off-camera for attendees only. With Beyoncé now part of the leadership for the 2026 gala, anticipation for the event — and the fashion — has never been higher.

Fit & Fabulous

Prada Acquires Versace in $1.38bn Deal, Reshaping the Luxury Fashion Landscape

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Prada has announced the successful acquisition of Versace in a $1.38bn deal, marking one of the most significant shifts in the luxury fashion sector in recent years. The purchase brings together two of Italy’s most celebrated fashion houses, strengthening Prada’s position in an increasingly competitive global luxury market dominated by conglomerates such as LVMH. The price tag represents a considerable loss for Versace’s former owner, Capri Holdings, which acquired the brand for approximately $2bn in 2018.

The sale comes at a time when Versace has experienced slowing sales, along with other Capri-owned labels including Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. During its ownership, Capri oversaw a creative shift at Versace, steering the brand away from its signature ornate aesthetic toward more minimalist styles while simultaneously increasing prices. The transition followed the departure of Donatella Versace, who stepped down as creative chief in March after leading the fashion house for 27 years following her brother Gianni’s death.

She was succeeded by Dario Vitale, formerly a design director at Prada’s youth-oriented label, Miu Miu. Capri Holdings stated that proceeds from the sale will be used to significantly reduce its debt, strengthening its financial position moving forward. Meanwhile, Prada expressed optimism about Versace’s long-term potential, with Prada CEO Andrea Guerra noting earlier this year that the brand represents a major strategic opportunity.

Prada confirmed in a brief statement that all regulatory approvals have been secured, officially closing the acquisition and ushering in a new era for Versace under Prada’s expanding luxury portfolio.

Fit & Fabulous

Celebrate the Wedding Season in Style with Fabindia’s 2025 Wedding Collection

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Weddings are more than ceremonies; they are moments woven with emotion, celebration, and beauty. Fabindia’s Wedding Collection 2025 embraces this spirit with a range designed to elevate every experience of the wedding season.

The collection offers a colourful blend of tradition, craftsmanship, and contemporary elegance, bringing together bright hues, natural fabrics, and flattering silhouettes. Whether you are attending a traditional South Indian wedding, a joyful North Indian sangeet, or a sophisticated evening reception, the pieces are thoughtfully crafted to ensure you feel confident, graceful, and celebration-ready. The garments highlight the finest Indian craft techniques, from delicate embroidery and intricate weaving to thoughtfully placed hand-block prints.

Fabindia’s collection includes options for men, women, and children, allowing families to coordinate beautifully for every festivity. Alongside the apparel, the brand also curates accessories including footwear, jewellery, and bags that complete every look with effortless charm. Beyond fashion, Fabindia’s fabHOME collection adds depth to the gifting experience, offering treasures that are meaningful and timeless.

With beautifully crafted home décor items, elegant serving pieces, and festive essentials, each piece embodies craftsmanship and the warmth of heartfelt gifting. Choosing something from fabHOME means offering more than a present—it is sharing a sentiment that enhances the significance of weddings and family celebrations.

With its 2025 Wedding Collection, Fabindia invites everyone to immerse themselves in the joy, colour, and artistry that make every wedding moment unforgettable.