Tag: Art

Fit & Fabulous

IBFW 2025 Wraps Up 11 Iconic Years with Power-Packed Designer Showcases and Timeless Fashion

Tanisha Cardozo

Timex India Beach Fashion Week (IBFW) 2025 concluded its milestone 11th edition with a spectacular showcase of resort and beach fashion at the Hilton Goa Resort. Over two dynamic days, Asia’s premier destination for resort wear once again pushed creative and cultural boundaries — spotlighting top designers, emerging labels, innovative brand collaborations, and a forward-looking fashion ecosystem.

The runway came alive with diverse styles and unforgettable moments. Abhishek Sharma’s grand finale, presented by Timex India, stole the show with “Analog Life” — a tribute to elegance and the passage of time, brought to life by a sculptural installation of 1000 Timex watches and model Prathamesh Maulingkar as the showstopper. Live music by Cyrus Rodrigues and his Coastal Collective added an immersive energy that defined the spirit of analog living in a digital world.

Campus Shoes joined forces with label EESUM and youth icon Srishti Kaur for “The Pulse of Youth” collection, powered by a high-voltage runway presence from actor Fatima Sana Shaikh. Rooted in the brand’s ethos of movement and self-expression, the showcase celebrated individuality and energy through vibrant athleisure, redefining footwear as both statement and comfort.

The collaboration between grooming brand Gatsby and menswear label Toffle brought a bold, modern twist to men’s streetwear. Led by Kunal Thakur, the collection celebrated precision, movement, and effortless confidence — with style expressed not just in appearance, but in attitude.

Other standout designers included Bhawna Rao with her glittering “Night Cocktail” line featuring Mukti Mohan; Asmita Marwa, who infused mindful, sustainable design into luxurious silhouettes; and Pria Kataaria Puri, whose unapologetically glamorous “Resort Luxe” line embodied global jet-set energy. MANACA Streetwear, REANA, Samia Khan, Sakshi Bindra by Aerocidade, Mia Magell, KIINARA, Kamakhya, NoorGhar and many others rounded out a lineup that was vibrant, experimental, and globally resonant.

Beyond the runway, IBFW 2025 continued to champion fashion as a platform for dialogue and progress. The Future Fashion Conclave, powered by Dive Collective and led by Dr. Archana Bhatnagar, hosted a compelling panel that examined the role of design in shaping sustainable, inclusive futures for fashion in India.

Founder & CEO Pallav Ojha described the event as more than a fashion week — a cultural hub of design innovation, storytelling, and industry evolution. Neha Asthana, Co-Founder, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the craft-meets-culture narrative that IBFW has successfully nurtured for over a decade.

Timex India’s Managing Director Deepak Chhabra added that the partnership brought to life the watchmaker’s belief in timeless design and meaningful collaborations — blending heritage with a modern lens.

From design showcases to live music, thought leadership to trendsetting fashion, IBFW 2025 brought together the best of India’s resort fashion industry in one stunning celebration. As the sun set on its 11th edition, India Beach Fashion Week reaffirmed its status not just as a showcase — but as a movement in the global fashion conversation.

Fit & Fabulous

BTS’ V Goes Viral at Paris Fashion Week for Sweet Moment with Uma Thurman

Tanisha Cardozo

Kim Taehyung, better known as V of global sensation BTS, made waves with his appearance at the 2025 Celine show during Paris Fashion Week—but it wasn’t just his fashion-forward outfit that caught attention. A heartwarming and now-viral gesture towards actress Uma Thurman has made headlines around the world, reinforcing V’s reputation as not just a K-pop icon, but a global gentleman.

Arriving in a sleek tailored brown coat over a white shirt and subtle leopard print tie from Celine’s latest collection, V once again proved his status as a front-row favorite. His natural hairstyle and understated makeup added a layer of effortless charm to the overall look. As a global brand ambassador for Celine since March 2023, Taehyung’s appearance marked another milestone in his flourishing relationship with the French luxury house.

However, it was a candid moment shared with American actress Uma Thurman that truly stole the show. As the two mingled before the runway presentation, a gust of wind tousled Thurman’s hair, prompting V to step in gently and assist her in fixing it. The short interaction, captured by media cameras, quickly spread across social media platforms. Fans and commentators were quick to praise the BTS star for his gentlemanly behavior, with many calling it the most wholesome moment of Paris Fashion Week.

Social media erupted with admiration. From tweets praising him as a “chivalrous and gallant man” to Instagram comments highlighting his warmth and charm, fans couldn’t stop talking about the endearing exchange. References to his iconic “Yes, I’m a bad boy” meme made their way into the conversation, humorously contrasting his public persona with his soft-spoken actions.

Since becoming Celine’s official global ambassador in 2023, V has consistently drawn attention with every appearance—from Seoul to Cannes and now Paris. His ability to blend fashion, personality, and global influence continues to redefine how K-pop idols move through the world of haute couture. His presence at Paris Fashion Week this year was yet another reminder of why V is one of the most beloved figures in both music and fashion.

Events in Goa

Design Thinking Takes Center Stage at First Fridays’ 17th Edition in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Panjim, October 2025 – The 17th edition of First Fridays, Goa’s monthly creative gathering, brought together design professionals, startups, and innovation enthusiasts to explore the transformative power of Design Thinking. The session, hosted by the Creative Community of Goa in collaboration with the Association of Designers of India (ADI) Goa Chapter and supported by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell (SITPC), was held at Biz Nest, Co-Working Space, Patto, Panjim on Friday, October 3, 2025.

The evening featured a thought-provoking session led by Dr Sneha Bhat, Assistant Professor, Strategy & Consulting at Goa Institute of Management (GIM). With an emphasis on empathy, user experience, and iterative problem-solving, Dr Sneha unpacked the five key phases of the design thinking process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. She highlighted that design thinking is not just a method but a mindset—one that puts the user at the center of every decision.

Dr Sneha illustrated the difference between traditional tools such as surveys and the human-centered insights gained through design thinking. She pointed to Apple’s revolutionary design of the iPhone, where features like “pinch to zoom” were born from observing real user behavior. “Apple didn’t just create a product; they designed an experience,” she noted.

The audience, comprising designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and students, engaged deeply with the conversation, gaining actionable insights on applying design thinking across disciplines—from product development to service innovation and organizational change.

The event also featured remarks from Shri DS Prashant, CEO of the Startup & IT Promotion Cell, who emphasized Goa’s vision to become a destination for design-led innovation. He highlighted ongoing efforts to nurture a startup ecosystem that prioritizes creativity, local talent, and product-building. “A draft design policy is now in circulation for feedback, and initiatives like First Fridays play a key role in strengthening Goa’s creative infrastructure,” he said.

First Fridays has grown into a platform where Goa’s creative and tech community converge to exchange ideas, build networks, and foster innovation. This edition further contributed to the broader vision of positioning Goa as the Creative Capital of India—where art, design, and technology intersect to build a future rooted in creativity and purpose.

International

BTS’s RM to Curate Landmark Exhibition at SFMOMA: A First for K-pop and Modern Art

Tanisha Cardozo

BTS’s RM is about to make history once again — but this time, not on stage. The global K-pop icon will step into the art world as a solo curator with RM X SFMOMA, an ambitious exhibition set to open at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) from October 2026 to February 2027. The collaboration, announced by BigHit Music on October 3, marks the first time a K-pop artist has curated an exhibition with the prestigious U.S. institution, positioning RM as a cultural bridge between the realms of music and modern art.

The initiative stems from SFMOMA’s recognition of RM’s refined taste, deep engagement with art, and growing influence beyond the music industry. RM, known for his frequent museum visits and art commentary on social media, has personally shaped the concept and selected works for the exhibition. According to Yonhap News, the project positions RM not only as an artist but also as a visionary curator.

The exhibition will showcase approximately 200 pieces, blending RM’s private art collection with selections from SFMOMA’s extensive archive. These works span across various mediums — including painting, sculpture, and contemporary experimental pieces — and highlight renowned Korean modern artists alongside celebrated international names. Many of these pieces will be shown to the public for the first time, offering a unique cross-cultural and personal perspective on art.

In his official statement, RM emphasized his hope that the exhibition will encourage viewers to reflect on cultural, temporal, and geographic boundaries. “There is no fixed way to appreciate these works,” he said, “but I hope this exhibition becomes a small yet solid bridge for many.” His curatorial approach is rooted in inviting a broad audience to experience art beyond labels and expectations.

SFMOMA’s chief curator, Janet Bishop, praised the collaboration, calling it a rare opportunity to witness an intimate and meaningful conversation between RM’s artistic sensibility and the museum’s world-renowned collection. The exhibition is expected to attract wide attention from both BTS’s global fanbase and the broader art world, opening new avenues for cultural dialogue.

As RM continues to redefine what it means to be a global artist in the 21st century, RM X SFMOMA stands as a landmark in the evolving relationship between pop culture and fine art. This is not just an exhibition — it’s a statement about connectivity, creative expression, and the power of cultural exchange.

Fit & Fabulous

Marc Newson Transforms FENDI SS26 into a Pixelated Floral Dreamscape at Milan Fashion Week

Tanisha Cardozo

For FENDI’s Spring/Summer 2026 show at Milan Fashion Week 2025, acclaimed industrial designer Marc Newson redefined the runway experience by crafting a surreal and visually captivating set—an undulating field of pixelated color blocks inspired by quilt compositions and the organic randomness of flowers.

Held inside the Palazzo Fendi, the show space was transformed into a pixelated terrain, where boxes of varying heights and sizes were meticulously arranged in tonal shifts of white, yellow, turquoise, red, coral, and pink. From above, it resembled a magnified digital image, with each “pixel” acting as part of a larger, changing mosaic. As models walked, the surface moved slightly beneath them, creating an interactive experience that merged motion, color, and spatial awareness.

This set wasn’t just backdrop—it was integral to the narrative of the SS26 collection. The clothing responded to the set, incorporating many of the same hues and geometric principles. From cropped blazers and balloon hems to oversized cotton coats, each piece was designed to interplay with the environment, enhancing the volume and silhouette against the shifting background.

The materials—organza, jacquard, technical fabrics, cotton, and leather—were chosen not just for texture but for the way they interacted with light and motion. The garments explored fullness, void, and contrast, amplified by the moving, polychromatic set.

Musical direction by Frédéric Sanchez added another sensory layer to the experience. The score included excerpts from Italian opera and cinema, combined with electronic music, forming a sonic environment that evolved with the models’ steps. The music mirrored the dynamic shifts in both the set and collection, bringing rhythm and emotion to every look.

Marc Newson’s vision for FENDI’s SS26 show presented a dialogue between fashion, technology, and landscape—a reminder that the runway can be both a canvas and a collaborator. The result was a multi-sensory display of transformation, color, and form, solidifying FENDI’s position at the intersection of craftsmanship and future-forward design.