Tag: Fashion

Fit & Fabulous

Australian Label Kirrikin Marks 10 Years with Vibrant India Debut in Delhi

Tanisha Cardozo

Australian designer Amanda Healy, founder of the First Nations fashion label Kirrikin, celebrated a major milestone — ten years of storytelling through fashion — with a spectacular debut in Delhi. Presented by the Australian High Commission in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and the Centre for Australia-India Relations, the Connection to Country showcase marked Kirrikin’s first major appearance in India.

For Healy, the moment was deeply personal — a chance to share the stories, colours, and artistry of Aboriginal Australia with Indian audiences. “To me, this is an opportunity to tell our stories and show what we’re capable of as Aboriginal people,” Healy said. “Like India, our country was colonised, and this is about showing that we’re still here, capable of creating on our own terms.”

Kirrikin’s collection was designed in Australia by First Nations artists and crafted in Noida, combining Aboriginal prints with Indian textile expertise. The runway featured pieces from the Evoke collection, inspired by the landscapes of southwest Western Australia — from earthy blazers and floral motif gowns to hand-painted viscose crepe dresses.

The line also included new designs — asymmetrical gowns, A-line skirts, and cashmere scarves that echoed the intricate patterns of Central Australian Dot Paintings. Each piece reflected Kirrikin’s philosophy of blending heritage, modernity, and sustainability.

Healy described the collection as her “Millennium Collection,” honouring the women behind Kirrikin’s success. “Kirrikin is a social enterprise — everything we earn goes back to our artists. I work with 12 Aboriginal women, most of them single mothers, building sustainable incomes for them. It’s about honouring their stories,” she said.

Having showcased across Australia, the UK, Japan, Chile, the US, and Saudi Arabia, Kirrikin’s entry into India represents the next chapter of cross-cultural collaboration. Healy sees deep parallels between the two nations — both rich in storytelling, colour, and creativity. Looking ahead, she hopes to collaborate with Indian designers and artisans, expanding Kirrikin’s impact while celebrating shared histories of resilience and artistry.

As the label enters its second decade, Kirrikin remains committed to its founding purpose — creating fashion that honours connection to country, kinship, and culture, while proving that sustainability and luxury can coexist beautifully.

Spotlight

Asia’h Melody Blake: From North London Teen to Runway Star

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Asia’h Melody Blake is not your average 17-year-old. Born in North London and rooted in the vibrant cultures of Anguilla, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica, she is a teen model making bold waves in the UK fashion scene and beyond.

In October 2024, a conversation with her youth worker — a former model herself — led to a golden opportunity. A spot had unexpectedly opened up in Inspiring Edge, a local charity fashion competition founded by her youth worker’s sisters. Asia’h jumped at the chance, despite having no formal experience and being the youngest contestant. She quickly found herself training alongside seasoned, signed models — and the journey began.

Under the guidance of mentors Lana, Hailey, and Reuben, she spent two intense months in rehearsal. Outside of official sessions, she would practice for hours at home, studying professional walks and refining her technique.

November 2024 arrived, and with it, the moment that would redefine her future. Performing in front of an audience that included pageant queens and celebrities like Alesha Dixon, Asia’h’s presence lit up the stage. When her name was announced as Inspiring Edge Best Female Model 24-25, the roar of the crowd marked the beginning of something much bigger than a title — it was the rebirth of a dream.

Her modeling career took off from there.

Despite a severe setback just months later — a two-week hospital stay due to a brain infection and viral meningitis — she defied the odds and won Miss Model Queen UK 25-26. The experience reminded her that strength isn’t just physical — it’s emotional, spiritual, and mental.

Since stepping into the spotlight, Asia’h has walked in London Fashion Week, modeled for acclaimed designers, and been invited to major networking events across the capital. Her distinctive signature — adorning her hair with shimmering gems — has become a standout runway look, rooted in a personal expression of empowerment and individuality.

Among her icons, she cites Adriana Lima, Naomi Campbell, Shalom Harlow, and most importantly, “Dee” — the youth worker who helped ignite her journey.

Her aspirations are clear:

  • Sign to a major modeling agency
  • Walk at top fashion weeks (LFW x3, AFW, PFW x2, MFW x2, and Miami Swim Week)
  • Book advertising campaigns and music videos
  • Launch her own modeling class for teens
  • Shoot for a major global brand
  • Become one of the youngest Victoria’s Secret Angels

But modeling isn’t the only dream she holds close. “Beyond modeling, I’d love to explore acting — I’ve always been told I’m a natural drama queen!” she laughs. She also hopes to revisit ballet, a discipline she fell in love with as a child.

If she could walk the runway to one song? “Only Girl” by Rihanna — her personal power anthem and the soundtrack to her confidence. And if she launched a fashion label of her own, it would be called MIM — Melody in Motion. For Asia’h, fashion is about more than beauty — it’s about movement, purpose, and inspiring others to unlock their fullest potential.

If her life were a magazine cover, it would be titled “I’m Just a Girl from North London”, she says. “That’s where my journey began — but I’ve learned that where you start doesn’t define where you’ll go.”

That grounded mindset extends far beyond fashion. Asia’h is a dedicated member of the Youth Advisory Board for the Adolescents Initiative, where she works with policymakers to tackle youth issues like knife crime and shares her experiences with Members of Parliament. Her activism, like her modeling, is rooted in a desire to uplift her community and represent voices too often left unheard.

Asia’h Melody Blake is more than just a name to remember — she’s a movement in motion. Or as she would say: Melody in Motion.

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

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.

Fit & Fabulous

House of Rare and Zepto Partner to Deliver Premium Fashion in 10 Minutes

Tanisha Cardozo

The House of Rare has launched a strategic partnership with Zepto to bring premium fashion to customers’ doorsteps in just 10 minutes, signaling a major shift in how style-savvy shoppers can access occasion-ready outfits. Initially rolling out in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune, this collaboration begins with a curated collection of Rare Rabbit menswear staples — including shirts, polos, and tees that suit immediate wardrobe decisions.

This move responds to a growing demand from urban millennials and Gen Z consumers for on-demand fashion that matches their fast-paced, plan-on-the-fly lifestyles. Whether it’s dressing up for a sudden dinner plan or refreshing an outfit before a trip, this partnership provides immediate access to style — redefining convenience in the fashion space.

Over time, the collection will expand to include other verticals under The House of Rare, including Rareism (womenswear), Rare Ones (boys’ wear for ages 4 to 14), and Rare’Z (footwear and streetwear). This staggered rollout will allow the brand to test product mixes, customer preferences, and order flows through the Zepto app, optimizing for a seamless quick commerce experience.

Pulkit Verma, Chief Business Officer, Digital at The House of Rare, emphasized that this move isn’t just about speed, but relevance. “Q-commerce is rapidly transforming how India shops, and we see it as a powerful lever for fashion retail. Our partnership with Zepto isn’t just about being fast, it’s about being relevant in the moment our customer needs us,” he said.

Fashion in Q-commerce is quickly gaining traction. A Redseer report noted that the sector is set to grow from $2.8 billion in 2023 to over $10 billion by 2026. Fashion, traditionally considered slower-moving than essentials, is emerging as a promising vertical due to the increasing demand for instant gratification, particularly in impulse or occasion-based apparel.

From Zepto’s perspective, this partnership is part of a larger strategy to expand its lifestyle and premium offerings. “By partnering with The House of Rare, we are giving users instant access to premium fashion, making it possible to refresh their wardrobes in minutes,” said Devendra Meel, Chief Business Officer, Zepto.

The partnership does more than deliver fashion — it also provides invaluable data on user behavior, preferences, and local demand patterns. These insights can inform merchandising decisions, helping The House of Rare plan store and e-commerce inventories more effectively. Accessories will soon follow the apparel rollout, boosting attach rates and order value as the core journey stabilizes.

With over 170 retail stores and a growing e-commerce footprint, The House of Rare sees Zepto as a complementary channel that supports its omnichannel ambitions. This move blends immediacy, curated fashion, and hyperlocal insight, reshaping how — and how fast — style reaches the modern Indian consumer.