HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Dec 24: The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour concluded its latest edition in Kolkata with a striking redefinition of Indian craftsmanship, staging a spectacle that merged heritage, technology and contemporary design.
Set against the iconic Howrah Bridge, the finale transformed the Hooghly River into a dramatic open-air runway, signalling what organisers described as fashion’s next evolutionary move.
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Curated in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India, the showcase challenged conventional ideas of craft by presenting it as a dynamic, evolving language rather than a fixed tradition.
Designer Anamika Khanna unveiled an experimental collection under her label AK | OK, deconstructing familiar Indian techniques such as zardozi, chikankari and mirror work, and reassembling them through futuristic tailoring, metallic accents and cosmic-inspired motifs.
The show unfolded on a barge anchored midstream on the Hooghly, turning the river into a floating theatre of fashion.
The presentation opened with divers emerging onto the structure as light, smoke and sound animated the scaffolding.
Models appeared from within the installation to a high-energy score, while responsive lasers shifted with every step, heightening the visual drama.
The narrative built towards bold chainmail ensembles presented as a collective statement, followed by sculptural silhouettes in motion.
The finale reached its crescendo with the arrival of showstopper Ishaan Khatter, who made a dramatic entry by speedboat before joining the cast for a unified closing moment, framed by the illuminated Howrah Bridge.
Adding depth to the evening was The Bengal Paddle vessel, whose museum-like interiors hosted guests before they were ferried to the main barge.
Its Riverine Museum, housed in the former boiler room and showcasing rare marine artefacts tracing the legacy of the Hooghly, provided a cultural counterpoint to the high-concept fashion presentation.
Debasree Dasgupta, chief marketing officer, Pernod Ricard India, said the Kolkata finale captured the essence of the tour’s philosophy.
“Future Is Crafted was not just a showcase, but a statement on how heritage and innovation can converge to create something transformative,” she noted.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Anamika Khanna said the platform allowed her to demonstrate how Indian craftsmanship can be dismantled and reimagined for a modern audience.
Ishaan Khatter described the experience as being part of a moment where fashion was “not just shown, but actively shaped”.
Sunil Sethi, Chairman of FDCI, said the partnership with Blenders Pride Fashion Tour brought together two influential forces in Indian fashion, with the Kolkata edition celebrating creativity and culture while setting the pace for what lies ahead.
