HOMAGE TO INDIAS TEXTILES HERITAGE

On April 1, 2025, the highly anticipated “Vivienne Westwood Fashion Show” was held in Bombay for the first time ever, in partnership with the Government of Maharashtra’s Department of Textiles. Set against the iconic backdrop of Mumbai’s Gateway of India, the event celebrated luxury, style, and the rich textile legacy that defines Indian culture, marking the beginning of a new fashion movement.

Vivienne Westwood, renowned for its bold and timeless style, brought its unique aesthetic to Mumbai, blending British fashion with Indian craftsmanship. The runway showcased a captivating collection featuring archival pieces and a capsule collection of 20-25 designs, all set against the historic Gateway of India.

Vivienne Westwood presented its Spring Summer 2025 collection, which featured custom designs, special archive pieces, and a capsule collection crafted with hand-woven Chanderi silks and Khadi cotton. The combination of the late designer’s distinctive style and traditional Indian textiles created a truly unique and memorable showcase of fashion, culture, and artistry.

The collection paid homage to Indian textiles like khadi, chanderi, muslin, muga silk, and pashmina wool, celebrating India’s heritage with a fresh, modern twist. By combining these traditional textiles with Vivienne Westwood’s iconic designs, the fashion show celebrated both Indian craftsmanship and the brand’s innovative spirit.

Carlo D’Amario CEO of Vivienne Westwood added, “We are honoured to present a show in India and to create a collection which celebrates India’s rich textile heritage and traditional hand-woven industries. At Vivienne Westwood we have long championed craftsmanship and heritage and have partnered for decades with local industries and artisans in the UK, as well as in Europe and Africa, and are now proud to partner with the artisanal hand-crafted textile industry of India for this show.”

The Vivienne Westwood Fashion Show in India was a grand affair, attracting a diverse range of notable attendees. The event was graced by members of various royal families from across India, representing the nation’s rich cultural heritage and history. These esteemed guests brought an air of elegance and tradition to the occasion, underscoring the importance of India’s past in shaping its present and future. This gathering of notable personalities served to emphasize the significance of the event in celebrating India’s rich textile heritage, as well as the fusion of British design and Indian craftsmanship.

Commenting on the show, Andreas Kronthaler, creative director at Vivienne Westwood in a press release said, “India is such a vast country, so rich with history and culture and we are honoured to be showing here at the monumental Gateway of India. I loved getting to know the Khadi and Chanderi fabrics – there is a lightness, a crispiness, an opulence, and a feeling that there is something behind them- it is the culture of India.”

The Vivienne Westwood Fashion Show in India underscores its commitment to fostering cultural exchange and recognizing the significance of India’s vibrant fashion landscape. The Vivienne Westwood collection showcased at the fashion event featured exquisite designs crafted from the highest quality hand-woven Indian silks. These luxurious fabrics were sourced from Aaranya, a textile initiative founded by Maharani Priyadarshini Raje Scindia of Gwalior, which is dedicated to promoting traditional and sustainable techniques in collaboration with independent handloom weavers across Madhya Pradesh.

The partnership between Vivienne Westwood and Aaranya is a testament to the brand’s commitment to preserving heritage and supporting local craftsmanship. By working with Aaranya, Vivienne Westwood ensured that each piece in the collection was created with utmost respect for traditional Indian textile techniques and sustainability.

Furthermore, the collaboration between Vivienne Westwood and Aaranya, along with other textile institutions like Khadi India, demonstrates the brand’s dedication to elevating traditional, handwoven fabrics to the global fashion platform. The use of Khadi and Chanderi silk in the collection not only added an exquisite touch to the designs but also promoted the rich textile heritage of India on an international stage.

The Vivienne Westwood Fashion Show in India offered a unique fusion of the brand’s distinctive style, characterized by punk and grunge elements with cultural references, and India’s rich textile traditions. In partnership with the Department of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra, the event aimed to spotlight Khadi’s legacy, a handspun and hand-woven fabric that holds great historical and cultural significance in India.

The Vivienne Westwood Fashion Show in India not only brought together the worlds of British design and Indian artistry but also demonstrated the power of collaboration in promoting cultural appreciation and recognizing the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship in an ever-evolving fashion landscape.

These fabrics hold a significant place in India’s history, particularly Khadi, which is closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi and the country’s freedom movement. Vivienne Westwood paid homage to India’s rich textile heritage while infusing it with the brand’s distinctive flair. The result was a stunning fusion of couture and tradition that showcased the beauty of Indian craftsmanship on a global stage.

The collection featured traditional Indian textiles like Chanderi silk, known for its lightweight, sheer texture and intricate weaving patterns, and Khadi cotton, a handspun fabric that symbolizes India’s spirit of self-reliance and resilience. These materials were sourced from local artisans across India, highlighting the brand’s commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship and supporting local industries.

The runway showcased a diverse array of flowing silhouettes, traditional tartan patterns, and luxurious wool textiles, featuring male models who gracefully wore skirts and corsets that challenged conventional boundaries of masculine fashion. The collection was elevated by carefully selected accessories, including thoughtfully designed bags, jewelry, and shoes that perfectly complemented each ensemble.

Kareena Kapoor Khan, attending the event in a stunning ruby red off-shoulder corset gown, expressed her excitement about experiencing the collaboration between Vivienne Westwood and Indian craftspeople firsthand. She praised the partnership as a proud moment for India and a testament to the skill and talent of the country’s artisans.

She remarked, “It’s an absolute honor to be here, celebrating Indian craftsmanship and textiles. Vivienne Westwood’s collaboration with Indian artisans is a proud moment, and I’m thrilled to witness this.”

The Vivienne Westwood Fashion Show in India was a grand affair, attracting a diverse range of notable attendees. The event was graced by members of various royal families from across India, representing the nation’s rich cultural heritage and history. These esteemed guests brought an air of elegance and tradition to the occasion, underscoring the importance of India’s past in shaping its present and future. This gathering of notable personalities served to emphasize the significance of the event in celebrating India’s rich textile heritage, as well as the fusion of British design and Indian craftsmanship.

The event was anything but low-key. The front row boasted an impressive lineup of Bollywood’s elite, including Radhika Merchant, Janhvi Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, Manushi Chhillar, Alaya F, and Aditya Roy Kapur. Janhvi Kapoor wore an off-shoulder embellished corset top with a thigh-high slit satin skirt and silver heels.

The Vivienne Westwood Fashion Show, which extended into a late-night celebration, as the event coincided with the birthday of D’Amario, adding to the festive atmosphere. The event and post party was a resounding success, bringing together an eclectic mix of fashion, culture, and entertainment that left a lasting impression on all those who attended.

Shri. Sanjay Savkare, Minister of Textile, Government of Maharashtra. “Maharashtra’s textile heritage is a testament to the state’s cultural richness. Our traditional textiles such as Paithani, Ghongadi, Khana fabric, Himroo and Karvat Kathi strongly reflect our history and play a vital part of the state’s economy”: says Sanjay Savkare in the interview.

The Department of Textile, operating under the Cooperation, Marketing, and Textile Department of the Government of Maharashtra, plays a pivotal role in fostering the development and growth of the textile industry within the state. With a focus on implementing various schemes and programs, the Department actively contributes to enhancing the quality of textile products in Maharashtra and generating employment opportunities in the sector.

The Department’s dedication to the textile industry is evident in its efforts to strike a balance between preserving traditional textile practices and promoting modern advancements. By offering support and resources, the Department aims to strengthen Maharashtra’s textile sector and transform the state into a global textile hub.

Among its key responsibilities, the Department of Textile oversees the formulation of policies and the coordination of activities within the industry. Additionally, it plays a significant role in promoting exports and facilitating the planning and economic analysis of the textile sector in Maharashtra.

The Department’s commitment to advancing the textile industry in Maharashtra has been instrumental in fostering a robust and competitive environment for textile businesses to thrive. Through continued support and strategic initiatives, the Department of Textile, Government of Maharashtra, strives to further elevate the state’s prominence in the global textile landscape.