Mumbai, Sep 24 (PTI): The Global India Couture Week (GICW) 2025 concluded in Mumbai with a grand finale by designer Varun Bahl, bringing down the curtain on a four-day celebration of couture that featured over 40 designers, celebrity showstoppers, and student innovators.
Held at the Nesco Centre in Goregaon, the event opened with a dramatic showcase by Rohit Verma, featuring actors Diana Penty and Maniesh Paul, setting the stage for an eclectic mix of presentations. Designers and institutes including NIF Global, Gift Design Academy, Label Gayatri, Aankona, Battle Harbour, Andaloussia, Raj Sharma, and Lucilia Couture brought diverse aesthetics to the runway. Saisha Shinde’s edgy, sculptural pieces and Manali Jagtap’s showcase with Daisy Shah as showstopper drew wide attention.
The following days saw Odisha Textiles celebrate Indian heritage, while IIFT students from Bilaspur and Bareilly offered contemporary takes on ethnic and fusion wear. Highlights included Thomas Abraham’s collection with Manisha Rani as showstopper, Kirti Rathore’s regal menswear featuring Tina Ahuja, Neetu Chandra, and Aniruddh Dave, and a glamorous celebrity parade by Reynu and Nikhita Tandon Bhatia.
The final stretch spotlighted student designers from IIFT Naraina, GK Campus, and Ghaziabad, alongside JD Institute of Fashion Technology’s theatrical showcase. Designers Harish Akkisetty, Aarya by Rashmi, and Sumit Goel (with Femina Miss India World Nandini Gupta as showstopper) expanded the style narrative. A standout was the emotionally charged presentation by Fraganta presents Robert Naorem, featuring Miss Supranational India 2025 Anushree.
The week culminated with Varun Bahl’s opulent finale, headlined by actress Fatima Sana Shaikh, which earned a standing ovation.
Satyajit Mohanty, Managing Director of GICW, said the event was more than a fashion show: “Global India Couture Week is a cultural ecosystem that fosters dialogue between tradition and modernity.” Operational Director Dr. Sidharth Behera added that this edition set “new operational and creative benchmarks” with its mix of legacy talent, student showcases, and international collaborations.
With its blend of couture, culture, and commerce, GICW 2025 reaffirmed its place as a premier platform for Indian fashion while giving new voices global visibility.