From Kullu Wool to Indigo Waves: Anurag Gupta Merges Science and Style at Lakmé Fashion Week

The Ode to Hokusai runway features India’s patented Indiwool Denim and bold silhouettes inspired by Japanese artist Hokusai

Anurag Gupta presented his Winter Festive 2025–2026 collection “Ode to Hokusai” at Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), delivering a layered celebration of art, science, and Indian innovation. Inspired by legendary Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, the collection translates the energy and movement of his iconic wave motifs into sharply constructed silhouettes, experimental fabrics, and emotive forms.

In a significant step for Indian textile engineering, the show also marked the debut of Indiwool Denim, the world’s first 100% Indigo-dyed Wool Denim developed in collaboration with IIT Delhi incubation and IndigoTex. Crafted from wool sourced in Kullu and Dharamshala, the fabric uses patented Plasma Technology to reduce water consumption and enhance durability, establishing a new benchmark for sustainable luxury.

Rooted in Anurag Gupta’s core ethos of experimental, expressive design, each garment challenges norms merging structure with fluidity and precision with emotion. The collection reflected dualities: from sculptural bodices and architectural skirts to fluid drapes that echo natural movement. Hokusai’s influence was evident in each piece, inviting wearers to experience fashion not just as attire but as living art.

Speaking on the collection, Anurag Gupta shared that Hokusai’s art captures both chaos and calm, a duality I’m deeply drawn to in my work. The designer described the show as an exploration of where memory, movement, and bold individuality meet on the runway.
Beyond aesthetics, the showcase highlighted a forward-thinking vision of Indian fashion. Indiwool Denim’s introduction demonstrates how cutting-edge research and heritage craftsmanship can converge to redefine material innovation. Its launch at one of the country’s most celebrated fashion platforms signals the growing importance of technology-driven sustainability in design.

“Ode to Hokusai” continues Anurag Gupta’s evolution as a designer unafraid to challenge convention transforming garments into multidimensional expressions and positioning Indian fashion at the intersection of intellect, tradition, and transformation.

At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.