Blenders Pride Fashion Tour Kolkata Finale Transforms Hooghly River Into a Runway

The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour Kolkata finale delivered a breakthrough fashion moment, pushing the boundaries of craftsmanship and contemporary design. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the iconic Howrah Bridge, the event transformed Kolkata’s historic Hooghly River into a striking, floating runway—marking one of the most visually ambitious finales in the tour’s history.

The closing showcase featured an experimental collection by designer Anamika Khanna’s AK | OK, with actor Ishaan Khatter as the showstopper. The presentation reimagined Indian craftsmanship through a bold, futuristic lens, signalling fashion’s transition into a new creative era.

Craft as a Living, Evolving Force

In collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour Kolkata challenged traditional definitions of craftsmanship. Rather than treating craft as static heritage, the showcase positioned it as an evolving, adaptive form of expression.

Anamika Khanna deconstructed familiar Indian craft techniques such as zardozi, chikankari, and mirror work, dismantling and reassembling them through futuristic tailoring, metallic textures, and cosmic-inspired graphic elements. The result was a collection that bridged tradition and innovation with striking clarity.

A Floating Theatre of Fashion

The show unfolded on a specially designed barge anchored mid-river, turning the Hooghly into a theatrical stage. The opening sequence featured divers emerging onto the barge, followed by scaffolding structures animated through light, smoke, and immersive soundscapes.

Models emerged from within the structure to a high-energy score, as responsive lasers shifted dynamically with each step, heightening the drama and momentum. The narrative peaked with bold chainmail looks presented as a unified visual statement, followed by sculptural silhouettes in motion.

The finale reached its crescendo with Ishaan Khatter’s arrival by speedboat, culminating in a collective closing moment framed against the illuminated Howrah Bridge—an unforgettable visual signature for the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour Kolkata.

Heritage Meets Contemporary Culture

Adding depth to the evening was The Bengal Paddle vessel, whose museum-like interiors hosted the city’s leading cultural and creative voices before they were escorted to the barge. The Riverine Museum within its former boiler room—housing rare marine artefacts and curated installations tracing the Hooghly’s legacy—created an immersive cultural backdrop that elevated the experience beyond fashion.

Industry Voices on the Kolkata Finale

Debasree Dasgupta, CMO, Pernod Ricard India, said:
“Blenders Pride Fashion Tour has always been at the forefront of shaping fashion and cultural conversations. As the final chapter of this edition, Kolkata delivered the very essence of what makes fashion truly transformative. ‘Future Is Crafted’ was not just a showcase—it was a powerful statement on how heritage and innovation converge to create something extraordinary.”

Designer Anamika Khanna added:
“Together with Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, I was delighted to showcase how Indian craftsmanship can be deconstructed and reimagined for the modern world. Witnessing the audience embrace this bold reinterpretation of heritage was truly exhilarating.”

Showstopper Ishaan Khatter shared:
“Being part of Blenders Pride Fashion Tour felt completely in sync with my instinct to experiment and move beyond the expected. Watching craftsmanship break out of its traditional mould and take on a sharper, more expressive form made the experience incredibly exciting.”

Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI, commented:
“FDCI was delighted to collaborate with Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, uniting two powerhouses of fashion to shape its future. The Kolkata edition celebrated creativity, culture, and set the pace for what’s next in Indian fashion.”

A Defining Moment for Indian Fashion

The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour Kolkata finale stood as a defining moment in India’s fashion calendar—where heritage, technology, performance, and design converged to redefine what contemporary Indian fashion can be. By turning the city’s historic river into a living runway, the showcase delivered a powerful statement: the future of fashion is crafted, not inherited.