NEXA Presents ‘The Spotlight’ Season 11 Winner: Anurag Gupta to Showcase at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI March 2026
NEXA’s flagship design platform, The Spotlight, has announced Anurag Gupta as the winner of its eleventh edition. The emerging designer will present his winning collection at Lakmē Fashion Week in collaboration with Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) during the March 2026 season.
Positioned as a launchpad for India’s next generation of fashion talent, NEXA Presents The Spotlight continues to spotlight designers who combine innovation, sustainability, and strong creative identity.
‘Neoterra’: A Sustainable Fashion Theme Rooted in Innovation
This season’s theme, ‘Neoterra’, explored the idea of a “new earth” shaped by conscious design, advanced textile technology, and environmental responsibility. Designers were encouraged to reinterpret the future of fashion through:
- Sustainable materials
- Responsible production processes
- Technology-driven textile innovation
- Craft-conscious storytelling
The jury evaluated collections that reflected a balance between futuristic aesthetics and ecological awareness — a growing priority within the Indian fashion industry.
Shortlisted Designers – Season 11
Anurag Gupta emerged as the winner from a competitive lineup that included:
- AKHL by Akhil Nagpal
- Anjum Khan
- FARAK by Rishabh Kumar
- Stoïque
- Line Outline by Deepit Chugh
As part of his win, Anurag Gupta receives financial support from NEXA towards set design and will debut his collection on the Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI runway in March 2026.
Anurag Gupta’s Winning Collection: Textile Innovation Meets Sustainability
Anurag Gupta’s collection stood out for its integration of sustainable fabric development and future-forward design thinking.
Key Highlights:
- Inspired by the dynamic visual narratives of Japanese artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi
- Developed an innovative cotton-hemp textile in collaboration with IIT Delhi
- Utilised plasma technology to enhance fabric performance
- Positioned hemp as a low-water, pesticide-free alternative to conventional cotton
- Employed engineered jacquard knitting techniques
By combining textile research with responsible sourcing, the collection addresses two critical conversations in modern fashion: material innovation and environmental impact. The use of hemp not only reduces ecological strain but also supports sustainable farming ecosystems.
The Jury
Credits-@lakmefashionwk @fdciofficial
This season’s jury brought together influential voices across fashion and business:
- Thomas Cheriyan, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd
- Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI
- Rimzim Dadu, Designer
- Aindrila Mitra, Editor, Robb Report
- Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands Ltd
What the Jury Had to Say
Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, noted that Neoterra encouraged designers to rethink the relationship between technology and nature. He highlighted Anurag’s thoughtful integration of advanced textile development with sustainable practices, calling it reflective of NEXA’s progressive ethos.
Sunil Sethi, Chairman of FDCI, described the presentations as forward-thinking and deeply conscious of the future, adding that Anurag’s balance of innovation and ecological responsibility resonated strongly with the jury.
Jaspreet Chandok of Reliance Brands Ltd. reiterated that The Spotlight continues to serve as a meaningful launchpad for emerging designers, with this year’s winner presenting a narrative of progress aligned with purpose.
About Lakmē
Lakmē, part of Hindustan Unilever Ltd., is one of India’s leading colour cosmetics and premium skincare brands. Established in 1952, it continues to influence beauty and fashion trends through innovation and consumer insight.
About Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI)
The Fashion Design Council of India is a non-profit apex body representing over 400 designers. FDCI works to promote and strengthen India’s fashion industry while championing indigenous craftsmanship and the ‘Make in India’ movement.
