Kartik Research to Present First India Runway Show at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI 2026
India’s ongoing creative partnership with the Middle East continues to deepen as the country remains the Guest Country for Fashion Trust Arabia in 2026. As part of this collaboration, New Delhi–based label Kartik Research will present its first India runway showcase at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI this March, marking a significant milestone for the emerging designer brand.
Founded in 2021 by Kartik Kumra, Kartik Research has quickly gained attention for its craft-driven design philosophy. The label places handmade processes at the centre of its work, from handloom textiles to intricate embroidery executed by skilled artisans. Each garment reflects a collaborative relationship between designer and craft community, ensuring that traditional techniques remain visible within contemporary fashion.
Craft and Culture at the Core
Kartik Research draws inspiration from India’s diverse cultural landscape while engaging with modern design ideas. Its collections often reference moments from cultural history — from the expressive spirit of 1960s rock movements to the bold visual language of the Indo-modernist art movement of the 1980s. By blending these influences with traditional craftsmanship, the label positions Indian craft within a contemporary global fashion narrative.
The upcoming presentation at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI marks the brand’s first official runway appearance in India. Although Kartik Research has steadily developed an international audience through its artisanal approach and thoughtful storytelling, this showcase represents a defining homecoming moment.
Sharing his thoughts on the milestone, Kartik Kumra said, “Being recognised by Fashion Trust Arabia as the India Winner is both an honour and a responsibility. Kartik Research was built on the belief that craft is a living language, one that carries memory, labour and identity within it. Presenting at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI for the first time in India feels like a meaningful homecoming. It allows us to celebrate the artisans we collaborate with while placing their work within a larger global dialogue.”
A Growing India–MENA Fashion Dialogue
A strengthening exchange and collaboration between the fashion industries of India and the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa).
Tania Fares, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Fashion Trust Arabia, noted that Kartik Research represents the kind of emerging talent the organisation aims to support.
“Fashion Trust Arabia is proud to see Kartik Research present his work at Lakmé Fashion Week this season. His distinctive vision and thoughtful craftsmanship embody the spirit of emerging talent we aim to champion,” she said. “Kartik was the winner of our Guest Country category in November 2025, when we partnered with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre to celebrate India as our guest country. Seeing him now showcase his work on this stage feels like a natural continuation of that collaboration.”
Established in 2018 under the patronage of Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Fashion Trust Arabia is dedicated to discovering and mentoring emerging design talent across the MENA region. Now in its seventh edition, the initiative awards annual prizes across multiple design categories while providing mentorship and global industry access for young designers.
As India continues its role as Guest Country, the partnership reflects a broader commitment to cross-cultural exchange between the Indian and Middle Eastern fashion industries. Kartik Research’s runway debut at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI becomes both a celebration of Indian craft traditions and a moment that connects regional design narratives to the global fashion stage.
