Kunal Rawal’s Rawalgarh Refined the Modern Language of Indian Occasionwear
Photography-Shazid Chauhan
The first few looks established the collection immediately.
The jackets were lighter than they looked. Bandhgalas followed with clean, uninterrupted lines, while sherwanis carried intricate craftsmanship without feeling weighed down by it. From where I was sitting, the tailoring drew my attention before the embroidery did, and that small shift shaped the way the collection revealed itself.
Presented at Hyundai India Couture Week 2026, Rawalgarh unfolded with a clear sense of continuity. Every look connected naturally to the next, creating the impression of a wardrobe developed over time rather than a series of individual runway statements.
Kunal Rawal has always approached menswear with a practical eye, and that instinct ran through the collection. A sharply cut jacket sat comfortably alongside relaxed trousers. A textured bandhgala looked formal without appearing rigid. Even the ceremonial pieces carried a sense of ease that extended their appeal well beyond the runway. Banarasi, brocade, chikankari, tissue silk, and linen appeared throughout the collection, each interpreted through lighter construction and contemporary tailoring. Even the more structured silhouettes retained a sense of fluidity without losing the richness of the textiles. The craftsmanship remained distinctly Indian, while the finish felt refined and current.
As the collection progressed, it revealed a complete wardrobe that moved from eveningwear to festive dressing before culminating in bridal couture, with every category sharing the same design language. Hidden construction techniques, modular details, and lighter engineering enhanced comfort and wearability while preserving the precision of couture craftsmanship.
The color palette reflected the same considered approach. Charcoal, olive, burgundy, and earthy neutrals replaced conventional festive hues, while textured jackets and sharply tailored separates offered Rawal’s interpretation of Indian Black Tie. The emphasis remained on silhouette, fabrication, and fit.
Speaking after the show, Kunal Rawal reflected on how his journey has shaped that perspective.
“I started my career with menswear and contemporary fashion. Along the way I just fell in love with handwork, embroidery, and the crafts of India. The possibilities are endless. If you can imagine it, you can create it.”
His fascination with craft continues to shape the evolution of the label.
“A lot of crafts haven’t been explored for menswear at all in the last few decades,” he explained. “I’m picking up crafts like Banarasi and chikankari that we haven’t really seen much in menswear. I’m exploring how they can feel different.”
That approach was reflected in the embroidery. Chikankari, traditionally associated with delicate surface work, was reinterpreted with the label’s signature French knots, adding texture while preserving the craft’s inherent lightness.
“I love playing with and mixing crafts,” Rawal said. “Even with our chikankari, we’ve added French knots, which is a signature of the brand. It becomes slightly more unique to us.”He believes this shift is also being driven by a new generation of clients.“Men are finally using clothes to express themselves the way everyone else does. Through that, we’re able to explore unique and exciting new crafts.”
An original soundtrack added another layer to the presentation. Instead of selecting existing music, Rawal collaborated with Akshay, IP, and musician Tanishq Seth to create a score composed specifically for the collection.“I’ve always believed in storytelling and a narrative style of a showcase rather than just a visual showcase,” he said. “Music plays such an important role.”The original composition complemented the presentation, bringing together music, film, and fashion within the same creative vision.The bridal finale carried forward the same design language established from the opening look. Precision tailoring, restrained embellishment, and thoughtful construction remained consistent through the closing silhouettes, reinforcing the collection’s cohesive identity.
With Rawalgarh, Kunal Rawal continued to expand the language of contemporary Indian menswear through refined tailoring, heritage craftsmanship, and thoughtful textile innovation. The collection reflected a modern approach to ceremonial dressing while remaining firmly rooted in India’s rich craft traditions.
