Pooja Hegde walks for Khushi Kumar in KALANTA at London Fashion Week and redefines Indian heritage

New Delhi: The global fashion landscape witnessed an extraordinary moment on 21 February 2026, as emerging designer Khushi Kumar made her much-anticipated international debut at London Fashion Week. With her evocative collection titled “KALANTA — The House Awakens”, the designer ushered in a new era of Indian craftsmanship beautifully reinterpreted for a global audience. Her vision — “Krafted in Time, Kurated for Now” — finds expression through luxurious silhouettes that celebrate heritage while resonating with today’s modern, powerful woman.

Held under the renowned Fashion Scout’s Ones to Watch Catwalk at Protein Studios, Shoreditch, London, the show marked a significant milestone for the House of Khushi Kumar. Featuring Bollywood star Pooja Hegde as the showstopper, the collection turned heads with its sculptural tailoring, handcrafted textiles, and symbolic motifs rooted in identity and strength. It wasn’t merely a fashion show — it was a spiritual awakening of design, heritage, and womanhood.

Essence of ‘KALANTA — The House Awakens’

“KALANTA” is more than a fashion collection — it’s a study of protection, air, and identity. Across eight powerful looks, Khushi explored how women embody both softness and strength. The line featured sculpted corsets, structured tailoring, and flowing silhouettes that moved like poetry. Deep burgundy velvets and custom Banarasi zari paid homage to India’s ceremonial grandeur, while delicate vine motifs symbolised continuity — the growth and resilience of modern womanhood.

Each structured form felt like modern armour — graceful yet assertive. The fabric choices, inspired by the fluidity of air and the rootedness of earth, carried the essence of Indian jewellery translated into couture.

In her own words, Khushi Kumar explained, “With KALANTA and with every single collection I design, I would like to honour Indian craftsmanship by presenting it in an impactful, modern way. The collection is about awakening to the concept of identity, heritage, and strength.”

Pooja Hegde: Embodiment of strength and elegance

Bollywood actor Pooja Hegde took centre stage as the showstopper, wearing one of the collection’s most striking pieces — a fluid yet assertive ensemble that mirrored the essence of feminine awakening. Her look perfectly captured the balance between heritage and modernity, radiating poise and confidence that aligned beautifully with the designer’s philosophy. In many ways, Pooja’s presence elevated the moment — an Indian icon representing a new-age Indian label on one of fashion’s grandest stages.

Khushi Kumar: Bridging Culture and Contemporary Design

A graduate of the Manchester School of Art, Khushi Kumar’s multidisciplinary background sets her apart in the global fashion circuit. Her experience with Christian Dior and work across luxury houses and export firms shaped her refined understanding of sartorial storytelling. From Delhi to London, she’s built a label that balances Indian handwork with contemporary global sensibilities, catering to women who want timeless artistry with modern relevance.

Speaking about her debut, the designer said, “Presenting my debut runway collection on-schedule at London Fashion Week has been one of the most defining moments of my journey so far. This was the first time I revealed garments under the House of Khushi Kumar, and doing so on a global platform felt both powerful and deeply personal.”

For Khushi Kumar, KALANTA marks a new beginning — not just for her brand, but for Indian storytelling in luxury fashion. She further shared, “The collection marks an awakening for the brand. After introducing the house through our signature scarves as a whisper, this ready-to-wear debut is where the house fully comes alive. It explores generational memory, Indian heritage, and modern femininity, all translated through strong silhouettes and intentional craftsmanship. Showing it in London, a city that embraces both tradition and experimentation, felt like the perfect stage for that evolution.”

Khushi Kumar’s debut not only celebrates her personal journey but also signals the larger global recognition of Indian luxury craftsmanship. “KALANTA — The House Awakens” pays homage to cultural identity while boldly stepping into the future of design. With such a promising beginning at London Fashion Week 2026, Khushi Kumar stands as a designer to watch — one who isn’t just creating garments, but crafting stories that connect heritage with the modern soul.