Women frequently receive labels from a society based only on how they seem and are dressed. This season’s Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI was brought to a close with The Lakmé Grand Finale, which retagged these tags in association with Diffuse by Manish Malhotra. The partnership was a demonstration of the new brand world of Lakmé and Manish Malhotra’s Diffuse Collection, redefining the power of fashion in becoming #UnaplogeticallyMÉ and inspiring women to celebrate their originality by discovering their core.

The display, the largest grand finale in the 22-year history of the platform, was a tactile representation of the enchantment that the union of two renowned Indian companies created. Every element of the grand finale came together to create a sensory spectacle, including an unprecedented 102 models, almost 1000 guests, a front row crowded with celebrities and creative trailblazers, a concept that resonated with the audience’s culture, the master designer and Lakmé brand ambassador Ananya Panday’s inspiring energy, and actor Aditya Roy Kapur closing the show.

Also, the performance was broadcast live on the YouTube masthead. In less than 12 hours, Lakmé’s symbolic front-row access received 1 million views, making it the largest fashion livestream by an Indian cosmetics brand.

The idea for the event came from the human truth that women have been criticized for their choices in fashion and beauty for years, which diminishes their potential and accomplishments. Lakmé and Manish Malhotra Retagged and reinterpreted the tags in a distinctive way so that women can own them openly and without remorse.

Anybody walking down Manish Malhotra’s runway will receive an edgy message from his collection. The androgynous prints by Manish Malhotra Diffuse featured a high-octane color scheme of sharp blacks, electric purples, and stunning neons that were inspired by classic video games! The Retagged labels were proudly and ostentatiously included in the collection’s finishing touches. The collection embraces Gen-innovative Z’s and creative energy while blending it with classic shapes.

Ananya Panday rocked the runway in a hand-embroidered tassel-edged gown with a scoop neck, and high slit, worn with a statement trench coat. Her ensemble was paired with Lakmé’s signature trend statements – a bold lip, dramatic eyes, and dewy skin – perfect accents to being unapologetically glamorous and ambitious.

102 models strutted down the never-ending runway to the rhythms of percussionist Jonqui and Lush Lata.

Renowned makeup artist Daniel Bauer and Lakmé worked together to develop beauty looks that were influenced by Re-tags, which were interpretations of each label seen on the runway.

Priyanka Dutta