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Starring Diana Penty, the INDIGENE collection at Lakmé Fashion Week brought storytelling, conscious luxury and contemporary Indian beauty to the immersive runway.
Diana Penty Brings Blue Drama to Lakmé Salon X Verandah's INDIGENE Showcase at Lakmé Fashion Week
The third day of Lakmē Fashion Week in association with FDCI witnessed an intersection between heritage and haute couture. In a collaboration that felt much more refreshing than a regular runway show, Lakmē Salon
The exhibition was a masterclass in “boho-luxe,” combining Verandah’s artisanal silhouettes with Lakmē Salon’s avant-garde Cut & Color 2026 Collection.
The muse and the brain
Verandah, founded by former investment banker Anjali Patel Mehta, has carved a niche for itself as India's first Butterfly Mark certified conscious luxury brand. For Spring/Summer 2026, Mehta looked inward, drawing inspiration from her maternal grandmother, Susheela Iengar.
The collections, titled Ammama and Bejewelled, served as a tender tribute to childhood memories in Bengaluru, capturing the scent of magnolia flowers, the intricate geometry of the Rangoli and the timeless elegance of antique South Indian jewellery.
“This collection is rooted in nostalgia, inspired by my grandmother and the home she created, where music brought life every morning, flowers filled everyday spaces (even kitchen containers), and a deep sense of warmth and belonging shaped everything around her,” shared Anjali Patel Mehta. Closing the show was actress Diana Penty, whose effortless grace reflected the brand's “no fuss” philosophy. Hitting the runway in a flowy, hand-beaded kaftan made from sustainable Ecovero, Penty was a vision in midnight blue.
The ensemble featured a signature magnolia print (a nod to the treasured tree at Mehta's grandmother's house) balanced with delicate sequin work. It was a look designed to travel, transition and transcend, feeling as at home in Mumbai as in St. Tropez or Bora Bora.
Lakmé Salon's vision of contemporary Indian beauty came to life through its Cut & Color collection, designed to complement, not compete with, garments. The hair had texture, dimension and fluidity, with shades like warm browns, soft coppers and creamy blondes that enhanced natural movement and skin tones rather than masking them. As Vipul Chaturvedi, CEO of Lakmē Salon, noted: “Indigene is our ode to modern Indian beauty… created with a deep understanding of Indian hair, skin tones and lifestyle.”
The show was completed with a live performance in collaboration with the LEAP Foundation. Renowned percussionist B. Shree Sundarkumar (KanjiraMan) and foundation artists provided a rhythmic beat to the walk, while Rudraksha dancers brought the stories of the land to life.
March 21, 2026, 20:02 IST
