Features

A/W 2026 saw leather take on softer, more fluid forms, with houses including Tod’s, Bottega Veneta and Hermès using supple constructions to prioritise drape and ease.

Global brands including Levi’s, Uniqlo, Zara and Primark are using repair and mending services to deepen Gen Z engagement, tapping growing interest in resale, thrift and sustainability.

Strapless and bandeau silhouettes are repeating across both A/W 2026 runways and Indian couture, with global houses like Celine and Hermès pairing them with cardigans and coats for cold-weather wear, while Dolly J, Roseroom, Anita Dongre and Payal Singhal rework strapless and corset blouses into bridal and festive lehengas back home.

Polo dresses are pre-fall's breakout trend, moving from Gucci and Givenchy runways to Paris street style. India is primed to follow, with U.S. Polo Assn.'s existing equity and homegrown labels like The Souled Store, Amydus and Neofaa already adapting it for local climate and price points.

Paris label Matieres Fecales is dressing Zendaya, Lady Gaga and Demi Moore, its provocative name now a red-carpet fixture. Founded by Steven Raj Bhaskaran and Hannah Rose Dalton, it grew from Depop sales to Paris Fashion Week backing from Dover Street Market. Its rise shows bold branding can rival craftsmanship as a growth strategy — a cue India's D2C labels are picking up on.

MIT has developed an all-polythene yarn matching spandex's stretch — but unlike spandex blends, it can be melted and recycled repeatedly without losing strength.The single-material design solves the separation problem blocking spandex fabric recycling, and outperformed commercial spandex-polyester in strength tests. Researchers see potential to extend this to buttons and zippers for fully recyclable garments.

In an exclusive interview with Apparel Resources, Anupam Bansal, who has spent three decades in the footwear industry, talks about the interests, experiences and ideas that shape his life beyond the boardroom.

This season, hosiery is making a comeback this season and re-introducing itself as one of fashion's most expressive finishing touches. On the runways, Moschino paired eveningwear with unexpected pea green stockings, introducing an irreverent contrast to polished silhouettes.

Positioned between zesty citrus tones and high-visibility neon, lime green brings with it a sharper, fresher energy to the season. The shade injects optimism and modernity while maintaining the directional appeal luxury consumers today are increasingly asking for.