Vivienne Westwood Makes Historic India Debut at the Gateway of India
HSBC presented Vivienne Westwood’s historic India debut at the Gateway of India, in partnership with Vivz Fashion School and the Ministry of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra.
On April 1, 2025, history was made at Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India as Vivienne Westwood staged its first-ever fashion show in India. The evening was a grand celebration of India’s textile heritage, with a runway stretching 166 feet across the historic landmark, glowing under a spectrum of vivid lights. This momentous showcase was made possible through a collaboration with Vivz Fashion School and the Department of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra. It brought together the elegance of Vivienne Westwood’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection and a special couture capsule crafted from India’s finest hand-woven Chanderi silks and Khadi cotton, wool, and silk. These fabrics—symbols of India’s rich artisanal traditions and independence movement—were sourced from esteemed textile houses like Khadi India and Aaranya/Gwalior.
For Andreas Kronthaler, Creative Director of Vivienne Westwood, working with these fabrics was more than just a design choice—it was an immersion into India’s cultural legacy. “I loved getting to know Khadi and Chanderi fabrics. There’s a soul in handwoven textiles, a human touch that makes them timeless,” he shared. The collection itself mirrored the natural beauty of these fabrics—airy white muslins, raw silks in earthy sand tones, deep stone-hued pashmina, sky blues, bold purples, and rich blacks. Staying true to Westwood’s signature style, the designs blended structured tailoring with soft draping, giving Indian textiles a fresh, contemporary twist. Each piece was designed to let the fabric shine, with no unnecessary embellishments, allowing the craftsmanship to take center stage.
For Vivienne Westwood’s CEO, Carlo D’Amario, this show was a long time coming. “India’s textile heritage is extraordinary, and after being introduced to Khadi through our partners at Vivz Fashion School, we knew we wanted to explore it further. Meeting Priyadarshini Scindia, the Queen of Gwalior, and learning about the work being done with traditional artisans was truly inspiring. Westwood has always valued craftsmanship and heritage—our partnerships have spanned the UK, Europe, Africa, and now, India. It’s an honor to be here at the Gateway of India for this incredible moment.”
The audience was as dazzling as the event itself, with a mix of royalty, Bollywood stars, top designers, and fashion influencers. Members of the Gwalior royal family, including Priyadarshini Raje Scindia and Yuvraj Mahanaaryaman Rao Scindia, attended, alongside dignitaries from Baroda, Panna, and Mayurbhanj. Bollywood stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Aditya Roy Kapur graced the occasion, while leading designers like Manish Malhotra, Kunal Rawal, and Falguni & Shane Peacock, along with stylists like Anaita Shroff Adajania and Shaleena Nathani, added to the glamour. Fashion influencers like Diipa Khosla and Aashna Shroff, who bridge the gap between Indian and global fashion, were also in attendance.
The event had strong brand collaborations, with HSBC as the presenting partner, offering an experiential zone dedicated to creativity. Tira brought its beauty expertise to the event, aligning with Westwood’s ethos of individuality. Porsche Centre Mumbai showcased the sleek all-electric Taycan, adding a futuristic edge, while Vedica, Anax Holding, World Villas by Arihant, and Fashion Entrepreneur Fund lent their support.
In a city that has long been a cultural crossroads, Vivienne Westwood’s India debut felt like a natural, yet groundbreaking, moment. It was more than just a fashion show—it was a tribute to craftsmanship, heritage, and the art of weaving the past into the future.
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