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.

Also Read: Indian Mobility Awards 2025: Recognizing the Future of Innovation

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A week of major shifts and fresh projects! Get the latest scoop in this week’s pop culture recap.

This week has been full of interesting changes and updates. There have been some big shifts and exciting moves that have caught everyone’s attention. Let’s take a look at what’s been happening this week!

Donatella Versace’s Departure

Donatella Versace, 69, has stepped down as Chief Creative Officer of Versace after nearly three decades due to disputes over declining sales. She will transition to the role of Chief Brand Ambassador effective April 1, 2025, and is restricted from using her family name for future ventures. Dario Vitale, formerly the Design and Image Director at Miu Miu, will replace her as the new Creative Director. 

Donatella will now focus on supporting Versace’s philanthropic efforts and promoting the brand globally, while Dario Vitale aims to preserve Versace’s legacy while embracing modern innovation. 

BLACKPINK’s Lisa Expands Creative Horizons with Graphic Novel ALTER-EGO

Lisa from BLACKPINK has launched her own comic brand, Lalisa Comics, in partnership with Zero Zero Entertainment, releasing a 56-page graphic novel titled ALTER-EGO: The Official Comic alongside her debut solo album, Alter Ego. Created by Lisa and illustrated by Japanese artist Minomiyabi, the comic follows five alter egos—Roxi, Kiki, Vixi, Sunni, and Speedi—each representing different aspects of Lisa’s personality. The storyline features Vixi trapped in a virtual reality nightmare by bullies, with her friends stepping in to rescue her. Available for pre-order on the Lalisa Comics website, the release demonstrates Lisa’s creative expansion beyond music.

Frank & Eileen Launches “House of Frank & Eileen” with Julianne Moore

Frank & Eileen, a woman-owned and led fashion brand, has introduced the House of Frank & Eileen, a community design initiative collaborating with iconic women. The inaugural collection features “Waverly,” superluxe button-up co-created with award-winning actress and author Julianne Moore. This collaboration reflects Frank & Eileen’s commitment to authenticity and celebrates female entrepreneurship..

In a conversation about the partnership, Moore described her personal style as modern, easy, and fairly monochromatic, influenced by her profession’s frequent costumes and red carpet appearances. She found common ground with Frank & Eileen’s founder, Audrey, noting shared values of devotion to family and work, and a mutual appreciation for authenticity.

Lily Allen’s Musical Comeback

After a seven-year hiatus since her 2018 album “No Shame,” British singer Lily Allen is preparing a return to music. She’s collaborating with Grammy-winning producer Greg Kurstin, known for their previous hits like “Smile” and “The Fear.” Major labels, including BMG, have shown interest in her new material. Allen has also been active with her podcast “Miss Me?” and is set to star in the play “Hedda” at the Theatre Royal in Bath. Additionally, she’s developing a new musical but plans to focus on her current commitments before releasing new music.

All We Imagine as Light’ Triumphs at Asian Film Awards

Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine as Light” won Best Film at the Asian Film Awards. The movie, which previously won the Grand Prix at Cannes, continues to receive international acclaim.

Passing of Oscar-Winning Producer Stanley Jaffe

Stanley Jaffe, renowned for producing films like “Kramer vs. Kramer,” “Fatal Attraction,” and “The Accused,” has died at 84. His work earned him an Academy Award, and he held leadership roles at Paramount Pictures.

Also Read: Indian Entrepreneur Summit & Awards 2025: Celebrating Innovation and Leadership

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From trends in fashion to big changes in entertainment and social media, we’ve rounded up the highlights you won’t want to miss. Check out the biggest happenings of the week!

With major brands making bold moves and new trends emerging, there’s been plenty to talk about. In this article, we’ll highlight the biggest happenings of the week that made it to our conversations. 

Paris Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 2025

Paris Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 2025, which is ongoing from March 3 to March 11, 2025, has already delivered a series of impactful collections. The collections demonstrate how Paris Fashion Week continues to push the envelope in creativity, sustainability, and inclusivity, setting the tone for the future of fashion.

Louis Vuitton Launches Its First Makeup Line

Louis Vuitton has officially announced its first-ever makeup line, La Beauté Louis Vuitton, set to launch in Fall 2025. The collection, revealed during Paris Fashion Week, marks the brand’s expansion into beauty and is led by renowned makeup artist Dame Pat McGrath as its Creative Director. The lineup will include 55 lipsticks, 10 lip balms, and 8 eyeshadow palettes, reflecting Louis Vuitton’s commitment to luxury and quality. While details about the formulations remain under wraps, the collection is expected to embody the house’s signature craftsmanship and innovation. This highly anticipated launch is poised to elevate Louis Vuitton’s presence in the global beauty industry, solidifying its status as a leader in luxury beyond fashion and accessories.

Lollapalooza India 2025

Lollapalooza India 2025 brought an electrifying weekend to Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse on March 8 and 9, with a lineup that had something for everyone. Green Day, Shawn Mendes, and Louis Tomlinson headlined the festival, making it a dream come true for rock and pop fans. EDM lovers weren’t left out, with Zedd and Alok turning the venue into a massive dance party. Indie and alternative fans got their fix with Glass Animals, Nothing But Thieves, and AURORA. Raftaar x Kr$na, Hanumankind, Niladri Kumar, Lisa Mishra, Talwiinder, and Anushka added their own energy to the mix. 

TikTok Expands Into Local Services to Boost Small Business Engagement

TikTok is expanding its services in the U.S. by building a dedicated team to help small businesses connect with creators and users on the platform. The company has posted job openings in key cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York, aiming to strengthen the relationship between local merchants and TikTok’s vast creator community. This move follows a similar approach used in Southeast Asia, where TikTok collaborated with creators to offer deals for restaurants, hotels, and travel. Through this expansion, TikTok intends to further support small businesses and improve the user experience, even as the platform faces ongoing legal challenges in the U.S.

Disney Cancels ‘Tiana’ Series

Disney has canceled the planned ‘Tiana’ animated series, which was to be based on characters from ‘The Princess and the Frog.’ Instead, the studio is developing a short-form special inspired by the original movie, with new storytelling overseen by Joyce Sherri and Steve Anderson. This shift is part of Disney’s strategy to move away from long-form streaming content.

Also Read: Milan Fashion Week 2025: The Biggest Highlights and Trends

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