India’s fashion landscape continues to expand its global creative footprint as the country maintains its position as the Guest Country for Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA) in 2026. Strengthening this cultural dialogue between India and the MENA region, New Delhi–based label Kartik Research is set to present a special showcase at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI this March — marking the brand’s first-ever runway presentation in India.
Founded in 2021 by designer Kartik Kumra, Kartik Research has quickly carved out a distinctive identity within India’s new wave of fashion labels. The brand is deeply rooted in craftsmanship, with a philosophy that seeks to restore a sense of humanity and authenticity to clothing. Every piece reflects a commitment to handcraft: fabrics are woven on traditional handlooms, embroideries are executed entirely by hand, and garments emerge from close collaboration with skilled artisans across the country.
Kartik Research’s design language is shaped by India’s rich and layered subcultures. The label draws inspiration from diverse cultural references — from the vibrant, free-spirited energy of 1960s psychedelic rock culture to the experimental Indo-modernist art movements that defined the 1980s. Through these influences, the brand explores how heritage and contemporary aspirations intersect, creating collections that feel both historically rooted and forward-looking.
At the heart of the label lies an ongoing dialogue with India’s craft communities. Kartik Research works closely with master artisans to revive lesser-known techniques and reinterpret them within a modern, globally relevant framework. By doing so, the brand not only preserves traditional skills but also repositions them within the wider conversation of international fashion.
The upcoming showcase at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI represents a significant milestone for the brand. Although Kartik Research has already attracted global attention for its nuanced storytelling and artisanal approach, this presentation will mark its first official appearance on an Indian runway — a moment that reflects the growing synergy between India’s craft traditions and the global luxury market.
Kartik Kumra, Founder of Kartik Research, reflected on the recognition, saying that being named the India Winner by Fashion Trust Arabia is both a privilege and a responsibility. He noted that the brand was founded on the idea that craft is a living expression — one that holds stories of memory, labour, and identity. Kumra added that presenting at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI for the first time in India feels particularly special, describing it as a homecoming moment that honours the artisans the label collaborates with while bringing their work into a broader global conversation.
Sharing similar sentiments, Tania Fares, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Fashion Trust Arabia, expressed pride in seeing Kartik Research present at Lakmé Fashion Week this season. She noted that the designer’s unique perspective and refined approach to craftsmanship reflect exactly the kind of emerging talent the platform seeks to nurture. Fares also highlighted that Kartik Kumra had previously won the Guest Country category in November 2025, during Fashion Trust Arabia’s collaboration with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre celebrating India as the guest country. According to her, his showcase at Lakmé Fashion Week feels like a natural extension of that partnership and reinforces their shared goal of supporting and elevating the next generation of designers on a global stage.
