Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI 2025 in New Delhi is set to witness a landmark collaboration as designer Ashish N Soni, in partnership with Reliance Industries Limited’s R|Elan™, presents The Soirée at the Grand Budapest Hotel — a visionary collection that reimagines evening wear through the lens of sculptural silhouettes, precise tailoring, and cutting-edge fabric innovation.
Set to be one of the season’s most anticipated showcases, this collection marks a new benchmark in modern couture, blending craftsmanship, architectural form, and technical fabric mastery into a seamless celebration of elegance and individuality.
Evening Wear as Architecture in Motion
Inspired by the grandeur of the cinematic Grand Budapest Hotel, Ashish N Soni’s collection celebrates black as timeless, architectural, and endlessly expressive. The runway will be dominated by fluid gowns, tuxedo-inspired jackets, and sweeping trousers — garments designed to bring drama, sophistication, and refinement to black-tie dressing.
“Evening wear, to me, is architecture in motion,” says Soni. “For women, sculpted shoulders and cinched waists are softened by draping, creating silhouettes that are both commanding and sensual. For men, sharp tuxedo-inspired cuts, wide-leg trousers, and architectural jackets reinterpret black-tie dressing with a modern edge. This collection is a visual symphony — formal yet effortless, precise yet fluid.”
Innovation Meets Elegance
Central to this collaboration is the use of R|Elan™’s advanced fabric technologies, which push the boundaries of textile innovation while preserving luxury. Materials such as R|Elan™ GreenGold, R|Elan™ FeelFresh, R|Elan™ EcoGold, R|Elan™ Kooltex, and R|Elan™ SuperFeel enhance breathability, drape, and lightness, ensuring garments that move as effortlessly as they are designed.
“Partnering with R|Elan™ allows us to merge artistry with performance,” Soni explains. “Every fabric elevates the silhouette, ensuring comfort without compromising on style. This collection empowers both women and men to move with confidence, freedom, and undeniable flair.”
Hemant D. Sharma, President – Polyester, Reliance Industries Limited, adds: “At Reliance, we are committed to revolutionising the fashion landscape with cutting-edge R|Elan™ textile solutions. Ashish N Soni’s collection perfectly aligns with our vision of blending innovation with contemporary design. The use of R|Elan™ brings unmatched luxury and fluidity, positioning this collection as a true game-changer in evening wear.”
A Narrative of Nostalgia and Modernity
True to its name, The Soirée at the Grand Budapest Hotel blends nostalgia with modernity, opulence with precision. Every piece in the collection emerges as an invitation to an intimate soirée — a statement of elegance where tailoring becomes a language of identity rather than conformity. Sculpted in black, each garment is crafted with intent, elevated by innovation, and designed for those who arrive not to blend in, but to define the room.
Soni’s collaboration with R|Elan™ represents more than a collection; it is a manifesto for a new era of evening wear — one where form, structure, and movement converge. With its sculptural silhouettes, innovative textiles, and timeless elegance, The Soirée at the Grand Budapest Hotel promises to be one of the season’s most unforgettable moments at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI 2025.
What to Expect on the Runway
From architectural tailoring to fluid gowns, from luxe textures to performance-driven fabrics, Ashish N Soni’s showcase will redefine eveningwear for the modern era. It is a celebration of precision, artistry, and innovation — and a testament to the power of collaboration between visionary designers and pioneering textile innovation.
For fashion enthusiasts, The Soirée at the Grand Budapest Hotel will be not just a show, but an experience — a fusion of craftsmanship, technology, and timeless style that will leave a lasting imprint on Lakmē Fashion Week 2025.
