How Anurag Gupta Brought Stories Of Sex Workers To The Runway At Lakmé Fashion Week 2026 | Exclusive

Anurag Gupta entered the Lakmē Fashion Week 2026 with his collection ‘Artisanal’ on 16th October 2026 which took place at the Taj Palace, New Delhi. Anurag Gupta’s artisanal collection is a tribute to the women who have been affected by generations of prostitution and limited opportunities. While speaking to HerZindagi, Anurag Gupta talked about the sex workers of Bishnor, and how his collection aims to provide  a dignified life to these women. 

Anurag Gupta Brought Stories Of Sex Workers To The Runway At Lakmé Fashion Week 2026 

In an exclusive interview with HerZindagi, Anurag Gupta talked about how he takes inspiration from things from everyday lives. His collection included abstract textile designs transformed in their most beautiful way. When asked about the story of sex workers behind his ‘Artisanal’ collection, he mentioned his wish to empower the sex workers of his hometown village, Bishnor, with an aim to make them financially independent and become an integral part of his label. The women who make these products are former or current sex workers. He wants to provide a dignified life to these women through artisanal craftsmanship. 

During the interview he mentioned how working with these sex workers is still a question as lack of trust prevails between. Through his label, Anurag Gupta is trying to bridge the gap between the label and the workers. To HerZindagi, he mentioned that in the next few months, we might see heavy impactful work of hardworking sex workers earning their salaries through Anurag Gupta's collection.

About Anurag Gupta’s Collection At The Lakmē Fashion Week 2026

At the heart of ‘Artisanal’ was Jalkumbhi, or water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant traditionally regarded as an environmental nuisance. Reimagining this overlooked natural resource, Anurag Gupta explored its potential as a craft material that could create new livelihood opportunities for women in Biskohar. Once harvested, dried and processed, the plants, fibres can be woven into durable textiles and handcrafted objects. The collection translated this material exploration into a distinctive design language, bringing together structured tailoring, raw woven textures and deliberate surface manipulation. Through architectural forms, layered constructions and tactile detailing, the garments celebrated the relationship between natural materials,contemporary design and the skill of the human hand. 

Anurag Gupta’s Collection On The Runway

Anurag's show began with the video of the women working with various forms of textiles and it connected the audience with the through that the deisgner was going forward with. Anurag Gupta’s collection reimagines natural materials, intricate textures, and earthy tones through sculptural silhouettes and experimental craftsmanship. Bold woven elements, raw fabric details, and oversized forms create a striking fusion of sustainability, innovation, and contemporary fashion. 

Conclusion

Anurag Gupta’s ‘Artisanal’ collection is more than a fashion showcase; it is a movement towards social change, bridging high fashion with sustainable craftsmanship and social empowerment for marginalised women.

(Image Credits: FDCI)

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