The 2026 Grammys offered more than a celebration of music; it marked a moment of visibility for Indian design at its most assured. Across the red carpet, Indian couturiers and heritage houses were chosen not as statements of novelty, but for their craftsmanship, refinement and contemporary relevance.
At Aashni + Co, this evolution feels both significant and familiar. For years, we have championed designers whose work balances tradition with modernity, a dialogue now unfolding on one of the world’s most visible stages.
Manish Malhotra: Globally Resonant
Manish Malhotra’s couture presence embodied precision and fluidity in equal measure. His sculpted silhouettes and nuanced embellishments reflect a mastery of construction that transcends geography.
Manish Malhotra
A custom INAYA look, defined by a structured bodice and sweeping skirt, illustrated his signature interplay between strength and softness. The look held its own amongst international couture, reaffirming Malhotra’s position as a designer whose language of glamour is both distinctly Indian and globally fluent.
Shruti Sancheti: Handloom Heritage in Contemporary Form
Shruti Sancheti continues to reframe Indian textiles within a contemporary context. Her handwoven silks, tailored forms and fluid layers honour the integrity of craft while embracing modern proportion.
Shruti Sancheti
On the red carpet, heritage weaves such as Maheshwari and Chanderi were elevated through clean tailoring inspired by the Nehru jacket, a considered balance of cultural memory and present-day elegance. The emphasis remained where it belongs: on textile, technique and quiet innovation.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee: Jewellery as Identity
Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s jewellery appeared as more than adornment; it carried narrative and symbolism. Intricate detailing and archival references lent depth to contemporary styling, reinforcing the enduring relevance of Indian craftsmanship within global luxury.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee
Singer Kelsea Ballerini accessorized her red-carpet look with Sabyasachi jewellery, introducing Indian luxury craftsmanship to a mainstream global audience. Indian-American rapper Raja Kumari took a more immersive approach, wearing a Sabyasachi saree styled with signature jewellery, seamlessly blending cultural heritage with contemporary edge. Whether paired with international couture or styled alongside a sari, the pieces spoke to individuality and heritage with equal clarity, a testament to design that transcends borders.
Shruti Sancheti
Menswear in Focus
Indian fashion’s global moment at the Grammys extended into menswear, where composer and environmentalist Ricky Kej chose to wear a tailored achkan paired with a gold dhoti. His look brought attention to ceremonial Indian silhouettes, demonstrating how traditional silhouettes can move seamlessly within international contexts.
Ricky Kej
It reflected a broader shift: a renewed appreciation for form, structure and cultural nuance within contemporary menswear.
A Collective Shift
Sabyasachi Vs Manish Malhotra
What distinguished this moment was not a single appearance, but a collective narrative. Indian designers were selected for their design authority, their craftsmanship and their ability to shape global conversations around luxury. Celebrities amplified these choices, but the lasting impression came from the work itself: couture that commands space, textiles that tell stories, jewellery that carries meaning.
Indian fashion is not emerging — it is evolving, expanding and asserting itself with quiet confidence.
Discover the Designers Shaping Global Fashion
At Aashni + Co, we bring together the designers who defined this landmark moment, from Manish Malhotra’s sculptural couture and Shruti Sancheti‘s textile-driven silhouettes to Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s heritage-led creations. Available both in-store and online, these collections offer a direct connection to the Indian fashion voices now commanding attention across the world’s most influential stages.
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