When Bibhu Mohapatra stepped into the grand ballroom of The Pierre on February 15, he wasn’t just staging a runway show at New York Fashion Week. He was telling a story. Fall/Winter 2026, titled ‘The Pilgrimage’, felt personal — almost like reading pages from a diary stitched in silk and velvet.The mood? Think “power draped in poetry.” Strong, but soft. Structured, yet fluid. A little contradiction and that’s the point.Colour, confidence, craftThe canary yellow strapless gown stole more than a few glances. Its bubble hem — sculpted from gazar — floated like a flower mid-bloom. Then came the deep plum peplum look: sharp shoulders, floral embroidery at the waist, and a flowing skirt that balanced edge with elegance. Warrior energy, but make it chic.There were other moments too — a burgundy tulle gown dusted with appliqués, a crisp white layered outfit topped with a fur-trimmed vest and even a rust-coloured jumpsuit that whispered modern minimalism. Fashion, here, wasn’t loud. It was assured.A love letter homeHere’s the thing: this wasn’t just about clothes. Mohapatra drew from childhood memories in Odisha — his mother’s handiwork, traditional rice paintings, sari drapes. Custom lace and velvet embroidery carried that heritage forward. Even the jewellery, created with Tanishq, echoed regal Indian craftsmanship.When he took his final bow to a standing ovation, it felt earned. For young dreamers watching, the message was clear: your roots aren’t baggage. They’re your superpower.
