How did we debut at the Paris Fashion Week with a 100% plant-based runway collection?
5th of March 2026, was our debut at Paris Fashion Week and Jiwya’s second ever runway show. A big leap for us since we launched in October 2023. I think by now, those who read about us regularly know that Jiwya = 100% plant-based. For those who are new to Jiwya, you can read our story and our last runway at London Fashion Week.
Our runway at the Paris Fashion Week
It has been a glorious dream come true for me to present my designs at the fashion capital of the world-Paris! In my limited time as a scientist-turned-designer, I am learning many things about the fashion world. As you know, I was trained as a textile scientist, and taught myself to be a designer, so it’s my untrained eye or the unconventional entry to this realm that allows me to be just towards Jiwya’s materials. To fully embody the plant-based, closed loop ethos into every design while keeping the silhouettes original.
For a long time Adhiraj and I kept working towards words that can engulf these two pillars of Jiwya: plant-based materials and runway worthy designs. Primarily to simplify what we do at Jiwya but also to signify the fact that we don’t have a precedent. There’s no sustainable luxury brand like ours and being a category creator has its both sides. With due time and some wonderful creatives later, we have the words: Made of Life.
And the timing of it all was so perfect that we revealed these words right before Paris Fashion Week.; proclaiming, on one of the biggest fashion stages, that Jiwya is Made of Life, that an entire runway collection can be 100% plant-based, that generational crafts are the real luxury we all should flaunt, not a version of plastics irritating our skin.
Without further ado, let’s get to talking all about our Paris debut, the collection and much more!
Lata: An ode to strong will of femininity
A climbing plant at the Jiwya Atelier
This AW26 collection is named Lata. In Sanskrit, Lata means a climbing plant/vine/creeper. In the plant ecosystem, a climbing plant is the most delicate of the species, eternally feminine with its curves and beauty. Yet, it grows. Through dilapidated buildings, deserted lands, sprawling gardens or small planters. This is the will of the most delicate plants that grows at all odds and spreads hope no matter what. Thus, this collection-Lata is an ode to the strong will of feminine and its eternal resilience to grow while being delicate in its very nature.
But to me, personally, Lata means so much more. It is an ode to my grandma-in-law, Adhiraj’s grandma. In the short span I knew her, she left a lasting impression on my life. Just like her name - Lata, she was a woman who wouldn’t leave her empathy no matter what turn life took. Her strength lied in her care and will. In every sense of the word, she was synonymous to what we do at Jiwya: caring for each life, soul, spirit.
How did the inspiration translate to the designs?
I wanted this collection to feel royal, feminine, delicate yet bold, all at once. The silhouette and forms became my source of inherent feminine structures - with many shapes of it, just like the many shapes a woman’s body takes. Intricate hand-embroidery with fine and coarse Jute became my ‘bold’, and our beautiful plant-based fabrics in plant colours added the royalty that comes from the soil.
Our runway looks in order at the Paris Fashion Week-LATA AW26
The runway started with Shifa Gown, with flowing vines detailed on its neckline and belts hand embroidered in Jute. As if a tiny vine just taking its first breath in life, highlighting the role of soil in shaping life.
With the second look, you can see Chandni Jumpsuit paired with Parna Jacket and Boond Tie. It’s like an ecosystem of climbing plants nestled in each other's support, symbolising growth in togetherness.
With Juhi Gown, Madhumalti Jacket and Tarika Gown, I wanted to show the bloom of vines with their beautiful flowers. Just like their names, each of these are minutely hand embroidered with unique 3D elements to show flowers vines growing all over the silhouette.
In Skandha Gown, Gulbahar Jacket and Latika Gown, the focus is on climbing plants that are rare, raw and beautiful in their uniqueness. The ones that don’t bloom into flowers but add charm to the world with their character of strength.
The Chameli Jumpsuit, Draksha Jacket and Shvet Tie are, once again, a symbolisation to growing climbers that are symbiotic, enmeshed and flowing with the wind.
The show stopped with Aboli Jumpsuit paired with Goonj Gown, capturing the effect of passing sunlight from a vines’ stem or its leaf when light passes through.
The beauty of a climbing plant lies in its details!
In each piece, the fabric, colours and elements were carefully chosen to be true to their name and the coherency of the collection.
You can see self-work motifs of flowers on the fabric of Juhi Gown with the yellow and orange elements making its buds. The subtle inner orange of Tarika Gown is the coloured stem of flowers, while appliquéd petals cover the body. Latika Gown shows crochet detailing with hand-embroidery, while Skandha Gown is made alive with reviving a weave dating back 700 years ago. The Madhumalti Jacket, Draksha Jacket and Parna Jacket all have heavy detailing with Jute hand-work engulfing the body in parts of a plant traveling all over.
Our runway collection LATA AW26 in the making
The Gulbahar Jacket and Shifa Gown are special. The fabrics are GOTS certified Cotton made from a hyperlocal cluster based in Vidharbha, artisan:re.
artisan: re, our latest cluster partner in creating fabrics that come from the soil
They train farmers in growing organic, getting certification and artisans in hand spinning and hand weaving. Both of these fabrics use Kora or unbleached fibre to keep the natural tint of the yarn. A shoutout to the cluster for the fantastic job and the start of a beautiful partnership with us.
Our runway collection LATA AW26 in the making
In the Aboli Jumpsuit, Chandni Jumpsuit and Chameli Jumpsuit, you can see growing vines accompanied with kamarpatta fit and detailing in the fabric texture. In the Goonj gown, you see the most ethereal mulmul filled with Jute hand work and shining with its transparency.
The Shvet and Boond Tie are rare pieces with handspun-handwoven Hemp fibre embellished with Jute hand embroidery, in our attempt to diversify the planet fibers we use.
Our runway collection LATA AW26 at the Paris Fashion Week
Signature backs, bodycon fits, thigh slits, puffed and cuffed sleeves all add to the delicate charm of each silhouette to enhance the femininity I wanted in each of them. The plant fibres used in the collection are Kala Cotton, Hemp, Jute and Khadi, all of them handspun in charkha and handwoven in various types of handloom and pitloom. The plant colours used are myrobalan, madder, plant indigo, pomegranate peels, palaash flowers and many more. That’s Lata by Jiwya for you.
And if you know me and Jiwya by now, you know we like to make an impact. I wouldn’t have let my designer walk pass without making it impactful, loudly proclaiming with my outfit literally and figuratively that The Future Is Plant-Based!
The future of fashion- as seen at the Paris Fashion Week
If you have reached till here, can you identify plants in the names of each piece? Hint: they are all various types of Lata!
