 "Fashion Police | Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI: How Tabu, Mandira Bedi, Neelam Kothari & Shalini Passi smash ageism")
Often older models and actresses are considered to be irrelevant especially in the fashion industry and also in the entertainment industry. But not anymore. At the recently held Lakme Fashion Week, we saw Tabu, Mandira Bedi, Neelam Kothari and Shalini Passi of Netflix’s Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives fame were seen walking down the ramp with grace and style as showstoppers for different designers. It’s indeed a welcome change when age is just a number. In an age when we have become horribly ageist, this is a welcome change.
Tabu as showstopper for ITRH’s ‘Noor’
Tabu, the versatile actress of the entertainment industry, stunned at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week 2025, donning a modern traditional look in sparkling Anarkali as she walked the ramp for ITRH’s ‘Noor’. Tabu wore a deep green embellished Anarkali from Itrh’s newest collection as the ensemble featured intricate embroidery, shimmering zari details, and beautiful handwork, which was paired with equally ornate ghaghra.
The actress wore a deep green embellished Anarkali from Itrh’s newest collection as the ensemble featured intricate embroidery, shimmering zari details, and beautiful handwork, which was paired with equally ornate ghaghra.
Shalini Passi showstopper for Nikita Mhaisalkar
Shalini Passi closed the showcase for Nikita Mhaisalkar’s latest collection ‘Beyond’, wearing a deep blue galaxy-print halter neck fishtail gown, cinched at the waist with a sleek belt. The celestial look perfectly captured the theme of the evening — a journey beyond the visible, into the stars. Designer Nikita Mhaisalkar transformed the Lakmé Fashion Week 2025 runway into an ethereal spectacle with her latest collection, Beyond, presented at The Grand, New Delhi. Adding to the grandeur, actor Sahil Salathia opened the show and art patron and actor philanthropist Shalini Passi walked as showstoppers for the showcase.
The presentation unfolded as a sensorial spectacle where fashion met scale, energy, and imagination. “Beyond” urged onlookers to gaze past the visible and step into a world beyond boundaries, into the unseen. With silhouettes echoing fluidity, textures capturing the pulse of the cosmos, and a palette inspired by starlit skies and celestial light, the collection celebrated the infinite mystery and magnetism of the universe.
Neelam Kothari walked the ramp for designer Sanjukta Dutta
Neelam Kothari was seen walking the ramp in a beautiful Assamese saree. Kolkata’s popular designer Sanjukta Dutta, is renowned for her passion for traditional heritage textiles. At Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI, Sanjukta unveiled her latest collection গধূলি Gadhuli (The Twilight), which had a delicate inspiration of the twilight shades of the night with black and maroon at the core of the line. To the strains of the solo violinist Sunita Bhuyan, the show opened with a tribute to the late Zubeen Garg, whose image was seen on the Pallav of the opening sari.
Highlighting the beautiful Assamese weaves in rich black and maroon hues, Sanjukta brought a fashion depth that was instilled in ageless traditions. Her passion for the Assamese Mekhela Chador was once again evident, as it was the highlight of the collection. Reimagined in contemporary silhouettes, Sanjukta displayed a versatile line of saris, dhotis, skirts and elegant Anarkalis.
Mandira Bedi was designer Payal Jain’s showstopper
Payal Jain’s latest collection at Lakmē Fashion Week called Paris Mon Amour brought Parisian glamour on the ramp. Inspired by the stylish French men and women and their effortless, impeccable sense of fashion, Payal’s many years in Paris were translated on the ramp this season. Ever graceful Mandira Bedi walked the ramp with poise in a white gown.
Making a slinky entry on the ramp to start the Parisian showcase, the internet personality, Nitibha Kaul looked stylish in an all-white embroidered look, comprising pants, tiny bikini top, crocheted shawl and a matching overlay.
To interpret the French ethos with a distinct Indian flavour, Payal’s fabric choices were light, breezy Katruan cotton from Banaras with delicate floral and Zari accents. The ivory mulmul was highlighted with Chikankari, Phanda and murri floral motifs, while hand stitched lace stacks, cutwork detailing in cotton, tonal beadwork and layered appliqués brought an exciting fashion story. The fringe detailing in denim added an unconventional quality to the collection.
The silhouettes played with varying shapes and forms, when egg shell hued Chanderi and mulmul appeared for blouses that were uniquely teamed with indigo denim minis, wraps and shorts. Adding more fashion forward fervour, the oversized gilets and jackets, caused quite a stylish stir on the ramp, while crochet jumpers and shirt dresses were cinched at the waist with colourful floral belts or scarves.
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