Amid a plethora of bridal ensembles that will treat our eyes at Hyundai India Couture Week 2026, designer Kunal Rawal will be leading the beacon of menswear in the lineup. Rawal has rendered a contemporary spin to the traditional bandhagala for men and redefined it for the modern groom. From designing kurtas that change colour in the sun to making sherwanis gender-neutral, Rawal has always upped the fashion ante at the Couture Week. In conversation with Manifest, he discusses his latest collection, the evolution of ceremonial menswear, experimenting with AI, and why today's groom is embracing individuality over convention.
Manifest: Take us through the new collection that you will be showcasing at India Couture Week 2026.
Kunal Rawal: This is probably the most complete expression of our world so far. More than a new collection, it's an introduction to everything that has shaped us over the years. We've gone back to our archives, revisited some of our earliest ideas and looked at them with fresh eyes.
You'll see over 140 menswear looks, new textiles, new techniques, new colour studies and new silhouettes. Everything, however, is rooted in the values we've always believed in: craft, functionality, comfort and construction. Military references, architecture, industrial design and sport continue to influence the way we think, but this season they come together in a much more complete expression.
M: You are known for always setting the ramp on fire with your music choices and model line-up. Can you give us a sneak peek into what is in store this season?
KR: This year, the experience goes far beyond the runway. We've approached it as one complete world where performance, music, film and fashion become part of the same story. We've created music with some of the people we've collaborated with before, along with a few new creative partners we're working with for the first time.
M: What are the new crafts and techniques you have introduced this season?
KR: We've spent a lot of time exploring Indian textiles, but not in the way they're usually seen or experienced. Chikankari, Banarasi weaves, brocades, ikat, tissue and silk have all been reworked through our own lens, often manipulated until they almost become something else. There's a great deal of experimentation with washes, texture and construction this season. One of the things I'm most excited about is our interpretation of oxidised gold zardozi for menswear, along with the launch of our signature magnetic stoles.
M: What are the groomswear trends you think will be a hit this season?
KR: The biggest trend is individuality. Today's groom wants to dress for himself before he dresses for anyone else. That could mean something deeply personal hidden inside the garment, a motif that holds meaning only for him, or simply choosing silhouettes that genuinely reflect his personality. Beyond that, you'll see our deconstructed groom, magnetic stoles, modular details and a greater emphasis on functionality becoming part of ceremonial dressing.
M: What is the colour palette going to be like this season for you?
KR: I've always believed there's a right tone of the right colour for every person. We spend an incredible amount of time engineering those tones. For us, colour is built through layers, texture and technique. Dhup Chao has always been one of my favourite ways of working because it allows us to create depth that doesn't come from a single shade, but from the interaction of many. Combined with all the textile experimentation this season, it has allowed us to create colours and textures that simply didn't exist before.
M: With AI increasingly influencing the design world, are you also incorporating it into your design process?
AI is a great creative tool, as long as it remains exactly that—a tool. It can help push an idea further, but it can never replace instinct. We enjoy experimenting with it, and you'll actually see an AI element in this presentation. It's a first for us, and I'm excited for people to experience it.