Mrunal Thakur Channels Celestial Power In Sculpted Gold At Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI

When Mrunal Thakur took the runway to close Pankaj & Nidhi’s show at Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI, the energy in the room shifted. The actor, known for her magnetic screen presence, embodied the label’s latest

muse—a woman who leads with grace yet commands with strength.

The collection, titled ‘Araquis,’ was an exploration of “futuristic royalty” – eveningwear envisioned through the lens of power, protection, and poise. Mrunal Thakur‘s look consisted of a sculpted golden bodice layered in metallic textures that gleamed like molten armour under the lights, with shoulders that arched into a commanding silhouette and a sharply slit black skirt that trailed with understated drama; the ensemble balanced structure with sensuality. In that moment, Mrunal wasn’t merely modelling couture; she was wearing sovereignty.

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Set against a backdrop that evoked a sun-baked realm, Araquis unfolded like a mirage: regal, raw, and restrained. The palette drew from desert hues of smoked copper, burnished gold, and earth browns punctuated by flickers of silver and midnight blue. Surfaces shimmered like shifting dunes, while textures rippled with scale-like patterns, conjuring the image of armour forged by artisans rather than machinery.

Each piece revealed a masterful play between opposing forces – fluid drapes versus structured tailoring, delicate embroidery against metallic finishes. The result was couture that felt both ancient and otherworldly, familiar yet entirely futuristic.

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For Pankaj & Nidhi, known for their intricate surface detailing and architectural silhouettes, ‘Araquis’ marked a deepening of their design vocabulary. The duo’s fascination with form and craftsmanship translated into garments that felt sculpted rather than stitched. “Araquis was born from the idea of resilience, of beauty that protects. We wanted to imagine what power would look like when expressed through grace,” said the designers.

That philosophy found its truest expression in Mrunal’s finale look, which was a study in duality. She shimmered not just as a muse but as a metaphor: the modern woman as her own armour.
With ‘Araquis,’ Pankaj & Nidhi reaffirmed their place as India’s masters of structured romanticism – designers who understand that in today’s world, elegance is nothing without strength, and couture means courage worn beautifully.