When a legacy brand meets a fresh creative voice, the result often lies somewhere between reinvention and rediscovery. At Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI, Aditi Rao Hydari marked her debut into a new role –
as Co-Creative Director for Satya Paul – bringing a distinctly personal lens to the label’s signature aesthetic.
Taking to the runway herself, Aditi Rao Hydari embodied the spirit of the capsule collection – easy, expressive and intuitively styled. Her look captured the essence of the line: fluid drapes balanced with contemporary layering, designed for movement rather than formality.
It wasn’t about spectacle, but about wearability elevated through detail – an approach that felt both intimate and modern.
View this post on Instagram
This capsule marked Aditi’s first formal foray into fashion design, and it leaned heavily into her instinct for storytelling. Working alongside Satya Paul’s creative directors, she explored how garments could reflect personality rather than occasion. The collection unfolded as a wardrobe for the present with pieces that transition seamlessly across settings, blurring the lines between daywear and occasion wear.
Commenting on her role as Co-Creative Director, Aditi shared, “Working on this collection felt like a chance to really explore what I love: art, colour, and storytelling, and see that translate into something effortless and playful. I wanted it to feel easy and authentic to my aesthetic.”
View this post on Instagram
True to Satya Paul’s legacy, print remained central. Dragonflies, florals and abstract motifs moved across the garments, creating a visual rhythm that felt playful yet considered. Rather than dominating the silhouettes, these elements were integrated with restraint – appearing through surface details, layered compositions and subtle embellishments that revealed themselves over time.
At the heart of the collection was a fresh take on the saree. Classic drapes were reinterpreted through modern styling – paired with sheer bomber jackets, fluid trench coats and contemporary separates. This layering introduced a new dimension, positioning the saree not just as occasion wear, but as a versatile piece within a larger wardrobe.
Satya Paul’s Creative Directors David Abraham, Rakesh Thakore, and Kevin Nigli added, “Aditi brought a wonderful sense of curiosity and artistic instinct to the collaboration. Her approach to colour, narrative and movement aligned seamlessly with Satya Paul’s design ethos. Through this partnership, we were able to reinterpret the saree in a way that feels dynamic and relevant for today, while still honouring the craftsmanship and visual storytelling that the brand is known for.”
View this post on Instagram
With Aditi Rao Hydari at the centre of the narrative, the collaboration felt less like a departure and more like an evolution. Her perspective brought softness, playfulness and individuality to Satya Paul’s established design language. The result was a collection that felt lived-in yet expressive.
