PANAJI: Lucknow: Goa’s traditional Kunbi fabric is gaining recognition across the country and has now been selected as a “focus fabric” or “fabric of special interest” at the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Fashion Week (UPFW).
The organisers of Uttar Pradesh Fashion Week have declared Goa as a partner state and have specially invited Goan artisans and craftsmen, particularly traditional weavers associated with Kunbi fabric and Kunbi sarees, to showcase their work at the event.
“We are providing two free stalls to traditional weavers of Kunbi fabric and Kunbi sarees from Goa so that they can showcase these exquisite products,” said one of the organisers of the mega event.
Uttar Pradesh is preparing to take centre stage in the world of fashion with the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Fashion Week, a three-day fashion and glamour extravaganza scheduled to be held in the state capital, Lucknow, during September-October. The event is aimed at creating a major platform for the state’s rich traditional craftsmanship while bringing artisans, craftsmen, designers, makeup artists and models together under one roof.
The entire event is being sponsored by Shree Parvat Solar Energy, Lucknow’s leading solar energy consultancy and installation provider, and is scheduled to be held towards the end of September 2026 in Lucknow. The Uttar Pradesh Fashion Week platform will also feature national-level contests for makeup and hair experts, as well as tattoo artists.
Uttar Pradesh has long been recognised for its remarkable heritage of handicrafts, textiles, jewellery and traditional artistry. From the intricate embroidery created by chikankari artisans to the delicate ornaments crafted by traditional goldsmiths, the state is home to thousands of highly skilled workers whose expertise has been passed down from one generation to another. In addition to local talent, designers from across India will also participate in the event.
The Uttar Pradesh Fashion Week aims to showcase this immense talent to audiences across India and around the world. By bringing traditional craftsmanship into a contemporary fashion environment, the event seeks to demonstrate how Uttar Pradesh’s rich heritage can become an integral part of modern fashion and luxury.
The organisers plan to further promote the state’s culture, traditions and craftsmanship by bringing Bhojpuri and Bollywood stars on board as part of the event.
The three-day extravaganza is being positioned as one of the biggest fashion and glamour events ever organised in Uttar Pradesh. Rather than concentrating solely on established fashion designers and models, UPFW is expected to showcase talent from across the entire fashion ecosystem. Traditional artisans, craftsmen, designers, makeup artists and professional models will all have an important role to play in the event.
More than 500 participants are expected to be associated with the fashion week, making it one of the largest gatherings of fashion and creative professionals in the state. The participation of such a large number of people is expected to create opportunities for collaboration between traditional craftsmen and contemporary designers, potentially leading to new interpretations of Uttar Pradesh’s distinctive artistic traditions.
One of the major attractions of the event will be its emphasis on traditional skills. Chikankari, for instance, is synonymous with Lucknow and is regarded as one of the finest forms of Indian embroidery. Likewise, the state’s long-standing traditions of jewellery making, weaving, textile work, embroidery, handicrafts and other forms of craftsmanship represent a vast reservoir of creative talent.
The organisers intend to use the fashion week as a bridge between this traditional talent and the international fashion industry. The broader vision is to present Uttar Pradesh not only as a destination of historical and cultural importance, but also as a state capable of producing fashion, craftsmanship and creative talent that can earn recognition on national and international platforms.
Lucknow, with its distinctive cultural identity, royal heritage and long association with craftsmanship, provides an appropriate setting for such an initiative. The city’s unique combination of tradition and modernity could lend the event a special character, allowing contemporary fashion presentations to coexist with the artistic traditions for which the region is renowned.
With hundreds of professionals and creative workers expected to participate, Uttar Pradesh Fashion Week could also provide an important platform for emerging designers and models. For young talent, the event could offer opportunities to gain visibility, build professional networks and become part of a larger and growing fashion ecosystem.
Beyond the glamour of the runway, the central message of UPFW is expected to focus on the recognition and promotion of local talent. The event seeks to highlight that fashion extends far beyond clothing and modelling. It encompasses the artisans, craftsmen, jewellery makers, makeup artists, designers and numerous other professionals whose combined skills contribute to the creation of a finished fashion product.
As Lucknow prepares to host the three-day extravaganza during September-October, expectations are building around what is being described as the biggest fashion extravaganza ever held in Uttar Pradesh. More than 5 lakh people are expected to be part of the grand fashion and glamour event, with hundreds of Bollywood stars also expected to attend.
With its emphasis on heritage, craftsmanship, glamour and contemporary fashion, the Uttar Pradesh Fashion Week aims to place Uttar Pradesh, along with partner state Goa, firmly on the fashion map and introduce their extraordinary traditional talent to audiences across the country and around the world.