On Day 3 of Lakmē Fashion Week, Bhumika Sharma unveiled Afterglow, a collection that held its own with a quiet, assured confidence, exploring a modern femininity shaped by both strength and softness.
As the runway unfolded, each look built gently on the last. Sculpted corsetry met fluid skirts, painterly florals softened sharper tailoring, while heritage techniques like zardozi and metallic threadwork were reworked with a lighter, more contemporary hand. Known for her distinctive interplay of prints and craftsmanship, Sharma brought a renewed clarity to her signature this season.
We caught up with the designer to delve into the ideas that shaped the collection and how she envisions evolving going forward.
FL: Afterglow explores a beautiful balance between structure and softness. What drew you to that contrast this season?
BS: I was drawn to the idea of contrast as a way to evolve the brand’s language. Afterglow is about that in-between moment, something that feels both strong and delicate. Structurally, we explored sharper, more sculpted forms, but softened them through fluid textiles, prints, and surface detailing. It felt like a natural progression of how I wanted femininity to be expressed this season.
FL: There’s a mix of romantic volume and more tailored pieces like jackets. How did you bring those together while keeping the collection cohesive?
BS: The cohesion comes from the print and the craft. Even when the silhouettes shift from fluid lehengas to more tailored jackets, the underlying language of print layering and metallic embroidery ties everything together. It allows us to move between volume and structure without losing the identity of the collection.
FL: The corsetry feels more sculpted and central this season. What drew you to that?
BS: Corsetry felt like the right way to introduce structure into the collection. It brings a sense of form and precision, while still allowing us to layer our signature embroidery and prints over it. It is also about redefining how we see traditional occasion wear, making it feel more confident and intentional.
FL: While rooted in couture, your pieces feel versatile and wearable. How do you envision women styling these creations beyond the runway?
BS: That balance is very important to me. I always think of pieces as separates as well, corsets styled with trousers, jackets worn over simpler silhouettes, or lehengas broken down into different looks. The idea is that the garments feel special, but not restrictive. They should move with the wearer, not just exist for an occasion.
“Afterglow lives in that in-between space, something that feels both strong and delicate”
FL: Looking at Afterglow as a whole, what do you think it adds to your design journey so far?
BS:Afterglow feels like a more defined and confident version of the brand. It still carries everything we are known for, prints, embroidery, and craftsmanship, but there is a sharper, more contemporary edge to it. It is a step forward in how we interpret heritage for today, without losing the emotion behind it.