Jayanti Reddy brought the soul, grandeur, and gilded courtyards of Hyderabad straight into the heart of New Delhi. Unveiling her latest collection, The Gilded Era, at Hyundai India Couture Week 2026 – an FDCI initiative presented in association with Nexxus New York – Reddy transformed the Taj Palace ballroom into a celebration of royal Deccani heritage. Inspired by the intricate jalis, carved palace arches, and rich textile archives of old Hyderabad, the 60-look collection reinterpreted age-old Nizami embroidery into weightless, light-reflecting couture designed for the modern era.
The showcase opened with a majestic, luminous palette of soft champagne, ivory, and washed gold. Gossamer-light organza drapes, corseted peplum bodices, and sweeping sharara skirts moved effortlessly, detailed with fine zardozi work, sequins, and micro-beadwork. Injecting a striking twist into her traditionally romantic spectrum, Reddy introduced deep ink-black creations – combining dark velvet bases with rich metallic stitching to create a dramatic play between shadow and shimmer for evening wear.
The menswear sequence brought the same sense of Deccani opulence to tailored menswear. Moving away from rigid padding, open-front beige sherwanis were paired with fluid silk dhoti trousers and sleek bundis. Accessorised with multi-layered pearl and emerald statement neckpieces, the looks captured a perfect balance of royal elegance and modern comfort.
The runway reached a memorable crescendo as actor couple Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth stepped out as the exclusive finale showstoppers. Walking hand-in-hand, Aditi glided down in a gold-and-beige embellished peplum bodice, a sweeping sharara, and a diamond choker, while Siddharth complemented her in an open embroidered beige sherwani and layered emeralds. As Jayanti Reddy joined them for the final bow against illuminated stage arches, The Gilded Era proved that traditional Deccani craft can feel fresh, contemporary, and full of life.
Image Courtesy: sandipphotographer/IG