Diwali has always been India’s biggest dressing-up occasion. This year, though, the world is dressing up for Diwali. From Jimmy Choo’s gold-and-red capsule in Mumbai to Burberry’s vineyard-red vanity bag and Bvlgari’s first-ever global Diwali campaign, the world’s biggest luxury houses are treating the festival as a date on the global fashion calendar, not just an Indian one. And at home, the festive wardrobe itself is changing just as fast.
Choti Diwali falls today, with the main day of the festival tomorrow. Industry figures cited in reports put consumer spending across the September to early-November festive period at $27 billion, up 25 per cent on last year. Luxury brands, which once treated Diwali as a small regional moment, now want a share of it.
Jimmy Choo leads with five shoes and five bags
Jimmy Choo has gone the furthest in making Diwali its own. The British house launched a limited-edition Diwali capsule on October 16, shot in Mumbai, built around five footwear styles, including the SKYE, SKYE WEDGE and SACORA, alongside five bags from its BON BON and SWEETIE families. The palette is unapologetically festive: luminous gold and vibrant red, set against richly patterned carpets.
Burberry, Bvlgari and Louboutin join in
Burberry has taken a quieter route. Its Diwali capsule works in vineyard red and chocolate brown, with the signature House Check reworked in a cashmere-silk blend threaded with metallic fibres. The centrepiece is a quilted velvet vanity bag, its chain strap interlaced with the iconic check, sitting alongside capes, scarves and menswear. The collection is available in India and the Middle East.
Bvlgari marked the season with its first global Diwali campaign, titled Passing the Light, unveiled at the Jaipur Centre for Art on October 11. Created with Indian artist Doyel Joshi, the installation features 4,500 handcrafted terracotta elements inspired by the traditional diya. Christian Louboutin, meanwhile, launched Rayon de Lumiere, a limited-edition capsule inspired by Mumbai’s architecture, on October 15, and Ferragamo introduced its first Diwali capsule.
Chanel joined the season with a Diwali party in Delhi earlier this month, attended by actor Ananya Panday, the house’s first Indian ambassador, alongside a Diwali 2026 beauty campaign. Even Harrods in London has lit up its facade for Diwali and, reports say, increased its investment in Indian labels such as Verandah, 100Hands and Kartik Research.
The Indian wardrobe is changing too
The more interesting shift, though, is happening inside Indian festive dressing itself. The old formula of heavily embellished lehengas and ornate saris for every occasion is giving way to something more personal. Pre-draped saris, sculptural blouses, corset tops, fluid lehen/imagegas, asymmetric drapes, contemporary jackets and co-ord sets are now the silhouettes of the season.
Designer Anita Dongre summed up the mood in an interview with the Free Press Journal: people no longer dress for the occasion, they dress for themselves, and the occasion is simply where they happen to be. Designer Payal Khandwala made a similar point, noting that brocade ensembles in black and steel grey from her Autumn Winter ’26 collection have emerged as bestsellers.
Jewel tones and metallics remain relevant, but tonal dressing, deeper neutrals and unexpected combinations are gaining ground. Alia Bhatt’s gold Banarasi jacket paired with tailored trousers, designed by Mayyur Girotra, was highlighted as the season’s standout example of old weaving worn in a new, almost androgynous way.
What to wear this Diwali
For anyone still deciding what to wear this weekend, the season’s new rules are refreshingly simple:
- Mix old and new: pair a traditional weave, like Banarasi or brocade, with tailored trousers or a contemporary jacket instead of a full traditional set.
- Let one piece do the talking: a sculptural blouse, a corset top or a statement accessory beats head-to-toe embellishment.
- Try deeper tones: black, steel grey and chocolate brown now sit comfortably next to gold and jewel tones.
- Choose comfort: pre-draped saris and co-ord sets are popular for a reason, they move easily from a family puja to a late-night party.
- Finish with one luxury touch: a single standout bag, shoe or piece of jewellery carries the look without overwhelming it.
Diwali 2026 will be remembered as the year the festival went truly global. The lights, the diyas and the fireworks are the same as ever. The wardrobe, though, has never looked more like the world’s.
FAQs
Which luxury brands launched Diwali collections in 2026?
Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Bvlgari, Christian Louboutin, Ferragamo, Michael Kors and Chanel, with Bvlgari unveiling its first-ever global Diwali campaign, Passing the Light.
What is in Jimmy Choo’s Diwali 2026 capsule?
Five footwear styles, including the SKYE, SKYE WEDGE and SACORA, and five bags from the BON BON and SWEETIE families, in luminous gold and vibrant red. The campaign was shot in Mumbai and launched on October 16.
What are the big festive fashion trends this Diwali?
Pre-draped saris, sculptural blouses, corset tops, fluid lehengas, co-ord sets and contemporary jackets, with deeper neutrals like black and steel grey joining traditional jewel tones and metallics.
When is Diwali 2026?
Choti Diwali falls on November 7, with the main day of Diwali on November 8, 2026.
Why are global brands suddenly interested in Diwali?
Industry figures cited in reports put festive-season spending at $27 billion this year, up 25 per cent year on year.
From the festive runways to your wardrobe, this Diwali is proof that Indian style now sets the global agenda. Happy Diwali.
