“Eccellenza, The artisans of Italian Style” brought three distinct Italian labels, Avant Toi, LeoDean and UNBREAKIT, to Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI, held at Taj Palace, New Delhi, on 17 October 2026. The showcase was presented by the Italian Trade Agency in collaboration with Confartigianato, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and the Embassy of Italy in India. It highlighted the creative exchange between India and Italy through experimental textiles, Mediterranean-inspired dressing and artistic expression, with each label offering a different view of contemporary Italian design.

The runway moved between material innovation, effortless sophistication and expressive design, which showed how varied Italian fashion is and how closely it stays tied to craftsmanship. Each label had its own idea of modern luxury, where traditional techniques met contemporary silhouettes, unexpected textures and a strong sense of individuality.

Avant Toi: ‘Traces of Memory’

Avant Toi presented ‘Traces of Memory’, a collection inspired by the ancient Salt Roads that connected the Mediterranean coast to the Alps. Drawing on landscapes shaped by wind, salt and time, it explored material experimentation through unconventional dyeing techniques, textured knitwear and an earthy, nature-inspired palette.

Lightweight cashmere gauzes, cotton ribbon yarns, mouliné knits, floral raffia embroidery and basketry-inspired weaves came together with raw-cut fabrics and delicate crochet details. Salt-dyed textiles, time-worn toile de Jouy prints and Provençal-inspired florals added to the label’s approach to craftsmanship, in which imperfections and artistic treatments become part of the design language.

LeoDean: The Modern Mediterranean Nomad

LeoDean brought a contemporary Mediterranean sensibility to the runway with its inaugural Spring/Summer 2027 collection, ‘The Uniform of the Modern Mediterranean Nomad’. It was inspired by a woman moving easily between cities and coastlines, and it captured the understated elegance of destinations from Florence and Milan to Capri, Ibiza and Saint-Tropez.

Relaxed yet precise silhouettes, tactile fabrics and considered construction defined a wardrobe meant to move from travel and daytime engagements to evening occasions. By combining technical and natural fabrics of Italian origin with distinctive finishes, the collection offered a refined approach to resort-to-city dressing that balances function, versatility and quiet luxury.

UNBREAKIT: Where Art Meets Clothing

UNBREAKIT closed the showcase with its art-led approach to fashion, bringing together expressive prints, individualistic silhouettes and Italian craftsmanship. The label was founded in Milan by artist Silvano Negri, with Giorgia Both leading its seasonal design direction, and it looks at the relationship between visual art and clothing, turning artistic expression into wearable pieces.

The pieces are produced in Italy using locally sourced materials and reflect the label’s focus on individuality, original artwork and a creative way of dressing, in which each garment becomes an extension of the wearer’s personality.

What FDCI, the Designers and the Italian Trade Agency Said

Bringing together three different but complementary design philosophies, Eccellenza celebrated the evolving language of Italian fashion, where artisanal expertise, innovation and creative expression continue to shape contemporary luxury. Presented at Taj Palace, New Delhi, on 17 October 2026, the showcase marked another chapter in the cultural and creative exchange between India and Italy at Lakmé Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI.