From Bollywood to global runway: Kriti Sanon’s pearl-drenched debut is breaking the internet

Manish Malhotra brought a big slice of India to Dubai Fashion Week 2026 with his latest collection, The India Story: Inaya 2026. Think old-school craft meeting modern glamour, all wrapped in serious couture drama.

It was grand, rich, and very Manish.Making the moment even more special, Kriti Sanon stepped onto an international runway for the very first time as his muse. And she didn’t just walk - she owned the finale. Kriti closed the show in an ivory two-piece set that felt straight out of a dream. The bustier shimmered with pearls and diamonds, while the skirt was layered with delicate pearl strands that moved with every step she took.

It was elegant without trying too hard.

Soft, but powerful.

She walked to the retro track Ramba Ho Ho Ho, which added a playful, throwback mood to the grand finale. The vibe? Vintage Bollywood meets global runway. Her look was finished with a sheer dupatta dotted with pearl tassels that caught the light beautifully, giving the whole outfit that extra dose of drama. To break the all-ivory moment, she wore emerald and diamond jewellery - drop earrings, rings, and stacked bracelets from Manish Malhotra Jewellery - adding just the right pop of colour.

This was also Manish Malhotra’s second time in a row as the grand finale designer at Dubai Fashion Week. Dubai clearly holds a special place for him, and it showed in how confident and global the collection felt. The silhouettes blended Indian techniques with international cuts - outfits you could picture at a big wedding one day and a red carpet the next.

While Kriti’s pearl-drenched look stole the spotlight, the Inaya 2026 collection had plenty of statement pieces that are clearly going to make their way into bridal wardrobes and celebrity closets this year.

There were rich colours, sharp cuts, signature Manish sequins, and styling that leaned bold but stayed classy.Jewellery had its own moment too. From diamonds to emeralds, Manish Malhotra Fine Jewellery walked hand in hand with the couture. Every piece sparkled under the runway lights, adding that final layer of luxury to the looks. It wasn’t just about clothes, it was about building a whole world of glamour.

As the show wrapped up, Manish and Kriti walked out together to loud applause.

It felt celebratory, warm, and well-deserved. A proud moment for both - him, showing yet again why he’s one of India’s biggest couture names, and her, marking a stylish international runway debut.Dubai Fashion Week ran from February 1 to February 6 and featured a strong global lineup, including Kresha Bajaj, Alberta Ferretti, Dina Melwani, Asjad, Weinsanto, Blssd, NIF Global x London School of Trends, Lili Blanc, Soramame, Nura by Tryano, and Lama Jouni, among others.