Love, love, love, love; the essence of human nature, what keeps us together. Something that even the most emotionally unavailable person craves in silence. And how can we blame them? It is scary, you know? No one wants to get hurt. Love has lost its purity: dating apps, a sea of apparently infinite choices, endless distractions. Love has become something rare. No one wants to commit, seriousness frightens us, and vulnerability even more. It's as if we’ve become numb to it, as if we’ve forgotten what it means. After taking a season off, Ahluwalia returns to the London fashion week runway with a celebration of love, unveiling its many facets through a vibrant palette and a romantic soundscape that, for a moment, reignite our curiosity.
Presented at the atrium of the NoMad Hotel, the show embraced a romantic, theatrical setting, with a live score by Tom Tripp and violinist 4Stringz filling the space with delicate sounds. A tailored silhouette with fringes opened the show, followed by a sportier outfit in satin wide leg pants and burgundy tones that echoed the fringes of the first look. Hoods, turbans, and fringed headpieces added drama and texture. The collection was a game of combinations and juxtapositions: structured tailoring alongside loose silhouettes, the movement of fringes and the fluidity of silk contrasted with twists and knots, embodying both freedom and restraint.
The palette spanned scarlet, ruby, and saphire, alongside shocking pinks, baby blues, earthy browns, and different shades of green in hoodies, skirts, and a mini silk dress. Sustainability remained central: recycled denim featuring laser-print details and responsibly sourced fabrics such as organic cotton, certified viscose, and wools. The collection was further enriched by the reemergence of Ahluwalia’s collaboration with Puma, reimagining the brand’s famed suede silhouette.
Taking inspiration from the opulence of Bollywood films, the timeless drama of Shakespeare’s tales and the emotional resonance of Motown and R&B ballads, Prias Ahluwaia’s Affinity collection reminds us of the beauty of connection and vulnerability. Love is chaos, unexpected and unpredictable — but sometimes it’s worth letting our guard down.
