Indian fashion designer Anita Dongre returned with the second edition of Rewild – her Fashion For Good fundraiser. Hostedat the historic Lukshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, the show stood as a powerful embodiment of Rewild’s ethos, where cultural legacy anchors a future-facing vision of conscious luxury and where slowing down, making thoughtful choices and honouring what already exists – restores meaning to fashion.
Co-hosted by Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad of Baroda, Rewild 2026 moved beyond the conventions of an event to inhabit a living symbol of its own philosophy. At the same time, the palace – built in the late 19th century, and said to be four times the size of Buckingham Palace – added to the entire charm of the evening.
Rewild 2026 reflects Anita Dongre’s belief that fashion can balance creativity with responsibility and scale with purpose; sustainability guided every stage, with people, animals, and the planet at the core. Presented in partnership with ORRA, the Spring Summer 26 collection showcased textiles woven in Benaras by master artisans, airy sheers, delicate cutwork and subtle fringe details inspired by the harmonious co-existence of flora and fauna of the forests, creating a collection where craft, culture, and conservation converge. Motifs inspired by forests appeared throughout in embroidery, bows, and surface details, while the palette shifted from deep emeralds, midnight blues, and black to ivories, warm golds, and butter yellow reflecting sunlit clearings, bark, and earth, staying deeply connected to the idea of rewilding.
Inspired by the 140-year-old Banyan tree at the Lukshmi Vilas Palace, the House for the first time introduced handwoven macramé in the atelier as a new craft expression, adding texture and structure while remaining true to its artisan-led foundation. Continuing long-standing collaborations,hand-painted Pichhwai, garments created by women artisans from SEWA Gujarat in the comfort of their homes remained integral to the collection reinforcing the House’s commitment to sustaining livelihoods across craft communities. Rewild placed reinvention at its core, ensuring these skills evolve and endure across generations.
In a quiet nod to circular design, select pieces were reimagined from the Benaras dupattas and transformed into new silhouettes, honouring the original textile while giving it renewed life. Together, these elements reflected a design philosophy rooted in our age-old crafts yet consciously shaped for the present where craft is not preserved as nostalgia but carried forward with intention.
Rewild 2026 convened guests for a Fashion for Good brunch, bringing together conservationists, philanthropists, society changemakers, likeminded community of nature lovers alongwith media to discuss wildlife protection, coexistence and community-led conservation across India. The day culminated in an evening fashion showcase, where Anita Dongre’s collection was presented in support of the cause. Much like her fashion, even the music of the show was reinterpreted through modern soundscapes by Mooralala, known for blending raw vocals with minimal, modern instrumentation, while performances by Karsh Kale, Rajakumari and Monica Dogra brought together rhythm, reflection, and resonance, creating an immersive experience that echoed Rewild’s ethos of harmony and shared futures.
“Rewild was born from a deep belief that fashion must exist in harmony with the natural world. For me, conservation is not separate from creativity it is intrinsically linked to how we design, how we produce, and how we give back. Through Rewild, we are using fashion as a platform to celebrate India’s craft communities, support wildlife conservation and remind ourselves that true luxury is rooted in responsibility and compassion. Rewild is our way of using fashion as a force for good, grounded in the understanding that the future we shape – of fashion, of nature, and of our communities – is the one we share..” Anita Dongre, Founder & Creative Director.
Adding to the sentiment, Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad of Baroda shared, “Lukshmi Vilas Palace has always been a space of cultural patronage and responsibility. Co-hosting Rewild with Anita felt deeply personal to me – a reflection of the values I was raised with by my father, Dr. M.K. Ranjitsinh Jhala, who instilled in me a profound respect for wildlife, heritage, and stewardship. Rewild brings these worlds together, reiterating that preserving our cultural legacy and protecting our natural environment are responsibilities we share, for the future we leave behind.”
At its core, Rewild remains a fundraising platform supporting wildlife conservation and human–animal coexistence. Through the Rewild Pledge, it has evolved into a collective philanthropic movement, inviting donors, CSR leaders and animal welfare advocates to support a portfolio of high-impact organisations working across conservation science, community welfare, policy advocacy, and ethical food systems. These include the Nature Conservation Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Trust, and the Green Tuesday initiative by the Redefining Ahimsa Foundation.
The Gaekwad family’s commitment to conservation spans generations. Late Maharaja Fatehsingh Gaekwad of Baroda was instrumental in bringing the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to India in 1969 and served as its first Founder President. Continuing this legacy, Late Maharaja Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, husband of Rajmata Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad, served as Chairman of WWF–Gujarat from 1998 to 2003, reinforcing Baroda’s enduring role in India’s conservation movement.
With Rewild 2026, Anita Dongre advances a philosophy of compassionate luxury, placing conservation, cultural legacy, and collective responsibility at the forefront. The initiative reinforces the belief that luxury can be regenerative rather than extractive, and that fashion must contribute positively to the ecosystems it draws from. Deeply rooted in Anita Dongre’s long-standing commitment to ethical fashion, Rewild champions animal welfare, sustainability, and India’s artisanal heritage, while amplifying awareness around biodiversity loss and the urgent need for harmonious coexistence.
The music from the show is available on all major platforms including Spotify and Instagram – Anita Dongre Rewild 2026.
About Rewild: Launched in 2023 by the Anita Dongre Foundation, Rewild began as a fashion fundraiser supporting elephant conservation and human–wildlife coexistence in South India. Today, it has evolved into a nationwide philanthropic movement championing animal welfare, community care, and ecosystem stewardship. Rewild 2026 expands this vision with the Rewild Pledge, inviting patrons, cultural leaders, and conscious consumers to protect design, heritage, and nature in balance. Anchored in conservation, community, and culture, Rewild uses fashion and craft as catalysts to inspire meaningful action and long-term coexistence between humans and wildlife.
