Rewild ‘26: An Ode to Forests Expressed in Modern Couture

Style is an extension of the self. It is no wonder then that the fashion industry is one that creates constantly. At Anita Dongre, we held ourselves to reflect, what if creation itself could be an act of restoration?

This was the question at the heart of Rewild, our Fashion for Good initiative, founded in 2023. Now, in its second edition, we present a collection that is part of a larger mission: protecting India's forests and the wildlife that inhabits them. It's a commitment that 100% of proceeds go directly to organizations working on the ground to preserve ecosystems, protect endangered species, and promote peaceful coexistence between humans and nature. 

Our impact partners are: Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT), Green Tuesday Initiative, Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), and Friendicoes SECA—amplifying peaceful co-existence alongside nature and its inhabitants.

Rewild operates on a different principle: contribution. Every element of this collection is designed with dual purpose: to create something beautiful you'll treasure for years, and to support the preservation of the wild spaces. Materials are chosen for longevity. Crafts practiced by artisans whose skills have been passed through generations, ensuring these techniques survive into the future. 

Couture inspired by the wild and led by craft is what makes Rewild our Fashion for Good initiative—an appeal for people to come forward and protect our wildlife. Rewild '26 is a harmony of couture, craft, conservation, and culture—a coming together of silhouettes that speak of modernity but carry the soul of India's heartland.

Balancing creativity with responsibility and scale with purpose, Rewild '26 was co-hosted by the Maharani of Baroda, Radhikaraje Gaekwad. Set against the grandeur of Laxmi Vilas Palace in Gujarat, the event unfolded within one of India's most magnificent royal residences where history breathes. Built in 1890, the palace exemplifies Indo-Saracenic architecture with its soaring domes, intricate courtyards, and sprawling grounds—home to ancient trees and wildlife that have coexisted with royalty for over a century. The palace itself became a co-narrator of Rewild's story, a space where grandeur and nature flourish together. The event became a testament to what happens when heritage meets intention, where palatial architecture provided the backdrop for a conversation about protecting the wild spaces that inspire us.

Lush Tropics

When you choose a Benarasi lehenga or saree from this collection, you're investing in a timeless style. These weaves, created by master artisans in Benaras, are designed to last decades. This is functional beauty, where birds are captured mid-flight, interspersed with lush tropical foliage. They're conversation pieces, story starters, visual interest that photographs beautifully from every angle. These are living ecosystems rendered in silk, making you a walking canvas of nature's abundance. Where one piece can be worn to multiple moments: A garment you'll wear to your daughter's wedding, then perhaps she'll wear to hers. 

Abstract Visions of the Forest

The macramé and broderie anglaise elements are functional & look beautiful. Built-in structure means garments hold their shape impeccably. A gown maintains its silhouette through hours of wearing & three-dimensional texture creates visual interest that changes under the morning sun & starlight.

Breathability through natural fenestrations means these pieces work in warm climates. You get structure & elegance without discomfort. Conversation-starting details that rewards closer inspection. People will notice, and you'll have a story to tell about slow craft and conscious creation.

Blooming Flora

The SEWA-embroidered pieces offer something increasingly rare: demonstrable human touch. Each motif is unique. Because they're hand-embroidered by different artisans, no two are exactly alike. Your garment carries the subtle signature of the woman who created it, making it genuinely one-of-a-kind.

Gradient threads create depth that catches light beautifully. Petals that bloom on sheer fabrics. These pieces layer beautifully and offer subtle sophistication. This is a story worth sharing: Every time you wear this, you're supporting rural women artisans building sustainable livelihoods from their homes, preserving centuries-old embroidery techniques.

Rare Sights of Fauna

These are sophisticated enough for formal occasions while being distinctive enough to be memorable. Here movement is captured in stillness. The artistry lies in freezing a moment, a deer leaping, a bird taking flight, creating dynamism in static fabric.

The conversation of conservation is built into your clothing. They're wildlife interpretations of master weavers that make each piece a small work of textile art.

Immersed in Nature: For Him

The menswear collection recognizes that conscious consumption isn't gendered:

Subtle sophistication through abstract forest interpretations and tonal threadwork becomes an expression for the confident man. Designed for the one with refined taste and who appreciates craft, these garments balance tradition with contemporary sensibility. Bandhgalas feature subtle embroidery of tropical foliage; kurtas carry the quiet elegance of hand-woven patterns; evening jackets become canvases for artisanal expression. 

Many of these pieces also transition from festive occasions to elevated everyday wear.

Rewild '26 offers a different path: fashion as a force for restoration rather than extraction. Where your wardrobe choices contribute to conservation rather than degradation. Where the beautiful garment you wear to a wedding helps protect the forests that inspired its design.

It's about intelligent choice: acquiring fewer, better things that serve you longer and contribute positively while doing so. Because conservation isn't a one-time gesture, it is an ongoing commitment. Just as forests need sustained protection, fashion needs sustained reimagining.

Our endeavor will always be creation with purpose, clothing with consequence, beauty that gives back. One where everyone benefits: you get garments you'll treasure, artisans get dignified work, and forests flourish.

A hopeful reminder in the world that imagination can be a defiant act of restoration.