Fashion found its most meaningful expression when Indian fashion designer Anita Dongre joined hands with Radhikaraje Gaekwad of the Baroda royal family to present the second edition of Rewild, her Fashion for Good fundraiser, at the historic Lukshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara recently. The presentation was a powerful manifestation of Rewild’s philosophy—where cultural legacy anchors a forward-looking vision of conscious luxury, and where slowing down, making mindful choices, and honouring what already exists restores depth and purpose to fashion.

With Rewild 2026, the initiative transcended the format of an event to become a living embodiment of its ethos. The late 19th-century Lukshmi Vilas Palace—said to be four times the size of Buckingham Palace—served as a fitting backdrop, amplifying the evening’s sense of heritage, responsibility, and quiet grandeur.

Rooted in Dongre’s belief that creativity must coexist with responsibility, Rewild 2026 placed sustainability at every stage of its execution, keeping people, animals, and the planet at its core. The S/S 26 collection featured Benaras textiles woven by master artisans, airy sheers, delicate cutwork, and subtle fringe details inspired by the harmonious coexistence of flora and fauna. The result was a collection where craft, culture, and conservation seamlessly converged.

Forest-inspired motifs appeared throughout the collection in embroidery, bows, and surface detailing. The colour palette transitioned from deep emeralds, midnight blues, and black to ivories, warm golds, and butter yellow—evoking sunlit clearings, bark, and earth, and remaining deeply connected to the spirit of rewilding.

Drawing inspiration from the 140-year-old banyan tree at Lukshmi Vilas Palace, the House introduced handwoven macramé for the first time as a new craft expression, adding texture and structure while remaining true to its artisan-led foundation. Long-standing collaborations continued, including hand-painted Pichhwai and garments crafted by women artisans from SEWA Gujarat, created in the comfort of their homes. These partnerships reinforced the House’s commitment to sustaining livelihoods and ensuring that traditional skills evolve and endure across generations.

“Rewild was born from a deep belief that fashion must exist in harmony with the natural world,” says Dongre. “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 2026 brought together conservationists, philanthropists, changemakers, nature lovers, and members of the media for conversations around wildlife protection, coexistence, and community-led conservation across India. The day culminated in an evening fashion presentation, with Anita Dongre’s collection showcased in support of the cause.

According to Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Lukshmi Vilas Palace has long been a space of cultural patronage and responsibility. “Co-hosting Rewild with Anita Dongre felt deeply personal to me—a reflection of the values instilled by my father, M.K. Ranjitsinh Jhala, who taught me the importance of wildlife, heritage, and stewardship,” she says. “Rewild brings these worlds together, reminding us that preserving our cultural legacy and protecting our natural environment are shared responsibilities.”

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 high-impact organisations working across conservation science, community welfare, policy advocacy, and ethical food systems. Beneficiaries include the Nature Conservation Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Trust, and the Green Tuesday initiative by the Redefining Ahimsa Foundation.

Launched in 2023 by the Anita Dongre Foundation as a fashion fundraiser supporting elephant conservation and human-wildlife coexistence in South India, this year Anita Dongre advances a vision of compassionate luxury—one that places 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.