Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 19: The historic Sadar Manzil in Bhopal became the setting for an evening of fashion, culture and emerging talent as Face of India 2026 hosted its grand finale on 14 October under the theme “Heritage to Horizon.” Presented by Pune Fashion Week, the event brought together 30 models—15 women and 15 men—for a celebration of Indian creativity, individuality and the possibilities that open when talent is given a platform.
- 30 models, including 15 women and 15 men, took part in the grand finale at historic Sadar Manzil, Bhopal.
- Kanak Goswami and Arfat Khan emerged as the female and male winners respectively; the winners’ journey now moves towards the international stage in South Korea.
- Celebrity guest Aisha Aiman and Bollywood playback singer Shefali Alwarez were among the evening’s highlights.
- Four designers presented collections: “A Beautiful Life” by Sourabh Kant Shrivastava, Aditi Farbada Designs, Couples Couture and Clodor by Bombay Cloth Stores.
At the culmination of the competition, Kanak Goswami was crowned the female winner and Arfat Khan the male winner of Face of India 2026. The title marks the beginning of a new chapter for both winners, who are set to represent India at the Asia Model Festival in South Korea, taking their next steps onto an international platform alongside talent from across Asia.
The runners-up were also recognised for their achievements. Tejaswini Kamble and Tejasvi Chouhan were named first runners-up in the female category, while Aditya Raghuwanshi was named first runner-up in the male category. Ayushi Gupta was named second runner-up in the female category, and Rabhpreet Singh was named second runner-up in the male category.
A Night of Star Power and Live Music
The evening was elevated by the presence of Ms. Aisha Aiman, celebrity guest and a popular film personality. Bollywood playback singer Ms. Shefali Alwarez set the energy for the runway by kickstarting the first designer round with a high-energy live performance, creating a vibrant opening to the fashion presentations.
Four Designers, Four Distinct Expressions
The fashion showcase featured four designers whose collections brought varied perspectives to the runway:
- “A Beautiful Life” by Sourabh Kant Shrivastava
- Aditi Farbada Designs – women’s fashion
- Couples Couture – men’s ethnic collection
- Clodor by Bombay Cloth Stores – men’s Indo-Western collection
Together, the collections complemented the “Heritage to Horizon” theme, connecting Indian cultural influences with contemporary fashion and design.
Building a Bridge to the International Stage
Face of India continues to position itself as a platform for discovering and encouraging emerging modelling talent while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and international exposure. Through its association with the Asia Model Festival in South Korea, the initiative seeks to connect Indian talent with the wider Asian fashion community. For Kanak Goswami and Arfat Khan, the next stage is a journey beyond the Indian runway and an opportunity to carry India’s presence onto an international platform.
Badal Saboo, Chairman of Face of India, said:
“Face of India is more than a fashion platform; it is a celebration of India’s identity, creativity and emerging talent. By bringing our heritage into conversation with contemporary design and creating pathways for young talent to reach international platforms, we aim to build meaningful cultural connections and opportunities that go beyond the runway. There could be no more fitting setting for this journey than Bhopal’s historic Sadar Manzil, where our heritage meets the horizons of tomorrow.”
Partners and Leadership
Face of India 2026 was presented by Pune Fashion Week, with Sadar Manzil, Bhopal as the venue partner and Matrix Productions & Talents as talent partner. The event was associated with the Asia Model Festival, South Korea. Shefali Sharma served as Show Director.
Event Details
Face of India 2026 Grand Finale | 14 October 2026 | Sadar Manzil, Bhopal | Theme: Heritage to Horizon
Presented by Pune Fashion Week | Venue Partner: Sadar Manzil, Bhopal | Talent Partner: Matrix Productions & Talents | International Association: Asia Model Festival, South Korea
About Face of India
Face of India, presented by Pune Fashion Week, is a platform that brings together emerging models, designers and voices from the fashion ecosystem. Through its focus on talent, cultural identity and international connections, the initiative aims to create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of Indian fashion talent.
