The Department of Fashion Design at CGC University, Mohali successfully organized MERAKI 2026 – Annual Fashion Showcase. The event marked a spectacular culmination of the creative journey of final-year fashion design students, offering them a prestigious platform to present their original collections. Transforming the campus into a vibrant runway, the evening unfolded as a celebration where fashion evolved beyond attire into a powerful expression of identity, culture, and innovation.
The evening was graced by the eminent Chief Guest, Simi Chahal. The Guests of Honour included Nikeet Dhillon, Nitish Raizada, Sukhanchal Kaur, Bhawna YR, Sahil, Arsh Hundal, Vishal Singh Deot, and Gaurav Sharma, whose presence added immense prestige and inspiration to the occasion. The esteemed panel of judges featured Ravi, Punit Bhatia, Preeti Pathania, and Mukul Arora, who evaluated the collections on creativity, innovation, and presentation.
MERAKI 2026 showcased a diverse repertoire of theme-based collections including Parwaz – A Rangeen Journey, Naqsh – A Shyam, Divinity and Darkness, Neel Rangrez, Denim Alchemy, and The Royals Fit – Himachal Pradesh. Each presentation reflected a thoughtful blend of cultural narratives, sustainability, and contemporary fashion sensibilities. Students demonstrated exceptional creativity by conceptualizing, designing, and executing their garments while also actively contributing to styling, choreography, and ramp presentation, ensuring that every sequence told a compelling story.
What distinguished the event was its entirely student-led execution, where learners managed every aspect, from backstage coordination to model management, with remarkable professionalism and teamwork under faculty guidance. The meticulously curated ramp setup, along with dynamic lighting and music, created a captivating and high-energy atmosphere that resonated with the audience throughout the evening.
The showcase also celebrated excellence through a series of prestigious recognitions. The Best Designer (1st Prize) was awarded to “Rajwada – A Parampra Story” by Jyoti, Poonam Kumari, Sumanpreet Kaur, and Tanu Rani, followed by the 2nd Prize for “Ethnara: Ethnic Heritage with a Contemporary Spirit” by Mansi, and the 3rd Prize for “Sustainable Chic: Denim Edition” by Ajay, Mohd. Saqib, and Manoj. The award for Best Innovative Design was presented to “Neel Dhara” by Sanjana and Tania, while “Naqshe-e-Shyaam” by Mohit Sharma, Lakshmi Singh, and Priya Sharma received the Best Collection title. Among the title winners, Divya Rani was crowned Miss MERAKI 2026 and Nitin Verma was declared Mr. MERAKI 2026, with Marlin and Vikrant being recognized for Best Walk in the female and male categories respectively, while Versha Thakur and Kareena received consolation prizes.
MERAKI 2026 proved to be an enriching and transformative learning experience, significantly enhancing students’ confidence, creativity, and industry readiness. The event not only spotlighted emerging talent but also reaffirmed CGC University, Mohali’s commitment to fostering innovation, artistic excellence, and a global outlook. Blending style with substance, MERAKI 2026 set a new benchmark for student-led fashion showcases and reinforced the university’s position as a vibrant hub of artistic and cultural brilliance.
