London Fashion Week always promises a spectacle, but Indian designer Anamika Khanna raised the bar by taking over the iconic Hamleys toy store on Regent Street for her AK|OK label’s SS26 debut. Models drifted between shelves stacked with Barbies and Lego, but this was no child’s play—it was a fusion of heritage, nostalgia, and modernity that set a new benchmark for global fashion storytelling.
Backstage Access: Anna Trevelyan on Styling the AK|OK Woman
We went backstage with Anna Trevelyan, the creative force behind the show’s styling. She told Voir that her inspiration was simple yet powerful:
“It was all about empowering women to be who they are—letting her be herself and letting every woman find her spirit within the collection.”
This translated into fluid silhouettes layered with unexpected modern twists: delicate embroidery worn over slouchy trousers, metallic bralettes paired with saris, and Angarkha robes reimagined with boots and jeans. Trevelyan’s approach gave Khanna’s designs a distinctly fearless, London-meets-India energy.
Nostalgia with a London Edge: Anamika Khanna’s Vision
Speaking to Voir, Anamika Khanna explained that her inspiration was rooted in nostalgia and cultural duality:
“We imagined a cool London city girl who returns to her grandmother’s home in India. She finds precious pieces in an old trunk and brings them back to London—that’s the starting point of the collection.”
From there, the collection evolved into something that felt personal yet universal—heritage that breathes in the present moment. Think Chikankari embroidery on oversized coats, saris emboldened with astrological prints, and jewellery traditionally seen as “too ethnic” now styled casually with denim.
The Collection Highlights
Traditional Angarkha robes transformed into contemporary, gender-fluid silhouettes.
Oversized blazers and floaty dresses layered with transparent detailing.
Striking metallic bralettes and graphic saris inspired by Indian mythology.
Silver jewellery and chainmail accents reframed as everyday accessories.
The result? A wardrobe that transcends geography—rooted in India, but made for the modern global woman.
Why Hamleys?
Presenting this show inside Hamleys was a stroke of genius. Just as the collection spoke of rediscovering childhood treasures, the venue carried its own emotional nostalgia. For Khanna, it was about evoking that feeling of wonder—where tradition meets memory, and memory becomes fashion.
Voir’s Take
AK|OK’s SS26 wasn’t about guarding tradition or abandoning it—it was about transformation. It celebrated heritage without being weighed down by it, offering Indian craftsmanship in a context that feels utterly wearable in London, New York, or anywhere in between.
As Anna Trevelyan put it: empowerment, ease, and individuality were the essence of this show. And judging by the energy at Hamleys, this is exactly the kind of spirit London Fashion Week is craving.
AK|OK Anamika Khanna SS26 at London Fashion Week
Credits: AK|OK Anamika Khanna
