Priya Ahluwalia SS26: Affinity - A Love Language in Cloth

Beneath the soaring glass atrium of London’s NoMad Hotel, Priya Ahluwalia’s Spring/Summer 2026 show, Affinity, unfolded like a heartfelt ceremony, a deeply intimate exploration of love’s many contradictions. Emerging from a brief hiatus, Ahluwalia returns with purpose.

Photo via ahluwalia.world

The hauntingly beautiful 4STRINGZ’s live violin playing Tom Tripp’s evocative score filled the space. The atmosphere was charged with reverence and longing. A true soundtrack to love in all its forms.

Models strutted down the runway in silhouettes that varied between sharp tailoring and fluid expression. Structured denim suits and sharply cut jackets contrasted beautifully with flowing dresses, twisting fabric reminiscent of Shibari, and cascading fringe that seemed to both bind and unravel simultaneously echoing the tension and surrender of love itself.

Photos via ahluwalia.world

Jewel tones flooded the runway in ruby reds, deep sapphire accessories and embellishments evoking the richness of Ahluwalia’s Indian and Nigerian heritage. Softer hues of baby blue and warm browns balanced the intensity. Fabrics include organic cotton, certified viscose, recycled denim, and vintage jacquards all chosen with sustainability in mind.

Subtle details caught the eye such as prints inspired by Indian miniature paintings and West African iconography. These elements were not mere decoration but emotional anchors, small stories whispered through fabric.

The collaboration with eBay’s Endless Runway project added another layer of purposeful sustainability, with upcycled and pre-loved pieces reinforcing Ahluwalia’s commitment to circular fashion. A portion of the collection’s proceeds will benefit the Circularity Project, aligning her artistry with activism.

In a world too often dominated by speed and spectacle, Affinity was a grounding moment, a reminder that clothes can carry complexity, culture, and conscience without losing glamour or joy.

Photos via ahluwalia.world

Priya Ahluwalia has long been a designer who blends heritage with contemporary voice, but with Affinity, she opened a new chapter where ethics and emotion live side by side, and love is not just a theme, but a language woven into every garment.

The closing of the show made it clear; this collection is not just fashion. It’s a love letter to heritage, to sustainability, and to the beautifully layered nature of human connection. Priya Ahluwalia’s SS26 shows us what fashion can be when it dares to love not just its audience, but its roots, its future, and itself.