NEW DELHI (RDU Global) — At the intersection of sportswear vitality, youth creativity, and adaptive inclusivity, the ‘Khelo India’ Runway Showcase served as one of the most vibrant visual segments of Aman Utsav at Arya Auditorium in East of Kailash, New Delhi.
Curated and designed by visionary kids wear designer Salman Ansari under his celebrated label Kiddika Couture, the runway collection challenged standard conventions of luxury fashion by placing energetic athleticism and diverse body abilities at the very heart of the sartorial dialogue.
The 'Khelo India' Collection: Sportswear Meets Sartorial Elegance
Ansari’s collection derived inspiration from the national grassroots sports movement, integrating bold tricolor palettes, breathable sports weaves, and structured silhouettes tailored specifically for active youth.
The runway reached a crescendo during the Special Walk, led by young prodigy Nishwith, whose exuberant gait, effortless confidence, and dynamic charisma brought the entire auditorium to its feet. Nishwith’s walk symbolized the fundamental thesis of Kiddika Couture: that high-fashion runways must celebrate children of all physical backgrounds with dignity and uninhibited joy.
In an interview following the presentation, Salman Ansari explained the creative inspiration behind the show:
*"The spirit of 'Khelo India' is not confined to stadiums; it lives in the playground, the classroom, and the daily lives of every Indian child. With Kiddika Couture, we wanted to prove that children's fashion can be vibrant, culturally proud, and radically inclusive without sacrificing refined design standards."*
Times Fresh Face Jury: Rigorous Creative Evaluation
The talent rounds and styling evaluations were conducted under the discerning gaze of a stellar youth fashion jury. The panel was anchored by Riya Sharma, reigning winner of Times Fresh Face Season 16, alongside Manak Malhotra, who emerged among the Top 5 nationwide finalists in the same prestigious competition.
Both Sharma and Malhotra brought their technical understanding of runway discipline, posture, and photographic charisma to the appraisal process, commending the participating youth for their natural confidence and unscripted stage energy.
Spot’less Makeup Artist Honors
Backstage execution was spearheaded in partnership with M.S. Makeup Studio and Academy and Shoot Bazar Photography, with beauty mentors overseeing a competitive arena for emerging makeup artists.
Following intensive practical trials conducted both during the preliminary contest on September 13 and live at the grand finale, Bulbul Pathania was crowned the official Winner of the Makeup Artist Competition.
The makeup adjudication panel, comprising veteran beauty mentors Smt. Maya Verma and Ms. Sneha Nagar, praised Pathania’s skin-prep technique, precision liner work, and seamless adaptation of athletic-glow aesthetics for stage lighting.
Synergies with Spot’less Face of India
The Kiddika Couture showcase established a bridge to the adult runway proceedings of the Spot’less Face of India 2026 Season-5 Grand Finale, which crowned Vedika (Miss), Monica Chhabra (Mrs.), and Rajen Sharma (Mr.) under the directorship of Tapas Das, Rakhi Das, and Piyush Das.
Supported by premier enterprise partners including NBCC, Ram Rattan Group, Sri Kesari Properties, and Mansi Sports, the runway showcase demonstrated that when ethical stewardship joins forces with commercial fashion, the result is an empowering national platform celebrating India's next generation.