At ICW, Isha Jajodia's collection makes a case for strength in softness

A shimmery, almost magical sound filled the room and then came a whisper: "Softness from strength, elegance from courage, femininity from power, she carries them all." And just like that, ROSEROOM by Isha Jajodia invited everyone into her world, where being delicate wasn't the opposite of strength but something that went hand in hand with it.

It was the perfect prologue to Jajodia's fourth consecutive showcase at the Hyundai India Couture Week 2026. Her collection, 'Softly Strong', was built on the philosophy that softness has always been a woman's greatest strength, and every look on the runway embodied that idea.

For the fashion house, lace lies at the heart of every collection, bringing an old-world charm to garments that look almost weightless.

The showcase opened with delicate ivory and champagne ensembles, followed by powder blue, muted mint and soft lavender, before transitioning into a deeper palette of gold, teal, emerald, scarlet and classic black.

This evolving colour story also reflected how softness and strength can coexist. Speaking to India Today Digital, Jajodia explained the intentional transition of shades: "This is exactly how it starts. From a woman who is internally soft, and yet she has similarly an aspect to her which is very strong. So we are representing both sides."

And if you ask Jajodia, her favourite shades are ivory and black, as they represent two polarities.

More than fifty looks were showcased, with corset emerging as the collection's defining thread. From corseted gowns, skirts and sarees to tailored jackets, tuxedos and tulle skirts, the silhouette remained central throughout.

The collection celebrated the beauty of lace in all its forms. Layers of Chantilly, corded and guipure lace were brought together with intricate hand embroidery, three-dimensional floral applique, pearls and Swarovski crystals. A new addition this season was hand-moulded clay, shaped into delicate floral motifs and seamlessly blended with lace to create sculptural textures.

Speaking about experimenting with lace, Jajodia revealed that the process is both challenging and fun. "The most challenging fabric to experiment with lace is tweed, I would say. But luckily, we cracked it this season. And denim is the most fun one. It's super easy."

Some of the most memorable looks played with proportion. Billowing sleeves softened body-skimming gowns. Feathered shrugs floated over crystal-encrusted dresses. Floral jackets sat atop corseted skirts, barrel skirts, creating silhouettes that felt romantic.

Inspired by European romance and French architecture, the collection was ultimately brought to life through Indian craftsmanship. But the theme found its meaning not just in the clothes, but also in the women behind them. The pieces were crafted predominantly by a network of female artisans, many of whom work from their homes across towns and villages. According to the fashion house, "its artisans handcrafted a substantial proportion of the three-dimensional floral motifs in the collection."

And the essence of it all was carried through to the finale.

For Jajodia, fashion is ultimately about having fun. "It's all about just not fitting into the box. It's fun. It's cool. It's light." And that's exactly the note she ended on.

As the classic Que Sera, Sera by Doris Day started playing, the models returned with smiles, laughter and an impromptu dance. It was a rare sight at couture week so far.

In that moment, the collection's message became even clearer.