Bibhu Mohapatra embarked on a deeply personal exploration, shifting away from his usual muses to reflect on his own journey. Titled The Pilgrimage, the collection was an intimate tribute to his roots in Odisha, India, and a heartfelt homage to his late parents and brother for Fall/Winter 2025-2026.

A transformative trip to India last July, during which Mohapatra performed final rites and scattered his family’s ashes in the Ganges, became the emotional heartbeat of the collection. Memories of his mother’s artistry and the cultural landscapes of his youth resurfaced, shaping a narrative rich with nostalgia, reverence, and personal symbolism.

This introspective approach manifested in designs imbued with both opulence and restraint. Among the standout pieces were an aubergine flocked lace dress exuding quiet sophistication, a shearling-lined moto jacket blending structure with softness, and a pristine white sari skirt that paid subtle homage to tradition. While his signature embellishments remained, this season carried an undeniable emotional depth, making for a collection that felt more intimate and poetic than ever before.

By embracing his own story, Mohapatra ventured into a new, compelling creative space—one that, with continued refinement, could mark a defining chapter in his evolving legacy.