Launch of The Runway Edit in Bengaluru
On October 5 2026, The Runway Edit made its inaugural appearance at Conrad Bengaluru, introducing a premium, multi‑city experiential luxury platform conceived by MKJ Entertainment. The event positioned contemporary luxury as an experience that extends beyond products to include access, storytelling, craftsmanship and immersive environments.
Collaboration with Papa Don’t Preach
The Bengaluru edition partnered with Shubhika Sharma, Founder & Creative Director of Mumbai‑based luxury label Papa Don’t Preach, which was founded in 2010. Papa Don’t Preach is known for a maximalist, playful aesthetic across luxury ready‑to‑wear, bridal couture and accessories, emphasizing inclusivity, equality and ethical making. The centerpiece was a conceptual presentation of 30 archival, iconic and signature looks spanning Sharma’s 16‑year design journey, illustrating the evolution of colour, embellishment, silhouettes and reinterpretations of Indian fashion references.
Highlights of the Runway Show
The opening featured Bollywood celebrity Riya Sen wearing ‘The Imperial Pop’, an iconic piece from Papa Don’t Preach’s latest POP PAISLEY collection. Supermodel Reha Sukheja closed the show in a scintillating lehenga set titled “Celtic Hearts” from the brand’s “Bring Your Own Fairytale” collection. Sharma remarked that fashion creates a feeling before it becomes a garment and that The Runway Edit allows the brand to move beyond clothing into an immersive cultural space.
Attendance and Partner Ecosystem
Approximately 250 high‑net‑worth individuals (HNIs), ultra‑high‑net‑worth individuals (UHNIs), global entrepreneurs, investors and cultural influencers attended the invitation‑only evening. Luxury partners were integrated through curated activations: KNS Infrastructure acted as Presenting Sponsor, iUSTUS as Luxury Living Partner, XTRA SQFT as Real Estate Experience Partner, Shakti Autocars as Luxury Automobile Partner, Diageo as Celebration Partner, Stok Beers as Chill Partner and Radio City as Radio Partner. Indian classical artist and music director Anoop Shankar provided live musical accompaniment.
Founder’s Vision and Expansion Plans
Mahesh Kumar Gowda, founder of The Runway Edit and the Queens Premier League (QPL), highlighted his two‑decade entrepreneurial background and described the event as the first‑of‑its‑kind concept in the country, designed to bring premium fashion, designers and an exclusive HNI/UHNI audience together. He expressed ambition to replicate The Runway Edit in other Indian cities, evolving it into a national luxury platform.
Sponsor Commentary
KN Surendra, Founder of KNS Infrastructure, praised the partnership, noting prior successful collaborations with Gowda’s QPL, which achieved over 1 billion views, delivering strong brand visibility and a positive impact on sales. He reaffirmed KNS Infrastructure’s commitment as Title Sponsor for future editions.