Ahluwalia SS27 Finds Joy in Resistance

At Rosewood London, Ahluwalia’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection arrived in a vivid clash of red, green, blue, cream and earthy brown. Titled Revel, the collection by Creative Director Priya Ahluwalia explores joy, community and the choice to embrace lightness in uncertain times. At its heart is “a reflection on the power of intentionally choosing lightness, and the people who make that choice possible.”

The collection began with research into resistance movements, before photographs of former Black Panther members away from protest shifted Ahluwalia’s perspective. The idea that resistance can also make space for rest became central to Revel, translating into a collection that feels softer, more spacious and full of movement. 

Silhouettes move between structure and softness. Voluminous puffball shapes give draping a new sense of freedom, while organza adds delicacy. Leather jackets, denim, tailoring and knitwear provide structure, with 1970s-inspired hardware and fringe adding movement. The work of artists Rob Emke and Sinni Villi informed the collection’s sculptural volumes, while the undulating quality of Lee Bontecou’s lithographs can be felt in the movement of its fringed pieces. 

Colour becomes another language. Warm creams and rich browns provide an earthy base, punctuated by flashes of reds, greens and blues. Ahluwalia looks towards the Pan-African palette of Kerry James Marshall and the work of Nigerian modernists Ben Enwonwu and Tayo Adenaike, translating those influences into the runway pieces and graphic prints. References to FESTAC ‘77 also loom large, with the Lagos Festival’s celebration of African art and culture echoed through the collection. Alongside this, Fela Kuti and Mumbai’s underground rap scene bring rhythm and cultural energy. 

The Ahluwalia x PUMA partnership expands with a reworked T7 track jacket, football-inspired knitwear, fringed dresses and new trainers. Meanwhile, poppi brings colour to the runway through limited-edition beaded bag charms, while Calico Wallpaper transforms the show space with Estuary, a bespoke mural inspired by water and the cultural landscapes it connects. 

The collaborative world around Revel extends across the show itself. Stylist Nell Kalonji shaped the collection’s presentation, with hair by Cos Sakkas for Toni&Guy, makeup by Rebecca Davenport using ILIA Beauty, and manicures by Viktoria Kolodii for MVK. Tom Tripp provided the music, with Aurelie Nedjar at Lightlab overseeing lighting and Little Giant Production bringing the runway together. MOY ATELIER and atis also form part of the show’s wider creative network, alongside Rosewood London, PUMA, poppi, Calico Wallpaper, Toni&Guy, ILIA Beauty and MVK.

With Revel, Ahluwalia turns towards the lighter side of resistance, finding strength in colour, movement, collaboration and collective joy.