Mumbai sparkled as the second edition of the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards in India honoured outstanding women across fields of film, fashion, art, culture, and literature. The event celebrated talent whose work inspires change and leaves a lasting impact globally.

Since its inception in 2007, Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards has recognized trailblazing women worldwide, including Anya Taylor-Joy, Emilia Clarke, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Keira Knightley, and Maria Grazia Chiuri. The India edition brought together celebrated personalities from diverse domains to honour exceptional achievements.

The evening featured presenters such as Fardeen Khan, Huma Qureshi, Anaita Shroff, Dino Morea, Rasika Dugal, Devita Saraf, Kanika Goyal, Tina Tahiliani, and Payal Singhal.

Notable Honourees of the Night:

• Anamika Khanna – Fashion Designer: Recognized for bringing Indian craftsmanship to the global stage, Khanna’s labels, including AK|OK, have showcased at Paris and London Fashion Weeks, redefining Indian fashion worldwide.

• Arpita Mehta – Spotlight Fashion: Celebrated for blending traditional techniques with contemporary designs, Mehta’s work continues to shape modern Indian couture and recently collaborated with Jo Malone London.

• Pratibha Ranta – Spotlight Actor: Emerging Bollywood star, praised for her performance in Laapataa Ladies, representing a fresh, authentic new generation of actors.

• Anuparna Roy – Film Director: Honoured for becoming the first Indian to win Best Director in the Orizzonti section at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival for her debut Songs of Forgotten Trees.

• Rithika Merchant – Artist: Merging mythology, science, and speculative fiction, Merchant’s installations have gained international acclaim, including collaborations with Dior and participation in the Asia Pacific Triennale of Contemporary Art.

• Falguni Nayar – Game Changer: Founder of Nykaa, Nayar transformed India’s beauty e-commerce sector, culminating in a record-breaking IPO in 2021. Her daughter collected the award on her behalf.

• Diipa Buller-Khosla – Luxury Content Creator: Founder of Indewild, she has revolutionized luxury fashion and lifestyle, launching India’s first beauty brand at Sephora US and UK while collaborating with global luxury brands.

• Namrata Purohit – Wellness: Co-founder of The Pilates Studio, Purohit has innovated wellness with Pilates and altitude-simulated training, serving elite clients like Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sara Ali Khan.

• Sheetal Devi – Sportsperson: Arjuna Award-winning para-archer and World Champion, who also earned a bronze at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

• Suhani Parekh – Jewellery Designer: Founder of Misho, Parekh’s sculptural designs have attracted global recognition, with clients including Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian.

• Priyanka Kapadia Badani – Stylist: Known for trendsetting fashion direction, she has styled leading Bollywood stars such as Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, and Sonam Kapoor.

• Mona Patel – Style Icon: Entrepreneur and philanthropist, Patel merges fashion and social causes through her non-profit Couture for Cause while remaining a key voice in global luxury.

• Ujjwala Raut – Supermodel: One of India’s first international supermodels, Raut has walked for Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Victoria’s Secret, making her a trailblazer for nearly three decades.

• Anoushka Shankar – Musician: Celebrated sitar virtuoso, 11-time Grammy nominee, and the first Indian to perform at the Grammy Awards; also received an Honorary Doctorate in Music from Oxford University in 2024.

• Savleen Manchanda – Make-up Artist: Esteemed celebrity makeup artist with clients including Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, and Natasha Poonawalla at the Met Gala.

• Janhvi Kapoor – Actor: Rising Bollywood star known for versatile roles in Gunjan Saxena, Roohi, and Param Sundari, with her latest film Homebound earning global acclaim and an Oscar nomination.

• Zeenat Aman – Icon of the Year: Legendary actress and style icon, Aman's enduring influence spans from classic cinema hits to her contemporary OTT presence, inspiring generations with her bold choices.

The evening celebrated not just achievements but the vision, resilience, and transformative impact of women shaping India and the world across multiple arenas.