Just a couple of months ago, Indian couturier Sahil Kochhar was presented with an extraordinary opportunity: to create a runway masterpiece for none other than the legendary track athlete, Carl Lewis. Kochhar embraced the challenge with boundless creativity, resulting in a design of sculptural grandeur that Lewis magnificently showcased as the showstopper for the 20-year celebration of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon at Le Méridien, New Delhi.
Kochhar proudly named this remarkable creation “The Halo of Endurance.”
legendary track athlete Carl Lewis in The Halo of Endurance. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The all-black suit, complete with a fitted coat and a pair of trousers, is embellished with golden-hued accents on the shoulders, extending to the upper back with a harness holding prominent, beaded golden wires. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The striking all-black suit, featuring a tailored coat and trousers, is adorned with exquisite golden accents. These embellishments begin at the shoulders and gracefully extend to the upper back, where a harness secures an array of distinctive, beaded golden wires. Kochhar explains that the deep black base of the outfit symbolizes the asphalt track—the starting point for every runner, representing the journey through doubt, rigorous discipline, and the metaphorical darkness that must be conquered. Flowing across this dark canvas are “molten veins of brass,” chosen for their humble origins yet radiant glow under pressure, mirroring light piercing through shadows. “It took us about a month to meticulously craft this outfit,” Kochhar reveals. “Given that Carl Lewis is the athlete of the century, with nine out of his ten Olympic medals being gold, the attire simply had to be magnificent.”
Discussing the profound inspiration behind the design, Sahil points to the symbolic Sudarshan Chakra. “As a brand, we are deeply committed to promoting India’s rich arts and crafts. Therefore, the primary fabric for this creation is exquisite matka silk, thoughtfully sourced from the weaving hubs of Bhagalpur and Banaras. For the trousers, we opted for a refined blend of wool and viscose, acquired from the UK,” he elaborates.
(Left) Carl with Sahil Kochhar | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
This ensemble is more than just clothing; it’s a powerful statement—a living manifesto of motion that narrates a story of struggle transforming into triumph, of silent dedication culminating in resounding applause, and of exhaustion giving way to glorious achievement. The dynamic interplay of black and gold eloquently reflects the inspiring journey of countless runners who have graced Delhi’s streets over two decades, each driven by their own unique purpose, Kochhar shares. He notes that while his brand has long been known for its intricate appliqué work, this project marked one of their initial forays into experimenting with brass. “This time, we ventured far beyond our usual comfort zone to incorporate extensive metal appliqué,” he explains. “My fascination with metal began years ago when I adapted one of our clothing embroideries into a metal partition for a store, which truly captivated me. Now, the time felt right to reverse that process—to draw inspiration from that metalwork created five years ago and reinterpret it directly onto an outfit.”
The black base evokes the asphalt stretch where every runner begins — a metaphor for doubt, discipline, and the darkness that must be crossed. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
“This outfit serves as a sculptural homage to belief and the act of becoming,” Kochhar eloquently states. “It powerfully reflects a city that has mastered the art of running not from obstacles, but directly through them. The Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon has ignited a fresh pulse within Delhi—a heartbeat now stronger, more resolute, and filled with greater compassion.”
The dialogue of black and gold mirrors the journey of every runner who has crossed Delhi’s streets for two decades in pursuit of purpose | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Beyond this celebrated collaboration, Sahil Kochhar continues to expand his brand. With successful outposts already established in Delhi and Hyderabad, he is now setting his sights on opening a new store in Mumbai’s vibrant Kala Ghoda district. All his designs are conceived and manufactured at his dedicated unit and designing studio in Noida. Having recently unveiled his festive collection, ‘Iktara,’ Kochhar plans to introduce even more captivating fall/winter designs in the near future. Inspired by the tremendous success of dressing a record-breaking champion, Sahil is eager to further explore his experiments with brass, envisioning more sculptural pieces and grand installations created from this versatile metal.