With whimsical motifs, vibrant colours and comfort-first silhouettes, the new collaboration brings a designer sensibility to children’s festive wardrobes.
Festive dressing for children is getting a fashion-forward rethink. Think playful prints instead of predictable patterns, statement-making colours instead of conventional occasionwear, and silhouettes that leave plenty of room for little ones to be themselves. Enter Mi Arcus and Papa Don’t Preach, two brands joining forces to bring a fresh perspective to festive kidswear.
Launching on October 12, 2026, the collaboration marks two firsts: Papa Don’t Preach’s debut in kidswear and Mi Arcus’s entry into ethnicwear. The result is a premium festive collection that pairs Mi Arcus’s emphasis on comfort and everyday wearability with the irreverent, colour-rich aesthetic of designer Shubhika Sharma’s label.
A New Mood for Little Festive Wardrobes
For years, finding festive clothing for children that balances design, comfort and accessibility has been something of a compromise. Custom-made designer ensembles can come with high price tags and lengthy lead times, while more accessible alternatives do not always deliver the distinctive details that make occasionwear feel special.
Mi Arcus is looking to change that equation. As millennial parents increasingly bring their own fashion sensibilities into their children’s wardrobes, the appetite for thoughtfully designed occasionwear is evolving. The brief here is simple: clothes that look considered without feeling restrictive, and festive pieces that do not have to be reserved for a single photograph or celebration.
For Mi Arcus, Papa Don’t Preach felt like a natural creative partner. Known for its fearless use of colour, playful imagery and unconventional approach to Indian occasionwear, the Mumbai-based label brings a distinctive visual identity to a category that has traditionally leaned towards more predictable designs.
“Most good ethnic wear for kids today is custom-made and super expensive, and designer labels are simply overpriced for children. We saw that gap and asked ourselves how we could give parents a quality product at a more accessible price. This collaboration with Papa Don’t Preach is our answer,” says Preeti Chugh, Co-founder of Mi Arcus.
Unicorns, Pomegranates and a Different Kind of Festive Dressing
The collection approaches ethnicwear with a lighter, more imaginative hand. Lehengas are paired with jackets and blouses, while Western-inspired silhouettes featuring Indian motifs offer an alternative to traditional kurta-pyjama sets. Whimsical creatures, including unicorns, appear alongside pomegranate motifs, bringing a playful sensibility to festive dressing.
Colour does much of the talking. Bold palettes and unisex prints lend the pieces a contemporary feel, while minimal embellishment keeps the designs comfortable and easy to move in. Soft fabrics remain central to the collection, ensuring that the visual impact does not come at the expense of practicality.
It is a shift away from the idea that children’s occasionwear needs to be elaborate to feel special. Here, the appeal lies in personality: pieces that feel festive enough for family gatherings and celebrations, yet relaxed enough to be worn again.
“Festive dressing for kids doesn’t have to be fussy or forced. It can be bold, expressive and cool. Today’s millennial parents want their children to reflect their own aesthetic, so we built our first ethnic collection around colour, whimsical creatures and 100% comfort. These are pieces kids can actually move in, and wear well beyond one occasion,” Chugh adds.
The Finishing Touches
The collaboration extends beyond clothing, with matching footwear and bags designed to bring the entire look together. Rather than leaning into the formality often associated with festive dressing, the accessories reinforce the collection’s playful, coordinated aesthetic.
The larger idea is one that contemporary fashion has increasingly embraced: occasionwear need not mean sacrificing ease for appearance. For children, especially, the most successful pieces are those that allow movement, individuality and a little spontaneity.
With this collection, Mi Arcus and Papa Don’t Preach bring that philosophy into a new category, introducing a designer-led approach to children’s ethnicwear while keeping comfort firmly in focus.
When and Where to Shop
The Mi Arcus x Papa Don’t Preach festive collection launches on October 12, 2026, and will be available across Mi Arcus stores, its official website, Nykaa Fashion and Myntra.
For parents looking to move beyond conventional festive dressing, the collection offers a more colourful proposition: occasionwear with a sense of imagination, a designer point of view and room for children to simply be children.
About Mi Arcus
Mi Arcus is a premium baby and parenting brand offering products across baby clothing, nursery essentials, bedding, toys, feeding products, diaper bags and maternity essentials. Drawing on more than four decades of textile manufacturing experience, the brand focuses on comfort, quality, safety and thoughtful design for babies, children and mothers. Its offerings are available through online and offline channels.
About PAPA DON’T PREACH
Founded in Mumbai in 2010 by designer and Creative Director Shubhika Sharma, PAPA DON’T PREACH is a fashion label known for its playful rebellion, distinctive silhouettes and expressive approach to luxury, ready-to-wear and bridal couture. The brand combines contemporary storytelling with Indian craftsmanship and statement accessories, while championing individuality and inclusivity. Its wider initiatives include Preach It Forward and Care for Karigars, which support small businesses and artisan welfare.
