PRESS RELEASE

Color Positive Fashion Pageant 2026

Beyond Labels. Beyond Boundaries. A Celebration of Pride, Purpose and Possibility.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
31 October 2026 | Mumbai, India

Color Positive Foundation Presents Its 7th Fashion Pageant, Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Inclusion, Courage and Changemakers

Mumbai, India — On Sunday, 1 November 2026, the Color Positive Foundation will bring together fashion, artistry, advocacy and community spirit for the 7th edition of the Color Positive Fashion Pageant, at the College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan, New Marine Lines, Mumbai, from 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

More than a fashion competition, the Color Positive Fashion Pageant is a celebration of individuals who challenge stereotypes, embrace their identities and redefine what it means to be seen, heard and celebrated.

With its commitment to diversity, equality and self-expression, the pageant continues to create a platform where beauty is not limited by gender, age, body type, identity or society's expectations.

Four Categories. One Powerful Message: Everyone Deserves to Shine.

This year's pageant will celebrate contestants across four distinctive categories:

Mr. King India 2026 — Celebrating masculine expression and individuality.
Mr. Queen India 2026 — Celebrating androgynous expression and the freedom to challenge conventional gender norms.
Mx. Queen India 2026 — Celebrating transgender women, their confidence, journeys and individuality.
Mx. Rainbow Royale 2026 — A special category celebrating transgender women above the age of 30, challenging age-related stereotypes and affirming that confidence and beauty have no expiry date.

Contestants will showcase their personalities through three fashion rounds — Indian Wear, Beach Wear and the final fashion round — followed by an interactive question-and-answer segment that highlights their voices, confidence and perspectives.

The pageant is not simply about who wears a crown. It is about the journey, courage, growth and self-belief behind every individual who steps onto the stage.

Honouring 28 Changemakers with the Rex Karmaveer Chakra Awards

An important highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the prestigious Rex Karmaveer Chakra Awards – Blue Medal to 28 individuals recognised for their contributions to society.

Presented in association with the Rex Karmaveer initiative and iCONGO, these honours celebrate people whose work reflects courage, compassion, social responsibility and a commitment to creating meaningful change.

This year's recipients represent diverse fields, including LGBTQIA+ rights, transgender welfare, education, healthcare, women's empowerment, social advocacy, creative expression and grassroots community service.

Among those being recognised are individuals who have worked towards transgender inclusion, supported families of LGBTQIA+ children, championed educational access, challenged social prejudice and used their public platforms to stand up for others.

Each award serves as a reminder that meaningful change is not always created by those in positions of power. Often, it begins with ordinary individuals choosing to do something extraordinary.

An Evening of Fashion, Culture and Celebration

The evening will combine fashion with cultural performances, music and moments of national pride.

A special rendition of Vande Mataram will add to the celebration, alongside musical and traditional dance performances that bring energy and cultural expression to the stage.

The show will also feature a distinguished panel of nine judges, including fashion director Sagar Kadrekar, who continues his association with the Color Positive Fashion Pageant.

Priya Patil will be welcomed as the Chief Guest, joining the judges and dignitaries in celebrating the contestants and the larger message of inclusion.

The Legacy Walk: Celebrating Those Who Paved the Way

One of the evening's anticipated highlights will be the Legacy Walk, featuring winners from previous editions of the Color Positive Fashion Pageant.

This special segment honours the individuals who have carried the spirit of the pageant beyond the runway, reminding audiences that a crown is not the end of a journey but the beginning of a responsibility.

Through the Legacy Walk, Color Positive celebrates the community it has built over the years and the confidence, friendships and opportunities that continue long after the spotlight fades.

Special Titles That Celebrate More Than Beauty

Alongside the four main categories, the pageant will recognise qualities that reflect the foundation's values.

Special honours will include the Rainbow Fundraising Award, the Congeniality Award, and the Lion and Lioness Awards, recognising contribution, camaraderie, individuality and spirit.

These awards reinforce the belief that a person's impact cannot be measured only through appearance or performance, but also through the kindness, courage and responsibility they demonstrate.

Building a Platform Beyond the Runway

For the Color Positive Foundation, the pageant is part of a broader effort to encourage visibility, education and meaningful participation for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies.

The foundation's initiatives have included grooming and confidence-building opportunities, creative performances, community awareness, and conversations around HIV prevention, sexual health, stigma and acceptance.

The pageant brings these efforts together through a public celebration that invites families, friends, allies and communities to share the same space.

A Message from the Founder

Savio Linus Mascarenhas, Founder and Director of Color Positive Foundation, shares:

"Every year, people ask us what makes the Color Positive Fashion Pageant different. For me, the answer has never been the clothes, the lights or the crowns. It is the people.

"Some contestants come to us with confidence, while others are still learning to believe in themselves. Some have spent years being told how they should look, dress, behave or identify. And then they walk onto our stage and, for those few moments, they get to be exactly who they want to be.

"We also celebrate the people who stand beside our community — parents, teachers, activists, doctors, volunteers, artists and allies. Their contributions deserve to be recognised just as much as the contestants themselves.

"If even one person leaves our event feeling more accepted, or one family begins to understand their child a little better, then we have achieved something far greater than organising a fashion show."

Partners in Purpose

The 2026 edition is supported by RGA, the event's main sponsor, alongside the Rex Karmaveer initiative and a network of community partners, gifting partners and supporters.

Their participation helps bring together creativity, social responsibility and community celebration on one platform.

About Color Positive Foundation

Color Positive Foundation is an India-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ communities and allies through advocacy, education, artistic expression, health awareness, leadership development and inclusive opportunities.

Through initiatives such as the Color Positive Fashion Pageant, the foundation works to challenge stereotypes, encourage dialogue, recognise social changemakers and create spaces where individuals can express themselves with dignity and confidence.

Its mission is rooted in a simple belief: inclusion is not about making everyone the same. It is about giving everyone the freedom to be themselves.

Event Details

Event: Color Positive Fashion Pageant 2026 — 7th Edition
Date: Sunday, 1 November 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Venue: College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan, New Marine Lines, Mumbai
Organised by: Color Positive Foundation

Media Contact

Savio Linus Mascarenhas
Founder & Director, Color Positive Foundation
Email: support@colorpositive.org
Phone: +91 8369874867
Website: www.colorpositive.org
Instagram: @color.positive

Media interviews, coverage and event enquiries are welcome.

Suggested website tags: Color Positive Fashion Pageant 2026, LGBTQIA+ India, Mumbai Pride Events, Inclusive Fashion, Transgender Empowerment, Rex Karmaveer Chakra Awards, Color Positive Foundation, Fashion With Purpose