New Delhi, October 17: On Day 1 of Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI, NIF Global – The Runway became a canvas for emerging design talent, where creativity, craftsmanship, and narrative converged. The showcase explored how young designers are reimagining India’s rich textile and craft heritage through contemporary lenses, offering a glimpse into the future of design.
Under the theme ‘Reimagined Heirlooms’, collections from over 250 student entries were curated and mentored to present cohesive stories on the runway. Each line embodied a dialogue between the past and present, weaving tradition, material innovation, and modern silhouettes into distinctive expressions of design. Interior design students complemented the fashion showcase with conceptual sets, shaping immersive environments that amplified the storytelling.
Collections That Speak
‘The Souk Stories’ – Hency Patel | NIF Global Panvel
A modern take on Gujarat’s Moti Bharat beadwork, the collection blended handloom cotton and denim into patchwork jackets, structured separates, and versatile urban silhouettes.
‘Sutoye Adda’ – Anurupa Saha & Barnali Garai | NIF Global Kolkata
Inspired by Bengali communal stitching traditions, Kantha embroidery adorned cotton-linen jackets, asymmetric skirts, and tailored trousers, reflecting a fusion of ancestral craft and contemporary tailoring.
‘Riwaz Recoded’ – Jenika Nahar & Dwiti Jain | NIF Global Mumbai South
Layered silhouettes and vibrant Rajasthani lehriya motifs reinterpreted festive textiles into oversized jackets, coats, and skirts, accented with handcrafted silver coin details.
‘Dharohar’ – Mahek Jariwala | NIF Global Surat
Celebrating Kutchi embroidery and Ajrakh printing, flowing skirts, corset tops, and layered dresses transformed heritage techniques into structured yet fluid eveningwear.
‘KITAB’ – Diya Ambwani | NIF Global Jaipur
A personal narrative of family heirlooms, KITAB’s linen satin and cotton-linen ensembles embraced layered, minimal, versatile silhouettes, bridging memory with modernity.
The interior design students brought depth to each collection with thoughtfully crafted conceptual sets, merging fashion with spatial storytelling. Their work created a layered experience, allowing audiences to engage with each collection as a holistic narrative rather than just clothing.
NIF Global’s showcase reaffirmed the power of interdisciplinary design, where mentorship, experimentation, and cultural awareness converge. The Runway became more than a stage—it was a meeting point for heritage, innovation, and youthful expression, showcasing the evolving identity of India’s emerging designers.
