FDCI presents a special showcase to celebrate India’s craft traditions at the World Crafts Forum 2024
‘My Craft My Pride’, a unique exhibition to honor India’s handloom and craft traditions, was presented by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) on Saturday at the World Crafts Forum 2024.
The event, which took place at the National Crafts Museum in New Delhi, highlighted innovation and sustainable design in India’s craft industry.
With assistance from the Ministry of Textiles and organized by the World Crafts Council (WCC), the event brought together well-known designers to showcase collections that combined traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design sensibility.
Anjana Bhargav representing DHI, Payal Jain, Suket Dhir, Gaurav Jai Gupta’s Akaaro, Anavila Misra, and Aidar Khan from Kazakhstan were all on the lineup.
As he thanked the platform, FDCI Chairman Sunil Sethi said, “This event celebrates India’s sustainable crafts and our dedication to preserving tradition while paving the way for a sustainable future.”
Every designer showcased a distinct collection that embraced sustainability and reflected India’s rich legacy.
In her black-and-white works, Anjana Bhargav used patchwork and striking contemporary abstractions.
“Black and white is a color scheme that exudes strong charm and classic refinement. This collection combines vivid, contemporary abstractions with traditional handlooms to reinterpret these colors via patchwork with a modern twist. In a statement released by FDCI, Anjana said, “It’s about making pieces that are not just worn but remembered.”
Payal Jain created modern designs with handcrafted decorations by repurposing old Uzbek fabrics.
The rich cultural tapestry of Uzbekistan is celebrated in “Rising Sun,” which is reinterpreted via Indian handicraft. By recycling traditional Uzbek fabrics into contemporary shapes embellished with handcrafted tassels, fringes, and metallic accents, this collection pays homage to sustainability and craftsmanship,” she stated.
The Panchatantra collection is our tribute to the ancient craft of storytelling, according to Suket Dhir, who brought storytelling to life using Banarasi brocades with a Panchatantra motif. As we weave a sustainable story for the future, we want to honor India’s rich handloom legacy by bringing these cherished characters to life on Banarasi brocades, Muga, and other fine silks.”
“The renowned International Klein Blue and its evocative journey through fashion, textiles, and art are honored in this collection. At Akaaro, we have combined materials like cotton, monofilament silk, merino wool, and stainless steel to reinvent the expressive possibilities of handwoven textiles. By using this creative method, we investigate modernity, utility, and urbanity while maintaining a sustainable foundation. According to Gaurav Jai Gupta, “each piece reflects the future of contemporary Indian textiles.”
The ageless ethos of Chettinad, where tradition and modernity live together, is honored in “Payanam.” Inspired by the region’s rich cultural tapestry, which includes vivid kolams and handmade Athangudi tiles, this collection captures the spirit of a community that is both internationally inspired and firmly anchored. Every item honors the handcrafted and the slow, turning life’s journey into wearable narratives that embrace the present while paying homage to heritage. Regarding her line, Anavila Misra said, “We hope to foster kinship and uphold the tradition of thoughtful living through craft and apparel.”
“Our neo-folklore collection is a journey into the origins of tradition, where the utilitarian essence of felt—once essential for nomads—is reimagined as Haute Couture,” said Aidar Khan, a Kazakh designer. We make clothing that combines the beauty of modern design with the spirit of tradition by fusing the age-old skill of felting with the current Nuno felting process. Every item, which is made by hand, narrates the tale of innovation and cultural origins coming together to turn felt into a symbol of sustainable luxury.
The exhibition sought to preserve India’s cultural legacy while fostering international crafts innovation, sustainability, and cross-cultural cooperation.
