NIF Global Unveils 'GenNext' Designers Reshaping Fashion at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI
PNN
Mumbai (Maharashtra), India, March 29: At Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI, the stage was set for an influx of new ideas when three promising emerging designers took center stage during the GenNext Show. Renowned for highlighting upcoming pioneers in Indian fashion, this edition’s GenNext Showcase provided another impressive exhibition of ingenuity and craftsmanship.
Over more than twenty years, the GenNext Show has emerged as a significant showcase for up-and-coming talent during Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI, providing a distinguished venue for novice designers to display their distinctive stories on an international level. This event has played a crucial role in fostering the success of many renowned Indian designers we know today, giving them guidance, visibility, and a critical chance to explore new artistic limits.
Shaunik Khosla from NIF Global expressed his views during this significant event: "At NIF Global, we've consistently focused on fostering emerging talents, and partnering with Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI via the GenNext initiative enables us to achieve exactly that. Each season brings new opportunities for budding designers to display their ingenuity on this esteemed platform, helping them establish themselves within the fashion world."
NIF GLOBAL, part of the New York Institute of Fashion Incorporated (a U.S.-based entity), has positioned itself as an accelerator for emerging talents in the world of fashion. The 2025 edition of their GenNext showcase underscored this mission by highlighting designers who boldly transformed traditions, feelings, and legacies into modern stories.
This year’s selections were guided by an esteemed jury comprising prominent figures from the industry, each offering unique viewpoints throughout the evaluation. Members of the committee consisted of Sunanda Khaitan, Vice President of Lakmé; Sabina Chopra, GenNEXT Mentor; Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue India; Tina Tahiliani Parikh, Executive Director of Ensemble; Kunal Rawal, Celebrated Indian Fashion Designer; and Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President at Reliance Brands Ltd. Their extensive knowledge and keen judgment significantly contributed to choosing the emerging talents whose work left viewers thoroughly impressed.
Designer Abhishek Shinde, known under the label 'Abhichiq', showcases his latest collection titled "Ciao -- SS 2025." Through this lineup, Abhishek Shinde took viewers on an immersive journey into sunny Sicily with “Ciao,” a range brimming with Mediterranean allure. Drawing inspiration from the lively local customs, picturesque countryside vistas, and traditional craftsmanship found on the island, the garments exude a deep appreciation for dressing up using materials like hand-woven fabrics, hand-blocked patterns, and detailed manual embroideries. The bold use of festive stripes combined with vintage-inspired cuts brought forth an adventurous spirit within the series, revamping conventional men’s wear pieces into vivid representations of enduring fashion elegance.
Designer Somya Lochan, under her label 'Quarter', presents "The Dichotomy of Loss," a collection inspired by an intense examination of sorrow. Through this profoundly reflective project, five people opened up about their individual encounters with loss, expressing themselves freely by dismantling clothing items as they delved into their feelings. These creations encapsulate the unfiltered intricacies of bereavement via handwoven Benarasi silk brocade, the restoration of a three-decades-old loom, Himroo brocade sourced from Aurangabad, intricate hand embroidery, and Dhokra buttons made using a 4000-year-old technique involving lost-wax casting originating in West Bengal.
A line called "Modern Heirlooms," crafted by designer Yash Patil under his label 'The Antique Piece,' found its muse in the lavish records of Nepal’s Rana queens, giving new life to their extravagant aesthetic for today’s world. This range merged stories from different cultures with exceptional artistry, integrating elements like braiding techniques, gemstones, and sumptuous fabrics into current designs. Every creation served as an embodiment of both the enduring legacy and classic sophistication associated with Himalayan monarchs.
As an enthusiastic supporter in fostering these remarkable individuals, NIF Global remains dedicated to advancing the upcoming cohort of designers, offering them a stage where their ideas and perspectives can shine and gain recognition. The GenNext Show has once again established itself as a guiding light for emerging creativity, challenging limits and molding the future landscape of fashion.
NIF Global builds a stage where learners flourish within a community that values inclusivity, imagination, and high standards. As the Style Icon at NIF Global, Ananya Panday stands out with her contemporary style, dynamic character, and pioneering ingenuity, motivating students to adopt innovative and daring perspectives on attire and creation. Additionally, NIF Global gains valuable support through mentoring from distinguished figures such as Gauri Khan, Manish Malhotra, Twinkle Khanna, and Ashley Rebello, offering essential advice and real-world knowledge from the sector.
NIF Global operates several branches throughout India, providing focused courses in areas such as Fashion Design, Interior Design, Business Administration through its School of Management, and Hairstyling & Makeup via its School of Beauty.
For more information on NIF Global and to browse through their program options, go to: www.nifglobal.college
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