A sneak peek at the works of the four NIFD Global presents GenNext winners ahead of LFWxFDCI

It is incredibly unique, characterised by its traditional yet practical garments like the Goncha and Sulma, designed to withstand the harsh climate of the region. The vibrant colours, intricate embroidery, and use of natural materials like sheep wool make Ladakhi fashion distinct.

I will showcase my collection Echoes of my Cradles featuring a palette inspired by the colours I have seen worn by my grandparents and people of Ladakh, such as earthy grey, ochre, yellow, indigo blue, and vibrant pinks. The cuts and silhouettes will blend traditional Ladakhi attire with modern aesthetics, featuring flowing dresses, structured jackets, and versatile separates. Textures will play a crucial role, with a focus on handwoven sheep wool, intricate embroidery, and layered fabrics that reflect the region’s artisanal heritage.

Sustainability is at the heart of my design philosophy. I believe in creating timeless classics that people would like to keep more as an heirloom, focusing on slow fashion. I incorporate eco-friendly materials and promote handwoven textiles. I am also exploring natural dyeing methods and upcycling leftover fabrics to create new pieces.

Some of my favourite fashion icons include designers who seamlessly blend tradition with modernity, such as Dries Van Noten and Vivienne Westwood.

Looking ahead, I plan to continue exploring the rich heritage of Ladakh and other regions, creating collections that celebrate traditional craftsmanship, while pushing the boundaries of contemporary design. I am also excited about expanding my label internationally and collaborating with other artisans and designers who share my passion for sustainable and ethical fashion.

Grief is a natural process, and everyone deals with it differently, despite it being one of the most difficult emotions. Having gone through it myself, I can relate to the intensity of the emotions. And I have designed a collection that depicts different stages, so that an individual can relate to, validate, and acknowledge their feelings and does not run from it. As for the designs, I turned emotions into tangible garments via lines, shapes, forms, and colours, with a psychological scheme for each of them. My ultimate approach was to maintain the intensity of the feelings while ensuring that the collection is also visually appealing. One of VJ’s primary objectives is to eliminate the use of plastic and polyester materials. We focused on utilising natural fibres like cotton, wool, alpaca, and merino wool, alongside recycled materials such as banana and silk yarns. To minimise waste, we also incorporated fabric scraps into our designs, making innovative use of clothing waste. The techniques employed include hand-knitting, flat hand knitting, crochet, and patchwork to promote sustainability.

I find great inspiration in the power of storytelling. A good story can elevate an idea into something creative and unique.

I aim at transitioning from our current conceptual collection to a more commercially viable one, focusing on incorporating diverse fabrics, unique textures, and styles suited to the Indian climate.

Our collection for LFWxFDCI reflects our survival instincts, highlights rudiments of human systems through the exploration of packaging and tying — protective measures that are common across all cultures. Following our observations of unconventional yet ubiquitous systems, be it a truck driver’s use of bora to protect his vehicle to the act of wrapping things when shifting homes, are all instances that informed the conceptualisation of this collection. We synthesised these observations into a cohesive representation of craft and functionality, with our designs heavily inclined towards the utilitarian aspects. The range exemplifies our observations through the hand-knit puffer gilet, which is a unique take on the conventional gilet. Knit details are elemental to this collection, along with symbolism, which comes to light through origami folds and panelled constructions.

Looking back at 2021, I believe our brand has progressively aligned with a business-oriented approach, refining our understanding with each passing year. Today, we design collections with a primary focus on this aspect, placing a heavy emphasis on our target audiences and consumer behaviour.

Lately, there has been a significant shift in how people perceive the dichotomous concept of gender. Moreover, we are witnessing a change in traditional norms surrounding masculine identity, specifically in terms of ‘who a man is’ and ‘what a man can be.’ This change in perception has led to men becoming more experimental with their fashion choices. A notable example is our first launch, which featured a line of skirts, and I was pleasantly surprised by the positive feedback.

A classic black tee, a well-constructed pleated trouser in a timeless colour, a textured knit for added depth, a thoughtfully designed shirt - tailored to the individual’s personal aesthetic and an off-white tee for versatile alternative.

We plan to significantly expand our direct-to-consumer (D2C) channel to become the leading ready-to-wear menswear brand in India. We also aim at exploring more collaborations and diversifying our product categories to include shoes, bags, and other accessories.

For our upcoming showcase at LFWxFDCI , we will showcase versatile clothing in intriguing silhouettes designed to move with the wearer, make a statement, and prioritise community and environmental responsibility. Our inspiration stems from the painting The Buddha by O-dil-o Rho-do, depicting a mindful Buddha surrounded by flowers, blending into a unified consciousness. The artist’s work served as a bridge between East and West, allowing us to draw silhouette inspirations from both cultures. Zazen’s colour palette is directly derived from the painting. The collection features plant-based fabrics like vegan silk, handloom cotton, kala cotton, and hemp, combined with embroidery and block printing techniques. Our embroidery uses untwisted threads, traditionally used for phulkari embroidery, and our block designs are created in-house. A unique aspect of our printing process is that we stitch the garment before printing.

I draw major inspiration from various abstract concepts, philosophies, and feelings that are universally relatable, transcending individual roots.

I greatly admire certain designers for their exceptional talent, including Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake, Craig Green, and Hed Mayner, to name a few, besides Jacquemus for staying relevant to fashion.

Something that I have gradually gravitated towards is incorporating yoga and meditation into my routine, which I believe will start reflecting in the brand’s future endeavours. We’re already planning to launch a capsule wardrobe, ATL Basics, featuring fixed essentials from our brand. Our focus will then shift to creating statement jackets, robes, and kimonos that add a stylish layering element to our basics, helping you make a statement when desired. Our ultimate goal is to be recognised as a brand that crafts exquisite statement outer layers while upholding our values of sustainability and mindfulness.