‘NIFD GLOBAL PRESENTS GENNEXT’ ANNOUNCES ITS NEW BATCH OF WINNERS
Tashi Narula
Designers Padma Saldon, Saurabh Maurya, Ananya Arora, and Sakshi Vijay Punyani triumph
at the 38th ‘NIFD Global Presents GenNext’ Program at the Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI taking place from 9th-13th October 2024 in New Delhi.
Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI has provided a platform for up-and-coming designers to showcase their talent to the fashion industry with its prestigious talent discovery program NIFD Global Presents GenNext. In its 38th edition, the platform has announced its latest cadre of exceptional designers: Padma Saldon (2112 Saldon), Saurabh Maurya (MARGN), Ananya Arora (Ananya – The Label), and Sakshi Vijay Punyani (VJ), who emerged victorious, earning the opportunity to showcase their unique collections at the Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI taking place from 9th-13th October 2024 in New Delhi.
The four winners this season all display their design aesthetics and creativity in their own unique fashion. Padma Saldon, from Leh Ladakh who is a graduate from NIFT, embodies Ladakh’s cultural richness in sustainable fashion, honoring traditional attire like Goncha and Sulma through exquisite handwoven sheep wool and innovative patchwork techniques. Ananya Arora from Amritsar and an NIFT alum, merges meditation-inspired themes with eco-conscious materials like vegan silk and recycled cotton. Saurabh Maurya, from Noida and design graduate from NIFT, explores an interpretation of human systems with hand knitting and crochet appliques in his latest collection. Sakshi Vijay Punyani, a Knitwear Design graduate from Nagpur, encourages bravery in grief with her latest collection, using natural Alpaca, Wool and cotton, recycled banana and silk yarns to navigate grief stages with compassion and innovation, showcasing techniques like handknitting and handwork.
GenNext, celebrated for its commitment to supporting new talent, provides designers with invaluable opportunities to hone their skills and secure their rightful place in the vibrant world of fashion. As the 38th edition ushers in a new era, these four exceptional designers are set to leave a lasting mark with their collections, contributing to the ever-evolving narrative of the Indian beauty and fashion industry. This announcement underscores Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI’s ongoing dedication to propelling emerging designers, both nationally and internationally.
GenNext has played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing over 250 designers, including notable names [Rahul Mishra, Kunal Rawal, Masaba Gupta, Ruchika Sachdeva, Ujjawal Dubey among others], who have become paragons of excellence not only in India but also internationally.
Like every season, entries for NIFD Global Presents GenNext poured in from across India. The shortlisted designers showcased their collections to a distinguished jury comprising Shahab Durazi, Iconic Indian Fashion Designer; Ainee Nizami Ahmedi, Editor-In-Chief, Elle India; Sabina Chopra,NIFD Global presentsGenNext Mentor; Harman Dhillon, Executive Director, Hindustan Unilever, and Beauty and Well-Being General Manager, Unilever South Asia and Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands Ltd.
Introducing the newest set of GenNext designers Harman Dhillon, Executive Director, Hindustan Unilever, and Beauty and Well-Being General Manager, Unilever South Asia, “At Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI, we embody the ever-evolving spirit of fashion and beauty, constantly pushing boundaries. Our GenNext program is a catalyst for innovation, discovering and cultivating creative geniuses that will shape the future of fashion and beauty. We seek out and nurture young talent, poised to revolutionize the Indian design landscape. We believe that our country is teeming with talent, and with the right mentorship, these talents will greatly impact the industry with ingenious and sustainable ideas. This initiative perfectly aligns with House of Lakmē’s approach of pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity.”
Speaking on the GenNext program Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands Ltd. said, “We have always been committed to nurturing the brightest minds in Indian Fashion at Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI and are looking forward to witnessing the 38th batch of GenNext designers, showcase their creativity on the runway this season. The NIFD Global presents GenNext program, has been instrumental to this platform’s journey over the past several years. From giving some of the nation’s most creative minds a steppingstone into the fashion industry to mentoring and empowering newer talent across the country, the platform has significantly impacted the Indian and Global fashion industry.”
Commenting on the program, Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI, said, “The GenNext program has been a crucial part of FDCI’s journey, and we look forward to seeing the new batch of GenNext designers take over the runway this season. The fashion scenes in India and throughout the world have been profoundly influenced by this project. The program acts as a transformative platform, providing some of the most talented youth in the country with an essential launchpad.”
38TH BATCH OF GENNEXT DESIGNERS:
Information on the designer and the collection:
Designer Name: Padma Saldon
Brand Name: 2112 Saldon
City: Leh Ladakh
2112 SALDON emerges as a beacon of sustainable fashion, rooted deeply in the cultural tapestry of Ladakh. With a profound commitment to preserving heritage, the brand meticulously weaves stories of tradition into contemporary designs. Their collection pays homage to Ladakh’s iconic attire such as Goncha and Sulma, showcasing the beauty of handwoven sheep wool. Embracing innovation, 2112 SALDON employs techniques like patchwork—both inside-out for sustainability—and resist printing, ensuring each piece embodies timeless elegance and ecological responsibility.
Information on the designer and the collection:
Designer Name: Ananya Arora
Brand Name: Ananya-The Label
City: Amritsar
Founded in March 2022, Ananya-The Label, is helmed by a seasoned designer with diverse roles throughout his career. The collection “Zazen,” draws inspiration from meditation and nature and the painting of ‘The Buddha’ featuring techniques like embroidery and block print on vegan silk, handloom cotton, Kala cotton denim, and recycled cotton, reflecting a commitment to conscious design.
Information on the designer and the collection:
Designer Name: Saurabh Maurya
Brand Name: MARGN
City: Noida
Saurabh Maurya’s formal education laid a strong foundation for his innovative approach to menswear design, which was further developed through his 3.5 years of work experience at Bareek and Nappa Dori
Saurabh’s latest collection, MARGN Fall Winter-24, is an ongoing research and interpretation of human systems, wherein he has explored tying as a form of protection, preservation, and shelter. It features Recycled Wool Boucle, Cotton Twill Checks, Bemberg lining in trousers and techniques such as hand-knitting and crochet appliques, alongside innovative tie-ups, which create a unique blend of texture and functionality.
Information on the designer and the collection:
Designer Name: Sakshi Vijay Punyani
Brand Name: VJ
City: Nagpur
Sakshi Vijay Punyani is a graduate with a B. Des in Knitwear Design from NIFT Hyderabad. Sakshi has gained practical experience by interning with companies such as Arvind Limited, Ganga Acrowools Limited.
Her latest collection aims to guide one through grief’s stages, offering solace to mourners and those who support them. Accepting grief as normal, it encourages us to bravely face it, instead of hiding from it. It features garments crafted using natural alpaca, wool, and cotton, along with recycled banana, polyester, and silk yarns, employing patchwork techniques such as handknitting, flat knit, crochet, computerized knitting, handwork and mesh created on flat knit.
About Lakmē:
The House of Lakmē, is India’s no.1 colour cosmetics and leading premium skincare brand from Hindustan UnileverLtd. The brand has been the pioneer of the make-up and colour cosmetics in India since 1952 with 1000+ SKUs that push the trendsetting envelope of beauty and fashion. Combining international cosmetic technology with an in-depth understanding of the Indian consumer’s needs, the House of Lakmē offers a comprehensive beauty experience through its extensive product portfolio, for fashionistas to embrace beauty unapologetically. For further information, log on to: www.Lakmēindia.com
About Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI):
A non-profit organisation, the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), is the apex body of fashion design in India, represented by over 400 members. Founded on the premise of promoting, nurturing, and representing the best of fashion and design talent in the country; its prime objective is to propagate the business of fashion. FDCI stays true to its commitment to promote the ‘Make in India’ label as handlooms take centre stage, in a country, who’s heritage is soaked in the flavours of indigenous crafts. For more information, please visit: www.fdci.org
