The COHANDS Pavilion will bring together Padamshree and National Awardee ai Prakash Lakhwal; National Awardees Vivekananda Bagchi, Sneh Gangal, Devendra Kumar Jha and Kamlesh Jangid; and Shilp Guru Awardees Har Krishan, Mohd Matloob and Brahmdeo Ram Pandit—just to name a few—who will be presenting their strengths in traditional Indian handicrafts.

Together, the awardees will highlight traditionally crafted products with a contemporary touch in miniature painting, terracotta, cane & bamboo arts, wood craving & wood inlay, bidri craft, mithila painting, wood craving, brass engraving and pottery.

Creating the perfect combination of Indian and international designs, the platform will also host companies from China, Indonesia, Switzerland and Thailand and international speakers from France and Finland to throw light on the lifestyle trends through co-relation with Indian design due to the growing influence of India through emergence of successful Indian designers and brands internationally, the organisers said in a press release.

Among the countries participating in the fair this year, the strongest participation is seen from Thailand where the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion and Federation of Thai Industries are looking at strengthening bilateral ties in the Indian home fashion space given the strong culture of design co-relation in both countries. Altogether, over 150 leading companies will present their stunning collections in dining, living, giving and home furnishing segments at the three-day fair.

The highlights of the fair include first-look and season’s new collections launched by leading brands such as D’décor, Reliance, Aditya Birla, GHCL Ltd, RR International, Manorama, etc. The ILA Experience Zone will have innovative concepts in interior spaces showcased through a design face-off on the theme of “My Heritage, My New Age India” between product and textile designers.

Further, renowned international speakers—French designer David Landart and Finnish designer Susanna Björklund—will host sessions on lifestyle trends and the art of window dressing.

India’s textiles minister Smriti Irani is expected to inaugurate and address the important gathering where the industry’s new and leading brands will present first-look of the new season’s collections for the Indian market offering inspiring product designs, live design sessions and experience zones. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India