The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) curated Legacy of Craft for the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, at The Kunj — New Delhi’s newly launched cultural hub dedicated to India’s artisanal heritage.
L to R – Suket Dhir, Payal Jain, Divyam Mehta, Sunil Sethi, Neelam Shami Rao, Amrit Raj, Samant Chauhan, Anjali Kalia
The evening was a vibrant celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and creativity. At the center was Karigar Sangam, which showcased over 100 masterpieces created by National Awardees, Shilp Gurus, and master artisans. Visitors engaged directly with artisans, appreciating and purchasing their work — reinforcing the value of handmade in today’s world.
Designer Anjali Kalia
The highlight was a fashion showcase by Divyam Mehta, Payal Jain, Samant Chauhan, Suket Dhir, and Upāvita, who reinterpreted traditional techniques like Kantha, Chikankari, Bhagalpuri embroidery, block printing, Ikat, and Chanderi into contemporary silhouettes.
Designer Divyam Mehta
Designer Suket Dhir
Gracing the event were Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, along with Smt. Neerja Sekhar, Additional Secretary,Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, MOT, Mugdha Sinha (IAS- MD, ITDC), Smt. Shubhra – trade advisor and Ms. Apoorva Srivastava, Ambassador to the Slovak Republic.
The evening also featured live music and a graceful Kathak recital, seamlessly blending craft, fashion, and performance.
Designer Samant Chauhan
Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, said: “The Kunj has been conceived as both a cultural beacon and a dynamic commercial hub. Through curated exhibitions, retail spaces, live demonstrations, and cultural programming, it will serve as a permanent destination to celebrate the spirit of ‘Handmade in India, Crafted for the World.’ ‘Legacy of Craft’ was a befitting event to this vision, showcasing how India’s timeless craft traditions continue to inspire and thrive.”
Designer Payal Jain
Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI, added: “The Kunj is a landmark initiative of DC Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, envisioned to spotlight India’s artisanal legacy. FDCI was delighted to curate ‘Legacy of Craft’ as part of this initiative, bringing together designers, artisans, and performers in one holistic evening of creativity. I was delighted to see people not just appreciating but also purchasing at Karigar Sangam and other shops, reaffirming the vitality of our crafts. The evening truly reflected how heritage, fashion, and culture can come together to create a meaningful experience.”
