Event Overview
The Department of Industries & Commerce, Union Territory of Ladakh, in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), will present “The Fifth Season: A Fashion Story from Ladakh” at Lakmē Fashion Week on 18 October 2026. The runway event is scheduled for 5:30 PM at Taj Palace, New Delhi.
Participants and Showcase
The programme will open with Zilzom, designed by Stanzin Palmo, and close with Namza Couture, created by Padma Yangchan. Two women‑led artisanal enterprises—Changra Ladakh and Charkha Ladakh (based in New Delhi)—will join the designers. Changra Ladakh will exhibit hand‑woven Pashmina and nomadic handicraft traditions, while Charkha Ladakh will highlight handcrafted Himalayan woollen textiles. The showcase emphasizes ethical practices, preservation of age‑old weaving techniques, and sustainable livelihoods for local artisans. Indigenous crafts such as Ladakhi Pashmina, Nambu, Challi, Thigma, traditional weaving patterns, and Thangka‑inspired art will be featured.
Official Statements
- Sunil Sethi, Chairman of FDCI, said India’s fashion identity is deeply linked to diverse craft traditions and that Ladakh offers a distinctive design vocabulary. He thanked the Ladakh Government, especially LG of Ladakh Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Secretary Shri Ashish Kundra, for supporting the promotion of Ladakhi textiles on a national platform.
- Shri Ashish Kundra, IAS, Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, described Ladakhi fashion as inspired by nature, calling Pashmina the “soul of fashion” and expressing gratitude to FDCI and Sunil Sethi for showcasing Ladakh’s fashion in the capital.
- Shri Himanshu Gupta, IAS, Secretary, Industries & Commerce, UT Ladakh, highlighted that Ladakh’s participation provides a prestigious national platform, institutional support, improved market linkages, and empowerment for artisans, taking world‑renowned Pashmina to wider audiences.
Supporting Organisations
- House of Lakmē is India’s No. 1 colour cosmetics and leading premium skincare brand from Hindustan Unilever Ltd, operating since 1952 with 1000+ SKUs.
- Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) is a non‑profit apex body of fashion design in India, representing over 400 members and promoting the “Make in India” label for handlooms.
- Reliance Brands Limited (RBL), a subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd, manages a portfolio of luxury and premium fashion and lifestyle brands. RBL operates 1,621 doors comprising 934 stores and 687 shop‑in‑shops across India and has invested in home‑grown designer brands while acquiring the iconic British toy retailer Hamleys, which has 191 stores in 14 countries.
Media Contacts
- Lakmē / FDCI – Reliance Brand Talk Communications: Ruchita Marda (ruchita.marda@unilever.com)
- Ritika Vadehra, Aarushi Sharma (media@fdci.org)
- Ritika Khandelwal (ritikakhandelwal01996@gmail.com)
- Ruhani Singh Mann (ruhanimann@brandtalkindia.com)
- Shimona Dargan (shimonadargan@brandtalkindia.com)
Disclaimer
The press release is issued under an arrangement with NRDPL. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the content.