NIF Global Student Designer Takes ‘The Runway’ at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI

In a spectacular display of creativity and talent, NIF Global’s ‘The Runway’ fashion show saw five notable student designers from NIF GLOBAL (formerly NIFD GLOBAL) push the boundaries of design with innovative inspirations and unique presentations. Bollywood film ‘Dangal’ actress Fatima Sana Shaikh stole the spotlight as the standout, making a striking appearance on the runway in a stunning ivory ensemble. Students from NIF Global (New York Fashion Institute) campuses in Pune, Jaipur, Mumbai, Bhopal and Indore showcased their designs at Lakmé Fashion Week, held in partnership with FDCI, during Sustainable Fashion Day. NIF GLOBAL (formerly NIFD GLOBAL) an enterprise of the New York Institute of Fashion, Inc. (a company registered in the USA).

NIF Global continues its mission to nurture emerging talent while emphasizing sustainable practices and cutting-edge design.

The fashion segment of ‘The Runway’ was a vibrant display of innovation, with five winning collections gracing the runway. Each collection reflected the designers’ unique perspectives and inspirations, offering audiences a captivating journey through different cultural and artistic landscapes. The first collection, The Freedom’s Expression, by Kinjal Laddha and Ayush Patel of NIF Global Indore, offered a refreshing take on modern minimalism. Inspired by Singapore’s iconic Interlace building, the collection embraced the concept of freedom through interlacing and cutwork techniques. Featuring spring-summer silhouettes in olive green and beige, the collection emphasized wearability while maintaining an artistic flair. The interlocking details symbolized the fluidity of architectural inspiration.

Next came Kile Ki Kala, the brainchild of Chitrika Rathore and Amatulla Petiwala of NIF Global Bhopal. This collection was a tribute to the timeless elegance of Maheshwar Fort, with jute, cotton and muslin fabrics reflecting the fort’s intricate carvings. The use of quilting, machine cord work and bead embroidery gave the collection a textured architectural feel, while earthy tones of brown, red and white captured the grandeur of the fort’s design. Structured silhouettes with strong lines emphasized the majestic fortress-inspired theme, making this collection a standout on the catwalk.

The energy on the catwalk changed with Janak Tak of NIF Global Jaipur, whose The Sarovar collection was inspired by the enchanting city of Pushkar. Featuring fabrics such as cotton mulmul and cambric, the collection celebrated the vibrant cultural heritage of the Pushkar camel fair, infused with mirror work, block printing and appliqués. The rich color palette – blues, greens, mustard yellows and reds – evoked the scenic beauty and architectural splendor of Pushkar, while the holiday-ready silhouettes captured the city’s laid-back elegance.

The Vintage Miraj collection, created by Chetan Mali and Mahendra Choudhary of NIF Global Pune Kothrud, took inspiration from Mumbai’s Chor Bazaar. This collection combined vintage aesthetics with structured silhouettes, offering a contemporary take on classic style. The intricate use of silk, cotton and antique accessories evoked a sense of timelessness, transporting audiences back in time whilst maintaining a modern feel.

The bold and nostalgic PARI-LOCALIST collection, designed by Janvi Malkan of NIF Global Mumbai Andheri, is inspired by the contrasting dualities of Paris – its romantic allure and the dark, mysterious catacombs. Underneath, the collection fused the city’s smooth elegance with bolder, boho-chic silhouettes. Malkan’s use of cotton, organza, lace and chiffon drills brought depth to the collection, with shades of gray and brown capturing the essence of Paris’ light and shadows, taking innovation to the next level in ‘The Runway’.

Beyond the fashion, ‘The Runway’ was elevated to new heights by NIF Global’s interior design winners, who created breathtaking backdrops that transformed the runway into a visual masterpiece. Tasked with designing immersive environments for each collection, these rising stars – Yash Meena of NIF Global New Delhi West, Shravanee Khot of NIF Global Navi Mumbai, Krishika Gor of NIF Global Mumbai Ghatkopar, Ronit Sharma of NIF Global Gurugram and Roshni Chaudhary by NIF Global Panvel – infused the space with innovation and art. Every step on the catwalk was framed by her imaginative brilliance, making the event a feast for the senses.

‘The Runway’ wasn’t just an event – ​​it was a celebration of the talent, creativity and limitless potential of its students. By combining cutting-edge fashion collections with transformative landscapes, NIF Global has proven once again that it is not only nurturing designers, but also cultivating leaders who are ready to reshape the industry. With each design that graced the runway, NIF Global solidified its place as a driving force in education, innovation and creative excellence, setting the stage for the next generation of designers to make their mark on the global fashion scene.