New Delhi, October 19: The Union Territory of Ladakh showcased its rich textile heritage and contemporary creative identity at Lakmé Fashion Week x Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) 2026 through a special presentation titled “The Fifth Season: A Fashion Story from Ladakh” at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi, on the concluding day of the fashion event.
The showcase celebrated Ladakh’s world-renowned Pashmina, indigenous textiles and traditional craftsmanship, with a special focus on the Changthang pastoral communities and artisans who preserve this unique heritage.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, addressed the event virtually and highlighted the importance of connecting traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, entrepreneurship and wider markets. He emphasised that the benefits of growing recognition must reach Pashmina herders, weavers, craftspeople, women entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups while preserving the authenticity of Ladakh’s indigenous traditions.
The Lieutenant Governor congratulated the Department of Industries and Commerce, UT Ladakh, for providing a prominent platform to local designers, artisans and traditional craft enterprises. He expressed confidence that such initiatives would preserve Ladakh’s cultural heritage, create sustainable livelihood opportunities and strengthen the region’s economic growth.
Conceptualised and facilitated by the Department of Industries and Commerce, UT Ladakh, under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, the initiative was supported by FDCI. It aims to promote Ladakh’s indigenous products, strengthen local enterprises and create opportunities for entrepreneurship and market access.
Four designers and artisanal brands from Ladakh—Namza by Padma Yangchan, Zilzom by Stanzin Palmo, Changra Ladakh by Deskit Angmo, and Charkha Ladakh by Rigzin Yangdol—presented their interpretations of the region’s textile heritage, blending traditional techniques with contemporary designs.
Namza by Padma Yangchan presented 18 ensembles featuring brocade fabrics and Pashmina. Zilzom by Stanzin Palmo showcased 18 ensembles featuring self-designed silk prints inspired by Changthang’s landscapes, along with contemporary interpretations of snambu, a traditional Ladakhi woollen textile. Changra Ladakh and Charkha Ladakh highlighted the authenticity and quality of indigenous craftsmanship through handspun and handwoven Pashmina shawls.
A key highlight of the showcase was the participation of artisans from Changthang, bringing the people behind Ladakh’s renowned Pashmina craftsmanship into the national fashion spotlight. The presentation traced the journey of Pashmina from the high-altitude pastures, where Changpa pastoralists rear indigenous Changra goats, to the skilled hands of artisans and women who transform the fine fibre into exquisite textiles.
Shalini Passi added glamour to the showcase as the showstopper, wearing a gown designed by Zilzom. The renowned Dashugs band complemented the presentation with a live musical performance, bringing together fashion, music and cultural storytelling.
The Department of Industries and Commerce has been supporting Ladakh’s traditional craft sector through Common Facility Centres, skill-upgradation programmes, improved production facilities and assistance for traditional handloom enterprises. These initiatives aim to improve product quality, encourage innovation, strengthen the craft value chain and generate sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, the UT Administration is working to connect Ladakh’s traditional strengths with contemporary design, modern production systems and wider markets.
Strengthening the Pashmina value chain is particularly important for Changthang’s pastoral communities. Greater integration of fibre production, spinning, weaving, designing and marketing can help generate more value locally and expand economic benefits for herders, artisans, women and entrepreneurs.
Building on the momentum of the fashion showcase, the Ladakh Pashmina Conclave, scheduled for October 23–24 under the RAMP Scheme, will bring together producers, artisans, designers, entrepreneurs and buyers to explore market opportunities and establish business linkages. More than 50 stalls and over 100 entrepreneurs and buyers are expected to participate, providing a platform for product displays, direct buyer-seller interactions and potential commercial partnerships.
While Lakmé Fashion Week has brought Ladakh’s craftsmanship to a prominent national platform, the upcoming conclave aims to translate this visibility into sustainable business opportunities and stronger market connections.
Ladakh’s participation in Lakmé Fashion Week marks an important step towards positioning its textile traditions in contemporary fashion and luxury markets while safeguarding their cultural significance. “The Fifth Season: A Fashion Story from Ladakh” celebrates the people, skills and generations of knowledge behind Ladakh Pashmina, connecting traditional heritage with innovation, entrepreneurship and global opportunities.
