Indian fashion is entering a new era of authenticity, sustainability, and storytelling — and the GenNext winners of Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI 2025 are at its forefront. From denim puppetry and poetic nostalgia to soulful revivals of Ajrakh, this year’s emerging designers are redefining what it means to be “Made in India.”

Each season, the NIF Global Presents GenNext Program acts as the beating heart of Lakmē Fashion Week, nurturing young talent and connecting them with industry veterans. The 2025 edition saw Anam Husain, GAACH by Pranita Choudhury, and 23N 69E by Mohammad Anas Sheikh rise as the new visionaries of Indian design. Their collections are not mere garments but emotional narratives — woven with history, rooted in craft, and charged with innovation.

Anam Husain’s ‘Cut-Putly’ is a hauntingly beautiful dialogue between tradition and rebellion. Inspired by Rajasthan’s Kathputli dolls, it juxtaposes zardozi and crochet with repurposed denim, transforming decay into poetry. Her collection becomes a metaphor for control, patriarchy, and liberation — told through silhouettes that feel sculptural and soulful.

In contrast, Pranita Choudhury’s GAACH captures nostalgia and belonging. Her winning collection “Recalling” translates fading memories of Bengal and Rabindra Jayanti into wearable poetry using eco-printed silks, kantha stitches, and Bengali scripts. Every piece reflects slow luxury, memory, and emotion — a true conversation between the past and present.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Anas Sheikh’s 23N 69E brings Ajrakh to the modern stage. Named after the coordinates of Kachchh, his label reinterprets hand-block printing and natural dyes through a contemporary, minimalist lens. Every piece is one-of-a-kind — imperfect, honest, and deeply human.

Together, these creators represent the soul of new Indian fashion — where craft meets conscience, heritage meets experimentation, and storytelling becomes style. Their vision pushes India’s design legacy onto the global map while ensuring that artisans, sustainability, and authenticity remain at the core.

The GenNext program, long known as a launchpad for icons like Nachiket Barve and Rahul Mishra, continues to define what’s next for India’s creative landscape. With guidance from the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and the Lakmē Fashion Week platform, the 2025 winners remind us that the future of fashion isn’t fast — it’s thoughtful, handcrafted, and rooted in emotion.

Conclusion

The GenNext program at Lakmē Fashion Week x FDCI 2025 has once again proven that the future of Indian fashion lies in courage, culture, and craft. Designers like Anam Husain, Pranita Choudhury, and Mohammad Anas Sheikh are not just creating clothes — they’re creating cultural conversations. Their work celebrates emotion over excess, roots over trends, and artisans over algorithms.

As Indian fashion moves forward, its future is already here — poetic, purposeful, and proudly homegrown.