NIFT participated in the prestigious Ambiente and Heimtextil India 2018 trade fairs, organised by Messe Frankfurt from 27th to 29th June 2018 in PragatiMaidan, New Delhi. The NIFT Wall showcased the home and lifestyle products developed by three Textile Design students as part of their final Graduation Project. The collections on display exhibited the rich diversity of Indian handlooms and handicrafts and the amalgamation of traditional sensibilities to develop niche contemporary products.

The collections on view included an assorted collection of natural dyed hand block printed Kalamkari cushions developed at Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh by Srishti Chauhan, Textile Design student, Hyderabad campus, sponsored by DC (Handicrafts). Another collection comprised of colourful woven durries, upholstered stools and poufs by Matrika Bhandari, Textile Design student, Delhi campus, developed at Jawaja, Rajasthan and sponsored by DC (Handlooms). The third collection by K. Gayathri Priya, Textile Design student, Chennai campus presented palm leaf interior products developed at The Pulicat Women Palm Leaf, Cane and Bamboo and Allied Products Workers Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd. located in Pulicat, Chennai with the Muslim and Christian minority women artisans. The project was sponsored by NIFT and Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India under the scheme ‘Upgrading The Skills And Training In Traditional Arts/ Crafts For Development’ (USTTAD).

The NIFT display was well appreciated by the visitors and the participating organisations. The innovative chic craft products caught the attention of the exporters as well as the international buyers.