**Executive Summary**
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) successfully concluded its International Conference 2026 on "Design for Inclusive Futures" in Mumbai on January 23, 2026. The two-day event, including a Craft Demonstration-cum-Awareness Programme, focused on inclusive design, craft heritage, and global collaboration, highlighting the importance of accessibility, sustainability, and innovation in fashion and design.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Conference Overview:**
* The NIFT International Conference 2026 focused on "Design for Inclusive Futures".
* The event took place at the NIFT Mumbai campus and concluded on January 23, 2026.
* The conference included keynote addresses, technical sessions, invited papers, and a panel discussion.
* **Craft Demonstration-cum-Awareness Programme:**
* Organized by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, in collaboration with NIFT.
* Showcased live demonstrations by master artisans from diverse craft clusters across India.
* Highlighted India's rich craft heritage, indigenous knowledge systems, and sustainable practices.
* Provided a platform for interaction among artisans, designers, scholars, and students.
* Facilitated the participation of 32 handloom and handicraft artisans.
* **Keynote Addresses and Discussions:**
* Prof. (Dr.) Noopur Anand, Dean, NIFT, emphasized embedding accessibility as a core design principle and viewing disability as an opportunity for innovation.
* Shri Jalaj Hora, CEO, Synthegrate, highlighted the integration of AI in fashion.
* Shri Arman Ali, Executive Director, NCPEDP, stressed universal design and the costs of excluding persons with disabilities.
* **Conference Outcome:**
* The conference reaffirmed NIFT's global leadership in advancing inclusive, sustainable, and socially impactful design education and practice.
**Impact Analysis**
**Artisans**
* **Impact:** Provided a platform to showcase skills, promote craft heritage, and interact with designers and scholars.
* **Action Required:** Continue to innovate and adapt to sustainable design practices.
**Designers, Scholars, and Students**
* **Impact:** Gained insights into inclusive design principles, craft heritage, and the integration of technology in fashion.
* **Action Required:** Apply inclusive design principles in their work and research, considering accessibility and sustainability.
**NIFT**
* **Impact:** Reaffirmed its global leadership in inclusive and sustainable design education.
* **Action Required:** Continue to promote inclusive design practices and foster international collaborations.
**People with Disabilities**
* **Impact:** The conference advocated for universal design and accessibility, potentially leading to more inclusive products and services.
* **Action Required:** Advocate for their needs and participate in design processes to ensure inclusivity.
Key Entities Referenced
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT): An institute mentioned as the organizer and host of the conference.
NIFT International Conference 2026: The primary subject, an international conference focused on inclusive design, craft heritage, and global collaboration.
Ministry of Textiles: The government ministry overseeing aspects of the conference.
Ministry of Textiles
NIFT International Conference 2026 Concludes
with Focus on Inclusive Design, Craft Heritage
and Global Collaboration
प्रव तथ: 23 JAN 2026 9:33PM by PIB Delhi
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) successfully concluded Day 2 of the NIFT
International Conference 2026 on “Design for Inclusive Futures” at its Mumbai campus on Friday, 23
January 2026. The second day further deepened critical conversations around equity, accessibility,
usability, and inclusive innovation through a thoughtfully curated programme of keynote addresses,
technical sessions, invited papers, and a high-impact panel discussion.
As part of the two-day conference, a Craft Demonstration-cum-Awareness Programme was organised by
the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, in
collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). The programme featured live
demonstrations by master artisans from diverse craft clusters across the country, showcasing India’s rich
craft heritage, indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable practices. It provided a platform for
meaningful interaction among artisans, designers, scholars and students, highlighting the role of traditional
crafts in fostering inclusive, culturally rooted and future-ready design ecosystems.
The event facilitated the participation of 32 handloom and handicraft artisans from various craft clusters
across India, including master weavers and master craftsmen. Artisans representing crafts such as Gond
painting, Paithani sari weaving, Ikat textiles, Maheshwar textiles, appliqué and Kutch Bandhani, amongothers, demonstrated their skills, underscoring the importance of indigenous craftsmanship, cultural
continuity and artisan-led sustainable design in shaping inclusive futures.
In her key address, Prof. (Dr.) Noopur Anand, Dean, NIFT, underscored the need to embed accessibility as
a core design principle, viewing disability as an opportunity for sensory-inclusive and age-friendly
innovation. She emphasised dignity in design, ethical responsibility and the importance of human-centric
education to advance inclusive futures.
The day commenced with a keynote address by Shri Jalaj Hora, CEO, Synthegrate and Global Chair,
Manchester Metropolitan University, who highlighted the need for meaningful integration of AI in fashion
to enhance human creativity. This was followed by a keynote address by Shri Arman Ali, Executive
Director, NCPEDP, who stressed universal design as a foundational principle and drew attention to the
social and economic costs of exclusion of persons with disabilities, particularly in digital and financial
access.
The conference concluded with an inspiring valedictory session by Prof. Dr. Rupa Agrawal, NIFT,
Conference Chair, marking the successful culmination of the two-day international event. The NIFT
International Conference 2026 decisively reaffirmed the Institute’s global leadership in advancing
inclusive, sustainable, and socially impactful design education and practice, while charting a bold and
future-oriented direction for international collaboration and design excellence.
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MAM/VN
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2217939) आगंतुक पटल : 204