The Autumn/Winter 2017 Opening Show

In March 2017, The Handloom School, with the support of Eicher Good Earth and FDCI, participated in the opening show of Amazon India Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2017, in a segment to acknowledge the anonymous makers who create magic with thread.

Graduates from the first four batches of the School co-created a stunning collection of fabrics under the guidance of two young textile designers, Neha Lad and Sayan Chanda.

Soon there was a shared synergy - fashion designers got a glimpse of the potential and were eager to be a part of this revival. Akaaro, Antar-Agni, Eka, 11.11/Eleven Eleven, Good Earth, Neeru Kumar, Nicobar, Pero, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Rohit Bal, Sanjay Garg, Suket Dhir and Urvashi Kaur - 13 reputed designers - created wonderful ensembles using the fabrics co-created and woven by the graduates, and all this was presented at the Amazon India Fashion Week 2017. The whole collection was curated by stylist Kshitij Kankaria.

The School's participation in the AIFW met with strong media coverage and appreciation by the design fraternity and the fashion world. At the conclusion of the event, selected graduates had the opportunity to walk the ramp with the designers and the models, to general applause.

The venture was instrumental in granting the graduates direct exposure with the design world and high-end markets. It also helped secure a combined order of 2100 metres for the graduates who co-designed these textiles.