In its seventh edition, NEXA Presents The Spotlight, an initiative by NEXA and Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI, continues its mission to spotlight and nurture new and emerging design talent in India. After a rigorous selection process, the program has announced 'Paiwand Studio' by designer Ashita Singhal as the winner of this season.
NEXA's theme for this edition, 'Urbane,' explores narratives often overlooked in city life, capturing the essence of urban culture, street art, and the vibrant ambiance of metropolitan settings. In alignment with the theme, a range of designers presented their collections to an esteemed jury panel at the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) headquarters in Delhi.
Ashita Singhal, the winner, will receive a fund of INR 8 lakhs from NEXA towards the set design and showcase at the upcoming Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI, scheduled between 13th – 17th March 2024 in Mumbai at the Jio World Convention Centre.
The esteemed jury panel included Shashank Srivastava and Ram Suresh Akella, Senior Executive Officers, Marketing and Sales at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, Sunil Sethi, Chairman of FDCI, Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands Ltd., and renowned fashion designers David Abraham, Namrata Joshipura, and Payal Jain, along with fashion stylist Gautam Kalra.
Among the seven shortlisted designers, Ashita Singhal of Paiwand Studio emerged as the winner. The shortlisted designers also included Bhaavya Goenka of IRO IRO, Kunaal Khyan Seolekar of KOYTOY, Ikshit Pande of QUOD, Manjushree Saikia of Ura Maku, Stanzin Palmo of Zilzom, and Ajay Kumar of his eponymous label. Each designer showcased their brand's unique creative expression, aligning with NEXA's spirit of 'create, inspire.'
The win for Paiwand Studio signifies a significant achievement for Ashita Singhal and highlights the platform's commitment to promoting and uplifting emerging design talent in the Indian fashion industry. The upcoming Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI will be a stage for Paiwand Studio to showcase its winning collection, representing the next generation of Indian fashion talent.