Shillong, Jan 18: The VisioNxt Project, launched by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, is set to transform the Indian craft and design industry for global competition. Announced at a Press Conference held by NIFT Shillong on Friday, the initiative aims to connect designers and craftsmen with modern technologies and international trends.
A key highlight is the indigenous trend forecasting system, developed to account for India’s cultural context. By reducing reliance on foreign forecasting agencies, it helps local designers stay ahead of market demands. So far, over 70,000 primary garment images and 2,80,000 secondary images have been collected, enabling the creation of more than 60 fashion micro trend reports and over 10 close-to-season trend reports. The bilingual fashion trend book “Paridhi 24×25,” downloaded more than 2,000 times, serves as a major resource for the industry.
Additionally, the project has trained over 800 students in trend spotting and data collection, enhancing their skills and job prospects. Another significant milestone was the launch of “Paridhi 24×25” and a dedicated web portal at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi on September 5, 2024. During the launch, the Minister hailed the project as a crucial step toward achieving self-reliance in India’s fashion sector.
NIFT Shillong Director Shri Shankar Kumar Jha and other faculty members spoke in detail about the project’s importance in merging traditional crafts with contemporary design techniques. They emphasized that showcasing India’s artisan heritage on the global stage will further strengthen the nation’s unique fashion identity and competitiveness.
