Ladakh Design Opens in New Delhi
The Innovation Gallery at the National Crafts Museum & Hastakala Academy welcomed the launch of Between Wind and Wool: Ladakh Design Today, an exhibition that celebrates the living, evolving textile traditions of Ladakh. Far from being static heritage, this showcase highlights how contemporary designers are reinterpreting centuries-old craft into modern forms, textures, and silhouettes—all while staying deeply rooted in cultural memory.
The evening was inaugurated by Mr. Kavinder Gupta, IAS, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, alongside Ms. Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), whose vision and guidance have been instrumental in bringing the Innovation Gallery to life. Adding a personal, youthful energy were students from Ladakh studying in New Delhi, connecting the region’s high-altitude landscapes with the city’s cultural rhythm. Guests were also treated to traditional Ladakhi cuisine, turning the evening into a sensory immersion of taste, texture, and tradition.
Curated by Sunil Sethi and supported by the FDCI team, the exhibition explores how Ladakh’s geography, climate, and pastoral life have shaped its wool and pashmina textiles. From spinning and weaving to resist-dyeing and garment construction, the designers featured here—2112 Saldon; Jigmat Norbu and Jigmat Wangmo of Jigmat Couture; Padma Yangchan of Namza Couture; and Zilzom by Stanzin Palmo—translate traditional techniques into contemporary, wearable forms. Their works range from ceremonial garments and ritual objects to sculptural installations and handwoven ensembles, reflecting Ladakh’s spiritual, environmental, and material heritage.
Visual storytelling adds another layer to the experience. Gautam Kalra (Creative Direction & Styling) and Hormis Anthony Tharakan (Visual Direction & Photography) have captured these garments against Ladakh’s dramatic terrains, creating a dialogue between land, climate, and design that resonates throughout the exhibition.
In their speeches, dignitaries emphasized the exhibition’s significance in positioning regional craft within contemporary design conversations. The Innovation Gallery, a rotating showcase space, continues to bridge inherited knowledge with forward-looking creativity, making craft alive, relevant, and aspirational.
Between Wind and Wool: Ladakh Design Today invites visitors to witness a thoughtful fusion of heritage and innovation. It is open until March 31, 2026, at the National Crafts Museum & Hastakala Academy, New Delhi, and promises an experience that lingers—not just visually, but in spirit, touch, and memory.
