THE FIFTH SEASON:
Ladakh brought its rich textile heritage and evolving creative identity to Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI 2026 with The Fifth Season: A Fashion Story from Ladakh, a showcase that traced the journey of Pashmina from the high-altitude pastures of Changthang, some 14,000 feet above sea level, to the contemporary runway. Rooted in the traditions of the Changpa pastoralists and the generations of artisans who turn fine Changra goat fibre into textiles of rare delicacy, the presentation put the people behind the craft at the heart of its story.
Four labels, Namza by Padma Yangchan, Zilzom by Stanzin Palmo, Changra Ladakh by Deskit Angmo and Charkha Ladakh by Rigzin Yangdol, each offered a distinct reading of Ladakh’s textile legacy. Brocade, Pashmina, landscape-inspired silk prints and traditional snambu wool met contemporary silhouettes, while handspun and handwoven shawls showed the skill and authenticity of indigenous craftsmanship. Conceptualised by the Department of Industries and Commerce, UT Ladakh, under the RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance) Scheme, the showcase linked cultural preservation with entrepreneurship and new markets, drawing regional craft into a wider conversation about contemporary fashion and sustainable livelihoods.
SHOWSTOPPER
Shalini Passi closed the show in a [colour/fabric] gown by Zilzom, designed by Stanzin Palmo. Set to a live performance by Ladakhi band Dashugs, the finale wove fashion, music and storytelling into a celebration of Ladakh’s distinctive identity and the hands that sustain its textile traditions.
Mood: High-altitude heritage, reimagined for today
Fabric: Ladakh Pashmina, brocade, silk, traditional snambu wool
Key Details: Changra goat Pashmina, handspun and handwoven shawls, landscape-inspired silk prints, contemporary silhouettes
What Caught Our Eye
01 From Changthang to the Runway: By following Pashmina from pasture to catwalk, the show gave Changpa herders and artisans as much presence as the designers themselves.
02 Four Voices of Ladakh: Namza, Zilzom, Changra Ladakh and Charkha Ladakh each brought a different lens to the region’s textile heritage.
03 Tradition, Reinterpreted: Brocade, Pashmina, snambu wool and landscape-inspired prints found new expression in contemporary cuts.
04 Craft Beyond the Catwalk: The showcase tied cultural preservation to entrepreneurship, market access and sustainable livelihoods for Ladakh’s artisan communities.
Photos : FS Media Pro / FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week / RISE Worldwide
