Name: Dr. Ananya Sharma
Department: Bachelor in Lifestyle Product Design
Category: CBDP
Campus : NIFT Kangra
A collaborative design intervention and cluster development initiative by NIFT Kangra, working alongside traditional Kullu weavers to integrate heritage craftsmanship with contemporary fashion markets and sustainable design practices.
Project Overview:
The Himalayan Craft Cluster Initiative is an ongoing academic and field research program led by the Department of Textile Design at NIFT Kangra. This project bridges the gap between traditional rural artisans of Himachal Pradesh and the modern fashion industry, focusing on skill development, design diversification, and sustainable livelihoods.
Key Objectives:
Skill Upgradation: Training local Kullu weavers in contemporary color palettes, geometric scale adjustments, and modern product categories.
Design Diversification: Expanding traditional handloom techniques beyond traditional shawls into home furnishings, lifestyle accessories, and contemporary apparel.
Market Linkages: Creating direct-to-consumer digital channels and assisting artisans in participating in national design expos and fashion weeks.
Digital Documentation: Creating a comprehensive digital archive of indigenous Himachali weaving motifs, natural dyeing techniques, and loom structures.
Student & Faculty Involvement: Undergraduate and postgraduate students from NIFT Kangra actively participate in field visits, live documentation workshops, and prototype development alongside master craftsmen. This hands-on exposure instills a deep respect for indigenous craft traditions while sharpening students' commercial and sustainable design sensibilities.
Project Impact (2022–2024):
Successfully mapped and documented 15 artisan clusters across Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba.
Developed over 50 new contemporary product prototypes utilizing local Himachali wool and natural dyes.
Facilitated direct market linkages resulting in a measurable increase in artisan household incomes.
Project Overview:
The Himalayan Craft Cluster Initiative is an ongoing academic and field research program led by the Department of Textile Design at NIFT Kangra. This project bridges the gap between traditional rural artisans of Himachal Pradesh and the modern fashion industry, focusing on skill development, design diversification, and sustainable livelihoods.
Key Objectives:
Skill Upgradation: Training local Kullu weavers in contemporary color palettes, geometric scale adjustments, and modern product categories.
Design Diversification: Expanding traditional handloom techniques beyond traditional shawls into home furnishings, lifestyle accessories, and contemporary apparel.
Market Linkages: Creating direct-to-consumer digital channels and assisting artisans in participating in national design expos and fashion weeks.
Digital Documentation: Creating a comprehensive digital archive of indigenous Himachali weaving motifs, natural dyeing techniques, and loom structures.
Student & Faculty Involvement: Undergraduate and postgraduate students from NIFT Kangra actively participate in field visits, live documentation workshops, and prototype development alongside master craftsmen. This hands-on exposure instills a deep respect for indigenous craft traditions while sharpening students' commercial and sustainable design sensibilities.
Project Impact (2022–2024):
Successfully mapped and documented 15 artisan clusters across Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba.
Developed over 50 new contemporary product prototypes utilizing local Himachali wool and natural dyes.
Facilitated direct market linkages resulting in a measurable increase in artisan household incomes.
Project Overview:
The Himalayan Craft Cluster Initiative is an ongoing academic and field research program led by the Department of Textile Design at NIFT Kangra. This project bridges the gap between traditional rural artisans of Himachal Pradesh and the modern fashion industry, focusing on skill development, design diversification, and sustainable livelihoods.
Key Objectives:
Skill Upgradation: Training local Kullu weavers in contemporary color palettes, geometric scale adjustments, and modern product categories.
Design Diversification: Expanding traditional handloom techniques beyond traditional shawls into home furnishings, lifestyle accessories, and contemporary apparel.
Market Linkages: Creating direct-to-consumer digital channels and assisting artisans in participating in national design expos and fashion weeks.
Digital Documentation: Creating a comprehensive digital archive of indigenous Himachali weaving motifs, natural dyeing techniques, and loom structures.
Student & Faculty Involvement: Undergraduate and postgraduate students from NIFT Kangra actively participate in field visits, live documentation workshops, and prototype development alongside master craftsmen. This hands-on exposure instills a deep respect for indigenous craft traditions while sharpening students' commercial and sustainable design sensibilities.
Project Impact (2022–2024):
Successfully mapped and documented 15 artisan clusters across Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba.
Developed over 50 new contemporary product prototypes utilizing local Himachali wool and natural dyes.
Facilitated direct market linkages resulting in a measurable increase in artisan household incomes.
Project Overview:
The Himalayan Craft Cluster Initiative is an ongoing academic and field research program led by the Department of Textile Design at NIFT Kangra. This project bridges the gap between traditional rural artisans of Himachal Pradesh and the modern fashion industry, focusing on skill development, design diversification, and sustainable livelihoods.
Key Objectives:
Skill Upgradation: Training local Kullu weavers in contemporary color palettes, geometric scale adjustments, and modern product categories.
Design Diversification: Expanding traditional handloom techniques beyond traditional shawls into home furnishings, lifestyle accessories, and contemporary apparel.
Market Linkages: Creating direct-to-consumer digital channels and assisting artisans in participating in national design expos and fashion weeks.
Digital Documentation: Creating a comprehensive digital archive of indigenous Himachali weaving motifs, natural dyeing techniques, and loom structures.
Student & Faculty Involvement: Undergraduate and postgraduate students from NIFT Kangra actively participate in field visits, live documentation workshops, and prototype development alongside master craftsmen. This hands-on exposure instills a deep respect for indigenous craft traditions while sharpening students' commercial and sustainable design sensibilities.
Project Impact (2022–2024):
Successfully mapped and documented 15 artisan clusters across Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba.
Developed over 50 new contemporary product prototypes utilizing local Himachali wool and natural dyes.
Facilitated direct market linkages resulting in a measurable increase in artisan household incomes.
Project Overview:
The Himalayan Craft Cluster Initiative is an ongoing academic and field research program led by the Department of Textile Design at NIFT Kangra. This project bridges the gap between traditional rural artisans of Himachal Pradesh and the modern fashion industry, focusing on skill development, design diversification, and sustainable livelihoods.
Key Objectives:
Skill Upgradation: Training local Kullu weavers in contemporary color palettes, geometric scale adjustments, and modern product categories.
Design Diversification: Expanding traditional handloom techniques beyond traditional shawls into home furnishings, lifestyle accessories, and contemporary apparel.
Market Linkages: Creating direct-to-consumer digital channels and assisting artisans in participating in national design expos and fashion weeks.
Digital Documentation: Creating a comprehensive digital archive of indigenous Himachali weaving motifs, natural dyeing techniques, and loom structures.
Student & Faculty Involvement:
Undergraduate and postgraduate students from NIFT Kangra actively participate in field visits, live documentation workshops, and prototype development alongside master craftsmen. This hands-on exposure instills a deep respect for indigenous craft traditions while sharpening students' commercial and sustainable design sensibilities.
Project Impact (2022–2024):
Successfully mapped and documented 15 artisan clusters across Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba.
Developed over 50 new contemporary product prototypes utilizing local Himachali wool and natural dyes.
Facilitated direct market linkages resulting in a measurable increase in artisan household incomes.
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