WWI’s School of Fashion & Costume Design Collaborates with Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA) to Celebrate National Handloom Day
A reported MACCIA–WWI collaboration brought students, designers, and dignitaries together for a handloom-focused fashion and cultural showcase in Mumbai.
Whistling Woods International Campus at Mumbai.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 15: Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA), the Apex Chamber of the State, collaborated with Whistling Woods International (WWI), India’s premier institute for Film, Communication and Creative Arts, to commemorate National Handloom Day. The collaboration brought together craft, fashion and creative education to celebrate India’s rich handloom heritage. The event celebrated the “My Handloom, My Pride” movement through Weaves on the Runway – The Handloom Fashion Spectacle, a grand initiative dedicated to India’s rich handloom traditions and the invaluable contributions of weavers, artisans, designers and homegrown brands. As part of the collaboration, students from WWI’s School of Fashion & Costume Design created a live installation celebrating the journey of a textile from raw thread to a finished garment, showcasing the beauty, craftsmanship, and evolution of handloom textiles. They also contributed to the fashion showcase by draping models in exquisite Tisser sarees and bringing traditional textiles to life through contemporary styling. The fashion show brought together textiles and the diversity of drapes, drawing inspiration from mythology, royalty, commoners, and the evolving generation of textile enthusiasts. It also represented the journey of weavers and vendors who, in the erstwhile marketplace, brought textiles to the doorstep of an eager customer. WWI students further supported the coordination and execution of the event, gaining valuable hands-on experience in event management, fashion presentation, and industry collaboration. The celebration was graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Ms. Farhana Ahmed Chawdhury, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Mumbai; Ms. Nidhi Choudhari, IAS and Director, National Gallery of Modern Art; Dr. Dhanashri Hardas, Vice President and Chairperson of the Women Entrepreneurs Committee, MACCIA; Shri Ravindra Mangave, President, MACCIA; Vedanshu Patil, Managing Committee Member, MACCIA; and Amruta Joshi, GC Member, MACCIA, along with WWI students and faculty. Speaking about the collaboration, Meghna Ghai Puri, President, Whistling Woods International, said, “It is a matter of great pride to see our students use their creativity to celebrate India’s rich handloom heritage. Collaborations such as these allow students to take their learning beyond the classroom while understanding the cultural significance and craftsmanship behind our textiles. We are delighted to have been part of this meaningful celebration with MACCIA.” Dr. Dhanashri Hardas, Vice President, MACCIA, said, “National Handloom Day is an opportunity to honour India’s extraordinary weaving traditions and the artisans who have preserved them across generations. We are proud to collaborate with Whistling Woods International, whose students brought creativity and enthusiasm to the celebration through their live installation, work with Tisser sarees, and event coordination. Their contribution added a distinctive dimension while giving young talent an opportunity to engage meaningfully with our rich handloom heritage and carry these traditions forward” The collaboration highlighted the importance of preserving India’s textile traditions while encouraging the next generation of creative professionals to engage with and reinterpret them through contemporary perspectives. Professionals to engage with and reinterpret them through contemporary perspectives.
