World Designing Forum Hosts 8th National Designer Awards 2025 in Lucknow; SAMVAAD Connect Covers Landmark Celebration of Fashion, Craft & Culture
Lucknow | 11- 12 December 2025
The World Designing Forum (WDF) successfully organized the 8th National Designer Awards (NDA) 2025 on 12th December 2025 at The Aviyaan Resorts, Lucknow, marking a significant milestone in India’s fashion, handloom, and design ecosystem. The prestigious event was officially covered by SAMVAAD Connect, which featured the entire journey—bringing together government officials, eminent personalities, fashion designers, models, and fashion enthusiasts from across the country.
The celebrations commenced with the 6-Hour ODOP Design Challenge, supported by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, which set the tone for innovation and sustainability. Nearly 40 fashion designers from across India were selected and divided into 10 collaborative teams, challenged to create ready-to-wear garments from scratch within six hours, using ODOP-inspired materials. The initiative reflected a strong commitment towards sustainability, craftsmanship, and creative collaboration.
The following day unfolded with exclusive podcasts featuring participating designers, offering deeper insights into their creative journeys, followed by a national-level fashion show, where professional models walked the ramp showcasing the selected designers’ creations. The ramp presentation powerfully highlighted India’s diverse textiles, contemporary silhouettes, and sustainable fashion narratives.
The esteemed presence of graced the event:
- Smt. Swati Singh, Former Minister, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly
- Shri Abhijeet S. Sangha, MLA – Bithoor, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly
- Shri Manjo Chaurasia, Joint Commissioner, DC Industries
- Shri Tilak Chauhan, Politician
- Shri V. K. Mishra Ji, Former Director, KVCI
Designers were honoured under three categories- Upcoming, Emerging, and Established Designers, recognising excellence and innovation at every stage of the fashion journey.
A special moment of the evening was the Samman to eminent Indian personalities, including Padma Shri Naseem Bano Ji, the legendary craftswoman behind Anokhi Chikankari in Lucknow. She remains the only craftswoman of her kind globally, preserving and promoting this intricate art form. Shri Rajeshwar Singh Ji was also honoured, represented by Ms Anita Tiwari from his office due to his prior engagements.
SAMVAAD Connect received special appreciation for its comprehensive coverage and contribution to amplifying meaningful cultural narratives. Mr Dheeraj Tewari, Founder of SAMVAAD Connect, was conferred with a Special Guest Award in recognition of his efforts in creating platforms that bridge dialogue, design, and social awareness.
The event’s success was further strengthened by the invaluable support of partners and collaborators. Mr Akash S. Rathore, General Manager, The Aviyaan, was thanked for exceptional hospitality and venue support. Mr Jitendra Singh from Jawed Habib Academy was appreciated for consistent support in fashion show makeup and grooming. Mr Anurag Sharma from Jack Sewing Machines was acknowledged for providing flawless, technologically advanced machines that enabled the successful execution of the ODOP Challenge. Shri Pushpendra Ji from PDP Events played a pivotal role in bringing the entire vision to life through seamless event management.
In a special SAMVAAD with Shri Ankush Anami, CEO, World Designing Forum, he shared his passion for uniting fashion, handloom, and Indian culture on one platform. He emphasised that crafts like Zardozi, Banarasi, and Chikankari, which have traditionally remained confined to geographical boundaries, deserve global recognition. Belonging to Uttar Pradesh himself, Shri Anami reiterated his commitment to promoting UP’s rich cultural heritage worldwide—an intent that led to the conceptualisation and successful collaboration of the ODOP Design Challenge.
The 8th National Designer Awards 2025 emerged as a grand success, celebrating creativity, sustainability, cultural heritage, and collaborative innovation—setting a new benchmark for India’s design and fashion ecosystem.
