Ladakh’s Pashmina Heritage Shines at Lakmé Fashion Week, Bringing Changthang Artisans to the National Runway
New Delhi, October 18, 2026: Ladakh’s rich textile heritage and traditional craftsmanship took centre stage at Lakmé Fashion Week, partnered by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), with a distinctive presentation titled “The Fifth Season: A Fashion Story from Ladakh” showcasing the region’s world-renowned Pashmina, indigenous textiles and contemporary design.
Held on the concluding day of the fashion event at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi, on October 18, the showcase highlighted the craftsmanship of Ladakh’s artisans and the traditional knowledge of Changthang’s pastoral communities, connecting the region’s high-altitude heritage with contemporary fashion and emerging market opportunities.
The presentation was conceptualised and facilitated by the Department of Industries and Commerce, Union Territory of Ladakh, under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, with support from FDCI.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena addressed the gathering virtually, emphasising the importance of connecting traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, entrepreneurship and wider markets.
He stressed that the growing recognition of Ladakh’s indigenous products must translate into tangible benefits for Pashmina herders, weavers, craftspeople, women entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups, while safeguarding the authenticity of the region’s traditional crafts.
The Lieutenant Governor also congratulated the Department of Industries and Commerce for providing a prominent platform to local designers, artisans and traditional craft enterprises. He expressed confidence that initiatives of this nature would help preserve Ladakh’s cultural heritage, generate sustainable livelihood opportunities and strengthen the region’s economic growth.
Changthang’s Artisans Take the Spotlight
At the heart of “The Fifth Season” was the journey of Ladakh Pashmina, from the high-altitude pastures of Changthang, situated at approximately 14,000 feet, to the national fashion runway.
The showcase celebrated the Changpa pastoralists who rear indigenous Changra goats, along with the artisans and women whose specialised skills transform the fine fibre into exquisite textiles. Their knowledge, preserved and passed down through generations, remains central to Ladakh’s distinctive Pashmina tradition.
A key highlight was the participation of artisans from Changthang, bringing the people behind the craft into the fashion spotlight. Their presence underscored the skill, patience and dedication required to sustain traditional Pashmina production in one of the world's most challenging high-altitude environments.
The initiative also highlighted the need to ensure that the communities preserving this heritage receive a fair share of the economic benefits generated by its growing recognition in national and international markets.
Four Ladakhi Designers Showcase Traditional Craftsmanship
Four designers and artisanal brands from Ladakh—Namza by Padma Yangchan, Zilzom by Stanzin Palmo, Changra Ladakh by Deskit Angmo, and Charkha Ladakh by Rigzin Yangdol—presented their interpretations of the region’s textile heritage, blending traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics.
Namza by Padma Yangchan opened the showcase with 18 ensembles featuring brocade fabrics and Pashmina, reinterpreting traditional textile elements through modern silhouettes.
Zilzom by Stanzin Palmo presented 18 ensembles featuring self-designed silk prints inspired by Changthang’s landscapes, alongside contemporary interpretations of snambu, a traditional Ladakhi woollen textile.
Changra Ladakh by Deskit Angmo and Charkha Ladakh by Rigzin Yangdol showcased handspun and handwoven Pashmina shawls, highlighting the quality, authenticity and craftsmanship of Ladakh’s indigenous textile industry.
The presentation received an additional highlight with Shalini Passi as the showstopper, wearing an exquisite gown designed by Zilzom. The renowned Dashugs band complemented the showcase with a live musical performance, bringing fashion, music and cultural storytelling together.
Traditional Crafts Linked to Economic Growth
Since attaining Union Territory status in 2019, Ladakh has pursued initiatives to strengthen local livelihoods, promote indigenous products and expand economic opportunities. Traditional crafts and handloom enterprises have emerged as important areas for linking cultural preservation with entrepreneurship, employment and sustainable development.
Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, efforts are being made to connect Ladakh’s traditional strengths with modern production systems, contemporary design and wider markets.
The Department of Industries and Commerce has been supporting the craft value chain through Common Facility Centres, skill-upgradation programmes, improved production facilities and assistance for traditional handloom enterprises.
These initiatives aim to improve artisans’ skills, enhance product quality, encourage innovation and create sustainable livelihood opportunities within local communities.
For Changthang’s Pashmina-producing communities, strengthening the value chain is particularly significant. From rearing Changra goats and collecting fine fibre to spinning, weaving, designing and marketing finished products, each stage offers opportunities to generate greater value locally and expand the economic benefits reaching pastoralists, artisans, women and entrepreneurs.
Pashmina Conclave to Expand Market Opportunities
Building on the momentum generated by the fashion showcase, the Ladakh Pashmina Conclave, scheduled for October 23–24 under the RAMP Scheme, is expected to bring together producers, artisans, designers, entrepreneurs and buyers to develop business linkages and explore new market opportunities.
With more than 50 stalls and over 100 entrepreneurs and buyers expected to participate, the conclave will provide a platform for product displays, direct buyer-seller interactions and potential long-term commercial partnerships.
While Lakmé Fashion Week has provided national visibility to Ladakh’s traditional craftsmanship, the conclave aims to strengthen commercial connections and translate that visibility into sustainable business opportunities.
Together, the two initiatives seek to position Ladakh Pashmina as both a treasured cultural inheritance and a source of economic empowerment for the communities that sustain it.
The showcase represents a significant step towards integrating Ladakh’s indigenous textile traditions into contemporary fashion and luxury markets without compromising their authenticity or cultural significance. By bringing local designers and artisans to a prominent national platform, the initiative also opens avenues for industry engagement, collaborations and wider market access.
“The Fifth Season: A Fashion Story from Ladakh” ultimately tells a story of people, heritage and opportunity. As artisans from Changthang stepped onto the runway, they carried with them the identity of their communities, generations of traditional knowledge and the aspirations of a region seeking to transform its cultural strengths into sustainable economic opportunities.
From the high-altitude pastures of Changthang to the fashion stage in New Delhi, Ladakh Pashmina continues to bridge tradition and innovation, craftsmanship and enterprise, and local heritage and global markets. ANB
