India’s First Fashion Forecasting Initiative ‘VisioNxt’ Launched

New Delhi: In a groundbreaking move for the Indian fashion industry, Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh launched the ‘VisioNxt Fashion Forecasting Initiative,’ a bilingual web portal and India-specific Fashion Trend Book titled Paridhi 24×25. The launch took place in the presence of Union Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Textiles Secretary Rachna Shah.

Speaking at the event, Giriraj Singh highlighted the significance of the VisioNxt project, stating that it was developed under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Since 2014, India has focused on promoting indigenous design and manufacturing. The launch of VisioNxt reflects this shift and will foster global competition while elevating Indian culture and design on the international stage,” he said.

The VisioNxt initiative stands out as India’s first AI and Emotional Intelligence (EI)-based fashion trend prediction platform, developed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) with support from the Ministry of Textiles. The platform will provide trend insights tailored to Indian fashion consumers, offering a localized approach to forecasting that merges India’s rich cultural diversity with cutting-edge technology.

Singh noted that at the Global Textile Summit in 2017, Prime Minister Modi had emphasized the need for real-time, India-specific fashion trend insights. “VisioNxt addresses this gap by offering dynamic trend forecasts that cater to the unique aspirations and preferences of Indian citizens,” he said. The project, which began in 2018, is now centralized in Chennai and operates through NIFT’s Creative Lab in Delhi and Insights Lab in Chennai.

The bilingual web portal (www.visionxt.in) and trend book Paridhi 24×25 will empower Indian weavers, manufacturers, designers, and fashion brands to design, produce, and launch targeted collections. “The initiative provides a comprehensive fashion vocabulary for India, reducing dependence on international trend agencies and enhancing India’s global visibility in the fashion industry,” Singh added.

At the heart of VisioNxt is DeepVision, an advanced AI deep learning model that decodes patterns and predicts fashion trends based on key apparel attributes such as style, color, and regional accents. Developed in-house at NIFT’s Insights Lab, the model identifies over 60 Indian and 40 Western wear categories with exceptional accuracy. The system has processed more than 70,000 primary apparel images and 280,000+ secondary image data to generate detailed fashion reports with design and color directions.

The combination of AI and EI allows VisioNxt to capture the socio-economic nuances and cultural diversity of India, reflecting the nation’s vibrant pluralism. Singh emphasized that this innovation positions India among the leading countries in fashion trend prediction, making India’s fashion identity more prominent globally.

With Paridhi 24×25 marking the launch of the first India-specific inclusive fashion trend forecast, VisioNxt will be instrumental in supporting the domestic fashion industry. By integrating technology with textiles, the initiative empowers Indian designers and brands to compete on the global stage, further strengthening India’s position in the fast-evolving fashion industry.

The initiative aims to benefit a broad range of stakeholders—from weavers and manufacturers to retailers and designers—by providing tailored fashion insights in both Hindi and English. It will also offer consultancy services, academic courses, and workshops to enhance industry expertise.

As the fashion world increasingly looks towards India for inspiration, VisioNxt is set to play a pivotal role in defining global trends while promoting India’s unique cultural heritage.