Odisha Showcases Handloom Heritage on Global Fashion Stage on National Handloom Day

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s rich handloom traditions took centre stage on National Handloom Day as the state government hosted a fashion show in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, bringing together traditional textiles, contemporary designs and the craftsmanship of the state’s weavers.

Organised by the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department on the occasion of the 12th National Handloom Day, the fashion show sought to highlight Odisha’s distinctive handloom clusters while demonstrating how traditional fabrics can be adapted to contemporary fashion and global markets.

The ramp show featured four sequences presented by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bhubaneswar, and Liva of the Aditya Birla Group.

The first two sequences by NIFT Bhubaneswar showcased garments made from GI-tagged handloom textiles. The opening sequence featured 10 contemporary outfits crafted from the historic Dhalapathar curtains and fabrics, giving the traditional textile a modern fashion interpretation.

The second sequence featured 10 garments highlighting the rich texture and appeal of Tussar fabric, demonstrating its potential for contemporary clothing and design-led products.

The following two sequences, presented by Liva, brought traditional weaving techniques together with modern fashion aesthetics. The third sequence featured 12 sarees from the renowned Nuapatna handloom cluster, showcasing the distinctive craftsmanship of the region.

The fourth sequence presented 12 contemporary outfits—six for men and six for women—based on the intricate Bargarh Double Ikat tradition.

The event focused on three broad objectives—sustainability, value-chain development and global market access. The fashion initiative aims to promote sustainable models that retain traditional weaving practices while reducing environmental impact and creating new markets for handloom products.

The programme also sought to strengthen the handloom value chain by bringing weavers, designers and supply-chain partners together and creating opportunities for traditional textiles to enter home, office and lifestyle markets.

The department said design-led product development would be encouraged to help Odisha’s handloom sector expand its presence in international markets, particularly in the global home and workplace design segments.

Earlier in the day, the Department of Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts signed an MoU with Liva of the Aditya Birla Group to promote regenerative fibre clusters, particularly Lyocell, as part of efforts towards more sustainable textile production.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary Guha Punam Tapas Kumar, Director of Textiles and Handlooms Surya Narayan Pattanaik, Additional Secretary Madhusmita Behera, Joint Secretary Mamata Nayak, Special Officer Indira Behera, the department’s Public Relations Officer and other officials attended the event.

Director of NIFT Bhubaneswar Prof Dr Vibhabari Kumar, Bhavna Mall, Subhendu Barman and Liva representatives, including Senior Vice-President Priyanak Priyadarshini, were also present.