The National Institute of Fashion Technology will mark its 40th Foundation Day by hosting the NIFT International Conference 2026 titled “Design for Inclusive Futures” on January 22 and 23 at its Mumbai campus, bringing together global thought leaders, academics, designers and industry professionals to deliberate on the future of inclusive and responsible design.
Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh and Secretary, Ministry of Textiles Smt Neelam Shami Rao will grace the event as chief guests. On the occasion, they will unveil the NIFT Timeline Wall and release a commemorative book chronicling the institute’s key milestones and contributions over the past four decades.
Celebrating 40 years of NIFT’s role in shaping fashion education, design innovation and industry engagement in India, the two day conference will feature keynote addresses by eminent experts, parallel paper presentation sessions, panel discussions, invited papers and hands on workshops. The programme will also include student and industry exhibitions, reflecting the institute’s close integration with the fashion and design ecosystem.
A special highlight on the evening of January 22 will be “Samvaad”, an interactive breakout session bringing together NIFT alumni and industry representatives. The session will include a masterclass on VisionNxt, NIFT’s artificial intelligence and emotional intelligence enabled fashion forecasting laboratory, which supports data driven trend analysis for the Indian fashion and retail sectors.
The conference will also host a specially curated crafts bazaar, offering delegates an opportunity to witness live craft demonstrations and purchase handicrafts and handlooms directly from artisans. In addition, an exhibition by the University of the Arts London will showcase three India based projects developed under the theme “New Landscapes”, mentored by NIFT faculty in collaboration with the British Council.
Presenters and participants will represent a wide range of leading national and international institutions, including Manchester Metropolitan University from the United Kingdom, Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design from New Zealand, Swiss Textile College, Netaji Subhas University of Technology Delhi, National Institute of Design, CEPT University, Amity University, Indian Institute of Art and Design, United World University and various campuses of NIFT.
Established in 1986, the National Institute of Fashion Technology is India’s premier institution for fashion education and was granted statutory status in 2006 through an Act of Parliament. Over the years, NIFT has played a pivotal role in building professional leadership for the textile, apparel and allied industries, while also serving as a knowledge partner to central and state governments. The institute has consistently contributed to design development, sustainability initiatives and the global positioning of Indian handlooms and handicrafts.
The international conference is expected to reaffirm NIFT’s commitment to inclusive futures, innovation and responsible design, while highlighting its enduring contribution to India’s creative and manufacturing economy.
