Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) announces the 41st edition of NIF Global Presents GenNext, continuing its legacy as India’s leading platform for emerging fashion talent. The program spotlights designers who bring originality, experimentation, and a distinct creative voice to contemporary Indian fashion.

The 41st edition introduces a new cohort of designers—Jubinav Chadha, Taarini Anand, and Saim Ghani, selected for their individual design sensibilities and future-facing approach. NIF Global Presents GenNext offers them the opportunity to debut on the Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI runway, positioning them at the intersection of creativity, industry access, and national visibility.

Over the years, the GenNext platform has become a cornerstone of Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI, backed by the collective vision of Lakmē, FDCI, Reliance, and NIF Global. With 40 successful editions completed, the initiative has propelled more than 250 designers into the fashion mainstream, many of whom have gone on to build influential labels and global careers. Esteemed alumni such as Rahul Mishra, Aneeth Arora of Pero, Akshat Bansal of Bloni, Bodice by Ruchika Sachdeva, Masaba Gupta stand as testament to GenNext’s enduring impact on the industry.

The NIF Global Presents GenNext program continues to attract strong interest from emerging designers across India. For the current edition, shortlisted designers presented their collections before an esteemed jury comprising Manish Malhotra, Fashion Designer; Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content, Vogue India; Edward Lalrempuia, Fashion Stylist; Raisa Chakravarty, Head of Innovations, Lakmē; Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands; and Sabina Chopra, NIF Global GenNext Mentor.

Speaking on the continued evolution of the GenNext platform, Sunanda Khaitan, CMO, Beauty & Wellbeing, Hindustan Unilever, shared, “GenNext has long been integral to the Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI platform, spotlighting designers who are shaping the future of Indian fashion with originality and purpose. Every edition introduces us to new creative voices whose work reflects innovation and a forward-looking design sensibility. Through this program, we continue to provide a strong launchpad for emerging talent, reaffirming Lakmē’s commitment to nurturing creativity and supporting a dynamic, future-facing fashion landscape.”

Sharing perspective on the program’s role in nurturing emerging talent, Shaunik Khosla, Business Head, NIF Global, added, “‘NIF Global presents GenNext’ is not just a showcase, it is our commitment to shaping the future of fashion and interior design. At NIF Global, we go beyond education — we empower young creators with the vision, originality, and confidence to emerge as industry leaders. At Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI, GenNext is where talent meets opportunity, and we are proud to lead that journey.”

Adding to this, Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands said, “The NIF Global presents GenNext program supports designers at a pivotal stage in their journey, helping them bring their ideas and vision to life. This season is the 41st edition of the program, which celebrates their individuality and creativity, reinforcing our belief in the importance of nurturing talent that will define the future of Indian fashion.”