Bhubaneswar: Odisha celebrated the 12th National Handloom Day with a grand fashion show in Bhubaneswar on Friday, showcasing the state’s rich weaving heritage while highlighting the growing integration of traditional handloom craftsmanship with contemporary fashion. Organised by the Department of Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts, the event underscored the government’s efforts to promote Odisha’s renowned handloom clusters, encourage sustainable textile production and strengthen the global presence of the state’s handwoven products.
The fashion presentation featured four thematic sequences curated by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bhubaneswar, and LIVA, the fashion fabric brand of the Aditya Birla Group. The collections celebrated Odisha’s Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged textiles and demonstrated how traditional weaving techniques can be adapted for modern lifestyles and international markets.
NIFT Bhubaneswar presented the opening two sequences. The first showcased 10 contemporary garments created from the historic Dhalapathar curtain fabrics, while the second featured 10 outfits highlighting the elegance and versatility of Odisha’s Tussar handloom textiles.
The final two sequences, presented by LIVA, blended traditional craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities. The third sequence featured 12 sarees woven by artisans from the renowned Nuapatna handloom cluster, while the concluding segment displayed 12 contemporary garments, comprising six men’s and six women’s outfits, crafted using the intricate Bargarh Double Ikat weave.
According to the department, the initiative focused on promoting sustainable fashion by preserving traditional weaving practices while encouraging environmentally responsible textile production. It also sought to strengthen the handloom value chain by bringing together weavers, designers and industry stakeholders to create new opportunities for home, office and lifestyle textiles. Another key objective was to support design-led product development aimed at expanding Odisha’s handloom exports and improving access to international markets.
Earlier in the day, the Department of Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LIVA of the Aditya Birla Group to promote regenerative fibre clusters, particularly those based on Lyocell fibre. The partnership is expected to encourage innovation, sustainability and market-oriented development within Odisha’s handloom sector.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Director of Textiles and Handlooms Surya Narayan Pattanaik, Additional Secretary Madhusmita Behera, Joint Secretary Mamata Nayak, Special Officer Indira Behera, Public Relations Officer and other senior officials attended the evening programme. NIFT Bhubaneswar Director Prof. Dr. Vibhabari Kumar, Bhavna Mall, Subhendu Barman and senior representatives of Aditya Birla Group’s LIVA, including Saree Category Senior Vice President Priyanka Priyadarshini, were also present.
The state-level celebration reflected the Odisha government’s continued commitment to recognising the contribution of the weaving community, strengthening artisan clusters and positioning Odisha’s handloom tradition on the global fashion map.
