Two Days National Conference on “Fashion Textiles and Crafts: A Global Perspective

School of Design

Department of Fashion & Textiles
 

REPORT on

“Two Days National Conference on “Fashion Textiles and Crafts: A Global Perspective”

Date: 26th September 2024

Venue: Vinayak Hall, IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur

Inaugural Session

The first day of the National Conference on “Fashion Textiles and Crafts: A Global Perspective”, organized by the Department of Fashion & Textiles, School of Design, IIS (Deemed to be University), commenced on 26th September 2024 at Vinayak Hall, IISU Campus.

The Department of Fashion and Textiles, School of Design, proudly hosted a successful two-day National Conference on “Fashion Textiles and Crafts: A Global Perspective” in hybrid mode. This prestigious event brought together leading academicians, researchers, industry experts, and students from across the country to explore and discuss key issues surrounding sustainability in fashion and textiles, as well as the preservation and innovation of traditional crafts. 

The event commenced with the traditional lamp lighting, setting an optimistic tone for the discussions ahead. Dr. T.N. Mathur, Vice Chancellor of IIS (Deemed to be University), formally welcomed all the guests and delegates. Prof. Ila Joshi highlighted the conference's primary objectives, focusing on traditional textiles, sustainability, innovations, and the opportunities and challenges confronting the fashion and textile industry.

The conference was inaugurated by Mr. Dileep Baid, Chairman of the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, New Delhi, who delivered the keynote address. He emphasized the crucial role of handicrafts in sustainable development and how these time-honored practices can be adapted to modern fashion markets while promoting ethical production. His address set the stage for the discussions ahead, focusing on integrating sustainability with innovation in the global textile industry.

As part of the inaugural session, the Book of Abstracts was officially released, highlighting the wealth of research and innovations contributed by delegates from across the country. This publication serves as a testament to the academic rigor and the forward-thinking approach of this national conference. The inaugural session ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Raakhi Gupta.

The conference received an overwhelming response, with a total of 155 participants registered both offline and online, representing various  states  of India, i.e., Chandigarh, Delhi NCR, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. 

Across the two days, four plenary sessions were held, featuring distinguished delegates from the fields of fashion and textiles.

Keynote Speakers and Plenary Sessions

Following the inaugural session, the first plenary session was led by Prof. Charu Gupta, from the Department of Fabric & Apparel Science, Institute of Home Economics, New Delhi, who presented on “Indian Textile Giants Towards Meeting SDGs.”. Her talk illustrated the company’s sustainable practices and commitment to environmental responsibility, providing a blueprint for how large textile companies can integrate sustainability into their business models.

The second session featured Prof. Madhu Sharan, Former Head, Faculty of Family and Community Sciences, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, who spoke about sustainable fashion business models. Prof. Sharan offered practical insights into how fashion businesses can transit towards ethical production, and also highlighting the importance of balancing sustainability with profitability in the modern economy.

Prof. Ruby Jain, Retired Professor from the Department of Home Science, University of Rajasthan, followed with a session on Responsible Textile Production and Consumption. Her presentation explored the environmental and ethical challenges facing the textile industry and offered practical solutions for reducing waste and encouraging responsible consumer behavior.

The day’s activities concluded with Oral Presentation Sessions conducted both online and offline, where delegates presented their innovative research findings. The offline presentations were evaluated by Prof. Ruby Jain and Dr. Kinshuk Mukharjee, while the online presentations were judged by Prof. Madhu Sharan and Prof. Pratima Goyal.

These sessions covered a broad range of topics, including:

• The use of sustainable materials in textile production
• The economic and environmental benefits of traditional handicrafts
• Ethical labor practices in the fashion industry
• Global trends in fashion and their effects on local craft industries

The presentations stimulated rich discussion and provided delegates with invaluable feedback, encouraging further research and exploration in these areas.

The second and final day of the National Conference on “Fashion Textiles and Crafts: A Global Perspective”, held on 27th September 2024 at Vinayak Hall, IIS (Deemed to be University), featured a continuation of insightful discussions, presentations, and key takeaways on sustainability, innovation, and crafts in the global fashion and textile industry.

Plenary Session III: Poster Presentation & Expert Talks

The day began with a Poster Presentation Session, which showcased innovative research from students and researchers on sustainable practices and technologies in textiles and fashion. These presentations, evaluated by Dr. Deepali Rastogi from the Department of Fabric & Apparel Science, Lady Irwin College, New Delhi, and Dr. Vinod Kadam, Senior Scientist at ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, reflected the creativity and forward-thinking of the participants.

Following the poster presentations, Prof. Deepali Rastogi delivered a lecture on Innovations in Sustainable Fashion, exploring cutting-edge technologies and processes that aim to make the fashion industry more eco-friendly and responsible. Her talk highlighted key innovations, including biodegradable fabrics, smart textiles, and reduced-waste production techniques.

Dr. Vinod Kadam presented on the topic of Fleece to Fashion: Wool’s Journey in Sustainable Textiles, where he explored the sustainable use of wool, detailing how the fiber can contribute to eco-friendly fashion. He discussed innovative ways of processing wool to minimize its environmental impact, while still maintaining its versatility and durability.

The session continued with 25 online poster presentations, evaluated by Dr. Jyoti Chabbra and Dr. Deepali Rastogi. The presentations explored a wide array of topics, such as innovation in  dyeing, printing, textile finishes, handloom legacy, artificial intelligence, sustainable Practices, geographical indications, protective clothing to name a few.

Plenary Session IV: Social Entrepreneurship and Valedictory

The post-lunch session commenced with Ms. Saumya Pande, a social entrepreneur, delivering a thought-provoking presentation on sustainable business practices in the fashion and textile industry. Ms. Pande emphasized the importance of community engagement and local resources in creating sustainable and ethical fashion businesses. Her talk inspired participants to think about the broader societal impact of their work in fashion and crafts.

After a brief tea break, the conference transitioned to its Valedictory Session, which marked the conclusion of the two-day event. The session was led by Dr. Somya Gurjar, Mayor of Jaipur Nagar Nigam (Greater), who shared her perspectives on the importance of sustainability at both the local and global levels. She appreciated the department for their commendable work in organizing two day conference on the sustainable business practices in the field of fashion and Textiles. Later, the Journal of Social Sciences was released.

Dr. Gurjar announced and felicitated the winners of the conference in both oral and poster categories.

Winners of the Oral Presentation Category

• First Prize::
  Madhu Sharan (Professor) and Sumi Haldar (Research Scholar)
  Department of Clothing and Textiles, Faculty of Family and Community Sciences, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara
• Second Prize:
  Annu (M.Sc. Student) and Mona Verma (Assistant Professor)
  Department of Apparel and Textile Science, I.C. College of Community Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar
   
• Third Prize:
  Gauri Kathju (Research Scholar) and Dr. Radha Kashyap (Director, School of Design)
  IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur
   
• Consolation Prize:
  Falguni Patel (Assistant Professor), Rajni Yadav (Assistant Professor), and Yash Lalwani (Research Scholar)
  Department of Clothing and Textiles, Faculty of Family and Community Sciences, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara

Winners of the Poster Presentation Category

• First Prize:
  Yasha Purohit (Assistant Professor, UX Design Faculty)
  Sir Padampat Singhania University, Bhatewar, Udaipur
   
• Second Prize:
  Kashish Ramrakhani (Undergraduate Student) and Harshita Bhown (Assistant Professor)
  Department of Fashion & Textiles, IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur
• Third Prize:
  Mridula Sahay Mehrotra (Research Scholar)
  Shri Jagdishprasad Jhabarmal Tibrewala University (SJJTU), Jhunjhunu
   
• Consolation Prize:
  Anushree Jaisawal (Assistant Professor)
  Centre of Fashion Design & Technology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad
   

Dr. Sulekha Ojha, Head, Department of Fashion & Textiles, presented a comprehensive summary of the key discussions and ideas that emerged during the conference, highlighting the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and artisans in advancing sustainability. While Prof. Radha Kashyap, Director, School of Design, concluded the programme by giving vote of thanks.

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding the integration of sustainability in business models: Delegates learned how global fashion and textile brands, like Arvind Mills, are incorporating eco-friendly practices into their core operations.
• The importance of responsible production and consumption: Presentations stressed the environmental and social responsibility of both producers and consumers in minimizing fashion's negative impacts on the planet.
• Innovation through traditional practices: The role of handicrafts and traditional textiles in shaping a sustainable future for the global fashion industry was underscored, offering both economic opportunities and cultural preservation.
• Research and collaboration opportunities: The oral presentations allowed participants to engage with cutting-edge research, fostering new collaborations and partnerships to tackle the industry's most pressing challenges.
• Innovation in Sustainable Fashion: The sessions focused on new technologies, like smart textiles and biodegradable materials, that reduce environmental harm while maintaining quality and durability in fashion.
• Sustainable Use of Natural Fibers: Through discussions on wool and other natural fibers, participants gained a deeper understanding of how traditional materials can be used responsibly in modern textile production.
• Social Entrepreneurship: The importance of community involvement and ethical practices in creating sustainable fashion businesses was emphasized, inspiring participants to think beyond profits and consider the social impact of their work.

Conclusion

The National Conference on “Fashion Textiles and Crafts: A Global Perspective” concluded successfully, laying the groundwork for more discussions and collaborations towards sustainability. The diverse range of topics covered and the quality of the presentations reflected the high standards of the event. The discussions and presentations over the two days reinforced the importance of sustainability, ethics, and innovation in shaping the future of the industry.

Prof. Radha Kashyap                                                          Dr. Sulekha Ojha

Director, School of Design                                                  Head,

                                                                                     Dept. Fashion & Textiles