Paiwand Studio Wins 7th Edition of NEXA Presents The Spotlight; Showcasing Winning Collection at Lakmē Fashion Week with FDCI

‘NEXA presents the Spotlight’, an initiative by NEXA and Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI, remains committed to spotlighting and nurturing new and emerging design talent in the country. Now in its seventh edition, the initiative has been recognized for showcasing some of the brightest and most creative minds in the fashion industry. After a rigorous selection process, the program has announced ‘Paiwand Studio’ by designer Ashita Singhal as the winner of this season.

NEXA’s theme for this edition, ‘Urbane’, delves into the narratives often overlooked in city life, encapsulating the essence of urban culture, street art, and the lively ambiance of metropolitan settings. In alignment with the theme, an array of designers made their presentations to an esteemed jury panel at the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) headquarters in Delhi. Ashita Singhal, the winner, will receive a fund of INR 8 lakhs from NEXA towards the set design and showcase at the Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI scheduled between 13th – 17th March 2024 in Mumbai at the Jio World Convention Centre.

The esteemed jury comprised Shashank Srivastava – Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, Ram Suresh Akella – Executive Officer, Marketing at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, Sunil Sethi – Chairman of FDCI, Jaspreet Chandok – Group Vice President, Reliance Brands Ltd., David Abraham, Namrata Joshipura, Payal Jain, Fashion Designers, and Gautam Kalra, Fashion Stylist.

Delhi-based designer Ashita Singhal of Paiwand Studio was declared the winner from a lineup of 7 shortlisted designers that included IRO IRO by Bhaavya Goenka, KOYTOY by Kunaal Khyan Seolekar, QUOD by Ikshit Pande, Ura Maku by Manjushree Saikia, Zilzom by Stanzin Palmo, and Ajay Kumar of his namesake label, who introduced their brands through a competitive creative expression in line with NEXA’s spirit of ‘create, inspire’.

Shashank Srivastava – Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Since its inception, NEXA’s commitment to fostering a lifestyle-oriented brand has found resonance in the vibrant realm of fashion. With each season, NEXA and Lakmē Fashion Week X FDCI have embarked on a journey of innovation, inspiring designers, and artists alike. Our initiative NEXA Presents the Spotlight is a testament to our commitment to nurturing emerging talent. Ashita Singhal of Paiwand Studio has captivated us with her exceptional design presentation and concept and flawless execution. As the deserving winner of the 7th edition of ‘NEXA presents The Spotlight,’ her interpretation of NEXA’s season theme, Urbane, has left us exhilarated.”

Sunil Sethi, Chairman FDCI, said, “We remain committed to nurturing emerging talent in the fashion industry. Collaborating with NEXA for another season of ‘NEXA presents The Spotlight’ was a thrilling experience, as always. We were pleased to see participants from across the country showcasing a wide range of innovative presentations, with Ashita Singhal’s presentation notably standing out. We are excited to see how she will translate this collection to the runway to inspire many of the future designers in the industry.”

Jaspreet Chandok – Group Vice President, Reliance Brands Ltd., said, “Spotlighting and supporting the best of new design talent through our platform is a key deliverable to the industry from our end. Collaborating with NEXA has been instrumental in achieving this goal, as demonstrated by the success of NEXA Presents the Spotlight over the last six seasons. Ashita from Paiwand Studio exemplifies the program’s intent, and we eagerly anticipate her presentation at the upcoming season.”