JD Institute of Fashion Technology
Inside India Art Fair 2026: Jediiians Explore Contemporary Design Thinking

Design is no longer confined to studios, it lives in dialogue, debate, and cultural exchange.

Students of JD Institute of Fashion Technology participated in the OPEN Design Talks at India Art Fair 2026, a two-day immersive experience held at the Nuvama Private Wealth Verve Lounge, VIP Entrance Hall, India Art Fair (IAF), New Delhi.

Representing the Hauz Khas and Kamla Nagar campuses, jediiians stepped into South Asia’s leading platform for modern and contemporary art to witness design thinking in action.

Why India Art Fair?

India Art Fair (IAF) is recognised as South Asia’s premier platform for modern and contemporary art. It brings together leading galleries, artists, designers, institutions, and cultural practitioners from across India and globally.

Within this dynamic space, the OPEN Design Talks focus specifically on:

• Indian design practices
  
• Material exploration
  
• Cultural narratives
  
• Evolving visual languages

For fashion, interior, and design students, this was not just a visit, it was exposure to the larger ecosystem shaping contemporary creative industries.

What Students Observed & Learned

Jediiians attended two curated panel discussions:

Day 1 – “At The Table”

Day 2 – “Reclaiming the Made World”

Both sessions explored contemporary design thinking within the Indian context, offering real-world perspectives beyond classroom theory.

During “At The Table”

Students explored how:

• Gathering and food culture influence design thinking
  
• Archives, objects, and space shape creative decisions
  
• Designers stay relevant in an expanding visual landscape

The session highlighted experimentation, iteration, and contextual storytelling in modern design practice.

During “Reclaiming the Made World”

The focus shifted to:

• Material life cycles
  
• Reuse and sustainability
  
• Ethical design methodologies

Students gained insights into how working with existing materials and cultural histories can redefine innovation. The discussion reinforced how sustainability and cultural archaeology are becoming central to contemporary design.

Industry Experts Who Led the Dialogue

Panel 1 – “At The Table”

• Daksha Salam – Designer
  
• Prerna Garg – Founder, A Dialogue
  
• Priyansha Jain – Founder & Creative Director, InOrdinary Practice
  
• Tahir Sultan – Designer

Panel 2 – “Reclaiming the Made World”

• Lokesh Ghai – Textile Artist & Researcher
  
• Ritwik Khanna – Founder, Rkive City
  
• Sarita Sundar – Designer & Design Historian, Founder – Hanno
  
• Priyanka Shah – Founder, SHED

These professionals shared their expertise on sustainability, material innovation, cultural research, and evolving Indian aesthetics, offering students direct insight into contemporary industry practices.

An Experience Worth Remembering

Participation at OPEN Design Talks allowed JD Institute students to witness how design conversations are shaping global and Indian creative landscapes.

It reinforced one key idea:

Design today is about responsibility, research, and relevance.By stepping into platforms like India Art Fair 2026, students continue to expand their learning beyond classrooms, engaging with thought leaders, industry pioneers, and evolving creative narratives.