The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Kavinder Gupta, today inaugurated the exhibition “Between Wind and Wool: Ladakh Design Today” at the Innovation Gallery, National Crafts Museum & Hastakala Academy, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
The exhibition is part of the Innovation Gallery housed within Textile Gallery II: Tradition & Innovation, a platform dedicated to contemporary interpretations of India’s rich craft traditions. Between Wind and Wool explores how Ladakh’s high-altitude geography, harsh climate and pastoral lifestyle have shaped its distinctive wool and Pashmina heritage. It showcases how contemporary designers reinterpret traditional practices such as spinning, weaving, resist-dyeing and garment construction into modern forms and silhouettes while remaining rooted in cultural memory.
The exhibition features works by leading Ladakhi designers including 2112 Saldon; Jigmat Norbu and Jigmat Wangmo (Jigmat Couture); Padma Yangchan (Namza Couture); and Zilzom by Stanzin Palmo. Their creations range from sculptural installations and ceremonial garments to ritual objects and handwoven wool and Pashmina ensembles, reflecting Ladakh’s deep spiritual, environmental and material connections.
Adding a compelling visual dimension are landscape portraits by Gautam Kalra (Creative Direction & Styling) and Hormis Anthony Tharakan (Visual Direction & Photography), which place Ladakhi garments against the region’s dramatic terrain, reinforcing the dialogue between land, climate and design.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor said such exhibitions play a vital role not only in preserving and revitalising traditional textiles but also in safeguarding the entire spectrum of Ladakh’s cultural heritage, including indigenous knowledge systems, craftsmanship, rituals, lifestyles and community practices. By bringing these living traditions into the public domain, these platforms help prevent them from fading into obscurity, strengthen cultural pride and ensure meaningful transmission to future generations while connecting tradition with contemporary relevance.
Shri Kavinder Gupta emphasised the need to organise more such exhibitions at national and international levels to showcase Ladakh’s unique textile heritage. He said these platforms create a vital interface between traditional artisans, contemporary designers and global markets, enhancing visibility, market access and livelihood opportunities while strengthening Ladakh’s cultural identity.
Highlighting the theme, the Lt Governor said “Between Wind and Wool” reflects Ladakh’s philosophy of balancing extreme climatic challenges with innovation and warmth derived from wool, a balance that continues to inspire its design sensibilities.
The Lt Governor underlined the global significance of Ladakhi Pashmina, describing it as not just a luxury fabric but a unique natural gift of Ladakh’s Changthang region, produced under extreme minus 20-degree and sub-zero climatic conditions. He emphasized that the protection of the purity and authenticity of Pashmina remains a top priority, with focused efforts being made to strengthen GI tagging and end-to-end traceability to ensure direct benefits to local artisans, pastoralists and weavers, while enhancing the global credibility of Ladakhi Pashmina.
Shri Kavinder Gupta also highlighted the Ladakh Administration’s initiatives in skill development and capacity building, aimed at equipping local youth with traditional Pashmina skills alongside modern design, quality control, branding and marketing expertise. These efforts, he said, are intended to create sustainable livelihoods and ensure that Ladakh’s heritage becomes a source of opportunity and self-reliance for future generations.
Referring to the broader vision, the Lt Governor said the exhibition aligns with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on “Vocal for Local” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, where indigenous materials, traditional skills and local craftsmanship are presented on global platforms, strengthening both economic empowerment and India’s cultural soft power.
The Guest of Honour was Ms. Amrita Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts). Curated by Mr. Sunil Sethi with support from the FDCI team, the exhibition presents Ladakhi textiles as living, evolving practices. It will remain open to the public until the end of March 2026.