NIFT Varanasi Brings AI-Driven Forecasting to Fashion
The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Varanasi, is hosting a Trend Forecasting Workshop on 26 September.
VisioNxt, India’s AI- and Emotional Intelligence-driven fashion forecasting initiative, will present the workshop.
The session will bring together regional industry leaders from Eastern Uttar Pradesh. It will also include NIFT alumni and academic scholars.
The workshop will explore a new approach to indigenous design intelligence. Dr Kaustav Sen Gupta, Head of VisioNxt, will lead the session.
Combining AI with Indian Cultural Intelligence
The workshop draws on the Indian philosophies of Samvada, meaning enlightened dialogue, and Pratibha, referring to intuitive insight.
Through these concepts, the initiative aims to connect technology with cultural knowledge. In addition, it focuses on developing fashion insights that reflect India’s diverse regional identities.
VisioNxt combines artificial intelligence with cultural memory and regional craft knowledge. As a result, its approach seeks to generate geo-specific and culturally nuanced trend insights.
These insights can support weavers, artisans, designers and retailers. Furthermore, the approach aims to help regional creative communities respond to changing global fashion trends.
From Make in India to Make for the World
The event aligns with the vision of transforming “Make in India” into “Make for the World.”
It also represents an approach that seeks to reduce dependence on Western fashion directions. Instead, the workshop focuses on India’s own cultural and design intelligence.
By combining advanced AI with regional craft wisdom, VisioNxt aims to strengthen India’s position in global fashion. This approach can also help local creative professionals develop products with greater cultural relevance.
Therefore, the workshop highlights the potential of technology to support India’s indigenous design ecosystem.
NIFT Varanasi Focuses on Future-Ready Skills
Dr. Sanjay Shrivastava, Director of NIFT Varanasi, highlighted the role of AI-driven trend forecasting in developing an authentic Indian design language.
“AI-driven trend forecasting nurtures an ecosystem that speaks directly in India’s authentic design lexicon. This initiative will equip industry professionals with advanced, next-generation skills required to excel and maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving global market,” he added.
The workshop brings together education, technology and industry perspectives. At the same time, it provides professionals and students with exposure to emerging approaches in fashion forecasting.
Ultimately, the initiative reflects the growing role of AI, cultural intelligence and regional knowledge in shaping India’s future fashion ecosystem.
