National Textiles Day: Why ‘Make in India’ Must Evolve into ‘Design in India’
By Suketu Shah, CEO, Vishal Fabrics
India’s textile industry has progressed from traditional handloom craftsmanship to advanced, large-scale manufacturing, playing a crucial role in economic growth, exports and employment. As the world’s second-largest textile producer, the sector continues to be a key contributor to the country’s GDP and global trade presence. However, with shifting global demand and rising competition, scale alone is no longer sufficient to sustain leadership.
Moving Beyond Manufacturing
While the “Make in India” initiative has positioned the country as a global manufacturing hub, the next phase of growth lies in embracing “Design in India.” This transition will enable higher value creation and strengthen India’s competitiveness in international markets.
Modern textiles are no longer driven solely by aesthetics. Innovation in materials, functionality, performance and sustainability now defines market success. To stay relevant, companies must anticipate consumer preferences, align with global trends and deliver differentiated offerings.
Denim and Material Innovation
The global textile market is increasingly dominated by man-made fibres, accounting for nearly 70–75% of total consumption. At the same time, denim continues to remain a high-impact category with steady demand worldwide.
India has established strong capabilities in denim manufacturing, emerging as the second-largest producer globally with a capacity of over 1,700 million metres annually. Today, denim has evolved into a highly engineered fabric, incorporating innovations such as stretch blends, lightweight constructions and advanced finishing techniques. These developments enhance comfort, durability and design versatility, making design-led development essential for market differentiation.
Sustainability as a Core Driver
Sustainability has become a central pillar of the textile industry, driven by regulatory requirements, environmental concerns and changing consumer expectations. In the denim segment, traditionally known for resource-intensive processes, advancements such as water-efficient dyeing, reduced chemical usage and recycled fibres are reshaping production practices.
A holistic approach to sustainability—integrating resource efficiency, circularity and energy optimisation—is critical for reducing environmental impact. Aligning sustainability with product innovation also enables brands to meet global standards while appealing to conscious consumers.
Building a Design-Led Ecosystem
Transitioning to a design-driven industry requires collaboration across manufacturers, brands, institutions and technology providers. Investments in education, skill development and research will be essential to foster innovation in materials and product development.
The adoption of digital technologies, including AI-driven design, data analytics and virtual prototyping, is accelerating product development cycles and improving responsiveness to market trends. Stronger partnerships across the value chain, along with the development of integrated manufacturing clusters, will further enhance efficiency and export competitiveness.
The Road Ahead
India’s textile sector is targeting a $350 billion market size and $100 billion in exports by 2030. To achieve this, the industry must shift from volume-driven growth to value-led innovation.
The future will be defined by the ability to create differentiated, high-value products rather than simply scaling production. As India strengthens its global standing, the focus must move towards designing as well as manufacturing—ensuring that what is made in India is also conceptualised and created here.
