Fashion Tex Tech Forum puts spotlight on Punjab’s traditional craft, textiles

Fashion Tex Tech Forum, a vertical of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), under leadership of Himani Arora, regional chair, unveiled a line-up of initiatives at Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) 2025 this year, highlighting the region’s rich textile heritage and its commitment to empowering artisans, women entrepreneurs and self-help groups.

The forum’s flagship initiative, Craft Forward, aims to preserve and uplift traditional crafts, handlooms, and textiles of Punjab, Chandigarh, and Haryana. Through this initiative, the forum is actively supporting rural artisans, providing projects to self-help groups, and conducting skill-training programmes for women inmates in prisons as well as those from the rural areas.

A key attraction at PITEX is the — Punjab Heritage Show — which will be presented under the forum, followed by a — “Walk for a Cause” — dedicated to celebrating and supporting the craftsmen of the region.

We will be mapping handloom clusters across the region, introducing design intervention and technology adoption programmes to expand the scope of business for artisans. Besides, expanding artisan capacity-building workshops will be our agenda.

Himani Arora, fashion designer

Craft Forward

It’s a curated fashion and textile event at PITEX that strongly focuses on traditional crafts, women empowerment and skill development. Through this initiative, the forum is actively supporting rural artisans, providing projects to self-help groups, and conducting skill-training programmes for women inmates in prisons as well as those from the rural areas.

“The show puts a strong spotlight on handmade crafts, weaving traditions, and local textile excellence. This year, the show also features celebrated designers of the region,” said Himani. The forum also announced its future roadmap for promoting and supporting artisans from the region.

“We will be mapping handloom clusters across the region, introducing design intervention and technology adoption programmes to expand the scope of business for artisans. Additionally, expanding artisan capacity-building workshops, creating national and international market linkages and strengthening women-led enterprises in textiles and crafts will be on our agenda,” said Himani, who is a fashion designer and has been working with weavers and artisans from Amritsar.