{{Short description|Annual fashion awards program in India}} {{distinguish|National Design Awards}} {{Infobox award | name = National Designer Award (NDA) | image = | image_size = 220px | alt = Official Logo of National Designer Award | caption = Official Logo | location = India | year = 2018 | website = {{URL|https://www.nationaldesignerawards.com}} }}
'''National Designer Awards''' ('''NDA''') is an annual fashion awards ceremony held in India. Organized by the World Designing Forum (WDF), the program identifies and promotes fashion designers from various regions, including participants from tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The event follows a seasonal format that includes state-level selections and regional exhibitions, leading to a national grand finale.<ref name="WDFsite">{{cite web |title=National Designer Awards – World Designing Forum |url=https://www.worlddesigningforum.com |website=World Designing Forum |access-date=17 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="NDAhome">{{cite web |title=National Designer Awards |url=https://www.nationaldesignerawards.com |website=National Designer Awards |access-date=17 April 2026}}</ref> Media coverage has noted the event's role in showcasing traditional Indian fabrics, including Kashmiri Pashmina and Kanjeevaram silk, on a national platform.<ref name="TOI2024">{{cite news |title=World designing forum showcases Indian handloom |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/world-designing-forum-showcases-indian-handloom/articleshow/116714470.cms |work=The Times of India |date=27 December 2024 |access-date=23 May 2026}}</ref>
== History and Objectives == Since its inception in 2018, the National Designer Awards has served as a platform for designers to showcase works that incorporate traditional Indian textiles. The event aims to promote the development of Indian handlooms, organize national-level design competitions across states, and aligns with the "Vocal for Local" initiative.<ref name="FE2024">{{cite news |title=Reviving Indian handloom: Tradition meets modern innovation at World Designing Forum |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/reviving-indian-handloom-tradition-meets-modern-innovation-at-world-designing-forum-3699467/ |work=The Financial Express |date=24 December 2024 |access-date=23 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="TOI_Vocal">{{cite news |title=National Designer Awards embraces 'Vocal for Local' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/top-headlines/national-designer-awards-embraces-vocal-for-local-world-designing-forum/articleshow/105600790.cms |work=The Times of India |date=29 November 2023 |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="NDTVZara">{{cite news |title=Competition in designing of states: Organization of national level competition of World Designing Forum |url=https://ndtv.in/zara-hatke/competition-in-designing-of-states-organization-of-national-level-competition-of-world-designing-forum-4505597 |work=NDTV India |date=23 October 2023 |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref>
Season 6, held in New Delhi in 2023, and the subsequent editions focused on providing national exposure to regional craftsmanship and analyzing future roadmaps for handloom integration.<ref name="DailyJagran">{{cite news |title=After success of National Designer Awards 2023, what is on the cards for World Designer Forum in 2024 |url=https://www.thedailyjagran.com/india/after-success-of-national-designer-awards-2023-what-is-on-the-cards-for-world-designer-forum-in2024-10125229 |work=The Daily Jagran |date=29 December 2023 |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> These editions featured participation from designers representing over 20 Indian states, highlighting traditional materials such as Banarasi silk, Pashmina, and Kanchipuram silk across various regional platforms.<ref name="ANIseason6">{{cite web |title=World Designing Forum unveils Season 6 of National Designer Awards |url=https://aninews.in/topic/national-designer-awards-season-6/ |website=ANI |date=16 August 2023 |access-date=23 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="PatrikaBassi">{{cite news |title=World Designer Forum hosts National Designer Awards |url=https://www.patrika.com/bassi-news/world-designer-forum-hosts-national-designer-awards-8673916 |work=Patrika |date=24 December 2023 |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> The 2024 edition highlighted the continuous growth of the Indian handloom sector through structured exhibitions.<ref name="IT2024">{{cite web |title=World Designing Forum: Growth of Indian handloom at National Designer Awards 2024 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/world-designing-forum-growth-of-indian-handloom-at-national-designer-awards-2024-2653709-2024-12-22 |website=India Today |date=22 December 2024 |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref>
== Format == The program operates through a multi-tier selection process. Designers are initially identified through state-level screenings. Selected participants collaborate with regional textile clusters to develop fashion collections presented at the national finale.
The 2024 grand finale was hosted in Goa by television anchor Ankit Batla. The event included presentations from approximately 300 designers and featured panel discussions concerning the integration of local artisans into national and international supply chains.<ref name="BW2024">{{cite news |title=World Designing Forum Pushes Indian Handloom To Global Spotlight At National Designer Awards 2024 |url=https://www.businessworld.in/article/world-designing-forum-pushes-indian-handloom-to-global-spotlight-at-national-designer-awards-2024-542974 |work=BusinessWorld |date=24 December 2024 |access-date=23 May 2026}}</ref>
The event has involved various industry professionals for evaluation and mentorship. Notable fashion figures, including Neeta Lulla and Anamika Khanna, have been associated with the awards as recipients or mentors.<ref name="NDTV2023">{{cite web |title=World Designer Forum 2023: Neeta Lulla gets the Best Ethnic Elegance Award |url=https://ndtv.in/bollywood/world-designer-forum-2023-neeta-lulla-gets-the-best-ethnic-elegance-award-these-stars-attended-the-event-4831105 |website=NDTV India |date=9 January 2024 |access-date=17 April 2026}}</ref>
== Award Recipients == The following table lists selected recipients recognized for their contributions during recent seasons:
{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year !! Recipient !! Category !! Source |- | 2023 || Ken Ferns || Best Resort Wear Collection || <ref name="ANIseason6" /> |- | 2023 || Neeta Lulla || Best Ethnic Elegance || <ref name="NDTV2023" /> |- | 2023 || Anamika Khanna || Best Bold Silhouettes Couture Award || <ref name="ITAnamika">{{cite web |title=World Designer Forum announces National Designer Awards 2024 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/world-designer-forum-announces-national-designer-awards-2024-2483795-2024-01-03 |website=India Today |date=3 January 2024 |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> |- | 2024 || Benwangliu Newmai || Best Designer of the Year (Nagaland) || <ref name="ETNow2024">{{cite web |title=World Designing Forum pushes Indian handloom to global spotlight at National Designer Awards 2024 |url=https://www.etnownews.com/et-now-luxe/world-designing-forum-pushes-indian-handloom-to-global-spotlight-at-national-designer-awards-2024-article-116636922 |website=ET Now Luxe |date=24 December 2024 |access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> |}
== See also == * National Handloom Day * National Design Awards
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{official website|https://www.nationaldesignerawards.com}}
Category:Indian handicrafts Category:Handloom industry in India Category:Fashion awards Category:Awards established in 2017