Amidst a joyous celebration of the 75 years strong diplomatic bond between India and Thailand, the team of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Mumbai led by Mr. Donnawit Poolsawat, Consul General, in cooperation with LIVA, a natural fluid fabric brand from Birla Cellulose, an Aditya Birla Group company organized the Thailand-India Fashion Show shedding the spotlight on the creative confluence of Indian designers Nachiket Barve and Sahil Kochhar alongside Thai designers Wisharawish and Unkuniya. The event, aptly entitled “Weaving Together for the Future” saw the designers infuse natural fluid fabrics from LIVA alongside fabrics from Thailand to roll out exclusive collections celebrating the two nations’ penchant for all things fashion, culture and art. LIVA is a brand making waves in crafting renewable natural fabrics that don’t compromise on quality and boast of ultra-smooth and luxurious textures.

In a robust bid to boost the sustainability of the fashion industry, this fashion showcase brought together the storied heritage of textiles from both India and Thailand, alongside innovations in circular fashion systems via LIVA. LIVA fabrics are ethically brought to life using wood pulp from certified forestry, thus saving landfills 6-7 times more than cotton and consuming 3-4 times less water, which is a definite step in the right direction. These fabrics go the mile in looking as breezy as they feel, with lightweight and breathable characteristics embedded into their very fibres. LIVA fabrics aren’t just a step in the right direction for sustainable fashion, it is a fearless leap into a future where ethical fashion is just as comfortable as it is universally conscious of its surroundings. In this fast-paced world where fast fashion is notoriously rampant, initiatives via stalwarts such as LIVA are paving the way for aesthetically pleasing and ecologically friendly fashion.

Couturier Sahil Kochhar and his opulent collection

An ensemble by couturier Sahil Kochhar

An ensemble by couturier Sahil Kochhar

The overarching theme of the showcase seemed to be the electric meeting of storied traditions with sleek modern sensibilities, resulting in versatile and vibrant collections that played it strong with surfacing techniques, draping and bold palettes. The surfacing techniques showcased were inspired by both Indian and Thai textile traditions, and the silhouettes were a mélange of ethnic and contemporary sensibilities. For couturier Sahil Kochhar, his signature spirit was brought to reality through the exquisite qualities of fluid LIVA fabrics, allowing for decadent drapes amidst traditional embellishment techniques.

In experimenting with South Asian costume, national award-winning designer Nachiket Barve was ecstatic about the bold confluence of Indian and Thai cultures, alongside a combination of buttery drapes married with opulent rich brocades via LIVA and Thai Ikat Silks sprinkled with painstaking craftsmanship, bringing to life a truly rooted yet worldly line up of silhouettes for the modern individual who sees not only personal expression but environmentally friendly practices as an equal, if not higher priority. The collections featured show-stoppers Ritika Khatnani (Miss Diva Supranational 2022), Praveenar Singh (Miss Thailand 1st Runner Up 2020) and Punika Kulsunthornrat (Miss Thailand 2nd Runner Up 2020) who repped the opulent silhouettes with gusto.

An ensemble by designer Nachiket Barve

An ensemble by designer Nachiket Barve

The collections represent that when it comes to the battle between fashion and sustainability, compromise is a thing of the past. With innovative strategies displayed by players such as LIVA, it is amply clear that be it traditions or modern expression — there is always space to be sustainable for a better tomorrow. If anything, this fashion showcase was a sign of the times, of how creative and cultural collaboration can pave the way for unbridled expression, innovation and foresight.