“Design Castle 2025:
Igniting the Runway with Tomorrow’s Visionaries”
The Fashion and Textile Design Department of Nandlal Bose Subharti College of Fine Arts and Fashion Design successfully organized its prestigious annual fashion event, “Design Castle 2025,” on April 21, 2025. This year’s theme, “Fusion Fiesta,” set the stage for a vibrant and innovative showcase of student talent, where traditional aesthetics were seamlessly blended with contemporary design sensibilities.
In preparation for the grand event, the department conducted an intensive six-day modelling workshop, led by acclaimed choreographer Mr. Kapil Gauhri. Approximately fifty students participated in the workshop alongside ten professional models. The participants received hands-on training in runway walking, camera presentation, and overall stage presence, ensuring they were well-equipped to present their collections with confidence and poise.
The evening of the fashion show was marked by glamour and excitement. The event was hosted by Ms. Sonali Gupta, whose dynamic presence brought elegance and energy to the occasion. The show was further elevated by the esteemed presence of the chief guests— Mr. Siddharth Tomar, an acclaimed Supermodel, and Ms. Pallak Yadav, Actress and well-known for her appearance on Splitsvilla. Their support and words of encouragement provided a source of inspiration for all the aspiring designers and models.
Adding to the prestige of the evening,fifty special guests from the fashion and creative industries joined the celebration, enhancing the atmosphere of style, innovation, and runway artistry. Their presence not only brought additional glamour to the event but also underscored the growing recognition and influence of the department’s work in shaping the future of fashion design. These esteemed attendees witnessed the exceptional creativity of the student designers and contributed to the evening’s success with their support and appreciation.
The event also welcomed three respected industry experts—Woven and Knit, Lyallpur Emporium, and Valhall Export Import—whose participation added immense value to the show. Their presence served as a powerful source of inspiration for the students, providing them with insight into real-world practices and industry expectations. These professionals offered encouragement and shared perspectives that motivated the next generation of fashion leaders to pursue excellence in design and innovation.
The event was graced by the distinguished leadership of the university, including Honourable Vice Chancellor Maj Gen (Dr) G.K. Thapliyal, CEO Prof. (Dr.) Shalya Raj, Registrar Mr. Syed Zafar Hussain, Director of Defence Academy Col. Rajesh Tyagi, CSO, Col. Asim Kukreja, CTO Mr. Vivek Tiwari, Principal and Dean Dr. Pintu Mishra, and Head of the Fashion and Textile Design Department, Dr. Neha Singh. Their presence underscored the institution’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and creative innovation.
A panel of highly respected professionals from the fashion industry served as jury members for the event. The panel included Ms. Nisha Maurya, MHM Miss Universe Divine 2022 andAGS Brand Ambassador, Ms. Sakshi Bindra, a leading celebrity fashion designer, and Mr. Piyush, Event Organizer. Their expert evaluations brought a professional dimension to the judging process, ensuring a fair and insightful assessment of both the collections and the models.
The fashion show featured eleven captivating rounds, each meticulously curated by students to reflect the theme “Fusion Fiesta.” These rounds highlighted a fusion of cultural and modern elements, showcasing the students’ abilities to innovate and reinterpret fashion narratives. From sustainable fashion concepts and urban-ethnic blends to avant-garde interpretations of traditional motifs, each segment displayed a high level of creativity, craftsmanship, and design acumen.
The esteemed panel of jury members selected the winners, with Aman Kumar, Azma, Himanshi Singh, Ishika Rastogi, Manisha, Priyanshi, Rahul Kumar, Varsha Choudhary clinching the coveted “Best Design Collection DC 2025” trophy.
Other notable titles and winners include:
- Best Innovative Collection:
Theme:NYMPH CO-RE-STAL A Divine Ode to the Ocean
Mr. Harsh, Ms. Janshika. Ms. Kumkum, Ms. Shagul, Ms. Shivani
- Best Surface Ornamentation:
Theme: Peofowl
Ms. Aksha, Ms. Kirti, Ms. Priya, Ms. Meghna, Ms. Sneha, Ms. Sandhya, Ms. Salisha, Mr. Gulmohammad
- Best Commercial Collection:
Theme:Cinque Luxe
Mr. Aakif Rana, Mr. Sahil, Mr. Salim, Ms Madhu, Ms Nandini, Ms Vani, Ms Yashica
- Best Garment Construction:
Theme: Heritage Nouveau
Ms. Aarya, Ms. Akansha, Ms. Jyoti, Ms Mitali, Ms. Suhani
- Show Stopper dress Award: Ms. Kashish Arora & Ms. Jiyanshi
In the modeling segment, students were recognized for their outstanding performances across various categories:
- Model of the Year Female – Dr. Chavi
- Model of the Year Male – Mr. Dipul
- Best Panther Walk – Mr. Deepanshu
- Ms. Twinkling Toes – Ms. Riya
- Mr. Handsome Hunk – Mr. Mayank
- Ms. Charming – Ms. Tarushi
- Most Confident Male – Mr. Lallan
- Most Confident Female – Ms. Sonali
- Most Optimistic – Dr. Chandrama
- DC 2025 Fresher Model – Ms. Avdhi
The event was met with overwhelming appreciation from the audience, which included academicians, alumni, industry professionals, and fashion enthusiasts. Guests commended the originality and execution of the collections, praising the professionalism and confidence of the participating students. It was evident that months of hard work and dedication had culminated in a truly memorable presentation.
College Principal and Dean Dr. Pintu Mishra, along with Head of Department Dr. Neha Singh, congratulated the students and faculty for their outstanding contributions. In their closing remarks, they emphasized the importance of such platforms in shaping the future of the fashion industry and encouraged students to continue pushing the boundaries of design and expression.
The successful execution of “Design Castle 2025” was made possible by the generous support of sponsors, whose contributions played a vital role in ensuring the smooth organization and high production value of the event.
- UK International: Makeover Partner
- Rashmi Makeover: Grooming Partner
- Jumble Frames Studios: Photography and Cinematography Partner
- Nadeem Maliya Ji Jyoti Foundation: Food Partner
- AGS Grooming Academy: Official Crown Partner
- Gymgenics Fitness: Excelled by Science – Fitness Partner
- Shiv Shanker Caterers: Food Partner
The department extends its sincere gratitude to all sponsors for their invaluable support.
The success of this grand event would not have been possible without the significant contributions of numerous individuals. Dr. Bhawna Grover, Head of the Performing Arts Department, and Dr. Vidhi Khandelwal, Head of the Animation Department, played an instrumental role in supporting the event. Faculty members from the Fashion and Textile and Interior Design Departments, including Dr. Arpana Kamboj, Dr. Rashika Kashyap, Ms. Shradha Yadav, Ms. Anisha Anand, Ms. Abhilasha Garg, Ms. Devsuni, Ms. Surabhi, Ms. Shelja Sindhay, Ms. Shabnum Shabir, and Ms. Monika Verma, provided invaluable assistance in the planning and execution of this spectacular event. Their dedication and expertise ensured the smooth functioning of the show and contributed to the overall success of Design Castle 2025.
“Design Castle 2025” was not merely an annual showcase—it was a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the bright future of Indian fashion. The event reaffirmed the department’s reputation for nurturing emerging talent and its dedication to promoting excellence in design education.
