Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on January 17 inaugurated the exhibition “Between Wind and Wool: Ladakh Design Today” at the Innovation Gallery, National Crafts Museum & Hastakala Academy, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

The exhibition is part of the Innovation Gallery housed within Textile Gallery II: Tradition & Innovation, a platform dedicated to contemporary interpretations of India’s rich craft traditions. Between Wind and Wool explores how Ladakh’s high-altitude geography, harsh climate and pastoral lifestyle have shaped its distinctive wool and Pashmina heritage. It highlights how contemporary designers reinterpret traditional practices such as spinning, weaving, resist-dyeing and garment construction into modern forms and silhouettes while remaining rooted in cultural memory.

The exhibition features works by leading Ladakhi designers including 2112 Saldon; Jigmat Norbu and Jigmat Wangmo (Jigmat Couture); Padma Yangchan (Namza Couture); and Zilzom by Stanzin Palmo. Their creations range from sculptural installations and ceremonial garments to ritual objects and handwoven wool and Pashmina ensembles, reflecting Ladakh’s deep spiritual, environmental and material connections.

Adding a compelling visual dimension are landscape portraits by Gautam Kalra (Creative Direction & Styling) and Hormis Anthony Tharakan (Visual Direction & Photography), which place Ladakhi garments against the region’s dramatic terrain, reinforcing the dialogue between land, climate and design.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said such exhibitions play a vital role not only in preserving and revitalising traditional textiles but also in safeguarding the entire spectrum of Ladakh’s cultural heritage, including indigenous knowledge systems, craftsmanship, rituals, lifestyles and community practices. He said bringing these living traditions into the public domain helps prevent them from fading into obscurity, strengthens cultural pride, and ensures meaningful transmission to future generations while connecting tradition with contemporary relevance.

Kavinder Gupta emphasised the need to organise more such exhibitions at national and international levels to showcase Ladakh’s unique textile heritage. He noted that these platforms create a vital interface between traditional artisans, contemporary designers and global markets, enhancing visibility, market access and livelihood opportunities while strengthening Ladakh’s cultural identity.

Highlighting the exhibition’s theme, the Lieutenant Governor said “Between Wind and Wool” reflects Ladakh’s philosophy of balancing extreme climatic challenges with innovation and warmth derived from wool—a balance that continues to inspire its design sensibilities.

Underscoring the global significance of Ladakhi Pashmina, the Lt Governor described it not merely as a luxury fabric but as a unique natural gift of Ladakh’s Changthang region, produced under extreme minus-20-degree and sub-zero climatic conditions. He stressed that protecting the purity and authenticity of Pashmina remains a top priority, with focused efforts underway to strengthen GI tagging and end-to-end traceability, ensuring direct benefits to local artisans, pastoralists and weavers while enhancing the global credibility of Ladakhi Pashmina.