Nov 03: Amity School of Fashion Technology, Amity University Noida campus, organised the International Conference on Fashion, Apparel and Textiles 2026, “INCFAT 2026”, on the theme “Next-Generation Fashion and Textiles – Innovations in Design, Materials and Technology.” During the Conference, 26 Research Papers were presented by participants from various institutions such as Banasthali Vidyapith Rajasthan, Dayalbagh Educational Institute Agra, Footwear Design & Development Institute Noida, Giani Zail Singh Campus College of Engineering and Technology Punjab, Indira Gandhi National Open University Delhi, Jagannath University Bahadurgarh, Karnavati University Gandhinagar, amongst others.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Ram Sareen, Chairman and Founder, Tukatech, USA, said that the theme of the conference was highly relevant to the future of the fashion industry. He stated that good designs alone are not sufficient, and the fit of a garment is equally important. He stressed upon the importance of understanding patterns and incorporating value into one's work. He encouraged the students to explore emerging opportunities and identify potential markets for their products. Mr. Sareen further highlighted that human life has three stages: learning, earning and giving back to society, adding that students are currently in the learning phase, and they must reach the stage of giving back to society.
Encouraging the students, Mrs. Divya Chauhan, Chairperson, Amity School of Fashion Technology and Amity School of Fine Arts, said that the right perspective and guidance are essential for growth in life. With modern technology becoming an integral part of almost every sector, young people aspiring to build a career in fashion must embrace technological advancements. She added that the international conference would provide students with valuable practical knowledge and insights through the experiences and expertise of distinguished industry professionals.
Sharing insights on “AI Automation and Smart Manufacturing,” Mr. Rajiv Bansal, CEO, Celestial Lifestyle Limited, opined that robots are now learning to sew garments, garments are being assigned digital passports, and machines are increasingly mastering stitching operations. Artificial Intelligence is also making significant inroads into design and sampling. Explaining the various stages of a smart garment factory, he said that the process ranges from design and planning to cutting, stitching, error detection and tracking, which are now being undertaken through smart manufacturing systems.
He further highlighted the emergence of new career opportunities in the fashion industry, including 3D and digital product development, AI quality specialists, and sustainability and data leads. Advising students, he encouraged them to learn at least one 3D design tool, develop simple dashboards for real or sample production data, regularly use AI-powered tools and visit manufacturing facilities to gain practical industry exposure.
Dr. Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, said that the objective of the conference is to familiarise aspiring young professionals with the significant role of technology in transforming the fashion industry. She emphasised that young people have a crucial role to play in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. With consumers' increasing purchasing power and growing demand for new designs, the fashion industry is opening up exciting career opportunities for young professionals. She encouraged the students to seek guidance from industry experts and make the most of the knowledge shared during the conference.
Dr. Neetu Singh, Founder and Managing Director, SINI Group, highlighted the importance of understanding evolving customer expectations. She stated that customers demand products that meet their specific quality requirements and expect brands to respond swiftly to changing fashion trends. She further explained that global competitiveness is not determined by a single factor but depends on a combination of product innovation, speed, sustainability, pricing, technology, design, quality and trust. She also shared insights into emerging opportunities in the fashion industry, India's position in the global fashion landscape and its comparison with other countries.
Welcoming the distinguished guests, Dr. Pradeep Joshi, Group Additional Pro Vice Chancellor, Amity University, asserted,
“Amity University remains committed to fostering research, innovation and academic excellence by providing a platform for meaningful exchange of ideas and knowledge. Such academic engagements encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthen the connect between academia and industry.”
On this occasion, Dr. Varsha Gupta, Head of Research, NIFT, New Delhi; Ms. Urvashi Gupta, Business Director – South Asia, WGSN; and Mr. Prashant Shukla, Co-founder, Vidaksh, Australia, among other distinguished experts, shared their insights and perspectives on emerging developments and opportunities in the fashion and textile industry. Technical Session on “AI, Smart Technologies and Sustainable Pathways for the Future”, “Sustainable Fashion & Circular Economy” and “Design, Craft & Cultural Sustainability”, were also organized.
