New Delhi, October 02, 2026: M3M Foundation’s ‘Threads of India – Bharat Ka Taana Baana’ brought together traditional textile practices, contemporary fashion and women’s skill development through a collection of 32 dresses created by four young women artisans from the Foundation’s iMpower Academy for Skills.

The collection, titled ‘Ada-e-Hind’, was developed after the artisans travelled across different regions of India and interacted with traditional weavers and craftspeople. Their exposure to local techniques, materials, motifs and cultural narratives informed the designs, which combined traditional knowledge with contemporary design approaches.

The collection was presented at an ‘Evening of Patronage & Purpose’ at Roseate House, New Delhi, on September 26. The 32 pieces were presented through a patronage-led auction, with students from Pearl Academy supporting the presentation by draping and accessorising the garments.

Dr. Payal Bansal Kanodia, Chairperson and Trustee, M3M Foundation, said, “Threads of India is, at its heart, a journey of discovery, learning and opportunity. We wanted our young artisans to experience India’s rich craft traditions not merely through a classroom, but by meeting the people who have preserved them across generations and understanding the knowledge, skill and stories behind them. What they have created from that experience is a beautiful reflection of our heritage, interpreted through their own imagination and contemporary sensibilities. For us, sustainability goes beyond what we create; it is equally about sustaining skills, livelihoods and the communities that keep India’s extraordinary craft traditions alive and carry them forward”.

The collection was first showcased at Times Fashion Week 2026, following the success of ‘Dream Weavers 1.0’. Each of the 32 dresses was uniquely designed, with no replicas, based on the artisans’ learning and creative interpretation of traditional textile practices.

The event also saw the launch of the ‘Threads of India’ Coffee Table Book, documenting the 32 creations and the journey behind them, as well as the initiative’s official song. The four young artisans were felicitated during the evening for their contribution to the collection.

The initiative builds on the work of M3M Foundation’s iMpower Academy for Skills, which has trained more than 12,000 young people, with over 76% placed, including more than 2,000 trained in fashion, stitching and tailoring.

Through Threads of India, M3M Foundation is seeking to connect traditional craft knowledge with contemporary skill development and livelihood opportunities for young women.