While Shalini Passi, a prominent socialite and art enthusiast, made waves at the Cannes Film Festival in a gown featuring Paresh Maity’s painting Longitude 77, Chandigarh also had its moment in the spotlight. On Sunday, the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10 hosted an impressive fashion showcase by students from the Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT) in Mohali. This event highlighted the creativity of young designers who presented garments embellished with the iconic works of local artist Madan Lal.

This fashion presentation marked the closing of the Meadows of Life-scape exhibition, which featured a variety of paintings, drawings, and sculptures. The fashion show served as a creative homage, showcasing standout items like suits, dupattas, tops, and ties, all reflecting Madan Lal’s unique artistic style.

Madan Lal shared, "The clothing that incorporates my art showcases my distinctive approach — expect to see motifs like parrots, folk art, and urban Phulkari, combined with geometric designs." He added that these creations embody the essence of Chandigarh.

Poonam Aggarwal Thakur from NIIFT, who collaborated with Lal, expressed her admiration for his work: "I have always appreciated Madan Lal’s artistry. Witnessing his pieces transformed into fashion has been incredibly rewarding."

While Lal personally painted some items, the majority featured high-quality reproductions of his original artwork on fabric. The audience enjoyed a captivating event titled A Fashion Walk: Palette to Runway, co-hosted by the Government Museum and Art Gallery alongside the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi. This innovative blend of fine art and fashion not only delighted the eyes but also showcased the dynamic cultural evolution of the city.