From Spaces to Stages: My Journey as an Interior Designer from NIF Global at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI
By Priyanka Ghosh
Design is not just about what we see. It’s about what we feel, experience, and remember. I’ve always worked with form, function, and space as an interior designer. But when I was selected for the Design Talent Showcase at Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI, I designed beyond physical walls. Suddenly, the runway became my canvas, the movement my flow, the music my mood board.
My first official introduction happened on ‘THE RUNWAY’ by NIF Global, where I was unveiled as one of the selected design talents, alongside other brilliant emerging creatives. The event was graced by actress Nushrratt Bharuccha, whose energy and presence made the moment even more surreal. It was the first time I realised how much the fashion world values storytelling—and how deeply that overlaps with the world of interior design, or spaces, deserves their spotlight.
I am deeply grateful to NIF Global for this incredible opportunity to step into a new creative dimension and represent interior designers on such a prestigious platform
I had the rare privilege of being trained under Anu Ahuja, one of India’s most iconic show directors. To say she changed how I looked at space and design would be an understatement. Anu ma’am has a way of seeing beyond the obvious. She doesn’t just direct shows—she choreographs energy. She taught us how music, walk, posture, and tempo all come together to build drama, much like how light, material, and layout build mood in an interior space.
Every rehearsal with her was a masterclass in precision and emotional design. She pushed us to think about how each step, each beat, and each fabric fluttered with purpose. It was fascinating to watch her treat the runway like a floor plan—except her spaces were created through movement, not walls. The runway had become my design lab.
One of the most exciting aspects of being part of Lakmé Fashion Week was the behind-the-scenes training in set design. This is where my background in interiors felt most at home. Set design isn’t just about creating a background—it’s about crafting a narrative in space. It involves understanding sight lines, spatial proportions, visual focus, and sensory immersion. Whether we were conceptualising abstract installations or working with nature-inspired backdrops, I gained knowledge of materials, textures, and lighting in a way I had never imagined. I learned how each designer’s collection called for a different mood. What excited me most was how transient these sets were. They were designed to exist for moments, yet had to make an unforgettable impact. It was the ultimate challenge in ephemeral spatial design, and I was hooked.
Being part of the entire process—from model selection and choreography to stage lighting and music—was like watching the heartbeat of a design event. Every tiny decision had a purpose.
Model selection wasn’t just about who looked good in the clothes. It was about personality, presence, and posture, just like how we choose statement pieces or focal furniture in a space. The models brought character to the designer’s vision, just as a beautifully curved sofa or dramatic chandelier transforms a room.
The choreography sessions were electric.. It made me think: in interiors, we design for circulation and flow. On the runway, they choreograph that flow. It was the same principle—just a different form.
Lighting, one of my favorite tools in interior design, played a huge role. I got to learn how stage lighting changes the texture, color perception, and emotional tone of the garments. Cold lighting brought out metallic details; warm amber washes enhanced earthy tones. Spotlights, shadows, side lighting—they all sculpt the garments just like they sculpt a space.
And then there was music. Each collection had its score—some dramatic, others ethereal, a few rhythmic and bold. Music framed the mood and added dimension to the visual experience, much like ambient soundscapes or acoustic treatments in interiors.
The entire journey at Lakmé Fashion Week was immersive, intensive, and inspiring. But more than anything, it showed me that design is not limited by discipline. It transcends categories. It’s about creating meaningful, memorable experiences.
As an interior designer, I walked in expecting to learn about fashion. What I walked away with was something far richer—insight into emotional space-making, collaboration under pressure, creative direction, and a renewed belief that the principles of good design are universal.
Whether I’m designing a meditative yoga studio, a futuristic mall interior, or now possibly even a fashion set, I’ll carry the lesson with me.
As I return to my interior design roots after this whirlwind experience, I feel transformed—not just in skill, but in perspective. NIF GLOBAL gave me a rare gift: a chance to view my own field through a new lens. I now approach my projects with a deeper sensitivity to time, motion, and experience.
I no longer just design rooms—I choreograph moods. I don’t just choose lights—I compose atmosphere. And I no longer see interiors and fashion as separate worlds—they’re two threads in the same creative tapestry.
This journey has inspired me to dream bigger, collaborate across disciplines, and embrace design in all its forms—fluid, bold, expressive, and alive
By Priyanka Ghosh
