Ahmedabad : GLS University hosted renowned designer duo Shantnu Mehra and Nikhil Mehra, Co-founders and Creative Directors of Shantnu & Nikhil, for a special edition of ‘Decoded with Dr. Chandni Kapadia’, offering students an inspiring opportunity to engage with two of India’s most celebrated fashion visionaries.
Organized as part of the Faculty of Design Orientation Programme, the interactive session provided valuable insights into creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the evolving landscape of contemporary fashion. The event reflected GLS University’s commitment to connecting students with accomplished industry leaders and fostering experiential learning.
The conversation, led by Dr. Chandni Kapadia, Executive Director, GLS University, explored the remarkable journey of the designer duo—from their contrasting professional beginnings to establishing one of India’s most distinctive luxury fashion labels. While one brother came from a finance background and the other pursued fashion, together they built a brand known for seamlessly blending Indian heritage with contemporary silhouettes, military-inspired aesthetics, fluid craftsmanship, and bold design experimentation.
Beyond discussing fashion, the session delved into topics including originality, brand-building, entrepreneurship, resilience, collaboration, criticism, and the importance of developing an authentic creative voice. The designers encouraged students to challenge conventional thinking while staying rooted in tradition.
One of the key highlights of the programme was the active participation of GLS University’s design students, who presented their creative concepts and portfolios directly to the designers. Shantnu and Nikhil appreciated the students’ originality, imagination, and willingness to experiment beyond traditional design boundaries.
The interaction also reflected GLS University’s academic philosophy of encouraging innovation, independent thinking, and interdisciplinary creativity. The visiting designers commended the University’s learning environment, where both faculty and students are empowered to question conventions and build unique creative identities.
The session featured engaging segments such as “Trend or Timeless,” “Style Tips for Gen Z,” “Mood Board Round,” “Drape or Drop,” and the signature “Decoded” round. These discussions offered students practical perspectives on creative processes, branding, fashion entrepreneurship, social media influence, and balancing tradition with innovation.
Speaking during the session, Shantnu Mehra said, “For us, building a brand has never meant creating only one label. It has meant developing distinct identities for different audiences while preserving the same creative DNA. Whether through couture, contemporary fashion, or lifestyle brands, our vision has always been to make Indian design globally relevant while staying deeply rooted in tradition.”
Addressing aspiring designers, Nikhil Mehra encouraged students to embrace experimentation and continuous learning. He emphasized that innovation begins by questioning existing norms, while true success is built through discipline, perseverance, adaptability, and the courage to pursue one’s creative vision.
The event concluded with a symbolic student showcase centered around an unfinished garment, representing evolving ideas and creative journeys still in progress. The presentation beautifully reinforced the session’s central message—that creativity begins not with perfection, but with curiosity.
Through “Decoded with Dr. Chandni Kapadia,” GLS University once again reaffirmed its commitment to creating meaningful industry-academia collaborations, enabling students to learn directly from accomplished professionals while nurturing innovation, confidence, and creative excellence.