Amritapuri, Kerala: Marking two years of dedicated service at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s Center for Women’s Empowerment & Gender Equality (CWEGE) and AMMACHI Labs, fashion designer Muskan Chhatwal reflects a journey where design evolved into a powerful tool for social transformation and women’s empowerment.
Joining the organization as a young fashion design graduate, Muskan began her career with a passion for creativity and skill development. Over the past two years, that passion has grown into a meaningful commitment to empowering women artisans through sustainable design, capacity building, and livelihood creation.
Working closely with artisan communities across Haryana, Rajasthan, Kerala, and other regions of India, Muskan conducted pattern-making workshops, participated in field visits, and collaborated directly with women to enhance their technical skills. Her contributions extended beyond garment design, helping artisans develop market-ready products, improve craftsmanship, document traditional knowledge, and create collections that meet international quality standards.
Through partnerships with ethical fashion brands and the Women’s Empowerment Project Store (WE Project Store), Muskan witnessed how thoughtful design can generate lasting social impact. Her work has supported women in gaining economic independence, strengthening their confidence, preserving traditional craftsmanship, and accessing broader markets.
Reflecting on her journey, Muskan recognizes that the experience has been as much about learning as it has been about contributing. The women artisans she worked alongside became her greatest teachers, demonstrating resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of community-led development.
Her journey has been shaped by the compassionate vision of Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi), the leadership of Dr. Bhavani Rao, the mentorship of Radhika Shetty, and the collaborative environment fostered by CWEGE and AMMACHI Labs. Together, they have created opportunities where education, innovation, and social responsibility converge to build sustainable livelihoods for women across diverse communities.
As Muskan celebrates this important milestone, Amrita honors not only her professional achievements as a designer but also her growth as a social-impact practitioner dedicated to creating positive change through design. Her story reflects the University’s commitment to empowering communities by combining academic excellence with compassion, innovation, and sustainable development.
Her journey serves as a reminder that true empowerment is a shared process—where those who seek to uplift others are themselves transformed through learning, collaboration, and human connection.
