Awards & Recognition
The practice has been recognised nationally and internationally for its contribution to wearable art, craftsmanship, cultural storytelling, and artistic innovation. These recognitions mark important milestones within an ongoing body of work dedicated to exploring culture, memory, identity, and diplomacy through art.
2025
‘Platinum’ Winner 1| French fashion Award
BLACK LIONESS
The Black Lioness series received a Platinum Award at the 2025 French Fashion Awards, recognising excellence in sculptural couture, artistic innovation, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling.
Inspired by the symbolism, strength, and transformative power of the Hindu goddess Kaali, Black Lioness was developed through extensive research, design exploration, and thousands of hours of handcrafted construction. Every sculptural form was created to communicate narrative through material, silhouette, and texture, reflecting a practice that values cultural understanding as much as artistic expression.
This international recognition marked an important milestone in Chawla’s evolving practice, affirming her commitment to creating research-led wearable sculptures that bridge art, history, and culture.
The achievement also reflects the collective dedication of Team Sheetol, whose craftsmanship brought each intricate detail to life, and the strategic partnership of Harry Chawla, whose guidance continues to support the long-term vision of the studio.
2025
‘Platinum’ Winner 2| French Fashion Awards
BLACK LIONESS
This sculptural work from BLACK LIONESS has been honoured with a Platinum Award at the 2025 French Fashion Awards, recognising excellence in artistic innovation, sculptural craftsmanship, and contemporary wearable art.
Inspired by the enduring strength and protective spirit of the Hindu goddess Kaali, this wearable sculpture explores the idea of quiet authority. Rather than expressing power through aggression, the work embodies resilience, wisdom, discipline, and unwavering presence. Every sculptural line, architectural silhouette, and handcrafted detail was carefully developed to communicate dignity, protection, and inner strength.
Created through extensive cultural research and thousands of hours of meticulous craftsmanship, the work reflects my ongoing commitment to transforming historical and spiritual narratives into museum-quality wearable sculpture. Each element exists not simply as ornamentation, but as part of a larger visual language designed to preserve meaning and invite reflection.
Receiving this international recognition is an important milestone in my artistic journey. It reaffirms my belief that wearable sculpture can become a powerful medium for cultural storytelling—connecting history, craftsmanship, and contemporary artistic expression.
My sincere gratitude goes to the French Fashion Awards for recognising the vision behind BLACK LIONESS, and to Team Sheetol and my husband Harry Chawla, whose dedication, strategic guidance, and unwavering support continue to make this long-term artistic practice possible.
2025
'GOLD' Winner | French Fashion Awards
BLACK LIONESS
This sculptural work from BLACK LIONESS received the Gold Award at the 2025 French Fashion Awards, recognising excellence in Surreal Couture, artistic innovation, and contemporary wearable sculpture.
Inspired by the enduring spirit of the Hindu goddess Kaali, this piece explores the relationship between power, protection, and sacred adornment. The sculptural forms draw upon ceremonial regalia, handcrafted textile traditions, and architectural construction, transforming the human body into a vessel of cultural storytelling.
Developed through extensive research and thousands of hours of meticulous handcraftsmanship, every element was created with intention. The woven structures, sculptural embellishments, and layered textures were designed not simply for visual impact, but to express resilience, dignity, and the enduring strength found within feminine power.
Receiving this international recognition marks another important milestone in the continuing journey of BLACK LIONESS. The award celebrates a practice that values research as deeply as craftsmanship, and storytelling as profoundly as artistic innovation.
My sincere gratitude to the French Fashion Awards for recognising this body of work, and to Team Sheetol and my husband, Harry Chawla, whose dedication, strategic guidance, and unwavering belief continue to support the long-term vision of the studio.
2025
World Design Award — Miss World
Awarded for MOANA, a research-led wearable sculpture inspired by Aotearoa New Zealand’s oceanic identity and the profound relationship between the land, surrounding oceans, and the people who call them home. Drawing inspiration from the Pacific Ocean as a symbol of migration, belonging, cultural exchange, and interconnectedness, the work transforms the movement, depth, and rhythm of the sea into sculptural form.
Presented on the international stage at Miss World 2025, MOANA represented New Zealand through contemporary wearable sculpture, celebrating the country’s unique maritime identity while honouring the ocean as both a physical landscape and a cultural pathway that has connected peoples, histories, and traditions across generations. The work was recognised with the World Design Award for its artistic vision, innovative craftsmanship, and powerful visual storytelling.
2022
International Design Awards (IDA) — EOS Series
Winner of the International Design Award (IDA) 2022 – Emerging Designer of the Year, EOS was recognised for its exceptional artistic innovation, sculptural craftsmanship, and compelling narrative. Inspired by the Greek goddess of dawn, the work embodies themes of renewal and transformation, demonstrating how wearable art can transcend fashion to become a powerful medium for storytelling. This award marked the beginning of Sheetol Chawla’s international recognition and laid the foundation for a practice dedicated to preserving culture, history, and human narratives through sculptural wearable art.
2022
National recognition in New Zealand (Hokonui)
MLT Hokonui Fashion Design Awards
-Award of Excellence – Spiritual Shift
Awarded for Spiritual Shift, a wearable artwork exploring the inner journey of transformation, identity, and self-discovery. Recognised for its artistic vision, originality, and technical excellence, the work demonstrated an early commitment to storytelling through sculptural form, laying the foundation for Sheetol Chawla’s research-led practice in wearable art.
-Open Section Collections Award – Spiritual Shift
Awarded for the Spiritual Shift collection, recognising a cohesive body of work that combined conceptual storytelling with sculptural craftsmanship. The collection reflected a distinctive creative voice, where each piece contributed to a larger narrative exploring spirituality, emotion, and transformation. This recognition marked an important milestone in establishing Sheetol Chawla as an emerging wearable art artist in New Zealand.