Kerala CM V.D. Satheesan Embraces Virtual Fashion at Huddle Global 2026

Kovalam, November 12 (Daily Kiran) : Kerala’s Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, known for his signature white khadi shirt and dhoti, surprised attendees at the Huddle Global 2026 event in Kovalam on Thursday by stepping into the role of a “Gen Z” fashion model.

Invited by a startup, Satheesan stood in front of a digital screen that allowed customers to virtually try on various outfits without physically wearing them. He accepted the invitation, albeit with a hint of suspicion about what might unfold.

As he positioned himself in front of the screen, he quipped, “I know you all are up to some mischief, but let’s see what you have in store.” The surprise came when a virtual image of Satheesan appeared, showcasing a T-shirt emblazoned with a caricature of himself and a slogan popular among Gen Z social media users.

The Chief Minister burst into laughter at the sight. However, the fun didn’t stop there. He inquired about the product and its features before exploring other stalls at the international startup event.

A.S. Janakrishna, the founder of the startup, expressed his delight that the Chief Minister was eager to try out the product and showed interest in understanding its technology. The aim of this innovation is to provide customers the ability to select different clothing options on-screen, allowing them to visualize how the garments would look without trying them on.

Janakrishna explained, “This offers customers more choices and saves store staff the hassle of repeatedly folding and displaying clothes. It’s also more hygienic.” The technology enables customers to view themselves from various angles, including side and back views, helping them assess how the clothing fits.

Currently, the company is collaborating with a fashion startup to launch this product in the market soon. The “virtual makeover” moment was a highlight of the Huddle Global event, which Satheesan inaugurated.

This eighth edition of the Kerala Startup Mission’s international conference features nearly 4,000 startups, over 150 investors, 300 mentors, and 200 corporate organizations. The event, running until November 14 in Kovalam, aims to connect startups with investors, mentors, and technology partners.