EMPHASIZING on the importance of promoting weavers across the state by introducing their outputs to the fashion world and to promote Khadi movement, the 2nd edition of North East India Fashion Week in association with Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh held here at Multipurpose Culture Centre from August 19 to 21, 2016. Hollywood/Bollywood actor Adil Hussain, Mr. Earth India 2011 and Mr. India International 2012 Opang Jamir, International pro-wrestler/ Director/Actor Koombang – The Storm, among others, walked the ramp of this illustrious fashion extravaganza.
The Fashion Week, conceptualized by acclaimed fashion designer Yana Ngoba, witnessed the participation of over 20 young designers and weavers from the region who believe in showcasing their traditional fabric and patterns and have successfully carved a niche for themselves in the fashion industry.
The designers who showcased their collection over the three day gala fashion event were Arita Kashyap and Rohila Engtipi from Assam; Nana Gona, Milli Indira Dangngo, Techi Yapar and Minu Mara, jewellery designer Renu Logum from Arunachal Pradesh; Lalthabiki Chawngthu from Mizoram; Rupert W. Lynrah from Meghalaya; Gloria Ovung and Ongtiong Kichu from Nagaland; Archana Kabra from Rajasthan and Vanshala Mishra from Bihar.
Apart from this, the weavers who got the platform to showcase their work at the event were Dimbeswari Kherkatary, Sammar Das and Kabita Pegu from Assam; Weavers of Upper Dibang Valley, N. Tsomu and Sapna Sidisow, Apatani Weavers from Hong village of Ziro from Arunachal Pradesh; Meitei weavers from Manipur and Naga weavers.
Speaking on the grand success of the festival Chief Operating Officer and founder of Affluent Ray of Light, fashion designer Yana Ngoba said, “Northeast has an immense artistic potential. It is sad to see that weavers today are giving up their age old tradition in search of jobs which pays them better. With North East India Fashion Week we want to promote the weavers of the region who lives in disguise but are so important for the designers across the world. At NEIFW, our focus is to support weavers of Northeast and brilliant emerging designers. I understand the concept, hard work and dedication involved to create designs. We also offer weavers and designers the opportunity to retail through our online boutique connection and to showcase their designs in international platform and in dealing with manufacturers and buyers.”
The collections presented by Gloria Ovung from Nagaland, at the fashion week is a wonderful balance between the traditional and the contemporary. Edgy and feminine, her designs have been inspired from her rich cultural legacy, and the very nature of it reflects in the entire collection. All the materials used for her collection have been sourced from within the northeastern region. The diverse varieties of locally weaved tribal handlooms largely contribute the fabric and textiles used in the collection.
About her participation in North East India Fashion Week, Gloria says, “North East India Fashion Week is a huge opportunity for a designer to get the required exposure and exhibit his/her creativity. There are so many talented designers and weavers in the region who are unable to showcase their creations, or follow their passion for lack of a proper opportunity. North East India Fashion Week will help promote these upcoming talents.”
North East India Fashion Week is a concept created and implemented by Affluent Ray of Light (ARL) to promote weavers, designers and craftsmen of the region in the national as well as international market and to empower talent of northeast by providing them a networking opportunity and by facilitating buyers for their products. This event is a platform provided to all accomplices within northeast Indian industry, with a special focus on weavers and handicrafts, with a motive to build network and alliance with partners & markets across the globe.
ARL believes that it is very important to preserve the northeastern region’s rich fabrics, traditional handlooms and handicrafts, and very few of the designers from the region are making an effort to do so. Their mission is to promote and preserve the vast variety of indigenous textiles and crafts that are slowly losing popularity amongst the younger generation, through fashion shows and help create business and branding opportunities for industries directly or indirectly engaged in retailing handloom, textile fashion and life.
