Naharlagun, March 15: Arunachal Fashion Week 2026 opened at Interior Park in Naharlagun with a grand inaugural event titled “AFW Night of Opulence,” launching an eight-day celebration of indigenous textiles, contemporary design and creative enterprise in the state.
The event, organised by the Department of Textile & Handicrafts, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, marks five years of the Artisans’ Movement, an initiative aimed at connecting traditional weavers, designers and young creative professionals while building a structured ecosystem for indigenous fashion and textile enterprises.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the fashion week as chief guest in the presence of MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom, Textile & Handicrafts Commissioner Nyali Ete, Director Dorjee Phuntso, and designers, artisans and members of the creative industry.
The inaugural programme began with the Chief Minister unveiling a Textile & Tribal Fusion Concept Installation, highlighting the diversity of Arunachal’s traditional weaving traditions alongside contemporary design interpretations.
Addressing the gathering, Khandu said Arunachal’s weaving traditions have long been sustained by women across generations.
“For centuries, our mothers and grandmothers have been custodians of this remarkable heritage. Platforms like Arunachal Fashion Week are now giving these traditions a modern platform and a global voice,” he said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the state’s growing sericulture sector, noting that Arunachal produces nearly 69 metric tonnes of eri, muga and mulberry silk annually, providing employment to more than 34,000 people across nearly 500 sericulture villages.
To strengthen the sector, the state government has proposed five new sericulture initiatives worth ₹25 crore, including a Young Silk Weaver Skill Development Initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of artisans.
He also announced a proposal to establish an Arunachal Creative Economy Cell in the Chief Minister’s Office to support artists and connect them with national and global markets.
Khandu added that women’s participation remains central to the sector’s growth. Through the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission, more than 1.5 lakh women have been mobilised into nearly 16,000 self-help groups, many of whom are engaged in weaving, handicrafts and textile enterprises.
The inaugural runway segment featured collections that blended traditional textiles with modern fashion from designers Mibi Bagra, Mobang Darang, Zenith Khonjuju, Ralte Ellie Perme Miwu, Wangmu Bapu Jyoti Dada and Nang Angie Namchoom, along with a weaver presentation by Jiyi Ete. The evening also showcased handloom brand Pamcose by Risha Tok and a special sequence by ATURTO-ORI, culminating in a collective runway finale.
Commissioner Nyali Ete said the fashion week aims to create a more organised market ecosystem for indigenous textile products, while strengthening quality, innovation and competitiveness.
Chief Operating Officer Meena Noshi said the initiative began years ago with outreach to weaving communities across the Northeast to understand and promote their textile traditions.
Founder and CEO of Northeast India Fashion Week – The Artisans’ Movement Yana Ngoba Chakpu said the platform has evolved into a collaborative ecosystem linking artisans, designers and young creative professionals.
The opening evening concluded with a Tribal Dinner and Youth Connect session, where the Chief Minister interacted with designers, models and creative teams. More than 23 designers and over 50 models participated in the inaugural day.
Alongside the runway shows, a multi-floor Design & Lifestyle Exhibition has opened at Interior Park featuring handloom collections, jewellery, fashion accessories, home décor, furniture pieces, craft displays and textile installations.
The week-long programme will continue with designer showcases, exhibitions and public engagement events before concluding on March 21 with Cultural Heritage Day and the Arunachal Fashion Week Awards Night, celebrating excellence in fashion design, modelling and weaving while promoting the spirit of “Vocal for Local.”
Also Read: Meghalaya CM reviews hailstorm damage, directs immediate relief measures
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
