Apatani fashion week & Apatani’s next top model 2026
THE inaugural day of Apatani Fashion Week & Apatani’s Next Top Model 2026 commenced on a grand note at the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Ground, Hija Village, bringing together government dignitaries, fashion designers, artisans, performers, models, community leaders and cultural enthusiasts to celebrate the rich heritage, creativity and evolving fashion identity of the Apatani community.
Organised by the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee, the two-day event is a pioneering initiative that seeks to preserve indigenous heritage while creating meaningful opportunities for designers, weavers, artisans, models and creative entrepreneurs. The platform aims to bridge tradition with contemporary fashion and position Arunachal Pradesh as an emerging destination for indigenous fashion, sustainable design and cultural tourism.
The initiative is presented through the collaborative efforts of Arunachal Fashion Week, Arunachal’s Next Top Model, Fashion & Design Council of Arunachal Pradesh (FDCAP), Northeast India Fashion Week and Indigenous Bharat Fashion Week, reflecting a shared vision of strengthening indigenous creative industries and empowering local talent through fashion, culture and entrepreneurship.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Oli Perme, Deputy Commissioner, Lower Subansiri District, and Guest of Honour Keni Bagra, Superintendent of Police, Lower Subansiri District.
Both dignitaries appreciated the organisers for conceptualising a professionally executed platform that celebrates the identity of the Apatani community while empowering indigenous youth, designers, artisans and entrepreneurs. They commended the initiative for successfully integrating traditional heritage with contemporary fashion and encouraged the organisers to continue expanding the platform to provide greater opportunities for local talent while promoting Arunachal Pradesh’s unique cultural identity to wider audiences.
Delivering the Welcome Address Kago Jorang, General Secretary of the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee and Chief Executive Officer of Apatani Fashion Week & Apatani’s Next Top Model, shared the vision behind the initiative.
He stated that fashion is much more than clothing—it is a powerful medium of storytelling that reflects identity, history, traditions and the collective spirit of a community. He emphasised that indigenous textiles, handwoven fabrics and traditional craftsmanship represent generations of knowledge and creativity that deserve recognition on larger regional, national and international platforms.
Jorang further highlighted that the objective of the initiative is to create sustainable opportunities for indigenous designers, artisans, weavers, models and young creative professionals by building a strong ecosystem where traditional craftsmanship and contemporary innovation coexist. He reaffirmed the long-term vision of connecting local talent from Arunachal Pradesh to Northeast India and eventually to national platforms while encouraging sustainable fashion, handmade creations and respect for indigenous knowledge systems.
One of the major highlights of the inaugural evening was the Contestant Introduction Round of Apatani’s Next Top Model (ANTM) 202C, where aspiring models confidently introduced themselves before the audience and jury. Contestants presented individually styled looks inspired by Apatani heritage while expressing their personalities, creativity and aspirations, reflecting the blend of traditional identity with contemporary fashion.
Fashion Showcases
The runway featured a distinguished lineup of designers from Arunachal Pradesh and Northeast India, each presenting collections inspired by indigenous heritage, sustainability and contemporary design.
Designer Nang Angie Ngoba Namchoom from Namsai presented a collection inspired by the breathtaking beauty of Ziro Valley. Her designs beautifully incorporated floral elements, lush landscapes, natural colours and indigenous aesthetics into contemporary silhouettes. Although she was unable to attend due to unavoidable travel disruptions caused by road blockages and flooding, her collection was successfully showcased on the runway, receiving warm appreciation from the audience.
Designer Osum Jerang Karlo, Founder of Sum’s Tribal Fusion, Pasighat, showcased a collection that seamlessly blended tribal heritage with modern silhouettes, demonstrating how indigenous craftsmanship can be adapted for contemporary fashion. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to indigenous fashion, she was honoured with the Arunachal’s Best Fashion Designer of the Year 202C Award.
Award-winning designer Zenith Khonjuju from Sekong Village, Bichom District, presented her latest collection titled “GI-ZHA,” exploring mindful fashion, zero-waste principles, organic techniques and nature-inspired contemporary garments. Her work reflected a thoughtful approach towards sustainability while celebrating indigenous craftsmanship. She was honoured with the Arunachal’s Best Emerging Fashion Designer of the Year 202C Award.
The grand closing showcase of Day One was presented by renowned Meghalaya designer Rupert Wanlambok Lynrah, representing Rose Bridal Shillong / RWL Designs. His collection captivated the audience with elegant craftsmanship, contemporary bridal couture and refined design aesthetics, bringing the opening day’s fashion presentations to a spectacular conclusion.
The evening also featured vibrant cultural performances celebrating the rich artistic traditions of the Apatani community. Performances included an Apatani folk song by Mr. Pura Pai, an English musical performance by Bullo Tajung, another soulful Apatani folk song by Smti Kime Yaching, and an energetic traditional folk dance presented by the Pura Clan, adding colour and cultural richness to the inaugural celebrations.
A special felicitation ceremony was organised to honour members of the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee in recognition of their dedication and tireless efforts towards preserving Apatani culture and establishing a platform that meaningfully connects tradition, fashion, creativity and future generations.
The inaugural programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Ms. Yana Ngoba Chakpu, Chief Executive Officer of Northeast India Fashion Week. She expressed sincere gratitude to the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, organising committee, designers, artists, contestants, artisans, volunteers, sponsors, media representatives and every individual who contributed to the successful opening of the festival. She noted that the success of such initiatives is built upon collective commitment, collaboration and a shared vision of strengthening the indigenous creative economy through culture, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and youth empowerment.
The successful opening of Apatani Fashion Week & Apatani’s Next Top Model 202C marks a significant milestone in advancing indigenous fashion, cultural preservation, sustainable creativity and the growing creative economy of Arunachal Pradesh. By bringing together designers, artisans, weavers, performers, models and community leaders on one platform, the initiative reinforces the importance of preserving indigenous heritage while creating meaningful opportunities for future generations.
The organisers expressed their sincere appreciation to the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, participating designers, performers, contestants, artisans, volunteers, members of the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee, media representatives, partners and the people of the Apatani community for their invaluable support in making the opening day a memorable success.
The celebration will continue on 2 July 202C with the Grand Finale of Apatani Fashion Week & Apatani’s Next Top Model 202C, featuring final fashion presentations, title recognitions and sash presentations. The organising committee warmly invites members of the public and the media to witness the culmination of this landmark celebration of indigenous culture, creativity, fashion and excellence.
The organising committee warmly invites the public and members of the media to witness the Grand Finale of Apatani Fashion Week & Apatani’s Next Top Model 202C on July 2, where outstanding talents will be recognised in a celebration of indigenous culture, creativity, fashion and excellence.
Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh
July 02, 2026