Arunachal Fashion Week 2026 to focus indigenous textiles
NAHARLAGUN: In a decisive move to strengthen its textile and handicraft sector, the Department of Textile & Handicrafts, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, will organise Arunachal Fashion Week 2026 – The Artisans’ Movement from March 14 to 21 at Interior Park, Naharlagun. Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, will grace the inaugural ceremony on March 14 as the Chief Guest.
The 2026 edition marks five years of the Artisans’ Movement in Arunachal Pradesh and eleven years since the inception of Northeast India Fashion Week, first launched in Itanagar in April 2015 at a time when the region had no structured fashion platform. Over the past decade, what began as a pioneering initiative has evolved into a growing industry interface connecting designers, indigenous weavers, youth professionals, creative entrepreneurs and policy stakeholders.
The opening evening, themed “Night of Opulence,” will feature curated runway presentations highlighting indigenous weaves and contemporary fashion interpretations. March 15 has been designated as Cultural Heritage Day, dedicated to designer–artisan collaborations and the celebration of traditional textiles from across Arunachal Pradesh.
From March 16 to 20, the venue will transform into a public exhibition and engagement hub featuring designer runway segments, exhibition-cum-sale counters, handloom and handicraft displays, furniture showcases, and structured buyer–artisan interactions. The event will conclude on March 21 with the Arunachal Fashion Week Awards Night, recognising excellence across categories including Model of the Year, Best Fashion Designer, Best Weave Designer/Weaver and Youth Excellence Recognition.
Minister for Textile & Handicrafts, Nyato Dukam, said, “Arunachal Pradesh possesses a rich textile heritage that reflects the identity, craftsmanship, and cultural depth of our indigenous communities. The Department remains committed to strengthening this sector through structured showcasing, modernization, and enhanced market access. Arunachal Fashion Week provides an organized platform that connects tradition with innovation, ensuring visibility and opportunity for artisans and emerging designers.
This 8-day edition reflects our continued commitment to positioning textiles and fashion as meaningful contributors to the State’s economic and creative growth.”
Adviser to the Minister, Dr Mohesh Chai, stated, “Professional presentation must be accompanied by strategic development. Showcasing our textiles requires documentation, branding awareness, quality enhancement, and competitive positioning within larger markets. Arunachal Fashion Week creates a structured environment where heritage craftsmanship and contemporary design converge under professional standards. The integration of runway showcases, exhibition platforms, and recognition segments strengthens long-term sustainability and institutional confidence within the State’s textile ecosystem.”
Textile & Handicrafts Commissioner, Mimum Tayeng, stated, “Arunachal’s weaving tradition is an age-old knowledge system sustained and passed down through generations, primarily by women artisans across our indigenous communities. As custodians of this heritage, our women weavers are not only preserving culture but strengthening household economies and community resilience. The Department views this sector as both cultural preservation and a structured pathway for women’s economic empowerment and livelihood security. Through platforms such as Arunachal Fashion Week, we are enhancing institutional support, promoting design and skill upgradation, and expanding market linkages to ensure that our traditional textiles evolve sustainably within a modern creative economy framework.”
Dorjee Phuntso, Director, Textile & Handicrafts, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, stated, “For many years, the Department of Textile & Handicrafts has been working extensively across interior and remote regions of Arunachal Pradesh, reaching underprivileged communities and supporting traditional artisans at the grassroots level. Our focus has been on capacity building, skill development, and enabling self-employment, particularly among women weavers. Today, a significant number of artisans are independently producing and sustaining their livelihoods through this continued engagement.”
He further added, “Arunachal Fashion Week represents the next step in that journey. While our foundational work has been community-driven and development-oriented, this platform allows us to present our textiles in a more structured and market-aligned manner. In today’s competitive environment, visibility matters. Professional presentation, branding, and organized showcasing are essential to ensuring that our indigenous products reach wider markets and receive the recognition they deserve.”
Yana Ngoba Chakpu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Northeast India Fashion Week – The Artisans’ Movement, said, “Since its establishment in April 2015, the movement has progressed from building a foundational platform to shaping a structured industry framework. The 2026 milestone reflects continuity, discipline, and collaborative effort. Arunachal Fashion Week now represents a consolidated step toward sustainability, youth-driven participation, and long-term industry development within Arunachal Pradesh. This edition has been carefully structured to ensure professional execution, organized programming, and meaningful public engagement. The integration of curated showcases, exhibition platforms, and the Awards Night reflects the growing maturity of Arunachal’s fashion ecosystem and the increasing participation of young designers and professionals.”
Meena Noshi, Chief Operating Officer, Arunachal Fashion Week – The Artisans’ Movement, said, “Arunachal Fashion Week 2026 has been consciously designed as a youth-centered platform. From emerging designers and first-time runway models to young creative professionals working behind the scenes, the event creates structured opportunities for young talent to participate, learn and grow within a professional ecosystem. Our focus is on nurturing confidence, skill, and industry exposure so that the next generation sees fashion and textiles not just as art, but as a viable and aspirational career pathway.”
With growing national attention on sustainable fashion and indigenous textiles, Arunachal Fashion Week 2026 aims to position Arunachal Pradesh not merely as a cultural repository, but as an emerging creative economy stakeholder where heritage craftsmanship is professionally presented, institutionally supported and strategically scaled. As Arunachal Fashion Week 2026 unfolds, it signals not just a celebration of textiles, but the steady emergence of Arunachal Pradesh as a confident contributor to India’s evolving fashion and creative economy landscape.