NEIFW marks 10th edition with fashion, sustainability & global participation
The 10th edition of the Northeast International Fashion Week (NEIFW), one of the region’s most anticipated fashion events, concluded on a grand note, bringing together leading fashion designers, models, industry professionals and emerging talents from across India and neighbouring countries. Organised by Kreative People under the leadership of renowned fashion designer and choreographer Prasantt Ghosh, the event once again highlighted the Northeast’s growing prominence on the global fashion map.
This year’s edition revolved around the theme “Save the Earth, Style the Future,” focusing on raising awareness about global warming and the importance of environmental conservation. Staying true to its tradition of promoting social causes through fashion, NEIFW used the runway as a platform to advocate sustainable living while celebrating creativity and innovation.
A major highlight of the event was the NEIFW Excellence Awards, where ten personalities were honoured for their outstanding contribution towards the growth of the fashion industry in Northeast India. The awardees included actor Diganta Hazarika, fashion promoter Medha Saikia, fashion designer and filmmaker Dipankar Kashyap, designer Meghna Rai Medhi, celebrity makeup artist Christina Joseph, fashion educators Sumita Dey Deka and Usmita, fashion choreographer Meenu Paul, and fashion photographers Kamal Barman and Anup Baruah.
Celebrating its landmark tenth season, NEIFW continued to serve as an important platform for aspiring designers, models and creative professionals, including children, teenagers, men and women seeking careers in the fashion and glamour industry. Over the years, the event has evolved beyond a fashion showcase by championing meaningful social campaigns such as support for old-age homes, promotion of eye and organ donation, animal welfare and environmental protection in association with international organisations, including PETA.
The event also strengthened cultural and professional collaborations by bringing together participants from different parts of India as well as neighbouring countries including Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. Besides fashion shows, NEIFW featured stalls showcasing fashion accessories, handloom products and handicrafts by emerging and established entrepreneurs, promoting the rich textile heritage of the Northeast before a wider audience.
One of the biggest attractions this year was the participation of internationally acclaimed Mumbai-based designer Felix Bendish, whose collections have previously been showcased at London Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week and Lakmé Fashion Week. Bendish impressed the audience with luxurious couture featuring vibrant colours, metallic embroidery, premium fabrics and contemporary silhouettes. His collection received an enthusiastic response as models presented a blend of elegance and bold creativity on the runway.
Another celebrated participant was Mumbai-based designer Sakshi Bindra, a former model known for her resort wear collections and designs worn by several Bollywood celebrities. Designers from across India also displayed their collections during the two-day event.
The opening day featured creations by Shreya Jindal, Harshika Agarwal, Sonali Mitrukal, Annanya Shree, Sreya Singha, Nikita Linda, Tanisha Agarwal, Tejal Parakh, students of NIF Global Siliguri, P. Sushma Shilja (Nupi Brand), Arbintonjam, Rosie Thiyam, Suresh Arubam from Manipur, Ren Aboh, Muhima Malo, Ashmi Shaw from NIF Global Guwahati, Kaushik Mudak from Tezpur and Pinal Malviya from Delhi.
The second day showcased collections by first-time designer Priyanka Paul Banerjee from Guwahati, along with Sangita Ramchiary, Jyoti Bora Choudhury, Rimi Das, Arpita Bhattacharjee, Papli Gogoi, Jyotsna Das, Snigdha Das, Nisha Giri, Pallabi Pathak, Rimki Sinha Patgiri, Sangeeta Chowdhury, Moonme Baruah, Priya Dui, Jyoti Eyum Natung, students of Gift Institute, and veteran designer Dipankar Kashyap. Many of the collections drew inspiration from the traditional handloom and indigenous textiles of the Northeast, incorporating ethnic fabrics, jewellery and traditional headgear into contemporary fashion. International designer Roney Alay Magar from Nepal also participated, presenting an exclusive partywear collection.
Speaking about the journey of NEIFW, organisers said the platform was created to provide structured opportunities for fashion designers, models and creative professionals from the Northeast to connect with national and international markets while promoting the region’s handloom and handicrafts. Since its inception in 2015, the event has featured participants from countries including Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, reinforcing its position as an international fashion platform.
With over three decades of experience in the fashion industry, Prasantt Ghosh, who has choreographed more than 2,500 fashion and beauty events in India and abroad, said the vision of NEIFW has always been to empower local talent and showcase the craftsmanship of Northeast India on the global stage.
As it celebrates a decade of excellence, the Northeast International Fashion Week has once again demonstrated that fashion can be a powerful medium for cultural exchange, entrepreneurship and social awareness, further strengthening the Northeast’s identity as an emerging destination in the global fashion industry.
