ZIRO : The first edition of Apatani Fashion Week and Apatani’s Next Top Model 2026 got underway at the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Ground in Hija village of Lower Subansiri district on Wednesday, celebrating Apatani heritage, indigenous fashion and creative entrepreneurship.
Organised by the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee, the two-day event seeks to preserve indigenous traditions while creating opportunities for designers, weavers, artisans, models and creative entrepreneurs.
The initiative aims to promote sustainable fashion, indigenous craftsmanship and cultural tourism while positioning Arunachal Pradesh as an emerging hub for indigenous fashion.
The event is being presented through a collaboration involving Arunachal Fashion Week, Arunachal’s Next Top Model, the Fashion & Design Council of Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India Fashion Week and Indigenous Bharat Fashion Week.
Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme inaugurated the event in the presence of Lower Subansiri Superintendent of Police Keni Bagra.
The dignitaries commended the organisers for creating a professional platform that celebrates Apatani identity while empowering indigenous youth, designers, artisans and entrepreneurs. They said the initiative successfully blends traditional heritage with contemporary fashion and has the potential to showcase Arunachal Pradesh’s unique cultural identity to wider audiences.
Delivering the welcome address, Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee General Secretary and Apatani Fashion Week and Apatani’s Next Top Model Chief Executive Officer Kago Jorang described fashion as a powerful medium of storytelling that reflects a community’s identity, history and traditions.
He said the initiative aims to create sustainable opportunities for indigenous designers, artisans, weavers and young creative professionals while connecting local talent with regional and national platforms.
Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee Chairman Dani Yubbe emphasised the need to preserve indigenous knowledge, traditional weaving practices and cultural heritage, saying every motif and handcrafted creation carries the history and identity of the community.
A major attraction of the opening day was the contestant introduction round of Apatani’s Next Top Model 2026, where participants showcased individually styled looks inspired by Apatani heritage while expressing their creativity and aspirations.
The runway featured collections by designers from Arunachal Pradesh and other northeastern states. Designer Nang Angie Ngoba Namchoom of Namsai presented a collection inspired by the landscapes of Ziro Valley. Though she was unable to attend because of travel disruptions caused by floods and road blockages, her collection was showcased to an appreciative audience.
Pasighat-based designer Osum Jerang Karlo, founder of Sum’s Tribal Fusion, presented a collection blending tribal heritage with contemporary silhouettes. She was honoured with the Arunachal’s Best Fashion Designer of the Year 2026 award.
Designer Zenith Khonjuju of Bichom district showcased her latest collection, “GI-ZHA,” featuring zero-waste principles, organic techniques and nature-inspired designs. She received the Arunachal’s Best Emerging Fashion Designer of the Year 2026 award.
The day’s finale featured renowned Meghalaya designer Rupert Wanlambok Lynrah of Rose Bridal Shillong/RWL Designs, whose contemporary bridal couture brought the opening day’s fashion presentations to a close.
The inaugural evening also featured cultural performances showcasing the rich artistic traditions of the Apatani community.
