ZIRO : The Fashion and Design Council of Arunachal Pradesh (F&DCAP) on Sunday conducted the first phase of auditions and registrations for “Apatani’s Next Top Model” at the Hija Youth Association Badminton Hall in Hija village.

The community-based indigenous modelling platform is being organised under Apatani Fashion Week and the broader vision of Arunachal Fashion Week — The Artisans’ Movement.

According to the organisers, the initiative aims to build a professional and sustainable indigenous fashion ecosystem in Arunachal Pradesh by creating opportunities for aspiring models, designers, artisans, photographers, stylists, makeup artists and other creative youths from different communities of the state.

F&DCAP stated that Arunachal Pradesh possesses rich indigenous textile traditions, weaving practices and cultural heritage, but organised professional platforms for youths interested in modelling and the fashion industry have remained limited. To address this gap, the council launched community-based fashion and modelling platforms beginning with the Apatani community.

The upcoming Apatani Fashion Week will be held during the Dree Festival celebrations from July 1 to 6 at Hija village. The event will feature showcases of indigenous fashion, textiles, handloom traditions and handcrafted products by local designers, artisans and entrepreneurs.

As part of the programme, “Apatani’s Next Top Model” will be organised on July 1 and 2 alongside runway presentations and designer showcases, while exhibitions, networking sessions, cultural exchanges and community fashion activities will continue till July 6.

The organisers said the initiative forms part of the larger vision of “Arunachal’s Next Top Model”, an indigenous modelling platform created under Arunachal Fashion Week to professionally groom and promote talents from communities across the state.

The platform includes multiple categories such as Miss Apatani’s Next Top Model, Mr Apatani’s Next Top Model, Inclusive Category and Adaptive Category to encourage wider participation and representation.

F&DCAP stated that all registered participants would automatically become part of the F&DCAP Creative and Models Network, through which they would receive opportunities related to fashion shows, workshops, collaborations, mentorship programmes, exhibitions, campaigns and portfolio development.

Selected participants will also undergo professional grooming, runway training and mentorship from fashion professionals and creative experts from Arunachal Pradesh and Northeast India.

Speaking on the initiative, Arunachal Fashion Week Founder and Chairperson Yana Ngoba Chakpu said the movement aimed to create opportunities, representation and long-term growth for indigenous creative youths of Arunachal Pradesh.

“If we truly want to build a proper fashion industry in Arunachal Pradesh, we must first create the ecosystem ourselves. Every community already has beautiful textiles, artisans, weavers and unique cultural identities. Now it is time to create platforms for youths passionate about modelling, fashion and creativity,” she said.

She further stated that the initiative was not limited to fashion shows alone, but also focused on employment generation, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation and youth empowerment through the creative industry.

Arunachal Fashion Week Chief Operating Officer Meena Noshi said the platform was envisioned as a long-term movement where aspiring youths could professionally enter the fashion and creative industry while remaining connected to future opportunities through the F&DCAP network.

The organisers also announced that the second phase of auditions would focus on youths from rehabilitation centres and vulnerable backgrounds, using fashion and creativity as tools for confidence-building and positive transformation.

The audition panel included Yana Ngoba Chakpu, Taba Tapang, Tana Ashwin, Bullo Tajung, Hibu Ollo, Taro Aku, Pura Tabiyo, Kago Tagang, Gianga Ramching Mara and Isha Sindik.

Registrations for models, designers, artisans and other creative participants are currently ongoing, the organisers informed.