Apatani Fashion Week 2026 Seeks Global Platform for Arunachal’s Artisans and Weavers
More than 100 aspiring models participated in the final audition for Apatani’s Next Top Model 2026, an initiative aimed at promoting indigenous culture, fashion and sustainable livelihoods.
NAHARLAGUN: More than 100 aspiring models took part in the final audition for Apatani’s Next Top Model 2026, a flagship initiative under Apatani Fashion Week 2026 that aims to promote indigenous textiles, handicrafts and cultural enterprises from Arunachal Pradesh while creating livelihood opportunities for youth, artisans, weavers and entrepreneurs.
The final audition was organized by the Siilang Ditting Dree Festival Celebration Committee in collaboration with the Fashion and Design Council of Arunachal Pradesh (FDCAP). Organizers described the event as a key milestone in preparations for Apatani Fashion Week 2026.
According to organizers, the physical and online audition process attracted around 104 aspiring models, reflecting increasing interest among young people in fashion, cultural entrepreneurship and the creative economy. Around 30 participants will be shortlisted for the final competition, Apatani’s Next Top Model 2026.
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Held as part of the Dree Festival celebrations, the initiative seeks to move beyond the conventional fashion show format by connecting indigenous culture with entrepreneurship, skill development, market access and sustainable livelihood generation. Organizers said the event aims to create opportunities for artisans, weavers, self-help groups, designers and emerging creative enterprises while highlighting the cultural heritage of the Apatani community.
Speaking on the occasion, Kago Jorang, CEO of Apatani Fashion Week and Apatani’s Next Top Model, said the platform seeks to create opportunities for young people while strengthening indigenous industries.
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He noted that Arunachal Pradesh possesses a rich legacy of traditional knowledge, weaving, craftsmanship and cultural heritage. According to him, local artisans, designers and entrepreneurs have the potential to develop products capable of competing in national and international markets through innovation, continuous learning and quality improvement.
Angie Ngoba Namchoom, CEO of Arunachal Fashion Week, emphasized that community fashion weeks are designed to strengthen the broader ecosystem surrounding indigenous fashion and craftsmanship.
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“Fashion does not begin on the runway. It begins with farmers, sericulture practitioners, weavers, artisans and traditional knowledge holders. The runway is only the final stage of a much larger journey,” she said, highlighting the need to create an ecosystem where artisans, designers, entrepreneurs, self-help groups and youth can grow together while preserving cultural authenticity.
Apatani Fashion Week 2026 is scheduled to feature fashion showcases on July 1 and 2, 2026, bringing together designers, weavers, artisans, self-help groups and emerging talents from across the region.
Alongside the runway events, organizers will host an Exhibition and Learning Space throughout the festival period. The exhibition will showcase indigenous textiles, handicrafts, traditional knowledge systems, community enterprises and creative businesses. Scheduled to continue until July 6, 2026, the exhibition aims to provide visitors, students, buyers and stakeholders with opportunities to interact directly with artisans and entrepreneurs while gaining deeper insights into Apatani culture, craftsmanship and community-led enterprise.
Organizers believe the initiative can contribute to strengthening Arunachal Pradesh’s creative economy by linking cultural preservation with entrepreneurship, market access and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
