ZIRO, Jul 2: The first edition of Apatani Fashion Week & Apatani's Next Top Model (ANTM) 2026 commenced at the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Ground in Hija village, Lower Subansiri district on Wednesday, celebrating the Apatani community’s rich cultural heritage, indigenous fashion and creative excellence.
Organised by the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee, the two-day event aims to preserve indigenous traditions while creating opportunities for designers, weavers, artisans, models and creative entrepreneurs. The initiative seeks to blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion and position Arunachal Pradesh as a hub for indigenous fashion, sustainable design and cultural tourism.
The event is being organised in collaboration with Arunachal Fashion Week, Arunachal’s Next Top Model, Fashion & Design Council of Arunachal Pradesh (FDCAP), Northeast India Fashion Week, and Indigenous Bharat Fashion Week, reflecting a shared vision of strengthening indigenous creative industries and empowering local talent through fashion, culture and entrepreneurship.
Gracing the event, Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme, the chief guest, and Superintendent of Police Keni Bagra, the guest of honour, lauded the organisers for creating a platform that celebrates Apatani identity while empowering indigenous youth, designers, artisans and entrepreneurs. They said the initiative successfully integrates traditional heritage with contemporary fashion and has the potential to promote Arunachal Pradesh's unique cultural identity to wider audiences.
Welcoming the gathering, Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee general secretary and Apatani Fashion Week CEO Kago Jorang said fashion is more than clothing and serves as a 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 models by building an ecosystem where traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation coexist.
Committee chairman Dani Yubbe emphasised the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge, traditional weaving practices and cultural heritage for future generations, stating that every traditional motif and handcrafted creation represents the history, values and identity of the Apatani community.
A major attraction of the opening day was the contestant introduction round of Apatani's Next Top Model 2026, where aspiring models showcased outfits inspired by Apatani heritage while expressing their individuality, creativity and aspirations.
The runway featured collections by designers from Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast. Nang Angie Ngoba Namchoom of Namsai presented a collection inspired by the landscapes of Ziro Valley. Although she could not attend due to travel disruptions caused by floods and road blockages, her collection was showcased on the runway.
Pasighat-based designer Osum Jerang Karlo, founder of Sum's Tribal Fusion, presented a collection blending tribal heritage with contemporary silhouettes and was honoured with the Arunachal's Best Fashion Designer of the Year 2026 award.
Designer Zenith Khonjuju from Bichom district showcased her collection, "GI-ZHA," inspired by zero-waste principles, organic techniques and nature-based fashion, earning the Arunachal's Best Emerging Fashion Designer of the Year 2026 award.
The closing runway presentation of the day featured Meghalaya-based designer Rupert Wanlambok Lynrah of Rose Bridal Shillong/RWL Designs, whose bridal couture collection brought the opening day's fashion showcases to a grand conclusion.
The cultural programme included Apatani folk songs by Pura Pai and Kime Yaching, an English musical performance by Bullo Tajung, and a traditional folk dance by the Pura Clan. Members of the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee were also felicitated for their contribution to preserving Apatani culture and promoting indigenous fashion.
The event will conclude with the grand finale of Apatani Fashion Week & Apatani's Next Top Model 2026 on Thursday, featuring the final fashion presentations, title announcements and sash presentations.