Apatani, July 02: The inaugural day of Apatani Fashion Week and Apatani’s Next Top Model 2026 commenced on a grand note at the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Ground, Hija Village, bringing together government dignitaries, fashion designers, artisans, performers, models, community leaders and cultural enthusiasts to celebrate the rich heritage, creativity and evolving fashion identity of the Apatani community.
Organised by the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee, the two-day event is a pioneering initiative that seeks to preserve indigenous heritage while creating meaningful opportunities for designers, weavers, artisans, models and creative entrepreneurs.
The platform aims to bridge tradition with contemporary fashion and position Arunachal Pradesh as an emerging destination for indigenous fashion, sustainable design and cultural tourism.
The initiative is presented through the collaborative efforts of 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.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Smti Oli Perme, Deputy Commissioner, Lower Subansiri District, and Guest of Honour Shri Keni Bagra, Superintendent of Police, Lower Subansiri District.
Both dignitaries appreciated the organisers for conceptualising a professionally executed platform that celebrates the identity of the Apatani community while empowering indigenous youth, designers, artisans and entrepreneurs.
They commended the initiative for successfully integrating traditional heritage with contemporary fashion and encouraged the organisers to continue expanding the platform to provide greater opportunities for local talent while promoting Arunachal Pradesh’s unique cultural identity to wider audiences.
Delivering the Welcome Address, Shri Kago Jorang, General Secretary of the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee and Chief Executive Officer of Apatani Fashion Week & Apatani’s Next Top Model, shared the vision behind the initiative.
He stated that fashion is much more than clothing—it is a powerful medium of storytelling that reflects identity, history, traditions and the collective spirit of a community.
He emphasised that indigenous textiles, handwoven fabrics and traditional craftsmanship represent generations of knowledge and creativity that deserve recognition on larger regional, national and international platforms.
Shri Jorang further highlighted that the objective of the initiative is to create sustainable opportunities for indigenous designers, artisans, weavers, models and young creative professionals by building a strong ecosystem where traditional craftsmanship and contemporary innovation coexist.
He reaffirmed the long-term vision of connecting local talent from Arunachal Pradesh to Northeast India and eventually to national platforms while encouraging sustainable fashion, handmade creations and respect for indigenous knowledge systems.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Dani Yubbe, Chairman of the Siilang Diting Dree Festival Organising Committee, underlined the importance of safeguarding indigenous knowledge, traditional weaving practices and cultural heritage for future generations.
He remarked that every traditional motif, weave and handcrafted creation carries the history, values and identity of the community, and stressed that preserving these traditions while embracing innovation is essential for building a sustainable future rooted in cultural pride.
One of the major highlights of the inaugural evening was the Contestant Introduction Round of Apatani’s Next Top Model (ANTM) 202C, where aspiring models confidently introduced themselves before the audience and jury.
Contestants presented individually styled looks inspired by Apatani heritage while expressing their personalities, creativity and aspirations, reflecting the blend of traditional identity with contemporary fashion.
