Northeast to have its own fashion event

Kolkata: In an effort to place the north-east on the country`s fashion map, a three-day extravaganza will be held next month in Guwahati where top national designers and models are expected to participate.

The first of its kind, `McDowell Signature North East Fashion Weekend`, which begins on August 11, will feature the works of designers originating from the north-east along with ace designers like Ritu Kumar and Wendell Rodericks. "It is an opportunity to present the talent that has largely been restricted to the region so far. The event aims to bring out the best of the Northeast and give it a national platform," Paramita Saha, CEO of Arts Forward, the organizers of the event, told PTI. The event will enable the business of fashion to prosper in an area that is rich in local textile traditions, heritage weaves and tribal inspirations. "It is a virgin territory when it comes to fashion. But the people there do have their own indigenous style and attitude. But never before has there been a fashion show tailored for the Northeast with a style quotient of its own," she said. Designers also include Atsu Sekhose, Rina Dhaka, Soumitra Mandal, Nandini Barua and Sailex. The event will kick off with a model hunt and an emerging designer hunt, which would be held in Shillong, Guwahati and Dimapur from July 31. The extravaganza presents the prospect of catapulting the budding designers to national fame via entry into the emerging designer competitions of other national fashion weeks. The organisers intend to make this an annual event. PTI