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 organisers
of the event said.
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
