The Arunachal Fashion Week 2026 – The Artisans’ Movement concluded on a high note at Interior Park, Naharlagun on Saturday, marking the culmination of an eight-day celebration of indigenous textiles, creative enterprise and cultural identity. The grand finale, held as the Cultural Heritage Day and Awards Night, was graced by State Minister for Textiles and Handicrafts, Nyato Dukam as chief guest and Doimukh MLA, Nabam Vivek as guest of honour. The event brought together designers, weavers, artisans, models, creative professionals and industry stakeholders, celebrating five years of the Artisans’ Movement, which has steadily evolved into a structured platform connecting traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design and market opportunities.
Over the course of the week, Arunachal Fashion Week showcased runway presentations, live performances and a large-scale multi-floor exhibition featuring handloom collections, designer wear, jewellery, accessories, home décor, furniture and artisan craft displays, creating a vibrant public interface between creators and consumers. The closing ceremony recognized excellence across categories, with winners including Millo Antu (Arunachal’s Next Top Model – Miss 2026), Tapang Taba (Arunachal’s Next Top Model – Mr 2026), Osum Jerang Karlo (Arunachal’s Next Top Fashion Designer 2026), Jiyi Ete (Arunachal’s Next Top Weaver 2026), Zenith Khonjuju (Arunachal’s Next Top Emerging Fashion Designer 2026), Sampi Miri (AFW Showstopper of the Year 2026), Techi Tana Tara (AFW Most Popular Model of the Year 2026), Anna Taying Kamdak (AFW Most Fashionable Guest of the Year 2026), and Millo Kari Kago (AFW Outstanding Buyer of the Year 2026).
Addressing the gathering, Minister Nyato Dukam said, “What we are building here is not just a fashion event, but a larger movement- one that preserves our culture, empowers our youth, and positions Arunachal Pradesh as a strong and confident voice in India’s indigenous and sustainable fashion ecosystem.”
“With strong support from the Chief Minister and the Department, we are strengthening market linkages, promoting indigenous textiles and creating opportunities for our youths,” Dukam said.
“Through platforms like Arunachal Fashion Week, we are not just organising shows, we are preserving our culture, our traditions and our heritage. This is a collective ecosystem where artisans, designers, youth and creative professionals come together to build something meaningful,” he said. Notably, Arunachal Pradesh is steadily strengthening its textile economy, producing nearly 69 metric tonnes of eri, muga and mulberry silk annually and supporting over 34,000 livelihoods across nearly 500 villages, with a proposed Rs 25 crore push towards sericulture and youth-focused skill development initiatives aimed at further expanding the sector.
Yana Ngoba Chakpu, founder and Chief Executive Officer, Northeast India Fashion Week – The Artisans’ Movement, said, “Arunachal Fashion Week is the beginning of a larger journey. We will now also move towards Northeast India Fashion Week. Our focus is on taking this platform across different states of the region and amplifying the textiles, weaving practices and stories of the Northeast on bigger national and global platforms.”
