In Shorts:
- NEIIRW 2026 debuts in Guwahati with 30+ designers and 80+ models
- Zubeen’s Collection headlines a strong opening day showcase
- Event aims to place Northeast India on the global fashion map
Guwahati witnessed a landmark moment in India’s fashion industry as the first edition of the Northeast India International Runway Week 2026 commenced at Vivanta. The three day fashion event opened with scale and style, bringing together more than 30 designers and over 80 models, including established supermodels, emerging talent, and celebrity participants. The event marks a significant step in positioning Northeast India within the national and global fashion landscape.
Conceived as a platform to bridge regional creativity with wider markets, NEIIRW 2026 aims to elevate the Northeast’s presence in the fashion industry. The event has been carefully curated to bring together established names, fresh designers, and industry professionals, creating opportunities for collaboration and visibility.
The runway week is curated and directed by renowned fashion choreographer and designer Dipankar Kashyap, a key figure in the Northeast’s fashion ecosystem with more than three decades of experience. His vision for NEIIRW goes beyond a one time event, focusing on building a sustainable and scalable platform for regional talent.
Day 1 opened with a striking presentation by Zubeen’s Collection, showcased by Spriha Production in collaboration with NEIIRW. Directed by Dipankar Kashyap along with Tiktik, the collection blended cultural heritage with contemporary design elements, setting a strong tone for the event and highlighting the creative richness of the region.
The opening day also featured diverse collections from designers such as Papli Gogoi, Sangeeta Chowdhury, Jeuti Das Banikya in collaboration with Jeuti Jewels, Jasmin Pegu, and Alok Agarwal. Each showcase reflected a blend of craftsmanship and modern aesthetics, underlining the diversity of talent emerging from the Northeast. The evening concluded with a visually engaging finale by Abigail H Zhome, bringing Day 1 to a memorable close.
A standout aspect of NEIIRW 2026 is its carefully curated model lineup. The platform combines experienced supermodels with fresh faces discovered through structured auditions, ensuring both industry credibility and opportunities for new talent. This approach strengthens the event’s role as a growing fashion ecosystem in the region.
The runway week has also drawn attention beyond India, with the presence of globally recognised designer Asif Merchant, known for his work in major fashion capitals such as London, Paris, and Dubai. Adding to the event’s appeal, Rohit Khandelwal attended as a celebrity guest, further boosting visibility.
Backed by Divine Events, the initiative is led by Shasanka Das, who conceptualised the platform as a movement to establish a global fashion identity for Northeast India. Speaking at the launch, he emphasised that NEIIRW is designed to reshape perceptions and provide structured opportunities for designers, models, and creative professionals from the region.
With two more days of showcases lined up, featuring an extensive roster of designers and curated presentations, NEIIRW 2026 is expected to further strengthen its position as a flagship fashion platform for Northeast India, setting the stage for the region’s growing influence in the global fashion industry.
Leave a Reply