The Arunachal Pradesh textiles and handicrafts department is set to host the Arunachal Fashion Week 2026 – The Artisans’ Movement from March 14 to 21 in Naharlagun near Itanagar. Chief Minister Pema Khandu will be the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. This year’s event commemorates five years of the Artisans’ Movement and 11 years since the initiation of Northeast India Fashion Week in April 2015. Over the last decade, the Fashion Week has become an essential interface that bridges designers, indigenous weavers, youth professionals, creative entrepreneurs, and policy stakeholders. The opening night, themed “Night of Opulence,” will showcase curated runway presentations that emphasize indigenous weaves along with contemporary fashion. March 15 is designated as Cultural Heritage Day, focusing on partnerships between designers and artisans and celebrating traditional textiles from Arunachal Pradesh. From March 16 to 20, the venue will serve as a hub for public engagement featuring runway segments, exhibition and sale counters, handloom and handicraft displays, as well as buyer-artisan interactions. The event will culminate with the Arunachal Fashion Week Awards Night on March 21, which will honor achievements across various categories, such as Model of the Year and Best Fashion Designer. Minister of textiles and handicrafts Nyato Dukam expressed the department’s commitment to promoting the state’s rich textile heritage that showcases the identity and craftsmanship of indigenous communities through structured events, modernization, and improved market access.
