NEW DELHI: The International Reinvent Northeast – Season 8 segment presented by NEHHDC with the support of the Northeast Council (NEC), under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, became one of the major highlights of Delhi Fashion Week 2026, held on 27 August 2026 at ITPO, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, during the five-day Film Expo India held from 26 to 30 August 2026.
The special fashion and cultural presentation brought the rich textile traditions, indigenous weaves, women, weavers, designers, art, culture and entrepreneurial potential of Northeast India to a national fashion platform. The event was organised by Delhi Fashion Club in collaboration with Film Expo India, in association with NEHHDC, and executed by VOY Media & Events. The show was directed by Harshit Dhingaun, Celebrity Fashion Director, Chairman of Delhi Fashion Club and Founder of Delhi Fashion Week.
The presentation focused on showcasing how traditional Northeast textiles can be interpreted through contemporary fashion while retaining their cultural identity. It provided visibility to designers and weavers and highlighted the importance of indigenous craftsmanship in creating new opportunities through fashion, tourism and creative entrepreneurship.
Meghalaya Ryndia Silk Takes Centre Stage
A key attraction was the Meghalaya presentation featuring designer Batkyntilin Mawthou from Shillong and weaver Iaineh from Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya. The collection showcased contemporary and commercially relevant designs using Ryndia silk, one of Meghalaya’s distinctive indigenous textiles.
The designer’s participation was facilitated and selection supported with the encouragement of PRIME Meghalaya, the Government of Meghalaya’s flagship entrepreneurship initiative. This helped bring Meghalaya’s contemporary fashion and indigenous textile craftsmanship to the national runway at Bharat Mandapam.
The Ryndia silk collection featured celebrity dancer Kanchan Chakma as the showstopper. Kanchan Chakma, who appeared on Super Dancer Chapter 5 on Sony Entertainment Television, brought together fashion and performing arts while showcasing the elegance and versatility of Ryndia silk.
The Meghalaya collection reflected the artistic and cultural heritage of the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia communities, demonstrating how indigenous textiles can be transformed into contemporary fashion while maintaining their traditional essence.
Celebrating Northeast Women and Cultural Diversity
Another presentation under International Reinvent Northeast celebrated the Naari Shakti of Northeast India, featuring traditional and contemporary cultural dresses inspired by the region’s diverse communities and weaving traditions.
The runway represented the Seven Sister states, showcasing traditional costumes, indigenous textiles, customary designs and the work of Northeast weavers. The presentation highlighted the contribution of women to the preservation and continuation of traditional textile and cultural practices.
A special Manipuri dance performance by performers from Manipur added a vibrant cultural dimension to the event and showcased the beauty and heritage of Meitei culture.
The presentation demonstrated that Northeast India’s cultural heritage extends beyond textiles, encompassing traditional attire, dance, art, customs and the stories of the communities that preserve them.
Models Representing Northeast India and Beyond
The International Reinvent Northeast runway brought together models from different parts of Northeast India and across the country. Participants included Zara Limz from Nagaland, Lisa from Meghalaya, Ananya from Assam, Anita Daimary from Bodoland, Rupanjana from Kolkata and Dechan from Leh, along with several other models who travelled from different parts of India to participate in Delhi Fashion Week.
Their participation reflected the spirit of bringing India’s diverse regions together through fashion and creating greater national visibility for Northeast culture and textiles.
The runway also featured models wearing traditional sarees from NEHHDC’s Purbashree brand, showcasing authentic Northeast fabrics including Eri Silk. The presentation highlighted the quality, beauty and cultural significance of indigenous textiles while introducing them to a contemporary fashion audience. Purbashree garments can be explored through its official platform at Purbashree.
Connecting Weaves with Entrepreneurship and Markets
The International Reinvent Northeast platform also highlighted the potential of Northeast textiles to connect traditional craftsmanship with contemporary markets. By bringing designers and weavers to a national fashion platform, the segment created visibility for indigenous fabrics and demonstrated how fashion can support artisans, women, entrepreneurs and local creative industries.
The Meghalaya presentation, in particular, showed how Ryndia silk can be developed into modern silhouettes while retaining the identity and craftsmanship associated with the traditional textile.
Delhi Fashion Week 2026
The wider Delhi Fashion Week presentation was based on the theme “Naari Shakti – Weaving Viksit Bharat” and brought together fashion, handloom, women empowerment, culture, entertainment and tourism.
The event was graced by Chief Guest and Bollywood actor Vindu Dara Singh. Guests of Honour included Shri Mara Kocho, IES and Managing Director, NEHHDC, Government of India; Dr. Avneet Kaur, journalist, professor and entertainment professional; Mrs. Jyoti Yadav, Director, Exhobuzz Pvt. Ltd., organisers of Film Expo India; Dr. Kiran Sethi, Delhi Police Sub-Inspector, popularly recognised as “Lady Singham”; Mrs. Ledia Awomi Zhimomi from Nagaland; and Dr. Neetu Malhotra, Principal of Satyam Fashion Institute.
The event also saw the presence of Tracy Chakma, Bollywood dance celebrity and young television personality associated with Sony TV, as an Influencer Guest. Several influencers and personalities were recognised through the Global Business and Influencer Awards, including Gurgaon-based Mauli Oberoi, recognised as Best Luxury Influencer from Gurgaon, and Royalika Ahuja, Bollywood actor and recognised face of Clinic Plus Shampoo.
The event was organised by Delhi Fashion Club in collaboration with Film Expo India, in association with NEHHDC, and executed by VOY Media & Events, with Swiss School of Beauty as Make-up Partner, DCOP as Photography Partner and Dfashion as Digital Magazine Partner.
International Reinvent Northeast – Season 8 stood out as a dedicated platform for Northeast India’s weaves, weavers, designers, women, traditional attire, performing arts and cultural heritage. The support of NEHHDC and NEC helped bring these stories and indigenous textiles to a prominent national fashion platform at Bharat Mandapam.
The presentation ultimately demonstrated how fashion can become a bridge between heritage and modernity, creating wider recognition for Northeast India’s indigenous craftsmanship while celebrating the region’s diverse cultural identity.
