The Arunachal Fashion Week 2026—The Artisans’ Movement—will be held in Naharlagun, close to Itanagar, from March 14–21 by the Arunachal Pradesh textiles and handicrafts department. Pema Khandu, the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, will be the main guest at the inaugural event. The 2026 edition will commemorate five years of the Arunachal Pradesh Artisans’ Movement and eleven years since Northeast India Fashion Week began in Itanagar in April 2015, when the area lacked a formal fashion platform.
What started out as a trailblazing project has developed over the last ten years into an expanding industry interface that links designers, young professionals, indigenous weavers, creative businesses, and policy stakeholders.
Curated runway shows showcasing indigenous weaves and modern fashion interpretations will be featured on the opening night, which has the theme “Night of Opulence.” The celebration of traditional textiles from all throughout Arunachal Pradesh and designer-artisan partnerships will take place on March 15, which has been named Cultural Heritage Day.
Designer runway segments, exhibition-cum-sale counters, handloom and handicraft displays, furniture presentations, and organized buyer-artisan encounters will all be part of the venue’s transformation into a public exhibition and engagement hub from March 16–20.
The Arunachal Fashion Week Awards Night, which honors excellence in a number of categories, including Model of the Year, Best Fashion Designer, Best Weave Designer/Weaver, and Youth Excellence Recognition, will take place on March 21 to round off the festival.
“Arunachal Pradesh has a rich textile heritage that reflects the identity, craftsmanship, and cultural depth of our indigenous communities,” stated Nyato Dukam, the state minister for textiles and handicrafts. The department is still dedicated to boosting this industry through improved market access, modernization, and organized showcasing.
