Just the other day, I met Prasantt Ghosh, a top notch fashion designer of the North East. Over a cup of tea, we caught up on common friends and moved on to talking about his single passion - fashion. He mentioned that the next edition of the North East India Fashion Week is coming up on 24th and 25th February 2018 in Kiranshree Grand, Azara, near Guwahati Airport. So I asked him, what new surprises can be expected this time.
‘‘It’s not just about fashion,’’ he said. ‘‘The fashion week is a platform to showcase upcoming designers and discover new talents. It is a professionally managed show, with top models being flown in to present the creations. It has potential for fashion trade and will give youngsters the opening they need to make an impression in the market.”
On being asked how the journey has been so far, he said, “A lot of hard work has gone into it but it's a satisfying feeling. It inspires us to work even harder for the coming season.” He told me that after the resounding success of the first and second seasons of NEIFW, the organisers feel it is time to take it to the next level. Most importantly, the objective of the event is to create brand awareness among the public and media associated with the fashion industry of the North East. Season 3 will target the domestic/international buyers with the right trends and promote North East Handloom and Handicrafts.
The game changer, however, is the impressive line up of designers and models from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. “We have invited and received confirmation from designers from many foreign countries. It is a landmark event in the sense that the North east will be the latest fashion destination for all designers of the neighbouring regions.” said Prasantt Ghosh.
This event has many fashion gurus, film and theatre personalities in its advisory panel. Sanjay Choudhury, Kanchan More Sabharwal, Kuntanil Das and Prasantt Ghosh will mentor and lead upcoming designers in showcasing their talents.
If you are an upcoming designer, here is an opportunity you would not want to miss. Imagine a senior celebrity designer giving you tips on cuts, colour, fabric and drape. The last two seasons witnessed international designers like Bibi Russel and Sharbari Dutta who inaugurated the event as well as showcased their collection.
Season 3 of NEIFW promises to be a unique event for various reasons. It plans to bring together 36 designers from India and neighbouring countries. National living legends of the fashion industry like Hemant Trevedi, Mona Pali, Abhishek Dutta and James Fariera will showcase their designs along with top names of the fashion industry in Northeast. There would be special seminars for upcoming fashion designers with these top designers of India. After-parties will provide the best environment for connecting and forging professional relationships in the circuit. There would be also stalls from budding and established entrepreneurs.
Top models, professional event management and a glitz marketing strategy are expected to make season 3 of NEIFW an event you wouldn’t want to miss. More than 5000 visitors are expected to visit this season, making it a commercial and fashion hub.
As a follower of fashion, this is an event I cannot afford to miss. International exposure, after parties, top models, trade hub and celebrity designers-what more can I ask for?
So block your dates for the last week in February on 24th and 25th February 2018. Be there if you love to be Fashionable!
