Itanagar, May 18: A new community-driven platform aimed at nurturing indigenous fashion and creative talent has started taking shape in Arunachal Pradesh, with the first round of auditions for “Apatani’s Next Top Model” conducted at Hija village in Lower Subansiri district.
The initiative has been launched by the Fashion & Design Council of Arunachal Pradesh under the banner of Apatani Fashion Week and is being presented as an effort to create professional pathways for young people interested in areas such as modelling, textiles, photography, styling and other creative fields.
Organisers said the programme aims to connect Arunachal Pradesh’s indigenous textile heritage with structured opportunities for aspiring models and creative professionals from tribal communities, addressing what they described as a long-standing gap in the sector.
The upcoming Apatani Fashion Week is scheduled to take place during the Dree Festival celebrations from July 1 to 6 at Hija village. The event is expected to include runway presentations, designer showcases, exhibitions, artisan interactions and networking sessions highlighting indigenous handloom traditions and handcrafted products.
The modelling competition will feature categories for men, women, inclusive participants and adaptive representation, with organisers stressing the importance of broader participation across different backgrounds and abilities.
According to F&DCAP, the initiative forms part of a wider “Community Fashion Week” movement that is planned to gradually expand to other tribal communities across the state. Participants selected through these community platforms are expected to later represent their communities at “Arunachal’s Next Top Model”, a larger state-level indigenous modelling platform.
Organisers said the project is also intended to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities linked to fashion, tourism, branding and textiles while promoting sustainable fashion practices rooted in local traditions and identities.
The council further announced that the next phase of auditions will specifically involve youths from rehabilitation centres and vulnerable backgrounds, using mentorship and creative engagement to support confidence-building and social inclusion.
Speaking at the event, Yana Ngoba Chakpu said Arunachal already possesses strong cultural and artistic assets, including traditional textiles, artisans, designers and weavers, but requires more organised platforms to support young people pursuing careers in the creative sector.
Registrations for models, designers, artisans and other creative participants remain open, organisers added.
