This story is from May 13, 2016

Northeast takes baby steps in world of fashion

The northeast is witnessing a rise in its fashion industry, with models and designers from here making a name for themselves nationally. Yet, the region has a long way to go before fashion becomes a full-fledged industry here.
Northeast takes baby steps in world of fashion
Guwahati: The northeast is witnessing a rise in its fashion industry, with models and designers from here making a name for themselves nationally. Yet, the region has a long way to go before fashion becomes a full-fledged industry here.
Guwahati, as the gateway to the northeast, has the potential to become a fashion ‘destination'. Aspirants from across the region flock to the city, but lack of good fashion schools is affecting the growth of the industry here.
Well-known fashion designer and choreographer Prashant Ghosh, who hails from the region, said, "Young fashion aspirants from the northeast need proper guidance to make a mark in the industry.
The city has very few fashion institutions that can groom them. The ones that are here lack quality."
Ghosh, who has over 20 years of experience in the northeast's fashion sector, added, "The institutions that claim to impart training in fashion are dubious, as most trainers are not well-trained themselves."
Ankur Sarda, managing director of the National Institute of Interior Designing (NIID), said, "Our institute offers one-year diploma programmes in interior and fashion designing. At present, there are 150 students in the interior designing course and only 30 students in the fashion designing course."
"NIID provided aspiring designers with a chance to showcase their creativity by organizing a students' annual exhibition show called Couturiture'16 at ITA Machkhowa here on May 7," said Sarda.

According to Yana Ngoba, founder and COO of Affluent Ray of Light (ARL), a non-profit organization, the fashion industry must be committed to supporting upcoming and talented designers from all backgrounds.
"We are coming up with the second edition of North East India Fashion Week set to be held in Itanagar from June 3-5. The three-day fashion extravaganza is conceptualized to inspire and encourage upcoming fashion designers, weavers and craftsmen of the region," she said.
Ghosh said even though numerous fashion shows are organized in the region, a lot more needs to be done. "Though the industry is growing gradually and new institutes are coming up, aspirants should be circumspect about anyone who promises to make them stars overnight," he said.
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