New Delhi, Aug 30: The iconic Ryndia silk of Meghalaya earned applaud at Delhi Fashion Week held at Bharat Mandapam as models donned the iconic fabric to walk the runway.
The Meghalaya collection brought Ryndia silk woven by Iaineh, a weaver from Ri-Bhoi, to the national runway, with the designs created by Shillong-based designer Batkyntilin Mawthou.
Adding star power to the Meghalaya showcase was dancer and performer Kanchan Chakma, associated with Sony Entertainment Television’s Super Dancer Chapter 5, who walked the runway as the showstopper.
The collection reimagined the state’s traditional weave in a contemporary fashion language while retaining its indigenous character.
Held alongside Film Expo India, the Meghalaya showcase was organised as part of International Reinvent Northeast Season 8, an initiative by the Delhi Fashion Club to bring the Northeast’s handloom, textiles, artisans, designers and heritage before a national audience.
The most important story, however, was the fabric itself. The presentation showcased the craftsmanship of Meghalaya’s weavers and the possibilities of taking indigenous textiles beyond traditional settings and into contemporary design, fashion, entrepreneurship and creative ventures.
The Meghalaya presentation also celebrated the state’s wider cultural identity, with representation connected to Khasi, Garo and Jaintia traditions.
A Manipuri dance performance added further vibrancy to the event, bringing another expression of Northeast India’s cultural diversity to the runway.
The initiative was led by Delhi Fashion Week founder and president and celebrity fashion director Harshit Dhingaun, known through his digital platform, TheVOY – Voice of Youth.
Dhingaun has long focused on the culture, people and tourism of the Northeast, with an emphasis on creating greater exposure for the region’s creative ecosystem.
The event was supported and sponsored by NEHHDC, with support from the North Eastern Council (NEC) under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India.
It was also connected with the entrepreneurship network represented by PRIME Meghalaya. “I have met a lot of aspiring filmmakers, especially in the Garo Hills, and some very good filmmakers,” he said.
With more opportunities emerging for creators within the state, Sangma believes the presence of Hello Meghalaya on a national platform can further strengthen Meghalaya’s film ecosystem, bringing together its young talent, creative ambition and diverse stories.
