Could the Northeast Be India's New Fashion Business Hub?

Northeast India has looks, it has a cultural identity, it has a certain amount of fashion-savvy youth. Now can it leverage this into a business?

From oversized jackets, baggy jeans, chunky boots, layered jewellery and put-together outfits — the Northeast has always had a certain affinity for Western fashion. But what makes the people here so interesting is that they manage to interpret trends in their own ways.

From across the region, Western silhouettes are mixed with indigenous textiles, accessories and patterns. A Mizo puan can be the star accessory of a modern outfit while Naga textiles can add traditional colours and patterns to contemporary clothing. The region's style is an exercise in cultural confidence and experimentation.

This can actually be a big plus in terms of commerce.

India has its fashion and apparel centres already. Mumbai and Delhi are prime fashion, retail and luxury markets while Tiruppur is a major apparel manufacturing hub and Surat is known for its textile and wholesale market.

What the Northeast has to offer is a different kind of appeal. Its designers have the potential to create a certain look by working with local textiles and interpreting street style as a viable resource that can produce accessible yet high-end ethnic clothing.

But having an interesting fashion culture is not exactly a guarantee when it comes to creating a fashion business hub. One also needs to think about manufacturing processes, workforce availability, quality, supply chain, affordable logistics, digital retail and reach. The focus would also need to be on creating a label and getting manufacturing support, partnerships and exposure.

The groundwork however is present. The Ministry of Textiles has identified the Northeast as a handloom hub while recent government talks have focused on the need to improve market access, logistics, raw material supply chain and marketing initiatives.

The Northeast does not need to borrow another city's fashion identity. It needs to build its own using its strengths and potentially create a powerful industry at a regional level.