Their guitar is maybe their best buddy. In addition, rock and blues may be in their DNA. Their gusto, on the other hand, is their distinctive style. So, what distinguishes Northeast India’s out-of-the-box fashion and off-beat style?
With the females that are now in charge, I examine the male contribution (if any) – are they contributing enough? And, maybe more significantly, are they doing it correctly? Should I consider men’s clothes from the region while claiming that Northeast India is the nation’s most stylish region?
To begin, let’s review our geography. Yes, Northeast India is a part of India. You don’t even need a passport to get there. There are several misunderstandings that give birth to numerous foolish queries. Ones based on ignorance, as well as questions laced with contempt, bigotry, and racism must be Chinese? What are you having for breakfast? Momos? When a stereotype is formed, it festers. Apart from the countless other blanket assertions made by the rest of the population about us (not all of them favourable), we gladly embrace this one! We dress nicely, we appear to have a genuinely nice sense of aesthetics, and we are constantly ahead of the stylistic game when it comes to following trends. But what really is the truth behind this?
Looking back in time
Until the British invasion, North-East India was physically, politically, and culturally isolated from the rest of the nation. Naturally, unlike other states, we have relatively few similarities in our dress, food, language, and manner of life. The many tribes and groups have their own ethnic attires, fabrics, and styles, which we are highly protective of and proud of. It is our historical development that distinguishes us!
Fashionably ahead
The majority of these tribes and groups have Mongolian ancestors. Some of us follow various religious traditions, which may explain why we like Western fashion and everyday attire. That doesn’t imply we don’t value or appreciate our own. Furthermore, our cultures have become more culturally and socially open and progressive. Because of our liberal beliefs, we are more tolerant of cultures other than our own. Because of our proximity to other neighboring nations, our garment markets are ripe for imports as well!
Not scared to try new things
I recall seeing these ‘cool’ adolescents in my colony when I was a kid. One of them had bleached their hair ash grey and wore large, black clothing all the time. And keep in mind that this was at least 10-15 years ago. It wasn’t until much later that I learned about the street style upheaval and the “Black Crows” gang, courtesy of Rei Kawakubo and COMME des GARCONS.
Outperforming the Indian fashion industry
We are seeing a lot of North-Easterners leading the fashion business in India, from top-tier models and designers to creative directors and a plethora of stylists. Tashi Pedy, Madhulika Sharma, Merrylin Boro, Kangkan Rabha, and Priyadarshini Chatterjee are just a handful of the North-East models that have dominated the Indian runways.