The Nagaland Designers Association (NDA) on Friday announced the 5th edition of Nagaland Fashion Week (NFW) 2025, set to be held from November 13 to 15 at Central Plaza, Kohima.
Themed ‘Ethno Mosaic’, this year’s event aims to celebrate the cultural diversity of Naga tribes through a fusion of ethnic patterns, textiles, and colours, showcasing a modern yet rooted fashion narrative.
Addressing mediapersons, NDA vice president Kavili Kiba traced the association’s journey, saying it began in 2008 as Allee Designers Avenue to provide opportunities and exposure for local designers. With an expanding membership, it was later rechristened Nagaland Designers Association and formally launched in 2011 by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
Kiba highlighted that the association was established to promote self-employment among youth, adding that the fashion industry offers viable career pathways amid rising unemployment in the state.
NDA general secretary Modovina Mocha, elaborating on the theme, said ‘Ethno Mosaic’ represents a creative confluence of Naga, national and global ethnic aesthetics on a single platform. She informed that 12 designers will showcase their collections across Emerging and Professional categories. For the first time, fashion design students will also present their work at NFW.
Mocha further said the association has collaborated with textile and yarn manufacturers from Assam to encourage the use of organic materials. The second day of the event will feature workshops and seminars on entrepreneurship and sustainable textile practices.
NDA programme management head Kasheli Swu said around 20 vendors have been selected to showcase their products at the event, offering them dedicated marketing opportunities.
NDA media representative Sanjeev Tamang informed that 60 aspiring models from Kohima and Dimapur auditioned, of which 10 male and 20 female models were selected.
NDA president Rosou Rhi announced that seven award categories have been introduced this year:
Face of NFW 2025
Best Design Collection (Emerging & Professional)
Best Fashion Influencer
Best Photography Award
Best Artisan/Craft Award
Best Stall
Best Dressed Audience Icon
The event is organised in collaboration with Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA) and Orient Pvt Ltd, with support from Fashion TV, Vibrant Clinic, Asonee Embroidery, Hillside Restaurant, Rice Bowl, Headlight, Beat Device, Khezhie Index, IWS, Fashion & Law Journal, Blooms & Potion, Greige, Giggles, and Central Plaza. Nagaland Post and Global Window is the official media partner. Fashion and lifestyle journal partners will broadcast the event nationally and internationally.
Event Schedule
November 12: Stall setup and launch
November 13 & 15: Designer showcases (5:30 PM onwards)
November 14: Workshops & seminars (11:00 AM onwards)
Stalls open daily: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
The organisers announced that entry will be free for all three days.
Closing the session, Rhi encouraged young people to view fashion as a full-time career, stating that “fashion designers are not job seekers, but entrepreneurs” and that the industry offers creative, sustainable livelihoods.
The NDA currently comprises 31 members, 5 logistics board members, and 5 impact team members. (Staff Reporter)
