Ukhrul: Tangkhul Fashion designer, Easternlight Zimik is all set to showcase his creation at the upcoming North East Festival 2023 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, Gate number 14 on December 23, 2023 at 5:30pm. The 11th edition of North East Festival begins today and ends on December 24 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
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Speaking to this reporter, Easternlight Zimik said that he will be opening the second-day of the fashion show event. “It will be a continuation of my debut collection –SHIM. The journey is about exploring and showing our weavers skill at bigger platform. The SHIM collection aims to explore and make Kashan/Mekhala become a mainstream fashion and to incorporate its identity to diverse cultures, and to find the right channel for our weavers, where their skill is appreciated and tapped into. I dedicate this show to all the weavers of our [Tangkhul] community who are still preserving the timeless art of weaving and advocating our identity in the midst of all the dilution.”
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Zimik revealed that he will be playing Featherheads track Ramchila for the ramp walk. “My sincere thanks to Horchuingam L Shimray, frontman of Featherheads for allowing me to use his brilliant beats,” said Easternlight Zimik.
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SHIM (Home) is a debut collection by Easternlight Zimik. SHIM is a collection born out of the designer’s desire to start his dream to build a system to enable the traditional weavers of Tangkhul community to show their skills to the world with the hope to uplift their lives and strengthen them. The collection is also a step to innovate the Tangkhul textiles and explore different skills of craftsmanship used in different mediums. The collection intends to explore Tangkhul as a community and the identity that flows from their clothing, music, landscape and creativity. There is also the intention to make KASHAN (mekhala/wraparound) more acceptable
to the younger generation as a part of their informal wear, everyday fashion and do away with the mentality of wearing it only on formal occasions.
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Easternlight Zimik also said that “climate change, garment and fashion industry have affected our environment adversely. It is high time, we introspect our lifestyle to help reduce the pollution of our environment. The used-clothes business is an important part of our community due to quality and economy besides many other reasons. However, the indiscriminate dumping of the unsold used-clothes has become a major pollutant. Thus, with a strong believe in recycled garments and products, I have started the recycling journey by collecting the unsold products and redesigning them using different embroidery techniques, patchwork, etc. and reproducing it as one single unique product to the market.”
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North East Festival organised annually since 2013 at New Delhi has helped in attracting tourism in the region and also in building bridges between the communities of North East and mainland. The festival has helped in reducing social issues and have helped extensively to create a platform for North eastern talents. The North East Festival in Delhi, has become an iconic celebration of India’s Northeast, showcasing its rich culture, entrepreneurship, and tourism.