COMPELLED TO BE COMPELLING

The entrepreneurial spirit of the youth of the Northeast is subtly shaping what India is wearing

- NIDA NAEEM

It's not news that the people of Northeast India have always had their finger on the -pulse of fashion. Street style in the hill states has often been a source of inspiration.

From streetwear labels to vintage shops, fashion-forward individuals from the Northeast have brought to light their penchant for style, and this is further seen in the engagement that these small businesses get from people all over the country, and beyond.

Sikkim-based Robsang Tamang is the founder of handloom streetwear label Between Culture. Elaborating on how the region truly stands out because of its cultural diversity, he says, "I've consistently noticed that individuals in this area love to experiment with fashion, displaying a boldness and self-assuredness that's unique. I believe this unreserved attitude within the community contributes to their fashion-forwardness."

DIGGING THROUGH

Thrift store Folkpants was one of the first movers within this space, having emerged almost five years ago. Lumri and Linno Jajo, who run Folkpants, have steadily built their audience over the years. A surge in collective eco-consciousness during the pandemic meant that their store was suddenly on everyone's radar in 2020. But with regards to shopping for their personal wardrobes, the sisters were exposed to thrifting early on: Growing up in Ukhrul, Manipur, secondhand clothing stores were the most viable option. Lumri says, "The Northeast is one of the regions that consumes a lot of secondhand goods because that was the only thing we had access to and a lot of people couldn't afford something new."