From Manipur’s traditional handlooms to the international runway in St. Petersburg, Harshit Dhingaun takes Northeast India’s rich cultural identity to Russia through Delhi Fashion Week’s International Reinvent Northeast Season 9, creating awareness of the region’s textiles, traditions and craftsmanship among international audiences.

NEW DELHI, 29 October 2026: Northeast India’s rich textile heritage and cultural diversity received an international platform in Russia as Harshit Dhingaun, Chairman of Delhi Fashion Club and Director of VOY Media & Events, led the Delhi Fashion Week segment at the 31st Admiralty Needle International Fashion, Art and Design Festival in St. Petersburg.

Held from 19 to 23 October 2026, the international festival featured Delhi Fashion Week’s international presentation under International Reinvent Northeast Season 9, with a focus on promoting Northeast India’s traditional handlooms, indigenous cultural identity and regional fashion talent.

Serving as International Fashion Director for the Delhi Fashion Week segment, Dhingaun also contributed as show director and jury member for the festival’s designer competition. Through this international platform, he sought to bring greater visibility to Northeast India and introduce Russian and international audiences to the region’s distinctive textile traditions.

The initiative placed Manipur’s handloom heritage at the centre of its cultural presentation, demonstrating how fashion can serve as a medium for cultural exchange and international awareness.

Manipur Handlooms Take Centre Stage in Russia

A major highlight of the presentation was “THREADS OF MANIPUR – A LEGACY OF HERITAGE & ELEGANCE,” a collection by Lairenlakpam Lily Chanu, designer and founder of Shiroi Lily Closet, Imphal, Manipur.

Inspired by Manipur’s cultural identity, traditional handlooms and the distinctive Shiroi Lily associated with the Shirui Hills of Ukhrul district, the collection brought the artistic richness of Manipuri textiles to an international runway.

The presentation celebrated the craftsmanship, heritage and cultural stories woven into Manipur’s traditional attire. By bringing the collection to Russia, the initiative aimed to create international visibility for Manipuri handlooms and highlight the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous textile traditions.

The wider presentation also highlighted traditional Rongmei Naga attire, reflecting the diversity of Northeast India’s cultural heritage.

For Dhingaun, the objective extended beyond presenting a fashion collection. It was about ensuring that the stories, traditions and craftsmanship of Northeast India could reach audiences beyond the region and beyond India.

Harshit Dhingaun’s Initiative to Create Awareness About Northeast India

Through Delhi Fashion Week’s International Reinvent Northeast initiative, Dhingaun has sought to use international fashion platforms to introduce Northeast India’s cultural diversity to new audiences.

Despite its rich traditions, distinctive textiles and diverse communities, Northeast India remains unfamiliar to many international audiences. The Russia presentation aimed to help bridge that awareness gap by placing the region’s handlooms and cultural identity within an international fashion setting.

The initiative highlighted how fashion can become a powerful tool for cultural storytelling—connecting designers, artisans, models and audiences through the traditions represented in clothing.

“Our objective was not simply to organise a fashion show in Russia. We wanted to take the cultural identity of Northeast India to an international audience. Manipur’s handlooms represent generations of craftsmanship, tradition and creativity. Through Delhi Fashion Week and International Reinvent Northeast, we want more people around the world to discover the beauty of our region and recognise the value of its indigenous textiles,” said Harshit Dhingaun.

 He added that international fashion platforms can create opportunities for regional designers, encourage cross-cultural understanding and bring greater attention to India’s lesser-known cultural traditions.

Fashion Diplomacy: Connecting India and Russia Through Culture

Dhingaun believes fashion can play an important role in strengthening people-to-people connections between countries. By showcasing regional Indian textiles at an international festival, the initiative sought to create a cultural conversation between India and Russia.

He also sees opportunities to build future collaborations between Indian and Russian designers, fashion institutions, artists and cultural organisations.

According to Dhingaun, traditional textiles can communicate a region’s history, identity and creative heritage without language barriers. Presenting them internationally allows audiences to experience Indian culture through design, craftsmanship and storytelling.

He views the Russia showcase as part of a broader vision to establish Delhi Fashion Week as a platform for international cultural exchange while creating opportunities for Northeast Indian designers and textile traditions to gain wider recognition.

A Milestone for Northeast India’s Cultural Representation

Dhingaun’s participation at the Admiralty Needle festival brought together international show direction, designer representation and the promotion of indigenous handlooms.

As International Fashion Director for the Delhi Fashion Week segment, he helped coordinate the presentation of Indian fashion within an international festival environment. His role also included participation in the festival’s designer competition jury.

Through International Reinvent Northeast Season 9, the initiative connected Manipur’s textile heritage and Northeast India’s cultural identity with a global fashion platform.

The presentation represents an important step in Dhingaun’s continuing efforts to create international opportunities for regional Indian designers and to promote the cultural richness of Northeast India through fashion.

Harshit Dhingaun: “Northeast India Deserves Global Recognition”

Speaking about his vision, Dhingaun said:

“Northeast India has extraordinary cultural wealth. Our traditional textiles, handlooms, indigenous attire and artistic traditions deserve to be seen and appreciated internationally. Taking Manipur’s heritage to Russia was an opportunity to share a part of India that the world should know much more about.

“I believe fashion can connect cultures, create awareness and open doors for our designers. Through Delhi Fashion Week and International Reinvent Northeast, my goal is to continue building international platforms where the identity and craftsmanship of Northeast India can shine.”

The Russia presentation reinforces the potential of fashion as a medium for promoting cultural awareness and showcasing the diversity of Indian heritage on international stages.

About Harshit Dhingaun

Harshit Dhingaun is the Chairman of Delhi Fashion Club and Director of VOY Media & Events. His work spans fashion show production, event management, designer platforms, media and public relations, and initiatives promoting Indian fashion and cultural heritage.

Through Delhi Fashion Week and International Reinvent Northeast, he works to connect Indian designers and regional textile traditions with national and international audiences.

Media Contact

Harshit Dhingaun

Chairman, Delhi Fashion Club

Director, VOY Media & Events

New Delhi, India

Website: www.delhifashionweek.in 

Instagram: @delhifashionclub