Usha Silai collaborates with East India Fashion Week

Usha Silai School has announced its partnership with the 5th edition of the East India Fashion Week (EIFW) slated to be held in Guwahati on April 28 and 29. Select Usha Silai School women worked under the mentorship of designers – Nandini Baruah and Meghna Rai Medhi from Assam, Tsering Dolma from Sikkim, Arbin Tonjam from Manipur, and Escape Engmoia from Mizoram – and will showcase the garments created by them for the two-day fashion extravaganza, besides walking the ramp.

Hailing from rural areas, the Usha Silai School women for this initiative include Durga Rani (Pakyong, Sikkim), Lalita Rai (Agrigoan Village), Dharitri Kalita (Bankakata, Assam), Rinki Das (Silchar, Assam), Salam Thoibi Devi (Moirang Village, Manipur), Elangbam Surbala (Manipur), Pinkumoni Devi (Assam), Pallabi Bora (Assam), Ramngaihpuii (Mizoram) and Lalthianghlimi (Mizoram). Working with the designers, they have retained the local ethos, to infuse their collection with a unique take on the sensitivities of the region.

Mary Rupa Tete, Vice President – Usha Silai Schools, Usha International, said, “Usha Silai School is an endeavor to uplift livelihoods of rural women all over the country by providing them with specialized skill sets paving the way for a better tomorrow by developing them as entrepreneurs in their own right. This association with the East India Fashion Week, will further the cause of the Silai School women, creating long-term opportunities for them, and highlighting their potential amongst the design fraternity. This collaboration underscores our commitment to rural women entrepreneurship and women empowerment. We will continue to promote the exceptional work done by women through such opportunities and channels”.

Medha Saikia, Founder & Spokesperson for the East India Fashion Week, said, “Having Usha Silai School as partners for the East India Fashion Week is an honour as it is such a powerful initiative aimed at making a transformational difference at the grassroots level to empower women from rural India. India has a talent pool of artisans and designers, and when there is a coming together of the right skill sets and resources it is the stuff of entrepreneurial dreams, and Usha International is doing great work in this direction.”

East India Fashion Week gives designers and weavers from the northeast region a platform to showcase their talent and promote local weaves and weavers. This year 30 designers will be participating in the event.