The North East Fashion Design Award (NEFDA) 2016 was held to promote fashion designers of the Northeast so that they can make an impact in the global fashion and garment industry. In a first, a fashion competition organised in India’s Northeast witnessed participation of eight upcoming designers in the final round held recently in Imphal.

Bagging a cash prize of Rs.50,000 and a citation, Rameshwar Thokchom emerged as the overall winner after clearing three rounds in the fashion competition. Designers Karan Thokchom, Md. Alimuddin, and Bijen Elangbam also won the awards in different categories. The first runners up and second runners up were given Rs.15,000 and Rs.7,500 respectively. Goutam Vazirani, organiser of the Lakme Fashion Week, was the chief jury of the NEFDA grand finale.

“The event is a first of its kind in the Northeast and the organisers were grateful that such an internationally acclaimed personality of the fashion world as Vazirani had come down to Manipur. The competition was held to recognise those designers who excel and promote traditional attires of the region,” Bhomechand Khaba, event director of NEFDA said.

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