Kintem (meaning “communities” in the Ao-Naga dialect) is the brainchild of Moala Longchar, who transitioned from a PR career to textile work after assisting her mother’s weaving practice. The label collaborates with weavers from across Nagaland, offering fresh interpretations of Naga design that still speak the language of the land.
Ura Maku
Ura Maku, helmed by textile designer Manjushree Saikia, stands out for its philosophy. Fashion is nothing without textiles. After graduating from NIFT in 2016, Saikia immersed herself in craft clusters across India, learning directly from artisans. Her label, a fusion of Assamese “Ura” meaning to fly and “Maku” meaning the weaving shuttle, is rooted in clean tailoring and seasonless silhouettes that celebrate material intelligence.
EAST
EAST by Easternlight Zimik, based in Ukhrul, Manipur, champions the weavers of Northern Manipur. Having worked under the likes of Manish Arora and Gaurav Gupta, Zimik now focuses on transforming occasion-only indigenous textiles into contemporary staples for young dressers. Formal becomes flexible. Festive becomes functional.
Kuka Mizo
Kuka Mizo, designed by Van Chhangte in Aizawl, is both personal and political. Named after the designer’s brother, a specially-abled child, the label is built by mothers who sew from home. It reclaims the Zo puan into genderless silhouettes like kimono jackets and easy shorts. The label is stocked online and at its flagship store in Mizoram.
Together, these Northeast labels are not just amplifying regional identity. They are setting a new standard for how fashion can honour memory, empower communities, and still remain unmistakably modern.
Also read:
Designer Akhuana and photographer Rakovinai Zho are part of North East India’s fashion-forward zeitgeist
Inside a North Eastern content creator’s woodland-inspired wedding
Everything you need to know about the exceptional weaves from India’s north east
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