𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬

…𝒂 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒈𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚

By Tashi Tshewang

Bhutan Fashion Week 2025 is set to open on October 27 in Thimphu, bringing together 54 models along with some of the country’s most promising designers, artists, and fashion creators for a week-long celebration of textile heritage and contemporary style. The national event, which will run until November 1, aims to position Bhutan’s creative industry on a larger stage while showcasing the country’s rich weaving traditions and emerging design innovation. It is being organized by the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property in collaboration with the Royal Textile Academy (RTA).

The fashion week will feature runway shows, exhibitions, and live textile demonstrations, offering audiences an immersive experience of Bhutanese craftsmanship from handloom narratives to avant-garde fashion concepts. According to organizers, the platform will not only highlight beauty and creativity but also tell cultural stories through fabric, colour, and texture for both local and international audiences.

This year, 54 models were shortlisted through a selection process focused on runway confidence and technique. The lineup includes school students, college youth, and recent graduates, reflecting a diverse pool of emerging talent. Fittings for participating designers began on October 10 at the Royal Textile Academy, marking the start of final preparations for the grand showcase.

By bringing together designers, artisans, and young creatives, Bhutan Fashion Week 2025 aims to inspire the next generation of fashion professionals and strengthen Bhutan’s growing creative economy. The event is expected to provide an important platform for both established and upcoming designers to network, collaborate, and gain visibility among industry stakeholders.

More than a celebration of style, the week-long program seeks to honour Bhutan’s cultural identity while embracing global fashion trends, linking tradition with innovation on a national stage.

Kelly Dorji, the BFW director, said, “The Inaugural Bhutan Fashion Week is expected to draw national attention through in-country events in Paro Town and Thimphu City. Creations from our 20 designers will be shot by visiting ace photographers at many of our beautiful sites around Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha to be used in advertising nationally and internationally. Additionally, weekly profiles on each designer will feature in the prestigious Kuensel Newspaper, boosting national awareness of who our designers are- opening opportunities for sales and material supply chains for the creative market.”

Kelly Dorji added, “At the international level, our visiting designers will be using Bhutanese models for their advertising abroad in collaboration with BFW and Brand Bhutan, lending us a boost and platform of association that will bring a lot of attention to what is coming out of Bhutan. We are encouraged by the tremendous response that Sony C Tenzin received in Sydney recently and expect more collaborations with platforms in India, Australia, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and more.

For designers from Bhutan, in the long run, we expect international demand to help them sustain a steady and realistic supply of quality garments and creations. This will, in turn, generate a demand on local artisans for components to supply designers with. For models, we expect that they will begin to earn a stable living from the various platforms these opportunities will offer. The overall bar of standards will naturally set when industries establish themselves. We are also conducting a workshop on hair and makeup as well as one on fashion photography. This may encourage and enable participants to improve their skills and be better equipped for tomorrow’s market. If given this opportunity again, as Director of BFW I will endeavor to go 90% natural for future events, highlighting Bhutan’s leadership capabilities in environmental impact and influence. This is my passion and forte. I have been in the business of fashion, choreography, and pageantry for many years. This is second nature to me, so it has been a pleasure to organize this inaugural BFW.”

He concluded, “The challenge arises out of an inexperienced field where we mostly work with limited resources from within Bhutan. Luckily for me, I was able to put together an amazing team of assistants who had little or no experience but have proven themselves to be most capable of handling anything presented to them. I am grateful for the support of DOMCIIP and the RTA in supporting my vision and ensuring that I am empowered to achieve the success they expect of me. I am grateful to the Government of India and the economic stimulus plan that has made all this possible. My team and I will orchestrate a series of events over Bhutan Fashion Week that will weave together to form a beautiful fabric of Bhutanese fashion for the world to bear witness to.”

Rada Wangmo, a participant in the event who works as a Goods and Services Tax inspector, said, “The training and preparation have really boosted my confidence and helped me grow as a model. I have learned so much about posture, expression, and stage presence. It also taught me discipline and improved my communication skills, which I believe are very important in this field. Overall, it made me more passionate about modeling and motivated me to work harder toward my goals.”

Rada shared that her journey into modeling began with a deep admiration for fashion and the creative freedom it brings. Bhutan Fashion Week, she said, has helped her step out of her comfort zone and express herself with confidence. “For me, modeling is more than walking the runway, it is storytelling and self-belief. I hope that with more platforms and industry support, Bhutan can inspire young talents and create opportunities for international exposure, building a stronger and more vibrant fashion community. Through my runway performance, I want to express self-belief and show that with dedication and passion, anyone can follow their dreams. I do see modeling as a part of my future, and I hope to see more opportunities, workshops, and fashion platforms in Bhutan so young talents can grow and gain exposure, both locally and internationally.”

Pema Choki, founder of The Next Style, shared, “This collection is very close to my heart because it reflects who we are and how our lives are deeply connected to nature, culture, and simple everyday moments. Through every motif, texture, and movement, I wanted to tell a story that reminds us to pause, feel, and appreciate the rhythm of life around us. My collection, ‘Rhythm of Life,’ focuses on simplicity and minimalism, using hand-woven and naturally dyed fabrics with hand-painted motifs. Each piece symbolizes gratitude, connection, and the beauty of everyday life. As my first show, this platform gives me the opportunity to share my stories, learn from other creative minds, and collaborate with weavers, painters, and artists. I hope to inspire young people to follow their passion while staying rooted in our culture.

With the right support, collaboration, and policies that protect our textiles and artisans, Bhutanese fashion can grow stronger and reach the global stage. We have the talent and the heritage; all we need is consistent support and belief in our identity. If we continue to uplift our artisans and create opportunities for young designers, Bhutanese fashion can stand confidently on international platforms while staying true to our roots.”