The growing presence of the “Seven Sisters” in the world of fashion is very well personified by none other than Atsu Sekhose. This boy from Nagaland, who dreamt of YSL and Karl Lagerfeld in school, is already making waves in the fashion industry. His collections are a mix of Asian influence and western sensibility says Sekhose. It’s always a delight to check out his subdued, chic look, especially his fiddling with silks and handloom fabrics from the Northeast. Sekhose usually favours summery hues including white, ecru and beige.
When asked about what he feels that he being from the North-East and making it big in the fashion industry, he quickly replies that shops across the breadth of the city are manned by lads from the Northeast isn’t news. What’s interesting, however, is that the phenomenon of well-dressed Northeasterners handing you your designer picks is indicative of another movement, which is the growing presence of the “Seven Sisters” in the world of fashion. This trailblazer – moving from his home town in search of, well, the National Institute of Fashion Technology – had interesting experiences on reaching Delhi.
He remarks, “The prejudice you face on the street is not because you’re from the Northeast, it’s because you’re fashionable. People look at us because we have no qualms about dressing differently. We’re less conservative. We’re in a very judgemental city and that’s where discrimination comes from – judgement.” People usually give the Northeasterners the rap of being too laidback, not serious and all about rock ’n’ roll and partying and this is what Atsu vowed to conk out by proving himself in the fashion scenario. There are so many students who come from small towns to fashion and cut loose because they’re away from home. But North-Easterners’ stand out because the culture back home – especially in Nagaland – is more evolved.
- He joined National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi in 1998.
- Atsu started his career apprenticing under the illustrious Tarun Tahiliani.
- Worked for Spanish label “Zara”.
- Launched his label “ATSU” in 2006.
- Has been recently profiled in Elle magazine as “India’s Rising Star in the Field of Fashion”.
- Has also been featured in Vogue (India) as “The Most Promising Designer to Watch out For.”
- Showcased at the Milan Fashion Week his Spring/Summer 2010 collection and the media pitched the collection as the ‘Fresh Folata of couture from the Young Spirit’.
Atsu’s sensibility is chic and understated and his ready to wear line consist of contemporary and elegant pieces with a very distinct signature style of his own.
Sekhose is optimistic about the future of North-easterners in the fashion scene in the city. “People from the Northeast know fashion, they know what’s in and out and they’re always well dressed and presentable. Five years ago, the talent was there, but not the focus. That has changed. Talent and hard work can take you anywhere.”
He currently retails from Ensemble –Mumbai and New Delhi, Chamomile- New Delhi, Zoya –Mumbai.
