Street style culture has been trending for a while now, with individual style taking precedence over everything else. In the North East of India, street style is more than just a fashion statement – it’s a showcase of individuality and the region’s diverse cultures, mixed tastefully with global influences.

Today, we catch up with some of the trendsetters from three states of North East India – Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Tripura – to give us the lowdown on their personal style and what’s trending on their local fashion scene.

• Arunachal Pradesh

Jomter Karlo | Fashion Student at NIFT Mumbai

A fashion student from NIFT Mumbai, Jomter Karlois originally from Arunachal Pradesh. She loves to keep it edgy, funky, and unexpected by styling her outfits with accessories in unconventional ways.

“I am not much of a ‘dress’ person. I like to mix & match my outfit to create different looks each time and my wardrobe consists mostly of crop-tops, shorts, pants and skirts. I am just old school like that. I’ve grown up being inspired by all the fashionable people  from my hometown in Arunachal Pradesh. I love how we’ve always been super quick with picking up fashion trends and now, thanks to social media, world trends are so much more accessible to everyone now.” ~ Jomter Karlo, Fashion Student at NIFT Mumbai

“I am not much of a ‘dress’ person. I like to mix & match my outfit to create different looks each time” Jomter Karlo, Fashion Student at NIFT Mumbai

Licha Rinya | Model, Stylist, and Fashion Influencer

Licha is a 22-year-old model and is currently interning with the streetwear brand Shia Rai.

“My personal style is more inclined towards streetwear and grunge. I like mixing bright, bold colors with dark colors. I take inspiration from Japanese and Korean street fashion, and also look up to my fashion icons – Rihanna & Kim Jennie.” ~Licha Rinya, Model, Stylist and Fashion Influencer

“I take inspiration from Japanese and Korean street fashion, and also look up to my fashion icons – Rihanna & Kim Jennie.” ~Licha Rinya, Model, Stylist, and Fashion Influencer

Kampu Mari | B.Sc Agri graduate, Arunachal Pradesh

For Kampu from Arunachal Pradesh, Street Style is where she finds comfort most days. Sometimes she likes to doll up in co-ords and other days she keeps it chic in a statement piece.

“For most young people in my hometown (of Arunachal Pradesh), streetwear is a popular trend, as it allows us to experiment with our personal taste and budgets – while keeping it trendy and comfortable. Another popular trending piece is the summery flowy dress – I see a lot of them on the streets, also indicating a comeback of  90’s fashion.” ~ Kampu Mari, B.Sc Agri graduate, Arunachal Pradesh

“Another popular trending piece is the summery flowy dress – I see a lot of them on the streets, also indicating a comeback of  90’s fashion” ~ Kampu Mari, Arunachal Pradesh

Sumee Wangsu | BBA graduate

23-year-old Sumee Wangsu from Arunachal Pradesh is a BBA graduate and lives in New Delhi. She keeps her personal style simple and comfortable and loves clothing that can go from day to night.

“I want the clothes that I wear to match my personality, and also make me feel comfortable and good. That’s pretty much what I think of my personal style as well.”   ~ Sumee Wangsu , BBA graduate

Sumee Wangsu from Arunachal Pradesh, BBA graduate

• Manipur

Chunjanglu Dangmei | Freelance Fashion Consultant/Stylist

Chunjanglu Dangmei, 32 years old, works in Dubai as a Freelance Fashion Consultant and Stylist. According to her, young people in her hometown in Manipur are largely influenced by K-Pop fashion and supermodels like Kendall Jenner & Gigi Hadid.

“My personal style is very minimalistic and structured. I do not like complicated outfits as I believe that less is more.” ~Chunjanglu Dangmei, Freelance Fashion Consultant/Stylist

Diana Vaipheim | BSc. Student

Diana Vaiphei is 20 year old student, and currently lives in New Delhi

“Being a petite girl, I find comfort in dressing up in well-fitted dresses and skirts rather than blindly following trends. I do love the sneaker trend though!” ~ Diana Vaipheim, BSc. Student, New Delhi

Monika Wangkheirakpam | M.Sc Student

23-year-old Monika Wangkheirakpam is an M.Sc student and says that she loves to experiment with her style as long as it boosts her confidence.

“My personal style ranges from boho to sporty. Anything that fits into my mood and the occasion. Otherwise, I am usually a jeans & T-shirt kinda girl.” ~ Monika Wangkheirakpam | M.Sc Student

“I am usually a jeans & T-shirt kinda girl” ~ Monika Wangkheirakpam, M.Sc Student

Sujela | 12th-Grade Graduate Student

19-year-old Sujela is a high school student and likes to update her wardrobe with the latest trends on a regular basis.

“From netted socks to micro glasses to athleisure fashion, I like to experiment and make sure I keep myself updated with what’s trending on the streets of all the fashion capitals. I love keeping up with trends and also mixing and matching outfits.” ~ Sujela, High School Student, Manipur

“From netted socks to micro glasses to athleisure fashion, I like to experiment and keep myself updated” Sujela, High School Student, Manipur

• Tripura

Jarwi Debbarma | Fashion Student and Blogger ‘That Style Rebel’

Jarwi is a 20-year-old fashion design student and fashion blogger. Her personal style according to her is basic and minimal. She prefers athleisure and streetwear for everyday wear and has a lot of white, gray and black in her wardrobe.

“Even though Instagram and social media has now taken over my hometown (of Tripura) as a window to fashion trends, most of them still prefer to keep it casual and comfortable, and stick to individual style above anything else.” ~ Jarwi Debbarma, Fashion Student and Blogger 

Twiphang Rai Raeng | Student, Freelance Make-Up Artist & Hairstylist

17-year-old Twiphang Rai Raeng is a student and also freelances as a make-up artist cum hair stylist.

He says, “I find comfort in streetwear like most people my age these days.” ~ Twiphang Rai Raeng, Student, Freelance Make-Up Artist & Hairstylist

Papiya Reang | Law Student

Papiya Reang, 21 from Tripura is a Law Student. She says that most people in her hometown follow street style and are heavily influenced by K-Pop culture… bright colored hair, mom jeans, and crop sweats are fast becoming the in-thing with the youngsters.

She says, “My personal style consists more of classy and chic wear. I like flowy silhouette dresses, florals and prints.” ~ Papiya Reang, Law Student

Guddu Debbarma | Medical Student

23-year-old Guddu Debbarma is from Tripura and is currently a final year student of medicine.

He says, “I love to play with bold prints on shirts and sober bottoms. As long as I find comfort in the clothes I wear, I am ready to experiment.” ~ Guddu Debbarma, Medical Student, Tripura