Style Spot caught up with Nengneithem Hengna a fashion entrepreneur who created RUNWAY, a fashion House which started its energy in 2011 to create a platform for distribution of her clothing and accessories, as well as products from other entrepreneurs largely to improve opportunities.
With Style Spot she talks about her experiment, the value of following one’s instinct and creating a work place that works for you. RUNWAY has sold their pieces on Jaypore.com with a remarkable response. The jewelries of RUNWAY have also displayed during the Northeast Fest at New Delhi and Dzükou Tribal Kitchen New Delhi.
EASTERN MIRROR: When did you begin feeling enchanted with the fashion world?
NENGNEITHEM HENGNA: Since at a very young age I was always interested in styling others. Slowly this childhood interest built up as a passion to an entrepreneur. When I was in standard eight I made my mind to be a fashion entrepreneur.
EASTERN MIRROR: Tell us your journey into turning yourself a fashion entrepreneur?
NH: The journey was never easy, but that’s a part of every success story I guess….. (Smiles)…..this positive thoughts and support from my families and lessons from my failures encouraged me to do more better each time.
EASTERN MIRROR: Tell us a bit about ‘RUNWAY’.
NH: Runway is more of an organization based in Nagaland where we promote entrepreneurs and our local skills and provide different services where we also have two branches- Runway Clothing & Runway Career path.
In the former we promote local artisans and manufacturers by providing them counters and different services like sales/marketing/wholesale buyers/operations. Apart from that Runway has a designing section where we design breads, jewelries, bamboo jewelries and handmade natural fibre dresses which we see through e-commerce. Whereas in the latter part, we provide government sponsored courses to dropout youths, admission in professional courses, placements, organize career counseling and workshops.
EASTERN MIRROR: Where do you get your best ideas and how do you imply it?
NH: Ideas are everywhere……it’s just how we execute it. And fortunately Nagas have a vibrant culture and our taste is also naturally lively and energetic. So, obviously most of our designs are inspired by our rich and colorful culture.
EASTERN MIRROR: As an expert in this field, what is your say on Nagas inclination towards fashion?
NH: Nagas have inborn sense of fashion. We just have to believe in ourselves and be original.
EASTERN MIRROR: What is it about RUNWAY that you are so proud?
NH: In runway we use only natural fabric made from bamboo, hand-woven and handmade by our own local women. The jewelries are made from beads and bamboo which defines creativity and handwork for which I am cent percent satisfied and proud of. Those pieces designed at RUNWAY are available at Fusion Store.
EASTERN MIRROR: Any new or upcoming projects you are working on that you’d like to share with us?
NH: We have designed some Kuki traditional neck pieces which we have sold through Jaypore.com ,with the good response and demand from the market we are now working on a project that is not only about fashion and style but a story that we are narrating through our designs. Thread by thread we stitch a dream.
