Weaving dreams: Virokono Kuotsu’s journey with Mekhala

Vikedono Thepa

KOHIMA — A proud traditional ‘mekhala’ (a type of wrap-around skirt) wearer herself, 31-year-old Virokono Kuotsu transformed her frustration over the lack of quality mekhala in stores into a driving force for innovation.

What started as a personal struggle soon blossomed into a bigger dream of providing a platform where mekhala lovers can easily find and shop mekhalas that are both meaningful and accessible.

Towards the end of 2023, she transformed her vision into reality by launching her home-based business, Mekhala_exclusive_official, an Instagram platform dedicated to bringing elegant, handpicked mekhalas directly to people’s homes.

In an interview with Eastern Mirror, Kuotsu shared, “It is all the women, the tradition as well as my personal love for mekhalas, which actually inspired me to start working with mekhalas.”

In a generation where traditional knowledge is gradually fading and younger voices are drifting away from indigenous fashion, Kuotsu saw both need and opportunity, not only to revive interest in mekhalas but with long-term plans to collaborate with skilled local weavers and uplift their artistry, whilst simultaneously introducing her own designs, offering a platform for varied and customized mekhala creations.

She believes that mekhalas are making an impact not just for customers, but for everyone involved in the process, especially the weavers whose craft often goes unrecognised.

Since starting her business, Kuotsu has witnessed a decent growth. While majority of her clients are based in Nagaland, her reach has gradually extended across other states.

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In recent years, she has seen a change in buyer demographics, with urban and younger generations increasingly seeking out local heritage through fashion, driven by a newfound appreciation for their roots.

The ‘Mekhala Wednesday’ movement has played a major role in this shift, encouraging working professionals to wear mekhalas regularly, normalising traditional wear in everyday settings.

‘Mekhala Wednesday’ in Nagaland is a movement where women, particularly those working in government offices, wear the traditional mekhala on Wednesdays to work.

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Her customer base is diverse, ranging from those who buy mekhala for everyday wear to those seeking them for special occasions and cultural events. Among her collection, cotton mekhala is the most sought-after due to its comfort, breathability, and durability.

With the overwhelming support she has been receiving from people and the ever-growing love for mekhala, Kuotsu envisions a future where ‘Mekhela exclusive’ evolves into something much bigger that offers diverse collections and continues to keep the essence of mekhala alive for generations to come.

(Vikedono Thepa is a Bachelor in Mass Communication student at Testo College, Dimapur, and currently an intern at Eastern Mirror.)