DAWA ZANGNO| Thimphu
Bhutan will host its first ever fashion week across three Dzongkhags. Themed around the past, present, and future, the event aims to place Bhutan’s creative industry on the global stages.
Scheduled from October 27 to November 1, 2025, the six-day festival of style and design will unfold across three dzongkhags that is Bumthang, Paro, and Thimphu with each district showcasing a unique theme inspired by Bhutan’s timeless narrative of continuity.
The event is being organised with the support of the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP) under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, in collaboration with the Royal Textile Academy (RTA).
It is envisioned as a landmark moment for Bhutan’s emerging creative industry, providing a platform for designers, artisans, and models to present their work on an international stage.
Organisers said that the choice of themes across the three venues is deeply tied to Bhutan’s cultural journey.
Bumthang home to centuries-old weaving traditions and sacred monasteries will highlight the “past” through exhibits of heritage textiles and traditional attire.
Paro will focus on the “present”, capturing the contemporary evolution of Bhutanese fashion while Thimphu, the capital and hub of modern Bhutan, will embody the “future”, showcasing forward looking designs and experimental interpretations that link Bhutanese creativity with global fashion trends.
According to DoMCIIP Director Sonam Penjor, the initiative is not just about fashion but about finding a meaningful balance between preserving tradition and embracing change.
“Designers are mindful, balancing preservation with contemporary expressions. What matters is finding the balance preserving the past while looking forward,” he said.
He added that Bhutanese designers have long expressed the need for a structured platform where their creations can be enhanced, recognized, and promoted both nationally and internationally.
“This event is about giving Bhutanese designers that stage,” he added.
The organisers have been careful to highlight that Bhutan Fashion Week is not about commercializing culture but rather about allowing it to evolve naturally.
Lhari Karma Wangchuk, the event’s Creative Director, praised the concept’s sensitivity to Bhutan’s cultural values.
“Designs on their own cannot be sold. They must be promoted and worn if they are to live on. Bhutan’s designs must be served organically,” he said, stressing that fashion must remain connected to the people and communities that create it.
He further added that cultural heritage is not static, and Bhutanese textiles and attire must continue to evolve if they are to remain relevant for younger generations and appealing on international platforms.
Show Director Kelly Dorji underscored the unique nature of the event, describing it as a step beyond previous initiatives in both scale and vision.
“It is larger, more inclusive, and more ambitious, unfolding over three dzongkhags with a different theme and curated experience,” he said.
He emphasized that the event is being built on collaboration bringing together local weavers, designers, artisans, and international professionals.
“It is a collaborative spirit, bringing together leading designers and cultural exchanges,” Kelly Dorji added.
The organisers believe that this approach will ensure Bhutan Fashion Week is not only a one-time celebration but also a sustained effort that sets benchmarks for future creative events in the country.
The event has already attracted strong interest from within Bhutan and beyond.
Around 21 local designers are expected to showcase their collections, alongside five international fashion professionals, including photographers, stylists, and creative industry experts.
Adding to the glamour, between 10 to 12 top models from India will take the ramp, alongside Bhutanese models.
The event has also drawn the attention of international fashion magazines and media, who are expected to cover Bhutan’s debut on the global fashion scene.
Organisers said this mix of Bhutanese and international participants will ensure a rich exchange of ideas and experiences, positioning Bhutan as an emerging player in the global creative industry.
Beyond the immediate spectacle of the week, the organisers see Bhutan Fashion Week as the beginning of a longer journey.
DoMCIIP officials revealed that discussions are already underway to establish a Bhutan Fashion Council, a permanent body that would provide institutional support, resources, and sustained commitment to the country’s fashion industry.
Such a council, the officials explained, would help Bhutanese designers formalise their practices, strengthen their presence internationally, and ensure that creative industries continue to thrive as a viable sector contributing to Bhutan’s economy and cultural identity.
A Celebration of Culture timing of the fashion week is also symbolic.
Coinciding with National Day celebrations, the event will blend fashion with cultural festivities, presenting Bhutanese creativity as both rooted in tradition and open to the world.
Organisers acknowledged that while Bhutan cannot compare itself to established global fashion capitals such as Paris, Milan, or London, the country has its own unique story to tell.
“Our ambition is not only to mount a successful event this year but also to strengthen Bhutanese presence on international platforms,” organisers said.
They stressed that the goal is to ensure Bhutanese fashion and culture are heard globally, without losing the authenticity that makes them distinctive.
Bhutan Fashion Week is being hailed as a defining moment for the country’s creative industry.
By bringing together heritage weavers, innovative designers, international models, and industry experts, the event promises to celebrate Bhutanese textiles and creativity in ways that are inclusive, ambitious, and forward-looking.
As the organisers prepare to roll out the inaugural edition, hopes are high that this will be the beginning of a lasting platform one that not only showcases Bhutan’s vibrant fashion identity but also creates pathways for Bhutanese designers to reach audiences beyond the country’s borders.
From Bumthang’s deep rooted traditions to Paro’s contemporary sensibilities and Thimphu’s vision of the future, the Bhutan Fashion Week 2025 aspires to tell a story of continuity, evolution, and cultural pride.
