Sonam Kapoor dons Ukhrul-based East, by Easternlight Zimik. Meet the designer behind the brand

For Manipur-based designer Easternlight Zimik, the week has been a significant one. Actor Sonam Kapoor donned a kashan or traditional North-East wraparound-inspired set from his label, East for a dinner she hosted at her residence. Sharing photos of the actor in his creation, which puts craft from the Tangkhul Naga community in the spotlight, the designer called the day a ‘truly remarkable’ one. 

At Ukhrul in Manipur, Easternlight, a NIFT Delhi graduate, launched his brand nearly two years ago following stints of working with Indian designers including Gaurav Gupta and Manish Arora. 

“I am from the North-east and most of the time, we are not represented properly, and our stories are not shared. Even in fashion, this is true. For me, identity is very important and this is one of the reasons I started my brand, which champions the traditional weaving skills of the artisans here,” he says. 

Models wear East by Easternlight Zimik
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

East’s collections spotlight the traditional North-east wraparound or kashan, as well as shawls and stoles, which champions backstrap or loin loom weaving. “This is very time consuming and multiple weavers work on a single garment. I work with a team of 10 weavers and what I currently incorporate in East’s garments is my take on this traditional weave,” Easternlight says. 

From his new Patrons collection, Sonam wore the Akha set comprising a wrap-style top tied at the back and worn over a black shirt, with a kashan skirt in maroon and black. Much like his four previous collections, the Patrons collection is deeply personal to Easternlight, and holds a special significance as well. “This collection is a tribute of sorts, to people who inspire me, and who have been instrumental in my journey so far,” he says. Earlier this month, the Patrons collection was showcased at Seoul, South Korea. 

Sonam Kapoor wears the Akha set from the Patrons collection
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

While the focus is on taking Tangkhul craft to a wider audience and empowering artisans in Ukhrul, Easternlight also speaks about how they work on making these garments relevant and practical for a wider market. 

“From small details like attaching darts, belts or even pockets, these practicalities are encouraged especially among the younger generation. While my customer base is across all ages, the younger generation in particular has been very welcoming. For instance, they wear the kashan to office, or even when they travel and style it with shirts, t-shirts and sneakers,” he says. 

Easternlight has now been flooded with queries since the brand’s big fashion moment with Sonam. “I am overwhelmed, but also happy with all the enquiries we have been getting not just from my customer base here in the North-east, but from across the country,” he says.

 With every new collection, the designer says he understands fashion more and to him, it is all about identity. “It is always going to be about who you are. This was my starting point, and will continue to be what East champions,” he says. 

East by Easternlight Ziimik is available on eastdesignstudio.com