Based on the novel by Sophie Kinsella, the Hollywood flick ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ tells the tale of a young girl and her mania for shopping even after she loses her job and her credit cards are maxed out, she still has trouble curbing her obsession to shop. The word “shopaholic” itself speaks volumes for the denizens of Nagaland who are bitten by their fixation for shopping. Gone are the days when someone sporting an in vogue/ pricey dress was considered too flamboyant and the general notion that came along with it that only the elite masses could meet the expenses of such clothes. Enter 21st century and you notice a radical change in the character trait of people.
Naga youths have joined the bandwagon of Hollywood celebrities to vie for the title of the ‘IT’ guy and girl. It’s not a rare sight these days to sport a Naga youth sashaying in panache dressed in expensive branded outfits with the latest phone in hand to complete the mega- knockout look. The saga of being the first to acquire the newest edition of mobile phones still continues uninterrupted. Phones without mega pixels, mp3 or expandable memories have received thumbs down citing embarrassment, no time pass as some of the few reasons.
Places like Hong Kong market, Shangri-La, central plaza, Mall 1922 etc are abuzz for most part of the week with some parents accompanying their children while others prefer to tag along with their friends without any adult scrutinizing or objecting to their choice of clothes. The sound of incessant haggling fills the entire shopping complex which is not unusual given that we are Nagas.
Traders buy clothes in bulk from ideal shopping destinations like Kolkota, Delhi, Bangkok, Hong Kong etc and sell their wares here for an exorbitant amount. But no one is complaining. Moreover as one person mentioned ‘you don’t want to be caught dead wearing the same dress as someone else’s in a public place’. So the mantra is ‘the more unique and Flashier the Better’.
Atsei Neikha
If there’s one thing I’ve noticed in Nagaland, it is certainly their take on fashion. For the past 10 years, I have lived outside Nagaland so I haven’t really incorporated in this little chic realm that seems to have been fabricated. Every time I come back, there is a new fad and everyone’s part of the band wagon and I mean that in the best possible sense. Where these trends begin from, no one knows but everyone takes the lead. From the places I have seen and lived, never have I come across a livelier, brighter enthusiast for fashion and styling than here. And that, my comrades, is a wonderful thing. You can really command fashion. And you can certainly even make cheap look good.
Of late we seem to have quickly moved away from that entire emo- ness and street fashion is certainly become Le trend. It is exciting and innovating. Quiet honestly, emo WAS. Let’s hope it never will be. From all that shifting of gear I think we have come to a full stop at least for now. Street fashion seems to be THE trend to follow. Like many, street fashion is difficult to characterize, both because it is constantly changing and because it has many manifestations. It doesn’t have a main point of origination nor is it a copy of other trends. Street fashion is obviously a root of the electric 80s where colour first burst into the scene. It is more popular with the youth of today who aren’t scared to take risk with their sense of style. You need to be creative and theatrical, be able to mix and match and above all, be bold and bright.
“Street Junk” is the ultimate store in little ol’ Dimapur, hidden away in Mall 1922 with voodoo dolls hanging in chains and a swarm of teenage girls. The innovative and audacious owner of the store is Manen Longkumer, a modish 20 something who unveiled the shop just last year. What’s wonderful is that this store has become an instant hit with the youth and seems to be the ultimate a fashion fixer. Ask the fashionistas in Dimapur and they’ll tell you. I spoke to an in vogue 17 year old Japanese enthusiast and he thinks ‘Street Junk’ as different and good in the best possible sense. Because they keep a lookout for the latest trends, he and his peer groups feel that ‘Street Junk’ is the place to shop.
Nagaland is a place where we are easily influenced. Call it multiculturalism at its best! We integrate the best of everything and voila! There we have it. Our own little twist in style certainly creates waves in the other parts of the country and that’s saying a lot! To stand out in a country whose population is a gazillion something…? Hey! That’s a compliment! We are certainly the ones they need to catch up on in the fashion rat race. So go on and do what you do best. Keep it stylish!
Lesly Lobeni
