October 31, 2025
PARO – The soft drizzle and chill in the air did not stop Bhutanese designers and models from transforming the main street in Paro into a vibrant runway at the inaugural Bhutan Fashion Week (BFW) yesterday.
The weather was gloomy, but the atmosphere was alive with colour, rhythm and anticipation. Music pulsed through the streets of Paro town, where traditional Bhutanese houses lined the improvised red-carpet runway.
Models glided past the intricate woodwork façades, their garments glowing against the rustic backdrop. It was a fitting contrast – old Bhutan standing proudly beside the new.
Of the 20 designers taking part in the BFW, nine presented their collections in Paro.
Among them was Ida Ghaley, 22, one of the youngest designers at the event, whose work stood out for its commitment to sustainability and cultural fusion. “It’s been such a wonderful experience to be around so many creative designers,” she said. “The relationship we have all built with each other has been beautiful.”
Born to a Bhutanese father and a Danish mother, Ida’s creative vision reflects both her heritages. She explained that for years she felt the global fashion industry did not align with her values. “I always thought the design industry wasn’t for me because it was all about fast fashion and changing trends,” she said. “Now that upcycling and sustainability are becoming so important, I finally feel I have a place.”
Her collection, titled “Culture Leading Through Upcycling”, reimagines Bhutanese garments for a new life. “My collection is about using Bhutanese garments and showing how sustainable they are by giving them another life,” she said. “Even after they have been worn as a kira, you can turn them into beautiful trousers or shirts. It is about showing that our clothing can live on and on, through different lifetimes.”
While Ida represents the new generation of Bhutanese designers, Dorothy Gurung, Founder of Druk Fashion House, embodies the persistence and evolution of Bhutan’s fashion industry.
Having studied fashion design in 2006 as part of the country’s first diploma batch, she has witnessed its slow transformation firsthand. “I am very happy to be part of this event,” she said. “We have had small fashion shows before, but this is different. It’s the first time designers like us are getting a real platform to showcase our talent and skills.”
Dorothy Gurung’s work is rooted in her admiration for Bhutan’s handwoven fabrics and her desire to make them more accessible.
“A client from the US once told me she had bought a kira long ago and now used it as a wall hanging because she didn’t know what else to do with it,” she said. “I asked her to bring it back the next year. I turned that kira into several outfits, casual and formal, and she was so happy. That’s when I realised how much potential our textiles have.”
Her collection at BFW continued this mission to make traditional fabrics part of everyday life. “People often stop wearing their kiras after a while and leave them in a corner,” she said. “I thought, why not create something that can be worn anywhere, even abroad? Bhutanese textiles are beautiful, and they deserve to be part of our daily lives.”
Dorothy Gurung also spoke about the event’s impact on Bhutan’s creative ecosystem. “Before, there were few designers and almost no market,” she explained. “Now, people understand the importance of fashion. This event will inspire young designers, especially those who’ve studied but never had the opportunity to work in the field. BFW gives them hope and direction.”
Another designer who found new energy through the event is Gaymit Sada Lepcha, Founder of She Bhutan. Established in 2013, her brand pioneered contemporary yathra jackets – a modern interpretation of one of Bhutan’s most recognisable woven fabrics. Her collection for BFW, titled “She: The Rewoven Self”, carries deep personal significance.
“It’s inspired by a Japanese philosophy called Kintsugi, where broken ceramics are repaired with gold,” she explained.
“My collection reflects that idea. It’s about healing and transformation, both for me as a designer and for my brand, which had to close during the pandemic. This is a comeback,” she said, adding that BFW represents renewal and solidarity.
“It’s a big platform for designers like me to collaborate and showcase our work,” she said. “It will inspire many young designers, especially women, to step forward knowing that there’s a space that supports and celebrates them.”
As the event in Paro drew to a close, the significance of the moment settled in. Under the overcast skies, 54 models – students, graduates, and professionals – walked the runway, wearing the imagination of 20 Bhutanese designers.
The final day of the BFW will be held on October 31, where the remaining fashion designers will share their creations.