Pema Lhamo |  Intern

An apparel design competition themed “The Buddhism Thread that Ties India and Bhutan” organised by the Embassy of India in Thimphu and Bhutan Fashion Consortium saw 10 participants aged between 18 and 35 years participating in the contest.

The contest was aimed at identifying and promoting Bhutanese designers who possess the potential and innate entrepreneurial talent to establish their own fashion house.

An aspiring designer, Sonam Choden, won the contest and received Nu 30,000 and a five-day internship with the Design Council of India (FDCL), which is fully sponsored by the Embassy of India.

“My inspiration comes from the simplicity of Buddha’s life, the moment of peace and stillness shows us how extraordinary our lives could be, so to put that in my design work, I went for a minimalistic design that represents not only Buddhism but also the spiritual path that has always connected India and Bhutan,” she said.

Designer Tenzin Lhazom was the first runner-up with a cash prize of Nu 25,000 and Designer Tshering Yangki was second runner-up with a cash prize of Nu 20,000.

Dechen Choden from Paro received a consolidation prize of Nu 15,000. She said that she started her own designs from home and one of her friends encouraged her to participate in the Bhutan Fashion Consortium, so she decided to give it a try.

The website of the Bhutan Fashion Consortium was also launched yesterday.

Edited by Tshering Palden