Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Gaikhuanlung Makhou Gangmei is heading to Mumbai. The 23-year-old designer from Chiuluan village in Manipur's Tamenglong district just scored a massive win. Vogue India nominated him for Stylist of the Year at the 2026 Forces of Fashion. The event kicks off on November 18, 2026. He will pull double duty as a jury member for the fifth edition of the showcase.
Known to peers as Akhuana, he is the brother of Akinsin Gangmei. His rise marks a major moment for creative talent coming out of Manipur's hill districts. Forces of Fashion acts as a massive hub for designers and stylists to swap ideas. It puts global eyes on the people actually changing the industry.
Gangmei builds his work by ignoring standard rules. He targets conventional norms regarding gender and sexuality. He treats styling as a deep dive into the human soul. He looks at personality, outlook, and comfort before picking a single thread. He told Vogue India, "Their approach to styling begins with understanding the individual rather than simply selecting clothes." This philosophy drives his push for inclusive design. He wants everyone to find representation without stripping away their identity.
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