Shillong-born designer brings Meghalaya’s heritage textiles to global design spotlight.
ROOPAK GOSWAMI
Shillong, Mar 9: Textile designer Ilamonbanrisa Thangkhiew from Meghalaya has been featured in the “8 Women in Design to Watch” article, published in a special International Women’s Day 2026 issue by New Designers, which recognises emerging designers whose work is pushing the boundaries of the global design industry.
New Designers is one of the United Kingdom’s leading platforms for emerging creative talent. Established in 1985 and held annually in London, the exhibition showcases thousands of graduate designers from across the UK and connects them with global design professionals, brands, and media.
Reacting to the recognition, Thangkhiew said the feature has been both encouraging and motivating for her work.
“It feels great to be included in this feature that celebrates women shaping the future of design. It has given me a boost in confidence and to always trust the process. The feeling of being seen and recognised within the design world encourages me to keep pushing forward in my work,” she said.
Thangkhiew, a London–India-based textile designer and maker, has been gaining international recognition for her work that blends heritage textiles from Meghalaya with contemporary design practices. Her design approach explores storytelling, traditional craftsmanship and the natural world through woven textiles and surface development.
She works primarily with natural fibres such as ramie, cotton, silk and bamboo, creating bespoke textile pieces for private and commercial interiors.
A key aspect of her practice is close collaboration with artisanal weaving communities in Meghalaya, where she promotes sustainable textile innovation and helps preserve traditional weaving skills.
Speaking about the uniqueness of the region’s textiles, Thangkhiew said Meghalaya’s weaving traditions are deeply connected to the cultural identity of its communities.
“Textiles from Meghalaya are special because they carry deep cultural meaning and are closely connected to the identity of the communities. Many of the textiles are traditionally handwoven with natural fibres and naturally dyed, and have distinctive patterns, colours and techniques that reflect the heritage and stories of the region,” she said.
“In my own work, I explore these ideas through contemporary textile design for interiors and spaces, exploring storytelling, heritage and the natural world through woven textiles and surface development. Each piece tells a story through its form, texture, technique and craftsmanship,” she added.
Thangkhiew said showcasing her work internationally also helps draw attention to the region’s rich textile heritage.
“By showcasing my work on international platforms, I hope to bring more visibility to the place and textiles from Meghalaya,” she said.
Thangkhiew was born and raised in Nongrim Hills in Shillong, where she completed her schooling at Meghalaya Police Public School. She initially pursued a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, but later realised her interest lay in design and shifted her academic path.
She went on to study Textile and Apparel Design at the National Institute of Design, Andhra Pradesh, earning her Bachelor’s degree in design. A year after graduating, she further specialised in textiles by completing a Master’s degree in Textiles from the Royal College of Art, one of the world’s most prestigious postgraduate art and design institutions.
In 2021, Thangkhiew was honoured at the Prime Awards in Shillong for her work in ramie fibre innovation and community development under the Ateliers Meghalaya programme supported by Meghalayan Age Limited. She also received the House of Directory Award for Tradition and Storytelling in London in 2025.
Her work has been featured in international design publications, including Interior Design Magazine, The Voice of Fashion and Architectural Digest India. Her textiles have also been showcased globally, including at Heimtextil New Talent 2026 at Messe Frankfurt, one of the world’s leading exhibitions for home and contract textiles.
Her growing international recognition highlights the rising global visibility of Meghalaya’s traditional textiles and artisan weaving communities, bringing the region’s heritage crafts into contemporary global design conversations.
Also Read: 3 women in 60-member House: Meghalaya Guv backs 33% reservation
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