A Historic First: Bhutan Debuts at Milan Fashion Week

Bhutan made history at Milan Fashion Week with its debut capsule collection, showcasing the iconic Kushuthara reimagined by Bhutanese artisans and designers in collaboration with Stella Jean.

On 27 September 2025, Bhutan has made history on the global fashion stage with the launch of its first-ever capsule collection, “Made in Italy Meets the Kingdom of Bhutan,” at Milan Fashion Week, one of the world’s most prestigious fashion events.

The collaboration spotlighted Bhutan’s rich textile heritage, with the iconic Kushuthara from Lhuentse reimagined into modern silhouettes. The pieces were crafted by Bhutanese women artisans from Goenpa Kabab and local designers, Chadrika Tamang, founder of CDK Gyencha and Tashi Zangmo, founder of Wangpee Couture, in partnership with renowned international designer Stella Jean.

The Bhutanese delegation, led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment, Dasho Tashi Wangmo, marked this as a proud moment for the country’s artisans and traditional craftsmanship on a global platform.

This initiative is part of the FAO’s Mountain Partnership, which aims to empower mountain communities, women, and local producers by linking them with worldwide markets.

Stella Jean’s Return: A Call to Protect Craftsmanship

Italian-Haitian designer Stella Jean, who returned to the Milan runway after three years, said backstage: “I said I would come back when I had something to say.”

Jean, who has long championed artisans around the world, used the platform to call for greater political support for craftspeople: “Italian craftsmanship is dying out,” she said, noting the decline in young people taking up traditional trades.

She appealed to Italian lawmakers to extend fiscal breaks to craftsmanship in the same way artworks are supported, ensuring artisans are fairly compensated. “We can’t pay them less because the artisans are already not being paid much. Otherwise we will see this craftsmanship only in museums. If we don’t wear it, it is useless.”

Bhutanese Craftsmanship on the Runway

The Bhutan collaboration featured handwoven tego jackets styled over silk dresses, elaborately embroidered nettle-fibre skirts, and silken gowns adorned with beadwork depicting village scenes. Jean’s front-row guests of honour were the Bhutanese artisans themselves, proudly dressed in traditional attire.

A Tribute to Giorgio Armani

Jean also paid homage to the late Giorgio Armani, recalling her own Milan runway debut in 2013 at the Armani Theatre. During the show, she held up a T-shirt that read: “Grazie, Mr. Armani,” signed “Stella.”

“We cannot be here without paying a tribute, which is also a sign of respect to someone to whom I am not alone in owing a debt. Italian fashion became the most important in the world, thanks to this gentleman,” she said.

About Milan Fashion Week

Milan Fashion Week is one of the “Big Four” global fashion weeks, alongside Paris, London, and New York, and it has long been regarded as the stage where craftsmanship meets innovation. Held twice a year, in February/March for autumn/winter collections and in September for spring/summer, it draws the world’s most influential designers, buyers, journalists, and celebrities. Known for its sharp tailoring, luxury labels, and avant-garde creativity, Milan Fashion Week is where Italian fashion powerhouses like Prada, Gucci, Armani, and Versace unveil their latest collections. Beyond the glamour, it’s also a platform that increasingly highlights sustainable practices, artisanal traditions, and cultural collaborations, giving global visibility to both established icons and emerging voices in the fashion industry.