(Top) Ikali Sukhalu, with her team at the opening of the Ikali Studio at 3rd Mile Dimapur on December 8. (Bottom) ‘Lil Naga’ creation of Ikali Sukhalu at Ikali Studio at 3rd Mile Dimapur on December 8. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 8
At the new store opening, Ikali Sukhalu, a designer from Dimapur and also the proprietor of Ikali Studio talked about her visions, missions and journey. “It has never been easy,” she remarked.
A graduate of fashion designing from Wigan & Leigh Mumbai and Fashion Business from London College of Fashion, London; Ikali is no stranger to fame and yet chose to come back to Nagaland to start a business. She won the NIAPA (North East India Academy of Performing Arts) contest 2015. Her works has been showcased at the “Tribal Trible” in the New York Couture Week in 2014.
Ikali is the creator of ‘Lil Naga’, a range of dolls depicting Nagaland’s traditional tribal attire. She plans on getting into more details to explore the nuances of Naga culture and traditions through her creation ‘Lil Naga’.
The biggest challenge has been find a dedicated team to work with. “People do not honour the contract, I start from scratch and trained people but when they have learnt, they leave,” Ikali explains. The Studio now has a team of five women. She plans to continue with an all women team but is looking to prioritize the differently abled persons. The team will be joined a mute women very soon. 
“At the moment I am focused on building my team,” Ikali explains saying that it is not easy to start a business enterprise. She is building a team of committed women to take the vision forward. She has been getting offers to showcase her works but at the moment do not have the necessary resources and human power.
Another mission for the team is to ensure the dignity of labour. “People often comment about salespersons in demeaning ways, every of work should be respected for all its worth.” The team at Ikali Studio wants to wants to ensure that there is dignity and respect in every work.
A new store of Ikali Studio began was inaugurated on December 8 at 3rd Mile Dimapur opposite Chekiye Gate by Kinimi, Advisor, Skill Development, Labour & Employment & CAWD. The Studio started its journey in 2014 and was operating at Nepali Basti until recently. Her works are sourced online by Roots and Leisure.
Kinimi, Advisor, Skill Development, Labour & Employment & CAWD speaking on the occasion lauded Ikali for coming back home to start her business and in the process empowering other women. She could have easily worked anywhere else and by making this conscious choice, she sets an example for other youth to follow.
