Lucy Tage

Associate Senior Designer

Textile & Apparel Design

​Designer | Educator | Fashion Academic | Researcher

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Ms. Lucy Tage is a fashion academic, designer, researcher, and educator. Originally from Mudang-Tage Village, Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh, Lucy began her career as a fashion designer, establishing her own label and conceptualising, designing, and directing "Hills Will Fill," one of the earliest runway presentations celebrating the indigenous textiles of Arunachal Pradesh. Recognised for her innovative show direction and distinctive theatrical runway choreography, she later conceptualised and choreographed fashion presentations at the International Tourism Mart and at Statehood Day celebrations organised by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

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A postgraduate from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kannur, she is currently pursuing her doctoral research at NIFT, Bengaluru. Her research investigates the traditional costume culture of the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh through the lenses of dress, body, and material culture. She has taught at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels as an Assistant Professor (Senior Scale) in the Department of Design, Manipal School of Architecture and Planning (MAHE), Manipal.

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With over a decade of experience in design education and professional practice, Ms. Lucy has contributed to several academic forums, presenting her work at the Indian Institute of Craft and Design (IICD), Jaipur; the School of Design (IDC) at IIT Bombay; PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore; and Christ University, NCR, contributing to global discussions on Indigenous knowledge and cultural continuity. She has also served as a Master Trainer under the De-Suung Skilling Programme, Kingdom of Bhutan, in apparel production, pattern making, garment construction, and industry-oriented manufacturing practices.

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Her research has received international recognition, with papers accepted for presentation at ReFashioning Futures 2026, hosted by the Nottingham School of Art & Design, Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom, and at the Textiles + Fashion Symposium 2026 hosted by UNSW Art & Design, Sydney, Australia. Highlighting the growing international relevance of her work on indigenous dress systems, material culture, and cultural sustainability. 

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Guided by her philosophy, "Learn - Teach - Learn, Evolving mind and sharing growth", Lucy believes that while outcomes matter, it is the process that shapes designers, strengthens communities, and sustains cultures. Her academic practice integrates design research with material exploration, craft traditions, sustainability, and innovation. Looking forward to contribute to design education, interdisciplinary research, and innovation while continuing her commitment to preserving and contemporising India's rich indigenous knowledge systems through design.