IDA GHALEY
I am a Bhutanese-Danish designer and the founder of the brand IDA GHALEY. I spent the first years of my life in Gelephu and Thimphu with my family. My mother worked with the United Nations during Bhutan’s transition to democracy, and my father is an agricultural professor- both of whom have shaped my values and global outlook.
After moving to Denmark with my family, I pursued my education in fashion and textile design. My creative journey began with a fascination for fabric and storytelling through clothing. From a young age, I was drawn to how garments can carry culture, identity, and emotion.
Culture and society have always been my greatest sources of inspiration. My passion lies in creating fashion that doesn’t highlight culture clashes, but rather celebrates cultural meetings. I see design as a bridge between worlds- something my brand, IDA GHALEY, aims to reflect.
Bhutan, one of my two incredible homes, embodies values that the world often overlooks: time, empathy, and happiness. Bhutanese textiles are among the most stunning in the world, rich in symbolism, color, and craftsmanship, yet they remain underrepresented on the international fashion stage. One reason may be their intricate and extravagant visual language, which can feel challenging to adapt into everyday wear for a global audience.
That’s where IDA GHALEY steps in. My brand merges Bhutanese craftsmanship with Scandinavian minimalism—blending traditional detail with modern silhouettes. Imagine a denim tego subtly embroidered with Bhutanese motifs, or a sleek black kira reimagined with tone-on-tone detailing.
Sustainability is central to everything we do. We work with eco-friendly materials, upcycle old kiras and ghos, and are committed to finding low-impact export solutions to minimize our environmental footprint.
The time to launch this brand feels right. Bhutan has the potential to share its artistry with the world in a way that is contemporary, sustainable, and deeply rooted in tradition. By supporting local weavers and preserving traditional techniques, we can create meaningful, conscious fashion.
As the world’s only carbon-negative country, Bhutan is already a global symbol of sustainability. Through fashion, I hope to share that message, and Bhutan’s quiet, powerful beauty, with a wider audience.
Creative Experiences
My journey in the fashion industry has been both deeply personal and creatively driven. Coming from a multicultural background, I’ve always viewed fashion as a space where traditions and cultures can be explored, connected and celebrated. Since completing my design education in Copenhagen, I’ve worked on projects that allowed me to experiment with merging Eastern and Western aesthetics, always with an eye for craftsmanship and storytelling.
Launching IDA GHALEY has been a defining moment in my journey. It represents years of creative exploration, cultural reflection, and a deep desire to see Bhutanese textiles find their space in global fashion. Though I’m still in the early stages of my brand’s development, the process has already been rich with learning, collaboration, and purpose.
My signature style is a fusion of contrasts: minimalist silhouettes blended with intricate, meaningful detail. I lean towards clean lines and neutral tones, but always include a cultural fingerprint—whether it’s a handwoven panel, subtle embroidery, or a repurposed traditional fabric.
What sets my designs apart is this deliberate merging of heritage and modernity. Many brands either focus on tradition or trend; my work aims to balance both. I want the wearer to feel that they are part of a bigger story—one that honors and celebrates the cultural meetings
Creativity for me comes from staying connected to people, places, and purpose. I find endless inspiration in Bhutanese artisans, Danish architecture, conversations with elders, old photographs, and natural materials. I also believe that creating within constraints-whether cultural, sustainable, or material- often leads to more innovative design.
My proudest moments so far include being invited to showcase my vision at BFW’25. Before, I’ve been honored to collaborate with Bhutanese football federation and She-cycle.
Ultimately, my journey is only beginning. But it’s grounded in deep respect, honest curiosity, and a commitment to sustainable, story-driven fashion.
Fashion vision BFW 2025
The collection I’m presenting at BFW 2025 is a celebration of connection—between cultures, materials, and people.
It draws inspiration from Bhutanese textile traditions and reinterprets them through a contemporary, minimalist lens. Each piece is designed as a quiet meeting point: between East and West, past and future, tradition and innovation.
The collection features upcycled Bhutanese fabrics—such as kira and gho textiles—reworked into timeless silhouettes using sustainable techniques like hand-weaving, natural dyeing, and zero-waste cutting. You’ll see subtle embroidery inspired by traditional Bhutanese motifs, clean Nordic tailoring, and a palette rooted in earth tones with intentional textures.
The story I want to tell with this collection is one of dialogue.
I don’t believe in erasing differences—I believe in connecting them. This collection is about cultural meetings, not clashes. It’s an invitation to slow down, to notice detail, and to reflect on where our clothes come from and what they represent. It’s also a call to consider sustainability not just as a technical issue, but a social and emotional one: respecting time, craft, and each other.
In the creation of this collection, I am proud to collaborate with several incredible organizations and brands that share my values of sustainability, culture, and empowerment. I am collaborating with the European brand Soulland, known for its thoughtful, minimalist designs; the Bhutanese Football Federation, to celebrate Bhutanese craftsmanship on an international stage; the Taraiana Foundation, an organization supporting traditional artisans in Bhutan; and She-Cycle, a social enterprise focused on empowering women through recycling. These collaborations bring together diverse communities and resources to create a collection that is both meaningful and impactful.
From BFW 2025, I hope to spark meaningful conversations.
I’m excited to meet creatives and changemakers who share a vision for fashion that is rooted in heritage and responsibility. I also hope to inspire a wider audience to see the beauty and potential of Bhutanese craftsmanship on a global platform.
Looking ahead, I believe the future of fashion in Bhutan is rich with possibility.
We have one of the world’s most unique textile traditions, and a deep respect for nature and community. If we can nurture that heritage while embracing innovation and sustainability, Bhutan has the potential to become a global leader in mindful, culturally-rooted fashion. I see a future where more Bhutanese designers emerge, where traditional weaving is not only preserved but evolves, and where fashion becomes a tool for economic empowerment and cultural storytelling.
Contact and Social Media
Phone: +4550913032
Mail: [email protected]
Instagram: @idaghaley