Guinness World Record for Highest Altitude Fashion Runway on Land

Kathmandu, Feb 13. Mt Everest Fashion Runway has been officially recognized as the highest altitude fashion show on land by the Guinness World Records. The historic event took place in Kala Pathar at 5340 meter above sea level on 26 January 2020. Kala Patthar is famous for being the best view point of Everest and is located at a slightly higher altitude than Everest Base Camp.

The event was organized by KASA and sponsored by RB Diamond, both domestic brands of Nepal. Kasa showcased designs made out of sustainable fabrics of felt, pashmina and organic cotton to spread awareness about climate change. RB Diamond presented crowns and fine jewelry inspired by Nepali art, culture and patterns with special focus on Kyanite, a high quality gemstone mined in Nepal.

Some lucky trekkers who happened to be in Kala Patthar were part of the audience, along with dignitaries from Nepal Tourism Board, Visit Nepal 2020 and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. The chief guest for the show Mr. Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, Secretary of Ministry of Tourism, was accompanied by Ms. Nandini Lahe Thapa, officiating CEO of NTB and Mr. Ramesh Maharjan, president of Federation of Nepal Gold Silver Gem and Jewellery Associations.

A total team of 48 persons – 18 Nepali and international models, camera and support crew, medical doctors and photographers – flew from Kathmandu to Lukla 16 January and started their journey through Phakding, Namche Bazar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorak Shep and finally to Kala Patthar.

The team walked every day between 6-9 hours, made slower by the need for breaks for video and photo shoots. They walked through blizzards and snowed up trails, making sure to walk carefully so as to not slip on the ice. They were met with frozen water pipes and extreme temperatures of minus 20 degrees. And for their troubles, they were rewarded with heavenly landscapes, the clearest mountain views, and the friendliest of the mountain people always ready to help out the crew.

The group of 48 mostly strangers all came back as a single family. International members of the team were treated to a glimpse of true Nepali culture, food and lifestyle – a real Lifetime Experience for them. Every member of the team pushed themselves to the limit both physically and mentally.

This was a journey marked with disbelief and pessimism from many quarters when the team first started. After months of dedication, the team finally achieved its goal of bringing a proud record home to Nepal, of the Highest Altitude Fashion Runway on Land and one of the most unique fashion and tourism properties – The Mt. Everest Fashion Runway.

A big thank you to RB Diamond and Kasa for organizing this unprecedented event, Nepal Tourism Board for bringing invaluable support to the event, Hotel Royal Singi for being the best hospitality partner and Summit Air for being the smoothest and safest Himalayan flight.