Neha Ikram is a force shaping fashion beyond borders. From Norway, she is redefining fashion not as trend or display, but as connection. A cultural ambassador, founder, CEO, and creative director, Neha carries her roles with quiet confidence and purpose. Through her fashion show project, Voyage of Creation, she brings Scandinavia and South Asia together by using craftsmanship, storytelling, and women empowerment to create something meaningful and lasting.
Based in Oslo, Norway, Voyage of Creation is more than a fashion show; it is a living project. Designers from Pakistan are invited to showcase their collections in Norway, walking the runway alongside Pakistani supermodels and Norwegian models. The platform has also featured Norwegian brands such as Embla, creating a space where cultures meet in harmony rather than contrast.
A third-generation Norwegian with South Asian heritage, Neha’s vision is shaped by dual belonging. Scandinavian simplicity meets South Asian richness, not in opposition, but in balance. This harmony forms the foundation of Voyage of Creation, a platform rooted in meaning rather than surface.
At its core, the project centers on women empowerment. Women are not placed on the runway simply to be seen. They are present to be respected, recognized, and celebrated as creators, leaders, and carriers of story.
Q: You carry the title of Cultural Ambassador. What does that responsibility represent to you?
Neha Ikram:
To me, being a cultural ambassador is about responsibility and intention. It means representing cultures with respect, balance, and care, and using fashion beyond borders as a way to unite rather than divide. In a world where differences are often emphasized negatively, I believe in showing the beauty of diversity and the strength of coexistence.
That is what happens on our runway. Cultures are represented through diverse skin tones, nationalities, and identities, standing side by side, not separated. Through my work, I aim to create spaces where cultures are seen in their best light, connected through creativity and mutual respect. That sense of unity and positive representation is what truly defines the role for me.
Q: Voyage of Creation is often described as a bridge between Scandinavia and South Asia. How did that vision take shape?
Neha Ikram:
It came from my own life. Growing up in Norway with South Asian roots, I learned early on that identity doesn’t have to be singular. Scandinavian design taught me restraint and clarity, while South Asian culture taught me emotion, color, and depth. Voyage of Creation was born from the desire to let these worlds coexist beautifully, honestly, and without dilution.
Q: Women empowerment is a recurring theme in Voyage of Creation. Why is it central to your vision?
Neha Ikram:
Because empowerment must be visible. On the Voyage of Creation runway, women are not objects of beauty. They are carriers of story and strength. Empowerment, to me, is about visibility with respect, about showing women as creators, leaders, and decision-makers.
Q: You often approach fashion differently from the industry norm. How would you describe your relationship with fashion?
Neha Ikram:
I’m not a fashion “freak” in the conventional sense. I’m deeply passionate about craftsmanship, the way one would admire a jewel. Fashion, to me, is not about surface, logos, or recognition. It is about hands, heritage, and intention.
I’m drawn to what lives beneath the fabric, the hours of work, the cultural memory, and the quiet mastery. Fashion becomes meaningful when it carries depth and reflects humanity rather than display.
Q: Looking ahead, how do you see Voyage of Creation evolving?
Neha Ikram:
I don’t try to define it too tightly. Voyage of Creation is an artistic journey, and like any true journey, it reveals itself along the way. I allow it to grow organically, guided by intuition, stories, and the people it brings together. Some paths are meant to be discovered, not planned.
Q: How do you personally define success today?
Neha Ikram:
For me, success is the bond that’s created, the cooperation, the trust, and the confidence people gain through working together. Seeing individuals unite, support one another, and create something meaningful collectively, that is real success to me.
That is what drives me, the feeling of uniting people, of putting light and life into a shared vision. I don’t define success by fame. In today’s world, almost anything can become famous without carrying depth or purpose. What matters to me is impact, when people feel stronger, more confident, and more connected because they were part of the journey. That feeling is lasting, and that’s what I value.
Closing
From Norway, Neha Ikram continues to shape a vision rooted in unity, intention, and purpose. As a cultural ambassador, she reminds us that fashion, at its most powerful, is not about what is shown, but about what it brings together.
