Imphal: 'Sinnai Leichal' fashion parade creates platform for weavers, designers

Imphal (Manipur) [India] October 26 (ANI): Indigenous handloom has been associated in the history of Manipur, since the ancestral times and the province's rich handloom products received global attention.

To bring forth the local weavers and promote the traditional handloom in the global market, the first of its kind 'Sinnai Leichal' fashion parade was created in Imphal.

In Manipur, handloom industry carries an important role in economic growth and uplifts the livelihood of the people since the early stage.

It is indeed worth to glorify the presence of rich and unique raw materials of handloom and textiles in the region, which gave wings to many budding entrepreneurs, designers and indigenous weavers in the recent time.

In a bid to open gateway to global market and promote the less known traditional Wangkhei Phee and Moirang Phee, two of the indigenous clothes of Manipur with rare quality; Wangkheiphee Mantri's Handloom initiated the 'Sinnai Leichal' fashion parade with a theme 'Be Handloom Save Weavers' at Wangkhei Meiphoupham Lampak in Imphal.

The parade also aimed to create space for the indigenous weavers and showcased their hand woven exquisite designs, so as to outsource to the global market.

Mantri Meetei, Designer cum Organiser said, "In this event, I would like to promote our rich culture and traditional handloom products. And today, I am showcasing around 150 different designs."

The first of its kind fashion show gave a glimpse of various traditional handloom products with unique motifs and designs.

A varied hues and shades associating with mostly in silk materials give the rare and richness looks of the Wangkhei Phee and Moirang Phee handloom products.

Paired with Manipuri phanek, the hand woven embroidered stalls in a different mixture of shade stole the show.

Meanwhile, as a sign of recognition and encouragement, some of the indigenous weavers were also felicitated at the event.

Takhellambam Chinglembi, model, said, "It was a great event. All the designs are quite eye pleasing and the designs are more to tradition. It is quite comfortable and wearable and everyone can buy it."

The show also highlighted the other traditional handlooms of the state and sends a message to the people to preserve and promote the richly indigenous handloom products of the state.

Keshorechandra Wangkhemcha, a visitor, said, "This is a very unique kind of fashion parade especially because this fashion parade is aim to promote the traditional attires of Manipuri. There are lots of collections which we have never seen in our life as well, so this will give a good platform to all the weavers, models, the designers."

Such handloom promotional show gives awareness in preserving and conserving the pure handloom products. It also encourages the budding designers to adapt the original method and enhance to increase the productivity of the handloom products. (ANI)