Manipuri designer helps flood victims through Fashion Show

Bengaluru: Manipuri designer Robert Naorem is hosting the Kanglei Fashion Extravaganza here on Sunday to raise funds to help the flood victims in northeast – and also promote the region.

Now in its third year, the show was earlier titled Manipur Fashion Extravaganza and was held in the state's capital Imphal.

"I always wished to take the show to different cities of the country to spread awareness about northeast. There are a lot of issues going on in my hometown so, at this point of time I don't want to do a show in Manipur. The show promotes fashion and our culture, and youth from the state.

"I changed the name of the show to Kanglei Fashion Extravaganza as Kanglei is another word for Manipur. It has more impact," Naorem, now based here, told IANS.

While the focus will be on the fashion pieces from Manipur, he says the show is a tribute to the northeast.

"There will be five designers mostly from Manipur. I wish I could get more designers from other northeast states. But we will be showcasing a few pieces focussing on Arunachal Pradesh too. Then there are a few models from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The show is a tribute to the northeast and also to help flood victims of the region," said the 29-year-old.

"Dynamic Manipur foundation is our cause partner. The entry is free so that we can get as many people as possible to watch the show and contribute to the cause. There will be a donation box at the venue," added Naorem, who will be the finale designer as well.

He is set to entice the audience with what he is best at — Manipuri handloom work.

"I will open my show with gowns then move on to Indian saris with thread work and more, and finally present our traditional attire – phee and phanek," said the designer-cum-make-up expert.

Since he is doing a show in the capital of Karnataka, he has roped in a designer to present a collection dedicated to the state. "I felt that there should be a link between northeast and Karnataka."

The show, organised at a budget of Rs.16 lakh, will also see models from Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi. "Popular models like Carol Gracias and Nayanika Chatterjee will walk for us," he said.

Why no Bollywood names?

"We all know that Manipur doesn't allow Bollywood. Besides, the concept will be diverted to something else," said the designer, who has been in the industry for a decade now.

But he would like to take the show to the hub of Bollywood – Mumbai and even Delhi as he wants to create awareness about the region as much as possible.

(By Natalia Ningthoujam, IANS)