Richana Khumanthem captivates all at Lakme Fashion Week
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 02 2018: Invited as one of the six designers from the North East of India, Richana Khumanthem - owner & designer of the label 'Khumanthem' from Manipur - showcased her Spring Summer Collection 2018 'Anemoia' .

Under the theme NortheastMojo, Lakme Fashion Week curated collections from six designers whose work involves working with local artisans, using locally weaved fabrics, and promotes sustainable fashion production.

The event was held on the February 1 at Jio Gardens, BKC, Mumbai.

Lakme Fashion Week is one of the only premier fashion trade events globally that dedicates an entire day to celebrate sustainable fashion that includes themes on Indian handlooms, handicrafts as well as recycling and post-consumer waste since the past 12 seasons.

As part of the theme that Lakme Fashion Week is following, Richana Khumanthem was also part of a dialogue for 'Sustainable Fashion Day'.

The dialogue focused on the potential of the North East region, the challenges faced by local industries, to create contrastive intervention for development of supply chain framework, and to bridge the gap between designers in the region and fashion industry stakeholders.

She highlighted the unavailability of good quality raw materials due to a multitude of reasons, including multiple social-economic factors.

She also spoke about the lack of cotton cultivation in the State of Manipur and how if there was a bigger focus on the same, it will help not just people who procure such material, but also the weavers as they will be able to focus on weaving as their sole career and thereby increase their income through it.

The materials that are used in Richana's creations are solely produced by local weavers in Manipur.

The embroidery motif used in her collection 'Anemoia' that was showcased at the Lakme Fashion Show is called the 'Shami Lanmi Mayek' and it is originally used in shawls.

This shawl used to be exchanged between the Meitei King and the Naga Chieftain as a symbol of brotherhood.

Every motif used in her creations has a story to tell and a history to show.

The collection wowed the audience for its simple chic quotient, yet the design reflected the essence of a history through the type of fabric used and how it incorporated the rich cultural background of the designer as well.

She was chosen to open the show with her collection and set the pace for the other talented designers from the North East.

Through this initiative by Lakme Fashion Week to showcase North East designs and culture, it has also provided familiarity to the array of raw materials that are available in these parts of the country.

It has also provided an opportunity to designers and fashion industry stakeholders from India and around the world to imbibe these designs and raw materials in their own creations.

Khumanthem has a flagship store in Imphal City, at Sagolband Moirang Leirak Machin where they showcase their latest collections.