Fashion Entrepreneur Lily Lairenlakpam and Delhi Fashion Week Take Manipur’s Handlooms to Russia, Making the State Proud on the International Runway
International Reinvent Northeast Season 9 Showcases Manipur’s Rich Textile Heritage at the 31st Admiralty Needle International Fashion, Art & Design Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia
NEW DELHI / IMPHAL / ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA: In a significant milestone for Manipur’s traditional textiles and cultural heritage, fashion entrepreneur and designer Lairenlakpam Lily Chanu, in collaboration with Delhi Fashion Week and International Reinvent Northeast Season 9, brought the rich handloom traditions of Manipur to an international fashion platform in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The showcase formed part of the 31st edition of the prestigious Admiralty Needle International Fashion, Art & Design Festival, held from October 19–22, 2026, at Saint Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design. The international festival brought together fashion, art and design talent from multiple countries, creating an opportunity for cultural exchange and international creative collaboration.
The initiative highlighted Manipur’s distinctive weaving traditions, intricate craftsmanship and indigenous textile heritage, presenting the state’s cultural identity to an international audience through contemporary fashion.
Lily Chanu Presents the Heritage and Elegance of Manipur
Representing Manipur through her creative vision, designer Lily Chanu Lairenlakpam of Shiroi Lily Closet, Imphal, showcased her collection titled “THREADS OF MANIPUR – A LEGACY OF HERITAGE & ELEGANCE.”
The collection celebrated the beauty of Manipuri handlooms, traditional textile techniques and the cultural stories woven into the state’s indigenous fabrics. By bringing traditional craftsmanship to an international runway, the presentation demonstrated how India’s regional textile traditions can find a meaningful place in the global fashion landscape.
Lily Chanu’s participation marked an important opportunity to introduce Manipur’s design heritage to international fashion professionals, students, designers and audiences, while encouraging greater recognition of the artisans and weaving communities who preserve these traditions.
As a fashion entrepreneur from Manipur, her participation also underscored the potential of regional designers to represent India’s cultural diversity through fashion and creative entrepreneurship.
Delhi Fashion Week Champions Northeast India’s Cultural Identity
The international presentation was facilitated under International Reinvent Northeast Season 9, an initiative associated with Delhi Fashion Week and organised by VOY Media & Events, with a vision to promote the cultural richness, handloom traditions and creative talent of Northeast India on international platforms.
Harshit Dhingaun, Chairman of Delhi Fashion Club and Director of VOY Media & Events, served as the international fashion director for the Delhi Fashion Week segment and contributed to the show’s international presentation and direction.
Through this initiative, Delhi Fashion Week continued its efforts to connect India’s regional fashion industries with international creative platforms, creating opportunities for designers from Northeast India to present their work beyond national boundaries.
The participation of Manipur’s designer demonstrated how fashion can become a powerful medium for cultural diplomacy, heritage promotion and international collaboration.
Manipur’s Handloom Heritage Reaches a Global Audience
Manipur has a rich textile heritage, known for its traditional weaving practices, distinctive motifs, handwoven fabrics and the cultural significance of its garments. Its handloom sector represents not only artistic excellence but also the knowledge, livelihoods and traditions of generations of weavers.
Presenting Manipuri textiles in Russia created an opportunity to build awareness of this heritage among international audiences and highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous craftsmanship while exploring new markets and contemporary design possibilities.
The showcase also reinforced the potential of fashion events to connect artisans, designers, institutions and international audiences, helping India’s diverse textile traditions gain wider recognition.
A Proud Moment for Manipur and Northeast India
The participation of Lily Chanu and the presentation of Manipur’s handloom heritage at an international festival in Russia represented a proud moment for the state.
The initiative placed the creative identity of Manipur within a broader international conversation about sustainable fashion, cultural heritage and the future of traditional textiles. It also demonstrated the value of providing regional designers with opportunities to represent their communities on prestigious international platforms.
By combining traditional craftsmanship with international fashion presentation, the initiative celebrated Manipur’s cultural legacy while opening possibilities for future collaborations, designer exchanges and wider global appreciation of Northeast India’s creative industries.
Fashion as a Bridge Between Cultures
International Reinvent Northeast Season 9 reflected the broader vision of using fashion as a bridge between cultures and countries. Through the participation of Indian designers at an international festival in Russia, the initiative sought to strengthen creative connections and showcase the diversity of India’s textile traditions.
The presentation of Manipur’s handlooms through Lily Chanu’s collection highlighted how regional fashion can contribute to India’s international cultural presence while creating new opportunities for designers and traditional weaving communities.
For Manipur, the showcase was more than a fashion presentation—it was an opportunity to share its heritage, celebrate its artisans and bring the beauty of its traditional textiles to an international audience.
The initiative stands as a proud example of how fashion, entrepreneurship and cultural exchange can work together to take India’s regional heritage to the world.
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Shivam Madaan
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