Eye on Manipur – Meitei Street Fashion

Contemporary yet traditional, the Meitei women we met while walking around Imphal gave us a look at their artistic sense of style.

Like our friend Premabati chic as ever in her glowing, yellow phanek. Made of hand-loomed cotton or silk, the full-length wrap-around skirt is commonly worn by Meitei women, be it for daily office work or on auspicious occasions. The bottom of the phanek is adorned with different designs; Premabati’s resembles a temple.

The rani phi (shawl) and the somewhat larger eena phi (half sari) are available in a rainbow of different colors and patterns. Paired with her phanek and blouse, Premabati’s white rani phi embroidered with purple peonies adds a feminine touch to her editorial look.

Manipur was itself once known as the “land of gold” and the richness of Meitei culture is reflected in women’s adornments today. Necklaces are of simple filigree designs while bracelets are marked by more intricate and elaborate workmanship. These lovely accessories draw attention in a classy way and give the modern Meitei woman her authentic and complete look.