The most recent wear was at the ‘Global Fashion Festival 2024’ event, where Manipuri actress and model Urvashi Rautela flaunted a Manipuri bridal outfit called Potloi that has been adorned with 24K real gold that renowned Manipuri Fashion Designer Robert Naorem designed. This combined outfit brought out the ethnic flavor and workmanship of the Meiteis, while the polio is a unique dress worn by the Manipuri bride.
An exclusive feature of Manipuri’s bridal costume is the ‘polio,’ a cylindrical, drum-like skirt made of thick fibers and bamboo. This is a unique piece of fashion clothing that has a satin overlay and also has intricate embroidery works, sequins, and mirrors.
Some of the complicated designs, such as fab rulers and motifs along the hemline, may take several days to create. This is topped off by lingerie, along with trimmings of a belt, sheer veil, and half-sleeved blouse, accompanied by the sophisticated Kokgee Leiteng, a grand-tiered headdress.
In this big event, Rautela chose to wear a traditional red potloi with gold thread embroidery work, which is completely different from the green blouse and white shawl that brides mostly wear. She was powerful on the ramp, parading in a monochrome red outfit with 24K gold accents.
This has been made possible through the effort of Designer Robert Naorem, who has been consistent in his endeavor to market the traditional fashion of the Northeastern part of India. He has dressed celebrities like Sushmita Sen, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, and Lara Dutta in traditional Manipuri Meitei apparel like red-colored cotton or muslin shawls Innaphee and pieces of garment Phanek worn by Manipuri women.
This event was a historical event as it was the first time Manipuri bridal attire was showcased by a Bollywood celebrity such as Urvashi Rautela. This has placed the region and its culture in front of a global audience.
