Manish Rai is one of the highly talked-about personalities in Nepali fashion industry. He started working as a fashion designer since 2015 and his career ever since has witnessed progressive heights of success. Originally from Illam, Rai moved to Kathmandu about seven years ago in pursuit to achieve his dream of becoming a hotelier.

However, his concealed passion for sartorial artistry led his way to the world of fashion. Having recently graduated from Namuna College of Fashion Technology, Rai has represented his designs in several fashion shows like TGIF Nepal Fashion Week 2016 and 2017 and Couture Fashion Week 2016.  

In an interview with My City’s Sonam Lama, Rai talked about his journey in Nepali fashion industry.

What drew you toward the glitz and glamor of fashion industry?
To become a fashion designer was not my childhood dream. It was not until I was in Grade VIII that I knew fashion designing existed. When I was in high school, I had imagined making a career in hotel management. But I witnessed a turning point in my career. It was when I attended a fashion show at Hotel Hyatt with my friends who were studying fashion designing at the time.

I was so excited and deeply impressed to see models walking the runway donning creative designs. I often used to indulge in creative works like sketching, sculpting and paper crafting since my college days. Finding myself absolutely overwhelmed by the moment, I decided to pursue this new dream of mine. I had a hard time convincing my parents in the initial phase, but I had to make it happen.

How important do you find it to be fashionable?
Being fashionable is being updated in the first place. It is not only about what you wear or how you wear but more about getting connected with human creativity and invention. In my view, being fashionable is important to provide a certain platform to explore and experiment with human innovations.

As humans, our choices and styles are different therefore the need to accentuate one’s style in an unconventional manner is significant. Moreover, the quest for taking up something new and challenging is what has shaped us today. And fashion is more like the human tendency to seek change and improvement in whatever we do.

Do you follow any particular style in your designs? 
Since I prefer intensive and fine detailing in my work, I invest much of my time and effort designing bridal/evening wears and cocktail gowns. The time period to complete each dress depends on the detailing, hand embroidery, construction and technique of the design. However, regardless of time I personally try to be attentive on meticulous details while designing. Most of the designers sketch their designs prior to developing their works however; I only sketch as per the need or demand of my clients. Unlike others, I work on my visualization first and then start developing my collections. 

What is your say on fashion industry working to promote Nepali cultural wears?
With fashion industry growing in Nepal, it is genuine to get influenced by western styles and trends. However, it has also provided the designers with an opportunity to revive Nepali traditional and cultural wears giving them a western touch. While working for Nepal fashion week 2017, I tried to revive chaubandi and fariya through my Nepali collection ‘Behuli’. Many of my designs were inspired from Mithila arts and unique symbols of ancient temples which I had embroidered in my collection. My recent designs are also made from Purbeli and Papali Dhaka. Moreover, the industry now has many creative designers putting their efforts to reintroduce cultural wears in a modernized version.

Would you like to convey any word of advice to aspiring fashion designers? 
More than just a profession, fashion is a sense of art and innovation. If you are prepared to be dedicated and want to invent something of your own, it is surely for you. The industry is somewhat superficially defined and it is crucial for you to acknowledge your passion being far sighted about how you are going to sustain and earn from it. Making sure that you are familiar with the know-how of every profession is a must before you invest all your energy and skills into it.