Imphal, Mar 15: Insurgency and violence have not been able to suppress the positive and creative facets in the lives of Manipur citizens.

Recently, a fashion show was held by the Blue Ocean Fashion Academy in Imphal, demonstrating the keenness of the people to lead a normal life and enjoy the fruits of peace.

Providing a platform to showcase talent in the field of dress designing and modelling, Blue Ocean, one of the leading fashion designing institutes of Manipur, recently conducted a traditional-cum-handloom fashion show.

"Fashionable trends are not just about the trouser, pants, jeans, jackets and coats, but include tradition too. So, at this show, we just want to show that traditional dresses, handloom fabrics, designer weaves are also the base of the fashion industry," said Birjit, Head of Department, Blue Ocean Academy.

Twenty-three young aspiring models and designers participated in it displaying ethnic handloom products especially dresses, all designed by them.

"I came as a student, partially because it is my hobby. But, gradually I feel that it could become my profession too," said Anita Devi, a student and model.

H. David Sharma, another student and model added, "After modeling, we can even act in Manipuri movies."

The Academy has been engaged in training youngsters in fashion designing. No wonder the number of models and fashion designers in the Fashion shows being held in metros has gone up drastically in recent years. (ANI)