From creating bespoke pieces for Bollywood celebrities, politicians, and other prominent figures to meticulously designing the attire for 'Shri Ram Lalla Sarkar' for the Praan Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya, this acclaimed designer has made remarkable strides. The Bharat Gaurav 2024 awardee, captivated by Indian textiles and handicrafts, is passionately working to revive them through his globally acclaimed designs.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Manish founded the fashion brand 'Namastay Away,' which focused on selling reusable khadi masks, particularly to aid the poor and needy. As demand for these masks surged, he expanded his workforce, specifically employing migrant women workers.
Subsequently, he launched the 'Sheher se Gaon Tak' campaign, which started in Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh, and later gained popularity nationwide, creating 50,000 jobs for rural women and artisans. The initiative has since expanded to offer skill training to the children of these workers, recognizing their exceptional talent, under the program named 'Design Paathshala'.
Thereafter, he has been leading various initiatives empowering and uplifting marginalized groups of weavers, artisans and especially rural women.
While working closely with Indian textiles, Manish connected with the UP Khadi Board and was eventually selected to design garments for Shri Ram Lalla Sarkar. Together with his team, Manish worked barefoot for 40 days to create the opulent attire for the Lord, using Pitambric silk fabric that was exceptionally soft and smooth, keeping in mind that Shri Ram Lalla was just 5 years old.
The attire was adorned with silver and gold-hued zari threads sourced from Kashi (Varanasi). Manish provided a complete seven-day wardrobe, with colors selected for each specific day. The designs were entirely draped and featured no cuts at all.
The designer talks about serving fashion with a solution and functionality which is quite apparent in his ventures. Owner of the design labels - Antardesi (men’s wear), Naveli (women’s wear), Muktir fashion India pvt. Ltd., Tripathi also runs an online fashion portal which aids the customers to connect directly with the designer, tailor and stylist at their doorstep. With the portal ongoing in 2018, he also designed the jersey for the Indian cricket team and other Indian forces. The NIFT Delhi alumnus has been an official designer for IPL governing council, design partner at BCCI, consultant at Apparel sector skill council, government of India and former National advisor to the India handloom brand. His work is also featured in international festivals like Cannes by famous celebrities. Infusing culture and tradition in contemporary silhouettes, the design enthusiast works with rich Indian textiles and enthusiastically advocates for their preservation and promotion.
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