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| Manish Malhotra with Kajol and Karishma Kapoor |
From designing for the divas of Bollywood, to decking
up real life brides, designer Manish Malhotra has carved out a niche for
himself in the topography of fashion and luxury industry in India and abroad.
He speaks about his core concepts of building up a luxury brand and how to
sustain in a cut-throat competitive world.
What’s the most
fashionable Bollywood film till date?
I feel Dil Chahta Hai,
Student of the Year and Yeh Jawaani
Hai Deewani in the last two decades and Pakeezah
from the 1970s are some of the most fashionable films produced by the Indian
film fraternity.
When did you realise
that being a designer is your true calling?
I always knew I wanted to be an artist. The thought of
designing came in eventually though.
Tell us about your
first break in Bollywood?
My first break in Bollywood happened in 1986 with the movie Swarg.
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| Madhuri Dixit in Manish Malhotra |
Brides or Bollywood –
what gives you more creative satisfaction?
They both have equal importance in my life. I am a costume designer
and a fashion couturier. I started my career with styling. The movies that I
style for are always very character driven, whereas for bridal-wear, I keep the needs of the consumers in mind. I
visualize the woman who will be wearing my outfit while designing my bridal
pieces, but in movies it is more character-centric styling, so I have to think
of the character and the actor playing that particular role. However, in both
the areas I have to be creative. Yes, they are all inter-connected and I always
follow my creative instinct, whether it is for styling or designing, everything
else falls in place gradually.
You introduced the
concept of showstoppers here – what are your thoughts on it? Who’s your
favourite showstopper?
For me, it all started with my first collection where my
dear friend, Urmila Matondkar was my muse for that show. I started the concept
of showstopper very unintentionally in order to bring some element of newness and
today it has become a trend, followed by one and all. I think showstoppers in my shows, rather than taking away all the limelight, always add a
little more character to my designs.
Where do you think
the Indian fashion industry is headed?
The Indian fashion industry today is headed to a great
scenario of globalization with Indian styles becoming the new International
ramp looks. For example, the admiration for this classic bandhgala is evident worldwide. The bandhgala is one of those few Indian silhouettes that have found
international acclaim. Giorgio Armani has been making them for some time now,
Canali has come up with the ‘Nawab Jacket’, and the modernised versions by Tom Ford and Paul Smith are helping the brands establish themselves
in India.
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| Manish Malhotra with Kareena Kapooor |
What has been the
biggest change in the Indian Fashion Industry?
The fashion industry in India has evolved beautifully,
particularly in the last 20 years. Boundaries of the industry started to
expand, like the West learning that India is glamorous, and that the sari is
the most sensuous garment in the whole wide world. Men have now embraced pink
overcoming the stereotypical thinking; an anarkali
is as stylish as an evening gown. We see a lot of celebrities embracing our
Indian culture like the bandhgala
Jacket and the sari at various international events. Many such examples tell us
the story of an evolving fashion industry.
What advice do you have
for designers breaking into the industry?
Just do what you love, be passionate about your work, it
will take you places.
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