‘My friend Gauri Khan and I designed this entire space: Find out how Bollywood’s favourite designer Manish Malhotra lives

“This is like a space, which is my office space, like a study, made in my house,” he explains. During the lockdown, when everyone was rearranging life, he and his close friend Gauri Khan decided to redesign this room into something that fit his pace—part home office, part fitting room, part memory box.

Manish says, “My friend Gauri Khan and I designed this entire space. It’s also for fittings—for an actor, or for a bride, bridegroom—and when you get married many years later, right—you can always do a fitting!”

And he means it. He points to an elegant corner in the room where bridal outfits are hung, waiting for their moment. “I have a fitting with a bride this evening… she wanted to try these gowns and a lehenga. She’s a friend, and she’s coming at 8:30, which is after my store shuts, so the fitting’s here.”

It’s easy to forget you’re watching a legend in his home—until he slides open the doors to his walk-in wardrobe. “This is one of my closets,” he says casually, as rows of black jackets, scarves, and unmistakable LV pieces appear. “Don’t miss the logos—there are logos that Gauri designed… I love textures… It’s one of my favourite brands.”

Despite the heavy designer tags, Manish himself leans towards minimalism. “Strangely, I like simpler clothes on myself. Minimalist. I live in black.” He says it matter-of-factly, like he’s grown out of the flash he so expertly creates for others.

The rest of the house continues the story—there’s a staircase that leads to a lush seating area, and a living room that’s probably seen many private, glittering dinners. “So, this is my living room. It’s a space I love to entertain in. I love hosting people, especially for dinner or drinks. You know, this house, it’s filled with memories. Every object, every piece, tells a story.”

In the middle of all this, there’s a suitcase in the living room—yes, a Louis Vuitton one. And when asked, cheekily, whether there’s a body in it, he laughs: “There’s no body in there! You are James Bond, aren’t you?”

But there’s also a more thoughtful side to him. “I’m writing a film script. And I’m actually getting a film made… it’s about love. Different kinds of love. And about finding yourself,” he said.

That idea—of finding yourself—seems to thread through his space, his words, and his energy. It’s not just about clothes or fittings anymore.