Style Statement

You have to give it to him. For 18 years he8217;s made the leading ladies of Bollywood look the way they looked - glamorous and beautiful.

Thanks to designer Manish Malhotra, even Mrs Khanna can dress up like Kareena!

You have to give it to him. For 18 years he8217;s made the leading ladies of Bollywood look the way they looked 8211; glamorous and beautiful. Be it Urmila8217;s flirty costumes in 8216;Rangeela8217; or Kajol8217;s stunning sarees in 8216;Kuch Kuch Hota Hai8217; or Preity8217;s very-Oxford wardrobe in 8216;Kal Ho Na Ho8217; to his latest, Priyanka Chopra in 8216;Dostana8217;, Manish Malhotra has been Bollywood8217;s leading designer. For someone who 8220;never studied design professionally8221;, Malhotra today is a brand in his own. One, that8217;s brought Bollywood dressing closer home. 8220;My style is glamorous as I design for the stars, but I also make that collection available for the lady next door so that she can feel like a star as well,8221; remarked Manish who was in the city to unveil his 8216;Cocktail 038; Couture8217; collection at the all-designer showcase 8216;Samsaara8217;, tucked away in the Taj8217;s shopping arcade this Saturday evening.

Given that the wedding season has officially begun, it8217;s well-timed. 8220;The collection is something not just a bride can wear, but anyone participating in a wedding. The colours are very jewel-toned, be it the emerald green or aquamarine blue,8221; Manish elaborated as we eyed the lineup that brought in lehengas, sarees, suits and even some menswear. As far as the theme goes, he8217;s sticking to 8220;Moghul yet modern8221;. But with slimming silhouettes and back-baring bustiers, does the designer find that the Indian bride has evolved? 8220;Not just the Indian bride, but I find India has evolved. Internationally as well, India and its fashion is in focus,8221; asserts Manish who was rather taken by surprise when he saw colours such as purple being flaunted at a recent show in Milan. 8220;For the West, winter till now has been all about black but this season has been different,8221; the designer offers a quick update.

As for his own assignments for the year, it seems like a full house. 8220;I left Sheetal Design Studio and progressed with my own label hoping to make a movie somewhere in the middle but there8217;s so much work that for now the movie is on a back-burner,8221; tells Manish who has designed an all-new 8220;sexy8221; look for Amrita Rao in her film 8216;Shortcut8217;. Then he8217;s working with SRK and Kajol for 8216;I am Khan8217;, Rani Mukherjee for 8216;Hrippa8217; and with Aishwariya and Rajnikant for 8216;Robot8217;. But it8217;s his recent 8216;Dostana8217; that8217;s got him rave reviews for Priyanka8217;s very resort wear wardrobe. 8220;The shooting location was Miami, so I gave her a minimalist look. Accessories were missing. But since the character was working for a fashion magazine, her clothes were chic too,8221; tells Malhotra who found it hard to convince Chopra to go for bolder colours. 8220;It8217;s presumed that a dusky complexion can8217;t carry off colour. That8217;s not true anymore,8221; the fashion guru advices.

Speaking of colours, Malhotra has been off late stocking up on art. 8220;While I might not understand the sensibilities of it all, I often go in for the colours. I am very fond of vibrant ones,8221; chuckles Manish who is also slipping into his own Sherwanis for dos. 8220;Indian designs are so contemporary now. In fact our bandhgalas work well as dinner jackets,8221; he smiles to say. We8217;ll credit him with that as well!