India Couture Week 2016: Manish Malhotra weaves A Persian Story starring Deepika Padukone, Fawad Khan

The India Couture Week was off to a flying start with Manish Malhotra's A Persian Story. The absolutely stunning couture line by the celebrity designer had every bit of drama and opulence that one expects from a Malhotra collection. Setting off the right tone for the rest of the fashion week, which will see the participation of 11 formidable designers like Rohit Bal, and even Tarun Tahiliani and Anita Dongre who will grace the platform for the first time, Malhotra's collection was inspired by the stunning architecture of Persia. The five-day fashion extravaganza will lure the Capital’s fashion divas with the best of couture trends. The opening day's highlight was, predictably, actors Deepika Padukone and Fawad Khan. Click through to see A Persian Story by Manish Malhotra. Malhotra's collection was inspired by the stunning architecture of Persia, blooming paradise of fauna and flora, and fearless royals that ruled their vast kingdoms. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

(Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Showstoppers Fawad Khan and Deepika Paukone looked absolutely resplendent in Manish Malhotra couture. While Khan looked regal in his solids garb, Padukone's glittering red lehenga with heavy gold embroidery provided a fitting contrast. (Source: APH Images)

The set was also wonderfully designed to accentuate the drama in Malhotra's designs as well as remiscent of the Persian architecture, which was the source of the collection's inspiration. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Show-opener Fawad Khan looked absolutely believable like a Persian prince, dressed in a long jacket with a monogram, a maroon wrapped tunic - a style that was duplicated with minor changes in several other pieces as well. (Source: APH Images)

Models walk the ramp for designer Manish Malhotra during the first day of the India Coture Week in the Capital New Delhi on Wednesday. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Indulgent hand-woven gold embroidery adorn sheer and velvet fabrics, in lehengas with sheer tops, opulent velvet jackets over cigarette trousers, exquisite gowns and regal sherwanis formed the basis of Malhotra's collection. (Source: APH Images)

Model Lakshmi Rana looked stunning in swathes of fabric in multiple hues of red, maroon and brown. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Contemporary tailoring and intricacy in the ensembles that saw some interesting cultural influences enthralled the audience and fashionistas alike. (Source: APH Images)

Dazzled and enraptured, the audience was spellbound by the couture line. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Though most of the collection was in hues of the earthy colours of brownm, maroon and red, there were also a couple of pieces in shades of blue. Dazzled and enraptured, the audience was spellbound by the couture line. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Intricate motifs meander on 50 limited-edition pieces, swathed in deep shades of maroon, emerald green and azure blue. (Source: APH Images)

Here is an example of hand-woven emroidery on sheer lehengas. (Source: APH Images)

Models walk the ramp for designer Manish Malhotra during the first day of the Indiai Coture Week. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Malhotra's collection had an wonderful selection of menswear - from solids to patterns, mainly cheques. (Source: APH Images)

An interesting element of Malhotra's designs were his blouses, which garnered a lot of attention. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Here are some other examples of the blouse designs that were showcased. (Source: APH Images)

Malhotra's collection had an wonderful selection of menswear - from ethnicwear to modern designs and cuts. Click through for some more designs from Malhotra's 50-piece collection.(Source: APH Images)

(Source: APH Images)

(Source: APH Images)

(Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

(Source: APH Images)

(Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

(Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

(Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

(Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)