Journalism of Courage
Ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra brought the essence of Benaras and Gujarat with his latest collection titled "Regal Threads" for his label Manish Malhotra. The designer roped in Fitoor actors Katrina Kaif and Aditya Roy Kapur as showstoppers for the show. (Text: IANS/ Photo: Express photo by Varinder Chawla)
Asked why he chose Katrina and Aditya as showstoppers, the designer said: "It's a very Indian collection. It's very organic. I think Katrina and Aditya are tall, beautiful, very today, sexy and glamorous. I have worked with Aditya before and he looks very good in an Indian attire. Of course, Katrina looks very beautiful and I think they make perfect showstoppers for the collection." (Text: IANS/ Photo: Express photo by Varinder Chawla)
Asked why he named the collection "Regal Threads", Malhotra, whose creations have been donned by Bollywood stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, said, "This is the first time I am doing all clothes in woven and it's all a part of Make in India (initiative). It's exciting to work in something that I have not ventured into". (Text: IANS/ Photo: Express photo by Varinder Chawla)
While watching old movies, he discovered that there was so much luxury in the lifestyle of India. "There was so much of respect and texture that India has...For all this dying crafts, it's important that a few of the designers get it out there in focus in their own style. I am doing it in my own style." (Text: IANS/ Photo: Express photo by Varinder Chawla)
"This is another venture where we (me and my label) are focussing on various textures from Gujarat and Benaras. They have a certain regalness, royalty and a history...And that's why 'Regal Threads'." (Text: IANS/ Photo: Express photo by Varinder Chawla)
Malhotra, who has styled global names like Michael Jackson, Reese Witherspoon, Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell, says the collection is "for a bride, a girl attending a wedding and for a boy. It's festive and evening wear." (Text: IANS/ Photo: Express photo by Varinder Chawla)
The designer has used an array of colours for the collection such as red, black, soft pink, aqua blue, aqua green; salmon pink, blue, beige and ivory. Malhotra says he wants to glamourise the Benarasi and Gujarati handlooms like he did for Kashmiri embroidery. (Text: IANS/ Photo: Express photo by Varinder Chawla)
"I want to put up my own centres to help the weavers there (Benaras). I was in Benaras for three days and I noticed that the weavers need a lot more work." (Text: IANS/ Photo: Express photo by Varinder Chawla)
"I am doing a lot of bandhinis, which are untouched and untapped...I am glamourising it like what I did with Kashmiri embroidery. I got it in focus in bridal lehengas, evening wear and saris. That's what I want to do for Benaras and Gujarat," Malhotra said. (Text: IANS/ Photo: Express photo by Varinder Chawla)
The "Regal Threads" range, which consists of saris, high-waisted skirts, lehengas and jackets, was showcased in Mumbai's Regal Room. (Text: IANS/ Photo: Express photo by Varinder Chawla)
