This Diwali, ditch the traditional reds and embrace subtler colours and simpler silhouettes. Or so screamed the festive collection unveiled by India’s top couturier Manish Malhotra in Dubai on Wednesday night.
But what got the crowd cheering was the sight of actress Chitrangada Singh: the showstopper for the night.
“Chitrangada has such an attractive, sensuous face. Plus, a great body. She just looked hot,” said Malhotra. “My festive collection that you saw tonight is a lighter version of my bridal collection. It’s far more casual, “ said Malhotra who tells us he looked to the Indian state of Rajasthan for inspiration.
“I saw the barren stretches of land there. It was earthy and beige. But suddenly you see this woman passing by wearing some bright clothes. It just pops out of nowhere,” said Malhotra. His latest collection, called Reflections, takes a strand and more from that memory, as seen in palazzo pants paired with tunics in grey and beige with a pop of fuchsia.
With this show, Malhotra completes eight years in Dubai.
“It’s been a great eight years. This city has embraced me so much and it’s like second home,” said Malhotra, who has just finished work as a costume designer in Kareena Kapoor’s Gori Tere Pyaar Mein.
“That film is directed by my nephew and he wanted a simple, village look for Kareena in the second half of the film. Kareena and I have worked together for 13 years and it’s still exciting to work with her,” said Malhotra. He’s also styling the bodacious Deepika Padukone in Dubai-set Happy New Year.
Ask him his thoughts on who has the best body in Bollywood and he retorts: “Do you really want me that say that in front of the camera? I have not completed 25 years in fashion yet. On my 24th year, I will answer that question.” It’s his 23rd year in Indian fashion.
His latest collection is available at Studio 8 in Dubai Mall and Jumeirah Beach Road.
