He is well known for the luxuriously embellished bridal lehenga cholis he has designed for Bollywood stars like Kajol and Karishma Kapoor for their on-screen and real life weddings. But top Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra chose to open The Bride Show Dubai with a collection of exquisitely light bridal and special occasion wear on Wednesday night.

“Last year I opened The Bride Show with opulent lehenga cholis and skirts, so I wanted to do something different this year by presenting lighter, wearable clothes for all occasions. My collection for this season is designed to ensure that a summer bride feels comfortable while looking fresh, beautiful and glamorous on her special day," said Malhotra.

The garments he showcased on the ramp included saris, churidar kurtas and elegant evening gowns in a vibrant summer palette of coral, yellow, orange, lime green, blue and pristine white with plenty of gold and silver. Sexy halter neck and string back cholis, sleek fitted and draped gowns, harem and patiala trousers with short kurtis and churidars with long-flowing anarkalis provided a wide range of silhouettes to suit every shape and taste.

Light and airy georgettes, chiffons and organza were beautifully embellished with delicate floral embroidery, coloured beads and a sprinkling of square and leaf- shaped sequins. Pleating and texturing details, interesting prints and the designer's favourite ball-shaped tassels enhanced the glam quotient. Wide belts in contrasting colours worn with the saris and gowns provided a nice funky touch to the formal ensembles. And the models carried oversize bags in metallic shades and gold and silver sequin-covered rucksacks adding a fun flavour to the show.

Looking Back

Manish Malhotra has had an interesting and successful year. Audiences have loved the very different looks he created for hit films like Jab We Met and Om Shanti Om. And he also designed the outfits for Shah Rukh Khan's cricket team, the Kolkata Knight Riders.

After presenting his summer 2008 collection at the opening of The Bride Show Dubai, the designer flew to London to attend the Zee Cine Awards function where he was expected to receive the best costumes award for this year last night. We caught up with him after his show for a chat about his upcoming Bollywood projects and his expansion plans in Dubai.

What was it like to design sportswear for a men's cricket team?

It was quite a challenge, especially because I had never even watched a cricket match. But I enjoy taking on such challenges. I have worked with Shah Rukh Khan on the costumes of several movies but I have never seen him so passionately involved with every minute detail of the clothes. It was his idea to have black and gold as his team's colours and he sent me a detailed brief.

There was a lot of coordination involved because the jerseys were done by Reebok and Bel Monte provided the fabrics for the semi formal outfits and the formal suits. I saw my first live cricket match at Eden Gardens last week and it was very exciting to watch the team play and win.

After more than a thousand Bollywood films, how was your experience of working in the South Indian film Sivaji — The Boss?

I have worked with Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan and working with Rajnikant completed the circle. He is a superstar but he is so down to earth and easy to work with. All three actors are at the top not only because of their talent but also because they are so correct in their attitude and behaviour.

What are the projects you are working on currently?

I am doing Urmila Matondkar's costumes for Karzz and three different looks for Kareena Kapoor in Golmaal, Mai aur Mrs Khanna and Raju Hirani's next film where she is paired with Aamir Khan. I am also looking forward to working with Priyanka Chopra after a long time in Dostana.

Kareena is your favourite muse. What do you think of her new size zero look?

I love Kareena and the cool casual way she carries her clothes. I would like her to put on some weight.

What are your future plans in Dubai?

I will open the second Manish Malhotra store in the Souk Al Bahar, Burj Dubai Old Town next month. I did not have any Bollywood stars at the Bride Show because we plan to have a grand and glamorous opening for the store.

What do you have to say about Vidya Balan's “not so good" look in Heyy Baby?

Maybe I went wrong with the costumes. But if she was not happy she could have asked me to change the clothes and I would have. She kept blaming me in all her interviews but I kept quiet. It got too much when she did that again at a recent award function and I just had to point out that she was wearing quite a hideous outfit at that event. Anyway, I do not want to discuss this anymore.

So will you design for her again?

I would never say never to anything in this industry.

By Joyti Kalsi, Gulf News Report

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