Escalators became the new ramps as designer Manish Malhotra showcased his bridal collection — filled with pearls, tassels and crystal-encrusted bustiers and skirts — in Dubai at the Emirates Towers on Friday night.
Instead of the traditional ramp, the models poured down a moving staircase and sashayed down the ramp and weaved themselves into the crowd — reminding you of the way Manish Arora showcased his Cosmic Love collection in Mumbai at the recent Lakme Fashion Week.
But that’s where the similarity ends.
Malhotra’s couture collection, for both men and women, would go down well for a festive occasion especially since Diwali is around the corner. Glittering skirts in pastel shades, capes for women and tunics for men with asymmetrical hemlines, were the mainstays.
But the house — filled with Dubai’s social set — came alive when Bollywood stars Siddharth Malhotra (Student of the Year), Kriti Sanon (Bareilley Ki Barfi) and director-producer Karan Johar (who paired his walk with a playful wink at the audience) made an entrance as his show-stoppers.
“Dubai is Manish’s sasural [in-law’s home] and he has made it his own. Manish has never cheated on Dubai, this glorious city… Manish is blessed to have you all in his life. And I am blessed to have in my life. He’s everything to me — practically, emotionally, pragmatically… Manish Malhotra is shining and sparkling like his garments,” said Johar at the end of the show.
“And you are the best-looking designer that this country [India] has ever had,” said Johar, joking about whether a consummate doctor had something to do with his age-defying looks or was it just good genes.
Sanon, who is riding high after her hit romantic comedy Bareilly Ki Barfi, said that she has known Malhotra since her modelling days in Delhi and is proud to have been invited as the show-stopper.
“Thank you so much for loving me Manish and believing in me,” said Sanon.
