Lakmé Fashion Week: Manish Malhotra-Etihad Airways opulent show a runway success

“It’s one of my ‘younger collections’, very glamorous,” said the celebrity couturier.

Indian actors Shraddha Kapoor, centre, and Sushant Singh Rajput, left, with Manish Malhotra during Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festive 2016 in Mumbai on August 24, 2016. AFP / STRINGER

Indian designer-to-the-stars Manish Malhotra delivered an innovative show at Lakmé Fashion Week in Mumbai on Wednesday, August 24.

Filmed in virtual reality and a collaboration with Etihad Airways, Malhotra had Bollywood actors Shraddha Kapoor and actor Sushant Singh Rajput walk the runway as the showstoppers for the his festive winter outing, which was held at the ITC Grand Central Hotel, in a courtyard adorned with flowers and set around a fountain.

“It’s a very special day for me because finally I got to walk for [Malhotra] so thank you for making one of my dreams come true, Manish,” said Kapoor, who wore and elegant bottle-green velvet lehenga paired with an intricately embroidered cropped blouse.

Pre-show, Rajput joked that he was happy he could "flaunt" his showstopping turn to his four sisters. The actor, who stars in the upcoming sports biopic M S Dhoni: The Untold Story, about Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, wore a black bandhgala and white Jodhpurs.

Models took to the runway in flowing gowns and lehngas in shades of pink, green, and honey mustard, crafted from silks, sheer net and lace, with the designer’s signature dramatic trails and floral motifs. Men were clad structured velvet jackets and Jodhpurs, topped off with silk scarves.

“It’s one of my ‘younger collections’, very glamorous,” Malhotra said.

The show was “absolutely stylish, luxurious and innovative”, said Neerja Bhatia, vice president, Indian subcontinent, Etihad Airways, adding that Malhotra’s show was “very connected with what Etihad is all about ... Manish is known for his opulence and style.”

The VR video, which will have a soon-to-be announced special premiere, will allow viewers to experience the show from the front row, backstage and at the after party. It uses the same technology that Etihad employed for its virtual reality film, Reimagine, featuring Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman and allowing virtual access to the cabins of the Airbus A380.

Malhotra – who has dressed international celebrities including Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell and Michael Jackson – described Etihad as his “favourite” airline, adding that it was important to “take a few steps ahead every time”, thus the VR video collaboration with the national airline of the UAE.

“I love Malhotra’s designs in general because I think he understands what a woman wants,” said Aanam Chasmawala, the founder and creative director of What When Wear, a fashion blog in India. “He understands glamour and he’s synonymous with Bollywood fashion and being in the hub of it right here in Bombay, it all fits rights in.”

She said she was pleased to see that he went for light colours in his collection rather than the dark colours that are often seen at fashion shows at this time of the year.

“I love his embroidery and the embellishments are so beautiful and strong.”

• Lakmé Fashion Week ends on August 28 with a finale by Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Visit lakmefashionweek.co.in for the full schedule