The costume designer-turned-couturier Manish Malhotra will showcase a collection of his couture and ready-to-wear designs at Gloss, a catwalk event in Dubai on Wednesday.
Having dressed the great and good of the Hindi film industry for years, Malhotra's designs promise intricate detailing, luxurious fabrics and feminine silhouettes. While the show is private, the public will be able to view Malhotra's trunk show the following day at Studio 8 on Jumeirah Beach Road from noon to 8pm. He shared his love for the UAE and the Indian film industry as he prepared to board the plane from India to Dubai.
Why show in Dubai? And why now?
I started my career in 1990 as a costume designer and, for many years, I designed for Hindi movies before I managed to get into mainstream fashion.
Dubai was the perfect place to launch my collection and flagship store nine years ago, and during the global economic downturn we changed it from “Manish” to the Studio 8 store. It’s a decade-long journey and I’ve come many times here for events and to see friends. Meaning that, in addition to London and New York, Dubai has became a destination for me to rest, unwind and do a fashion show or event.
I have a lot of clients who look forward to me coming to the city, as do I. It’s a special city to me. After Mumbai and Delhi, which are keeping me extremely busy, I think Dubai is closest to my heart.
What can we expect to see on the catwalk?
When it comes to this festive show, I’ve summoned up all the seasonal looks from summer to India Couture Week pieces to Lakmé Fashion Week’s grand finale. It’s a summing up and I’ve put the entire collection out there for the people of Dubai.
The Dubai audience is somewhat price-conscious and for bridalwear they might not go for something incredibly extravagant, as the people in Delhi or Mumbai would, for example. So I’ve put together some special pieces with that in mind.
There are pieces already on my website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts. Everyone’s in sync with the latest looks for this year and that’s what we’ll see on Wednesday.
Describe the look and feel of the show.
It’s eclectic – it’s a 30-minute fashion show with more than 25 models. There’s a lot of intensity from the music to the lighting; even how the models walk. So it’s basically a bespoke show that’s created for the people of Dubai.
I now have a sense of what colours the people here like and what they like from me, so I’m sticking to that and the genre of my label. It’s like coming to my second home and showing my work to friends.
What are some examples of the Dubai tastes and sensibilities?
I’m not making anything special for Dubai in that sense – I’ll stick to what I do. It’s like the south of India having different tastes in colours and styles to the north.
Geography and needs differ from city to city and that’s the same for Dubai. Dubai enjoys colours nudes, pale pinks, ivory and lots of burgundy and maroons.
I’ve also introduced grey – which is an unusual colour for a festive collection, but that’s what I’ve deduced and will be bringing to the city. Last year, I introduced navy blue, which was never really seen on my styles or suited to Indian clothes, some thought. It turned out to be a huge success.
You’ve mentioned you may have a Bollywood celebrity walk the catwalk in the finale – any hints who?
We’re still talking to many celebrities and we have yet to finalise one. However, with my long history of working in costumes and in the movies, you can expect them to be of high value.
Who’s made your shortlist?
[Laughs] Hmm, I don’t know. Let’s see.
Just one female or a male star, too?
I think just a female. The male is me.
What piece(s) do you have earmarked to put her in?
There are many pieces I’d want her to wear, with intricate bead- and mirror-work, lots of velvet, burgundy and pastel shades, too. Fashion weeks are so restricted to the collection you are presenting there and then, but this, for me, is like a celebration.
rduane@thenational.ae
