Fashion designer Manish Malhotra is all set to score a hattrick as the 2011 Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Grand Finale designer. “The shimmer line was my finale debut in 1999, followed by the 2007 vintage collection,” says Manish. And this year, the designer seems to be opening new avenues with the Absolute Collection.
“It is very metallic, fresh and modern. I have used flowy and sensorial fabrics like net, chiffon, georgettes, velvets and other specially developed fabrics. The cuts are very sexy with no defined structures. Merging festive colours like tangy orange, cherry pink and silver with Indian motifs, I have taken fusion to the next level,” he reveals.
Ask him about his design philosophy and Manish says, “I believe fashion is ever changing and style is constant. I want to design garments that have Indian motifs and cotemporary cuts, a looks that’s traditional yet modern, minimalistic yet glamorous, something that will create waves on the red-carpet as well as your best friend’s wedding. The colours and fabrics will keep changing depending of the season and occasion.”
And what about transforming plain Janes into Bollywood divas? Manish replies with a smile, “I don’t believe I transformed them, rather gave them a new look each time, creating a new dimension for them. I have worked with quite a few prominent names from our film industry.”
“Madonna still figures in my wish list,” he candidly admits.
Commenting on the fashion scene in the country, the designer feels, “You need to stick to what you represent, what you believe in. Your style DNA has to remain the same but you need to re-invent it.”