Thanks to designer Manish Malhotra, even Mrs Khanna can dress up like Kareena!

You have to give it to him. For 18 years he’s made the leading ladies of Bollywood look the way they looked - glamorous and beautiful. Be it Urmila’s flirty costumes in ‘Rangeela’ or Kajol’s stunning sarees in ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ or Preity’s very-Oxford wardrobe in ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ to his latest, Priyanka Chopra in ‘Dostana’, Manish Malhotra has been Bollywood’s leading designer. For someone who “never studied design professionally”, Malhotra today is a brand in his own. One, that’s brought Bollywood dressing closer home. “My style is glamorous as I design for the stars, but I also make that collection available for the lady next door so that she can feel like a star as well,” remarked Manish who was in the city to unveil his ‘Cocktail & Couture’ collection at the all-designer showcase ‘Samsaara’, tucked away in the Taj’s shopping arcade this Saturday evening.

Given that the wedding season has officially begun, it’s well-timed. “The collection is something not just a bride can wear, but anyone participating in a wedding. The colours are very jewel-toned, be it the emerald green or aquamarine blue,” Manish elaborated as we eyed the lineup that brought in lehengas, sarees, suits and even some menswear. As far as the theme goes, he’s sticking to “Moghul yet modern”. But with slimming silhouettes and back-baring bustiers, does the designer find that the Indian bride has evolved? “Not just the Indian bride, but I find India has evolved. Internationally as well, India and its fashion is in focus,” asserts Manish who was rather taken by surprise when he saw colours such as purple being flaunted at a recent show in Milan. “For the West, winter till now has been all about black but this season has been different,” the designer offers a quick update.

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