The story begins under bright lights where gold glowed and velvet moved like water, marking a fresh chapter for Indian fashion on the global stage. Manish Malhotra returned to Lakme Fashion Week with a showcase that brought a lighter, easier touch to the runway, balancing high drama with everyday wearability. According to the Fashion Design Council of India, the collection was designed in partnership with the organization and aimed to match how people celebrate today with clothes that feel personal and comfortable.
Easier Glamour and Reworked Traditions
At its heart, the women’s collection focused on elongated silhouettes, cropped jackets, and fluid skirts designed for fluid movement. Sunil Sethi, Chairman of the FDCI, said that Malhotra’s journey connects closely with the evolution of Indian fashion, reflecting his ability to reinterpret glamour while staying true to traditional craftsmanship. The signature look for women paired a structured corset blouse with a dhoti skirt, offering a modern edge to a classic shape. Standout pieces included a strapless gold-strip corset spilling down like fringe, worn with a pleated black dhoti skirt and an emerald necklace.
Traditional sarees also received a complete rework for the runway. Cape pre-pleated drapes appeared in ivory chiffon with a high halter neck and strands of pearls, alongside cobalt satin over a grey satin base paired with a cropped lilac sequin blouse. Metallics heavily shaped almost every silhouette, from a gold peplum top with cap sleeves and a plunging neckline to wide-leg trousers. Velvet brought warmth through pieces like a wine quilted jacket studded with sequins worn over bottle-green velvet dhoti pants.
The Debut of Menswear Luxe Pret
What unfolded next on the runway marked a significant milestone for the designer with the debut of Menswear Luxe Pret. The men’s line featured wide trousers, easy tailoring, and nearly all models wearing sunglasses with brooches pinned at the chest. Traditional chikankari found a new home on velvet, highlighted by a navy velvet jacket with fringe worn over an ivory chikankari kurta. Other pieces included a black bandhgala with cape sleeves and a silver horse motif, alongside an olive pinstriped kurta with gold borders.
Accessories completed the menswear looks, ranging from metallic clutches to leather bucket bags in teal and royal blue. The return of the wine quilted jacket on a male model pointed directly to wardrobes that are increasingly shared between partners. For those involved in the production, the showcase demonstrated a clear shift toward practical yet luxurious menswear.
A Star-Studded Finale
The showcase concluded with a high-profile moment as actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan closed the show hand in hand as showstoppers. Khurrana wore a black jacket as they walked the runway together, sealing an evening that celebrated both heritage and relaxed modern styling. The partnership between the designer and the FDCI highlighted a growing appetite for clothing that combines traditional detail with personal comfort.
Detailed Design Elements and Contrast
The collection utilized sharp contrasts to define its aesthetic, moving beyond simple silhouettes to explore complex layering. One notable example of this approach was a sheer navy organza blouse featuring a bow at the neck, which was layered over a textured bustier and finished with wide flares. This piece highlighted the house’s ability to execute soft, nuanced contrasts within a single look.
The runway also showcased a variety of intricate fabric pairings that blended traditional and contemporary styles. A black sequinned saree gown was presented with a sheer cape trailing behind, while a navy satin piece was knotted into a sculpted top and paired with a pleated metallic skirt. Furthermore, the menswear segment introduced unique textures, such as a blush-gold jacket with patch pockets that met sequins, alongside a black kurta featuring blue floral embroidery, demonstrating the breadth of the designer’s creative range.
Sources
- Manish Malhotra Returns To Lakme Fashion Week With A Fresh Take On Glamour; Ayushmann Khurrana And Sara Ali Khan Turn Showstoppers
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Photo: Kareena Patani (CC BY 4.0)
