If Eric Fromm believed that creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties, the Indian designer Manish Malhotra did just that. This Punjabi munda holds the distinction of being the person behind the designer revolution of the once garish Bollywood. He went on to design for many other leading actresses and he soon became a known name in Bollywood. He is known for his different style and his ability to envision a 'look' for the character. He is most probably known for designing the costumes for Urmila Matondkar in the film Rangeela.
At the age of 25, Manish Malhotra forayed into Bollywood by designing for Juhi Chawla in Swarg. Today, at 34, his name is synonymous with style in Hindi films. He revolutionized the fashion scene in Bollywood by envisioning a 'look' for the character. His tenure as a costume-designer has seen him clothe most of the leading actresses in the film industry from Sridevi, Urmila Matondkar, Karishma Kapoor, Kajol, Raveena Tandon, Manisha Koirala, Madhuri Dixit, Twinkle Khanna, Shilpa Shetty, Kareena Kapoor, to Aishwarya Rai, Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta.
Although he doesn't design regularly for male actors, he has attired Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan on several occasions. Manish Malhotra's list of films includes several blockbusters since Rangeela, where he metamorphosised Urmila Matondkar and turned her into a raging sex symbol. He repeated the magic with Karishma Kapoor and changed her image through Raja Hindustani. From Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Khamoshi, Hero No.1, Judaai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dil To Pagal Hai, Hum Saath Saath Hai to Kaho Na Pyar Hai, Mast, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Satya, Dhadkan and Mohabbatein, he has been associated with nearly all of the decade's most successful films.
His work has been greatly appreciated and he has received several awards. He was awarded the first and only Filmfare Award for Costume Design for Urmila Matondkar's look in Rangeela, the Showtime Opinion Poll Award for Raja Hindustani, the Siemen's Viewer's Choice Award for Dil To Pagal Hai, the Lux-Zee Cine Award and the Bollywood Award in New York for his work in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
He has also been graced with Indira Priyadarshini Memorial Award for his contribution to the fashion industry, felicitated by National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi and the Indo American Society for his contribution to fashion designing, and was also named the most Stylish Designer Of the Year at the Elle Style Awards in 1999.
High on his success, Manish Malhotra decided to branch into mainstream designing in 1998 with his high-profile couture store Reverie - Manish Malhotra. The store received a tremendous response and his clientele featured socialites Tanya Godrej, Tina Ambani, Haseena Jethmalani, Rhea Pillai, Avanti Birla as well as important members of the NRI community. He has done several wedding trousseaus for reputed families.
His popularity soared during this period when he was exclusively asked to design clothes for Michael Jackson for his appearance during the Bollywood Awards held in New York. The performer was so please that he requested Manish to design outfits for his show in Munich and to design clothes for his children.
Malhotra's first fashion show in November 1999 was eagerly awaited and the talented designer did not disappoint. His clothes were received with great appreciation and almost 70 percent of the clothes were sold out within three weeks. Malhotra created a coup of sorts by having Urmila Matondkar model the showstopper, an act followed by several designers for their shows later. A part of his collection was the embroidered denim wear that became a rage all over the city. International model, Naomi Campbell picked up a pair on her visit to the city.
In 2005, he began a talk show named The Manish Malhotra Show on Zoom. He also showcased his new collection in April 2006 at Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai. His all-white collection was titled Freedom and was inspired from Sufism. His actress-friends Kajol and Preity Zinta walked the ramp for him. With all this in his kitty, we wish him all the best in his coming ventures.
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