Manish Malhotra unveiled his couture line, ‘THE EMPRESS’ STORY’ at the Amazon India Couture Week this evening. The Grand Finale showcased a preview to the ‘Manish Malhotra London’ label, his newly launched Limited Edition pieces, and a Men’s Wear capsule. The couture soiree was held at the The Leela Palace, New Delhi.
‘THE EMPRESS STORY’ Collection will be available at Manish Malhotra stores in Mumbai and New Delhi. It will be launched at the first Manish Malhotra Flagship Boutique in London and Dubai in Spring 2016.
A tribute to a self-confident and spirited woman, ‘THE EMPRESS STORY’ weaves in the myriad nuances of femininity and reflects the designer’s passion for reviving bygone Indian craftsmanship. Each outfit in the collection is unique as it spotlights Indian detailing on classic Western silhouettes – marking a first for the label, on the heels of its international store openings.
‘THE EMPRESS STORY’ presents textured fabrics, voluminous gown-like silhouettes that could be worn as lehengas, trails of exquisite silk – lending the woman an air of majesty. The colour palette ranges from metallic silver and antique gold to rich burgundy, old rose pink, pearl grey and coffee brown. Details such as three-dimensional embroidery, mushroom-flower and bird motifs in delicate threadwork bring to life the legacy of exquisite craftsmanship. The elegance of each ensemble was accentuated with a selection of high-jewels by Dedhia Jewellers.
The finale show also shared a glimpse into the Manish Malhotra Men’s Collection – replete with structured jackets, trench coats and waistcoats, in hues of blue and black with a touch of intricate embroidery. Vintage glasses, bow ties and neck ties added a hint of dandy to the collection. The evening also featured handcrafted shoes for the gentlemen – marking the brand’s first-ever foray into accessories. The Men’s Collection will be available at the brand’s much-awaited standalone men’s boutique in Delhi this winter.
Speaking about ‘THE EMPRESS’ STORY’ Manish said, “2015 marks an important milestone as the ‘Manish Malhotra’ label celebrates 10 years and 25 years a costume director. ‘THE EMPRESS STORY’ is a special collection as it not only ends the beautiful decade that was, but also represents the beginning of a new phase for the brand. It captures the excitement and thrill of taking the next step, while taking pride in its foundations. With ‘THE EMPRESS STORY’, I return to my love for timeless aesthetics and structure along with fine craftsmanship that has taken months to translate onto fabric. All the elements in the collection do speak a common, universal language of elegance and élan. Much like the power of femininity, these will never go out of style.”
The mise en scène was reminiscent of a luxurious cocktail soirée, in keeping with the ethos of the collection had a global appeal. The showing culminated with the stunning Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan in a flowing skirt paired with an elegant top and embroidered jacket. Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Kumarmanglam Birla, Natasha Poonawalla, Sophie Choudhary, Aditi Rao Hydari, Kriti Sanon, Pernia Qureshi, Madhu Nair, Ridhima Sahni, Queenie Singh, Nitasha Nanda, Imran Abbas and Ayan Ali Bangash, to name a few – graced the front row.
