Fashion designer Manish Malhotra creates a stir with the country's inaugural couture gathering
Manish Malhotra, the renowned Indian fashion designer, took a bold step away from the traditional runway show format at India Couture Week 2025. Instead, he hosted an invite-only, immersive glam gala event at the Taj Palace hotel in New Delhi. The event combined delectable cuisine, curated cocktails, and a stunning display of craftsmanship, creating a more intimate and experiential setting for showcasing his work[1][3].
The event highlighted Manish Malhotra’s iconic Bollywood creations, including Priyanka Chopra’s Desi Girl sari from Dostana, Kajol’s green lehenga from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s pastel coral ensemble from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… Such a curated display of his legendary pieces functioned more like a fashion exhibition embedded within a celebratory party rather than a linear runway presentation[1][3].
This approach reinvented the couture experience by transforming the runway into a glam gala event, attracting a glamorous guest list featuring Bollywood celebrities like Tamannaah Bhatia and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni as well as international stars such as Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio[1][3]. Manish Malhotra’s return to India Couture Week after a five-year hiatus and this innovative format set a new benchmark in Indian couture celebrations, reflecting a shift toward more personalized, immersive fashion showcases that emphasize legacy, star power, and craftsmanship beyond the runway's traditional constraints[1][3].
The event featured an all-women line-up of musical talent for the first time, with DJ Kayan, Jonita Gandhi, and Lush Lata performing. Models wore ensembles from Inaya, Manish Malhotra's newest collection, at the party. The couture party was held on July 26 at the Taj Palace in New Delhi[2].
The Manish Malhotra High Jewellery showcase added an opulent dimension to the night, enhancing both womenswear and menswear with signature sparkle and precision craftsmanship. Ambrosia wore two bespoke creations by Manish Malhotra during the party: The Lady Crystal Diamond and The Pearl Story[3].
Celebrities who attended the couture party included Tamannaah Bhatia, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Taha Shah Badussha, Shalini Passi, Kalyani Saha, and more. The evening marked the launch of a trend forecast by Manish Malhotra: cocktail saris with crystal pallus. Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio was flown in exclusively for her first-ever collaboration with Manish Malhotra[3].
The creative direction and set design of the couture party were designed to be intimate, fluid, and unbound by convention. Shalini Passi commented that the couture party was interactive, free-flowing, and intimate, and that Manish Malhotra's attention to detail was incredible[3].
| Aspect | Traditional Runway Show | Manish Malhotra’s Couture Party 2025 | |-------------------------|----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Format | Linear runway presentation | Immersive glam gala party + fashion showcase | | Ambience | Focus on models walking the ramp | Combination of cuisine, cocktails, and curated decor | | Showcased Fashion | New collection, live walk | Iconic Bollywood costumes and couture pieces | | Audience | Industry insiders, media | Invite-only with celebrities and notable guests | | Impact | Traditional fashion display | Redefined couture presentation, enhanced exclusivity and experiential appeal |
This pioneering format at a prestigious event like India Couture Week signaled a broader trend in high fashion toward experiential storytelling and luxury celebration, enhancing the emotional and cultural connection with the audience[1][3].
References: 1. Vogue India 2. India Today 3. Hindustan Times
- The legendary Indian fashion designer, Manish Malhotra, broke away from the norm by hosting a glam gala event at the Taj Palace hotel in New Delhi for India Couture Week 2025.
- Instead of a traditional runway show, the event showcased Manish Malhotra's iconic Bollywood creations in an immersive, more intimate and experiential setting.
- The event, which combined delectable cuisine, curated cocktails, and a stunning display of craftsmanship, attracted a glamorous guest list, including Bollywood celebrities like Tamannaah Bhatia and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, international stars such as Alessandra Ambrosio, and even featured an all-women line-up of musical talent.
- This innovative format marked Manish Malhotra’s return to India Couture Week after a five-year hiatus, setting a new benchmark in Indian couture celebrations by emphasizing legacy, star power, and craftsmanship beyond the runway's traditional constraints.
- The Manish Malhotra High Jewellery showcase added an opulent dimension to the night, enhancing both womenswear and menswear with signature sparkle and precision craftsmanship.
- The evening also marked the launch of a trend forecast by Manish Malhotra: cocktail saris with crystal pallus, and Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio was flown in exclusively for her first-ever collaboration with Manish Malhotra.
- The creative direction and set design of the couture party were designed to be intimate, fluid, and unbound by convention, creating a unique and memorable experience that signaled a broader trend in high fashion toward experiential storytelling and luxury celebration.
