♦ Fawad Khan looked every bit the stunner that he is, in a textured, aged velvet black sherwani over a maroon flowing kurta.
♦ Deepika looked regal in a red “aged velvet” lehnga with gold badla work in old-world motifs. “Deepika is wearing what every bride should wear this season. You can see this is architectural (motifs) and the technique is badla work, which takes a lot of time to do. This lehnga took us three months to do. The princess to this story was Deepika,” smiled Manish.
If Manish Malhotra’s couture is about unabashed luxury, The Persian Story took luxury a notch higher. This time, the luxe is in a Persian context.
Manish’s opening show for FDCI India Couture Week 2016 in Delhi on Wednesday presented a collection that delves into the history and legacy of old-world Persia.
“I love Persian architecture, Persian music... so the whole Persian concept was in my mind. I keep looking at things, observing them, and keep coming back to expressing them,” said Manish, post-show.
The architectural influence is the most prominent, expressed in opulent gold hand-embroidery. The intricate embroidery created textures on sheer fabrics and embellished rich velvets. Voluminous lehngas with sheer tops, opulent velvet jackets over cigarette trousers, exquisite gowns and regal sherwanis made up the 50-piece limited edition line. The colour palette was a contrast of nudes and sheers on the one hand, and dark shades of maroon, emerald green and azure blue on the other.
An element of surprise came in the form of a sequence in chequered fabrics, in red and black and mustard and black, breaking the monotony of the opulent gold-on-velvet look. “In a wedding, there’s the wedding day, then there’s a cocktail, a Sangeet, a reception dinner, so a bride is quite diversified. She wears gowns, gown saris... so the checks were for the celebrations, not really the wedding day,” added MM.
FAWAD KHAN
‘I HAVE NEVER REALLY WALKED RAMPS’
This was the first time in India. There was a rumour that I was a model, but I never was. I have walked the ramp maybe four times in my life... this was the fourth time. It was absolutely a pleasure to work with very gorgeous, very elegant (people).... I am in love with The Persian Story.
‘I WAS THINKING ABOUT FOOD WHILE WALKING’ (laughs)
Actually, let me tell you, I was palpitating because of the lights! But this was a very comfortable sherwani, and Manish hasn’t said it, but I will say that every groom should look like this this winter season.
JACKIE SHROFF IS THE ‘ROCK STAR OF FASHION’
It’s difficult to name just one icon, but an interesting thing that occurred to me the other day was that... there are a lot of movie stars who are style icons, but Jackie Shroff is a name worth mentioning. Fashion is an attitude... how you wear it and how you carry yourself... he’s the rock star of fashion.
WORKING WITH DEEPIKA WILL BE ‘AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE’
I am very excited and enthusiastic about it (the prospect of doing a film with Deepika)... it will be an amazing experience.
DEEPIKA PADUKONE
‘I WAS DESTINED TO WALK THIS RAMP’
I was driving past Manish’s house in Bandra one day... Manish and I are very fond of each other, very respectful of each other... but work doesn’t allow us to keep in touch. But he is someone I am very curious about, very concerned about how he is. So I just thought, let me call him... when I called him he said, Deepika did you read my message? I was like, what message? So it happened that when I called him, just at that very point he sent me a message asking me if I would walk for this. So it was like destiny... meant to happen. I was like no, no, what message are you talking about? So I put him on hold, read the message and was like, of course, I will do it!
I started my career as a model and I have done several shows, but I’ve never been so tired after walking the ramp (laughs)... it’s (her outfit) the heaviest... the last time I walked for him I thought that was heavy, but this was much, much heavier. If you saw me standing there, I was getting my breath. Also, it was one of the longest ramps I guess. But I think it was worth it.
‘I AM ALWAYS NERVOUS BEFORE A SHOW’
Every time I walk, when I say yes, I think of course I have done it before... but every time when I am walking the ramp, or facing the camera or giving an interview, I am nervous.... I think it’s a good sign... being a little nervous, a little anxious brings out the best in you.
‘I DON’T UNDERSTAND FASHION’
I don’t understand fashion, I don’t follow trends. I don’t know the difference between couture and... wait let me say this properly... pret (‘pret’, prompts Fawad).... There are different kinds of words which I don’t understand. For me if I look at a garment and like it, if I think I will look nice in it, I will wear it... there’s no rocket science in it.
[Manish: What she said is absolutely not true. She is a fashionista and has a very interesting style. She doesn’t talk too much about her style, she just makes the style statements.]
‘MY MOTHER’S MY FASHION ICON’
For me it was my mother (Ujjala)... I think for every woman somewhere you are influenced by your mother’s style. My mother is elegantly dressed, very simple and there is a colour palette that I can identify with her.
‘I AM NOT PREGNANT’
Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day, so whenever I do (get married) why not (wear something like what she’s wearing)?.... I think it is the right opportunity for me to clarify for everyone present... there’s no such plan anytime soon. I am not pregnant, I am not having a baby, I am not engaged, I am not married and I am not planning to get married anytime soon (laughs).
[Fawad: Congratulations!
Deepika: But I said I am not pregnant! (Laughs out loud)]
Smita Roy Chowdhury
Picture: Sandip Das
