Designer with a difference
Sarosh Medhora

IN an industry driven by glamour, hype and hoopla, Manish Malhotra is one designer who has remained steadfast to his creative impulses and convictions. Unlike others, who continue to be swayed by trends and seasons, he has stood his ground, refusing to buckle under competition and market pressure.

To the outside world though, Manish is best known as the personal designer for Bollywood divas like Urmila Matondkar, Kajol, Preity Zinta and Kareena Kapoor. He has also designed costumes for potboilers ranging from Mohabbatein and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham to Kaante and Kal Ho Na Ho.

But that is just one part of him. What is not so well-known is that he is also an expert in gemstones and is due to start his own jewellery line. He is also a much-in-demand model, an interior decorator and, before long, shall be seen on television, hosting a talk show on fashion.

"I would like to go down as a designer who dared," explains the 36-year-old. "Personally, I have a keen interest in the good things of life. I love creating — whether it is a wardrobe, accessories, jewellery or doing up my home. Some day, I might even end up designing a restaurant. And my ability to draw helps. In school, even though I hated studies, I passed my biology tests because of my diagrams."

Modesty and Manish don’t go together. "I’ve single-handedly changed the face of fashion in Hindi films," he boasts. "I dragged glamour off designer workshops into filmi sets. So much so that the distinguishing line that divided mainstream and Bollywood fashion has now disappeared. There is a brand new point of view. Bollywood clothes are getting real and classy."

So what trend does he see for fashion in the future?

Predictably enough, he skirts the issue: "There is a day and age for a particular trend. Dollops of attitude, is the current flavour. That gives a smart look to minimalist designs. I’ve interpreted this theory in Kal Ho No Ho. You’ll find Preity sporting an international look — not overtly fashionable, but subtle smartness."

The subtlety is, however, not visible in his latest collection, Pastiche. Much as it is in mostly soft pastels, the overdone shirts and kurtas with ruffles, beadwork and embroidery are in complete contrast to the understated look Manish reserves for his film costumes.

"Pastiche is very sporty, full of youthful energy — shirts with ribs, bohemian kurtas sprayed with African beadwork, exuberant tops... It enables me to stay involved in make-up, hairstyle accessories, shoes, clips... the works. If individual stars are offended, too bad."

The affinity to stars can be traced to his childhood fascination with Hindi films as he recounts how he watched Chhupa Rustom twice in a day — once with his brother and then with his parents. He remembers even the piping on the blouse Rekha wore in Jeevan Dhara. "You can’t fool me with films," he quips.

Manish’s jewellery line is with Jeweltek. It took him almost a year to decide on the project as he wasn’t sure if it would work: "I don’t like plunging into an unknown territory without getting to know the nuances. So I invested my time studying gems."

He explains that his aim is to explore the creative zone to its fullest — scrutinising and experiencing everything that fancies his attention.

"I am planning to write a film soon," he reveals. "You will also see me anchoring a fashion show on television soon. My designer friends insist that I should also model for them. Let’s see. If something great comes up, I might even give modelling a shot. And let me tell you, I’ll be damn good at it. When I go in for a photo shoot, I make sure I am prepared with 50 different shirts, hair gel... I give my 100 per cent to it."

Between so many high-profile assignments and leading a jet-set life, at heart, Manish is a boy who likes to come home every night. "I still don’t have my own set of house keys," he declares. "No matter what time I get in, my mother opens the door for me!" MF