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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.
Manish has managed to achieve that delicate balance between designing for
film, as well as haute couture. Now with Sheetal Design Studio, Manish wants
to conquer further horizons in the fashion industry. His plans include a
prêt a porter line for women along with his couture label and also a couture
& prêt line for men
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