Exclusive: Manish Malhotra Takes Us On A ‘Behind The Stitch’ Journey, Reveals About Bridal Trends And His Favourite Celeb Bride Of 2021
Weddings in India are no less than a great, grand celebration. While everything from the mandap to the baraat slides into conversations, the bride’s wedding outfit steals the spotlight. From embroidered kalidaars to whimsical lehengas, brides today are redefining trends with emotions weaved in. And making sure of what the brides want both on and off-screen, I have with us celebrated designer Manish Malhotra. The magician behind some of Hindi cinema’s most iconic bridal looks, the designer is geared up for the Vogue Wedding Show 2022 with some of his finest collections. Talking about trends, colours and silhouettes, Manish dives into the world of bridal wear and shares with me his favourite celebrity bride of 2021, and some exclusive behind the stitch journey.
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Q. The importance of a handcrafted veil has become popular and significant in a bridal look in recent years. How do you work on that aspect, to make it special for the bride?
Manish Malhotra: We make sure that the brides’ sacred emotions are beautifully concealed. As per her preference, the veils are handcrafted to generate enough curiosity and we make sure to add that dramatic entry with the length of our veils. Infact, our brides started a hashtag #mmveils which have a separate following of their own.
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Q. Brides today are looking for non-traditional styles of silhouettes. What is that one style you think is gaining prominence?
Manish Malhotra: Jackets on Lehengas, like Alaya Furniturewalla, wore in a music video. Brides are high on comfort and opting for sneakers. Flare pants as the bottoms of sarees, seen on Anushka Ranjan. It’s fun.
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Q: Every function has its charm and requires the bride and groom to be dressed in their best. What is the process of curating show-stopper looks for other wedding ceremonies, apart from the wedding outfit?
Manish Malhotra: Pictures last a lifetime and when brides look back thinking of their most special day, we tend to create more timeless pieces for them, that are specially crafted to match their personality and be one of a kind.
Q: What are the many factors that help you ensure that you cater to inclusivity and diversity in bridal wear?
Manish Malhotra: Weddings are about celebrating love, and love comes in a beautiful variety of beautiful colours, shapes, sizes, social backgrounds, etc. We customise our way through all to give them the most memorable times of their life.
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Q:What is the one bridal trend we can expect to see in 2022?
Manish Malhotra: You can be sure of seeing a lot of colours apart from the heirloom reds. Although they’re our favourite, the crimsons will have a lot of variations to them. Trailing lehengas and asymmetrical silhouettes. We see a change in the scope of celebrations; brides want more meaningful and intimate soirées, so they go for a versatile attire. Prints shall be reigning in 2022. Plunging necklines and colour blocks will witness a rise this year.
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Q: What can we expect to take centre stage in terms of wedding jewellery or accessories this year?
Manish Malhotra: Coloured jewellery with a lot of Polkis. Multi-layered neckpieces, naths, and braided mathapattis have acquired quite a liking among millennial brides.
Q: What are some common requests/wishes that you get from brides while designing?
Manish Malhotra: To make them look as comfortable as possible to enjoy their festivities.
Q. What is the expected colour palette that will make it to 2022’s bridal trends?
Manish Malhotra: Pastels, reds ofcourse, golds and ivory will be reigning the wedding charts.
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Q: Weddings today are more about personalised celebrations. Can you share with us how you incorporate that factor through the bridal look?
Manish Malhotra: We’ve always helped brides incorporate their personal elements into their attire through customisation. An heirloom fabric gets ingrained seamlessly into the silhouettes, personalised written texts on lehengas and veils; making it more special.
Q: Films and web shows have become an integral part of our system today. Share with us a bridal look that you watched on screen and absolutely loved it.
Manish Malhotra: I have styled so many brides on screen, each look has been a special one. From Shilpa Shetty in Dhadkan, Rani in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Anushka Sharma in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil to even Mrunal Thakur in Ghost Stories and so so many more, it would be hard to choose one.
Q: Tell us your favourite celebrity bridal look from the year 2021.
Manish Malhotra: Ah! there are so many, but Anushka Ranjan’s drop red gorgeous flare pants and sequins saree look, and Ankita Lokhande’s golden lehenga are my favourites.
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Q: What is your idea of a Modern Bride?
Manish Malhotra: There’s no such thing as a modern bride; I believe every bride is unique and timeless, just how her bridal trousseau should be.
Q: What according to you is the future of sustainable fashion in the wedding wear space?
Manish Malhotra: Transformable, modular, timeless, and gender-fluid clothes are the future of sustainable fashion in the wedding wear space.
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