Being a muse for Manish Malhotra is the dream of every desi fashionista. From his body-hugging gowns to signature chiffon sarees and sequin-studded lehengas, the designer is a true master of his art. The year 2023 has proven to be a fortunate one for this style maestro. How, you ask? Well, from winning an IIFA award to crafting wedding lehengas for Bollywood celebrities, designing uniforms for Air India, and even opening a flagship store in Dubai, Manish Malhotra has achieved several milestones this year. It's safe to say that the designer is elated with his accomplishments in 2023.
In a recent conversation with NDTV Swirlster (NDTV Lifestyle), Manish Malhotra highlighted the following achievements he attained during the year 2023 as his most cherished. "Reflecting on the highlights of 2023, each achievement holds a special place in my heart, reflecting the passion I invest in my work. The year commenced with the realization of a long-standing dream as our team moved into MM headquarters. Recognition followed with the Outstanding Achievement in Fashion in Cinema Award at IIFA 2023. Styling and designing all the wedding looks for my dear friends, Kiara Advani, Siddharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra, then representing Indian textiles at the G20 Summit official spouses' event was a significant honour. The saree trend set with Alia Bhatt in RARKPK became iconic. Styling Jennifer Aniston in "Murder Mystery 2" and curating a magnificent showcase of Indian fashion at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and designing 1500 costumes for the Civilization to Nation, The Great Indian Musical were further highlights. Vogue Arabia featuring the legendary Rekha Ji added a crowning touch to a year filled with diverse and rewarding achievements. Felt honoured to design the new Air India uniforms allowing me to blend tradition and innovation seamlessly. And finally, opening my flagship store in Dubai marked a milestone in expanding our brand's global presence. As I reflect, there were many more highs this year, making it an exceptionally eventful and fulfilling one."
The maestro has built a global brand one stitch at a time and this year has been a great payoff. Here's a quick deep dive into 6 of his 2023 achievements that he holds most dear.
1. IIFA 2023
The International Indian Film Academy honoured Manish Malhotra with the Outstanding Achievement for Fashion in Cinema award, celebrating 30 years of his iconic career. In his acceptance speech, Manish expressed his gratitude, saying, “From childhood, I have just loved cinema and loved clothes and it has just loved me back so much that I am still here, making clothes and lots of achievements still left.”
2. Air India Uniforms
Manish Malhotra undertook the design of new uniforms for Air India's cabin and cockpit crew. The newly crafted uniforms showcase three quintessential Indian colours – red, aubergine, and gold, symbolising the confidence and vibrancy of the emerging new India. For a deeper dive into his creative journey and what it meant for him to undertake this momentous task click on the link below:
3. G20 Summit
India hosted the 18th meeting of the G20 forum with great pride. Manish Malhotra took on the honour of representing the country and showcased Indian textiles and craftsmanship to the spouses of world leaders. In doing so, he successfully brought Indian designs into the global spotlight and contributed to the promotion of India's rich artistic heritage on an international stage. For more on the event, his role and who attended, click on the link below:
4. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Sarees
While Alia Bhatt's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani garnered significant success, it was not just the movie that captured the audience's attention but also the exquisite chiffon sarees worn by Rani. These six-yard wonders became a sensation, spreading a saree fever across the nation. The credit for this fashion triumph goes to Manish Malhotra's creative and designer mind, which brought elegance and style to the forefront in the form of those beautiful drapes.
5. Wedding Trousseaus Of Bollywood Celebrities
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to claim that Parineeti Chopra and Kiara Advani stood out as the most stunning brides of 2023. Breaking away from the traditional red, Manish Malhotra opted for subtle pastel shades for these Bollywood beauties and added a modern and elegant twist to their bridal looks.
Parineeti Chopra adorned a champagne-hued lehenga, featuring geometric patterns and vintage threadwork. However, what truly set her bridal look apart was the customised veil that bore the name "Raghav," establishing new standards for upcoming brides.
On the other hand, Kiara Advani looked stunning in a blush pink lehenga adorned with rhinestones and sequins. If the abundance of glitter and glam in her attire wasn't enough, her jewellery complemented the look with the opulence of diamonds and emeralds. Notably, owing to her friendship with the designer, Kiara Advani became the first bride and woman to debut Manish Malhotra's latest venture - fine jewellery.
Also Read: Kiara Advani Is A Picture Of Bridal Perfection Draped In A Manish Malhotra Lehenga
6. Flagship Store In Dubai
Ending the year on a sweet note, Manish Malhotra achieved a remarkable milestone on December 10 by becoming the first Indian designer to open a store in the luxury Fashion Avenue at Dubai Mall. The unveiling of his flagship store marked a significant moment in his career, further solidifying his presence on the global fashion stage.
In addition to all these achievements, Manish Malhotra creations were adorned by other International celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, who wore one of his exquisite lehengas in the film Murder Mystery 2, Mindy Kahling wore a stunning monochrome lehenga for the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art's 100th Anniversary and Jay Shetty and wife Radhi Devlukia-Shetty who donned his stunning designs for the cover of Vogue.
The maestro has made an indelible mark this year and we can only wait for the many more that are in store for 2024.
