Manish Malhotra broke from the fashion week script, and it worked

India Today

28-07-2025

The anticipation was high, the rumours were rife and even as the curtains were being pulled down to the city's one-of-a-kind couture party, nobody really knew what they could expect from Manish Malhotra's this year's edition of Hyundai India Couture Week 2025. Was it the couture party of dreams (as was being predicted)? Well, that needs some dissection.Of course, it wasn't the conventional showcase as is the ritual for most designers, as Malhotra eschewed the traditional runway format and hosted an exclusive couture party at the Taj Palace in New Delhi on July 26. It was a sophisticated, cocktail-themed event that merged fashion, nostalgia, and spectacle in equal measure.A party, not a presentationadvertisementLet's call it a party to remember because that's what it was, but not without its share of work (and not just play). It was a curated experience with guests handpicked from Bollywood, fashion, and media circles.
It moved through an immersive evening where cocktails, live music, and haute cuisine set the tone. The atmosphere blurred the line between couture and celebration, inviting attendees to engage with the garments as part of a cultural event rather than a standard showcase. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cosmopolitan India (@cosmoindia)Bollywood archive, reimaginedThe evening opened with a striking visual tribute to Manish Malhotra's legacy in Bollywood fashion, showcasing some of his most iconic creations.On display were Kajol's green lehenga from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kareena Kapoor Khan's peach sharara from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Priyanka Chopra's sequined saree from Dostana, Rekha's custom ensemble for Vogue, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Banarasi saree from Cannes 2025.It was a rare moment of self-archiving in Indian couture, a nod to Malhotra's enduring influence across decades of film and fashion.Couture 2025: Glamour in motionMalhotra's latest collection was unveiled in dramatic fashion: white curtains dropped to reveal a lineup of models in intricately embellished sarees, sculpted gowns, and signature statement silhouettes.The men's looks featured velvet sherwanis, bandhgalas, and structured jackets, rendered in burgundy, black, and muted peach, with detailed embroidery, metallic accents, and zari work that balanced old-world richness with modern tailoring. Some timeless jewellery from the designer coffer was up for show as well which included the 18K gold earrings worn by Rekha, and a bold choker set styled on Rihanna.Alessandra Ambrosio walked as the showstopperWhile anticipation around Manish Malhotra's one-of-a-kind couture party was gripping not just the capital but the whole of the fashion industry, one element from the show which led many into guessing was who could be the showstopper, and many international names started popping up. Not sure how many got it right, but international supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio closed the show for Manish Malhotra.
International supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio closed the show for Manish Malhotra. (Photo: Instagram)
She was on the runway twice showcasing a silver saree with a plunging blouse, mermaid-style skirt, and draped dupatta first. This was followed by a pearl-embellished lehenga styled with a silver blouse and ruby-diamond choker and maang tika. Couture party, a first?While Manish Malhotra's 'couture party' at India Couture Week 2025 is being hailed as a first-of-its-kind event in India, the concept of merging high fashion with an immersive, party-style format is not entirely new, especially on the international stage.In global fashion capitals like Paris and Milan, exclusive cocktail presentations, gala nights, and luxury fashion soirees have long blurred the line between runway and social event. Events such as Couture Fashion Night in Switzerland and other international couture galas have previously adopted similar elements: curated guest lists, live music, fine dining, and fashion showcased outside the traditional runway setup.However, what makes Malhotra's approach distinctive is that he brought this format to India's official couture calendar.- EndsMust Watch