Manish Malhotra’s legacy is one that includes the respect of the nation, so today on his 57th birthday, it seems only right to take a look back at his unique career spanning over three decades. From revolutionizing the chiffon saree to giving us some of the most iconic style moments in the history of global fashion, the artist’s influence has always extended beyond the runway. Here are all the trends that visionaries have started, each of which has redefined the fashion industry as we knew it.
- The first dazzling chiffon saree was MM Original
While chiffon sarees have long been a symbol of timeless Indian beauty, it was Manish who made them shine with his dazzling iteration – arguably one of his most iconic creations. She first introduced this trailblazing design in Rangeela (1995), where Urmila’s gleaming black chiffon saree took the fashion world by storm.
Malhotra didn’t just add sequins to clothes, he made them an intrinsic part of Bollywood’s charm. The classic appeal of the saree is still so evident, as seen on Bollywood red carpets – the most recent case being Sabyasachi’s iteration of the MM creation, worn by Kareena Kapoor for the Filmfare OTT Awards 2024.
2. Most Iconic Bollywood Costume Designers
“I’m proud of the fact that I come from films and being able to seamlessly connect fashion and films,” Malhotra said in an interview with Vogue. With over 1,000 films to his credit, he quickly became Bollywood’s go-to designer, and shaped the way we look at our iconic characters through their clothes. He was the mastermind behind some of the most iconic outfits of 90s Bollywood actors – he dressed Urmila for Rangeela (1995), for Karisma Kapoor Hindustani Raja (1996) and for the late Sridevi Gumrah (1993)
Recently, he also helped with costumes Rocky and Rani love story (2023) which featured Alia Bhatt’s flowing chiffon sarees that stole the show. Another feather in her costume design hat was when she designed an embellished corset with a vintage dress for Jennifer Lopez’s Bridgerton-themed birthday party.
3. The first designer to include celebrities on the runway
Before it became the norm, Manish was the first to bring the idea of celebrity showstoppers to the runway. Her inaugural fashion show in 1995, which once again featured Urmila, began what has become a staple of every high-fashion event since. “The idea of celebrity showstoppers and patrons which is the norm today was started by me. Then I was cursed for it, but today, I got a chance to laugh for the last time. This was never a strategic move,” he said. Most recently, national crushes Trupti Dimri and Kartik Aryan graced the ramp in October.
4. First designer to start a film production house
Apart from his fashion skills, Malhotra is one of the few leading Indian designers to set up a production house called Stage5. With this project, he has seamlessly integrated his love for design and storytelling. One of the projects of STAGE5 – Bun Tikki (2025)- The film starring Shabana Azmi, Abhay Deol and Zeenat Aman is set to have its world premiere at the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival next year. The production house is also behind other acclaimed films like Tisca Chopra Train From Chhapraula as well as love character In which a group of artists like Vijay Verma, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Naseeruddin Shah and Sharib Hashmi will be included.
While Malhotra’s expertise lies in fashion, his ability to influence a film’s aesthetic goes beyond costume design. For example, in Sometimes there is happiness and sometimes there is sorrow. (2001), Hrithik Roshan laughing at Kareena Kapoor’s mismatched shoes is one of the most iconic film moments in history. Similarly, Kajol’s character also changed. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) From a tom-boyish girl with a cropped perm and shorts to a melodramatic saree and tousled hair, the dialogue was equally essential.
5. One of the only designers who remained true to Indian craftsmanship
Most importantly, while many have looked to the West for inspiration, Manish remains firmly connected to India’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. “Although my designs have evolved with fashion trends, the core remains consistent. These creations are not just apparel or accessories, they are stories and narratives that echo the timeless traditions of India, yet speak a language that resonates with a global, contemporary audience,” he said in an interview with Grazia. said in. Her designs are a tribute to the traditional, yet filled with a modern sensibility that speaks of the global woman. Even when designing for Hollywood sensations like Jennifer Aniston or Mindy Kaling, the designer’s focus has always been to “blend Western sophistication with Indian artistry”.
As he celebrates his 57th birthday, his influence extends across the worlds of fashion, film and culture.
