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Manish Malhotra: Gamcha is highly overdone

Manish Malhotra will showcase his bridal collection at the Lakme Fashion Week on today. The collection has been shown at the Kolkata Fashion Week where soccer player Baichung Bhutia, television actor Ronit Roy and Bollywood actress Amrita Rao walked the ramp for him.

The designer known better for his work in Hindi films speaks to rediff.com about surviving the recession and just why the same collection in Mumbai won't have a showstopper.

Excerpts from an interview:

Why is velvet such a favourite fabric with Manish Malhotra?

When you design something ornate it has to be in something that is durable. Velvet is a durable fabric as compared to say chiffon. Besides winter after winter internationally velvet has been the most preferred choice by international designers.

Could you tell us something about your latest collection?

It draws inspiration from the idea of a bride running away from the altar -- defiant yet positive. So you won't see a lot of reds in the collection. There are a lot of beiges, jade and moss greens and the styling is more modern.

If the bride runs away, what does the groom get?

(Laughs) For starters the men have very little bling. They are more textured, rooted and manlier.

Why is it that Kolkata Fashion Week (where he showed this collection earlier) gets three showstoppers and Lakme Fashion Week gets none?

That's because the KFW show was a grand finale show. In Mumbai I am simply showcasing my collection. So I don't feel the need to have a showstopper.

What makes you such a popular designer in Bollywood?

My designs connect with the youth and so do movies. It's been over twenty years since I first started designing for Hindi films. I would have been just another has been 90s designer had I not reinvented myself.

What are the films you're designing for now?

I am designing for Rani Mukerji in Dil Bole Hadippa, Konkona Sen Sharma for Wake Up Sid, Kareena Kapoor for Main Aurr Mrs Khanna and 3 Idiots, Aishwarya Rai for Robot... the list goes on.

'...we had to cut our price tags by 21-23 per cent'

Is it intimidating to be known as a 'Bollywood designer'?

Let me put it this way -- twenty of the top designers are showing in this season of the fashion week. I am the only designer who comes from a Bollywood background. I think it means a lot.

Three reasons why one should go for a Manish Malhotra design:

It will make you look glamorous. If you're a girl, it'll make you look pretty. If you're a man, it'll make you look (pauses) manlier! And finally there's always an element of luxury associated with Manish Malhotra.

You endorse a western clothing brand. Yet it has been a long time since we've seen a western line from Manish Malhotra...

There are so many western brands in the country. Why would I want to jump onto the bandwagon? I have my USP and I think I'd like to stick to it. Then again, I have always been designing western clothes for the movies.

What is Manish Malhotra's take on the gamcha?

I think it's highly overdone.

How has recession affected your business?

Recession has affected everyone. We had to cut our price tags by 21-23 per cent. It was a big hit for someone like me who does not have a company backing him.

Finally, are you even planning to make your film?

(Sheepishly) I know it's been a while. But I definitely intend to start it next year.