Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Manish Malhotra on Paris Couture Debut and 35-Year Legacy
Manish Malhotra is a famous fashion designer from India who makes clothes for Bollywood movies and big movie stars.
He has been doing this for thirty-five years, which is a very long time.
Recently, he showed his own clothing collection in Paris, France, at a very important fashion event called Haute Couture Week.
He was the only designer from India to show there.
He named the collection 'Maa,' which means 'mother' in Hindi, because his mother passed away a few months before.
He worked on the show even while he was sad, and many people loved it.
A very famous fashion editor named Anna Wintour came to watch the show.
Manish also makes jewellery, and famous singers like Rihanna and Beyoncé like his designs.
Even after meeting so many stars, he says he has stayed the same simple and honest person he has always been.
Manish Malhotra, Bollywood's leading costume designer, completed 35 years in costume design and made his debut at Paris Haute Couture Week, the only Indian designer to have shown there.
His deeply personal Paris collection, titled 'Maa', was created just four months after his mother's death in March and drew an overwhelming response, with Anna Wintour in the front row.
His global expansion is planned: his jewellery attracted interest from Rihanna and Beyoncé, and Jennifer Lopez wore his Russian emerald necklace.
Malhotra believes a luxury house grows when each business vertical — make-up, jewellery and accessories — develops independently, rather than depending on bridal couture alone.
He served as Creative Director for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's July 2024 wedding celebrations, with Kim and Khloe Kardashian wearing his designs.
The designer remains unchanged after decades of fame: he writes his own Instagram captions, treats everyone the same, and says he still lives in black and white, with no in-between.
His goal is to showcase a strong, contemporary, confident India and challenge the idea that Indian fashion is only for Indian weddings.
- Who
- Manish Malhotra, Bollywood costume designer and fashion designer, interviewed by Telegraph India.
- What
- A career-spanning interview covering his Paris Haute Couture Week debut, his 35 years in costume design, his brand's global expansion, and his personal journey after his mother's death.
- When
- The interview took place about a month after his Paris Haute Couture Week debut; his mother died four months before the interview, in March.
- Where
- India, where he is based, along with the global stage of Paris Haute Couture Week and the MET Gala.
- Why
- He wants to showcase a strong, contemporary and confident India to the world and grow his brand into a luxury house.
- Designer
- Manish Malhotra, age 59
- Career
- 35 years in costume design
- Paris debut
- Haute Couture Week, collection titled 'Maa'
- Mother's death
- Four months before the interview (March)
- Front-row guest
- Anna Wintour
- International clientele
- Rihanna and Beyoncé interested; Jennifer Lopez wore his Russian emerald necklace
- MET Gala
- Back-to-back years on the red carpet
- Ambani wedding
- Creative Director for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's July 2024 celebrations; Kardashians wore his designs