Manish Malhotra Revives Iconic Corset-Lehenga For Lakme Fashion Week
The designer reimagines his novel fusion piece that still remains relevant.
Glendon Moss is a marketer and storyteller with over a decade of experience in digital campaigns, content strategy, writing and performance marketing. Currently heading video content at Incnut Digital, he’s driven brand engagement and revenue for leading D2C brands with campaigns that have earned both commercial impact and international acclaim.
Read full bio of Glendon Moss
Image: Instagram
Fashion designer Manish Malhotra brought back his groundbreaking 2006 corset-lehenga design as part of Lakme Fashion Week’s 25th anniversary celebration. The designer shared this revival on Instagram, showcasing the innovative fusion piece that challenged bridal wear conventions almost two decades ago.
In his post, Malhotra wrote, “Reimagining this look from my showcase at Lakme Fashion Week in 2006 worn by the beautiful @realpz when I placed a corset with a handwoven lace lehenga, a modern statement for that time which is such a style quotient even today.” The accompanying image shows actress Preity Zinta modeling the design on the 2006 runway.
What made this design revolutionary was Malhotra’s forward-thinking approach of combining a Western corset with a traditional Indian lehenga, blending contemporary elements with classic Indian craftsmanship at a time when such cross-cultural fusions were still emerging in mainstream Indian fashion.
Malhotra began his career as a model before moving to costume design for Bollywood films in the 1990s. He proudly received the first-ever Filmfare Award for Costume Design for the film “Rangeela,” marking a significant milestone in his 35-year career in costume design and 20 years of his fashion label.
His current work extends beyond fashion into jewelry and global retail, with recent expansions including his flagship store at The Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue. Malhotra continues his strong Bollywood connections, recently dressing Kareena Kapoor Khan for the Lakme Fashion Week celebration in a “Vintage Lace Flowy saree,” noting their “25 years of friendship and working together.” Beyond fashion, Malhotra recently announced his film production “Gustaakh Ishq,” starring Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh.
The revival of his 2006 design highlights the continued brilliance and relevance of Malhotra’s vision and his significant contribution to evolving Indian fashion over the decades.
Trivia
Read full bio of Glendon Moss
