Manish Malhotra, India’s leading celebrity fashion designer and style icon, unveiled his Winter Couture 2007 collection at the Manish Malhotra Store in Jumeirah, Dubai.

The designer also previewed his Lakme Fashion Week Grand Finale collection along with a new set of bridal creations and a line inspired from the 70’s retro look, which he created specifically for the recently released Bollywood film ‘Om Shanti Om’.

The launch in Dubai follows Malhotra’s successful outing at the annual Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Spring/Summer 2008, which was held at the National Center of Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai, India from October 13 to 17, 2007.

Present at the launch were senior executives from the Saif Belhasa Group of Companies, celebrity guests and select customers.

In celebration of the theme, 'La Belle Epoche', Malhotra's line features creations that incorporate both heavy prints and embroidery on exquisitely quilted full-length jackets and shararas with stiff, high collars.

The collection draws inspiration from the Art Nouveau era, with designs incorporating French touches of the time dominating the fashion pieces. The famed designer has used luxurious zardozi and resham embroidery to richly colored jackets, coats, skirts, dresses, blouses and tunics, which are sketched to appeal to his customers’ fashion style preferences ranging from vintage, contemporary chic, minimalist and eccentric.

“Designing this collection has been an exciting experience for me, as the season allows me to experiment with various texture and color combinations for my clients who will do a lot of layering to keep comfortable and counter the winter chill,” said Malhotra.

“Taking inspiration from the beauty of Parisian art, which I have incorporated in my newest collection, my main focus is to transcend drab winter garments and provide wearable fashion that is both modern and luxurious. It has always been a tremendous pleasure to offer visitors a peek at my latest apparels here in Dubai, which I consider to be the home of my most sophisticated and fashion-forward clients,” he added.

In addition to the Lakme Fashion Week Grand Finale collection, Malhotra also showcased his new bridal collection, which features avant-garde wedding dresses designed with rich embroidery and ornamentations but keeping the traditional flair that suits the taste of the contemporary bride.

Malhotra had earlier participated at The Bride Show Dubai 2007, during which Bollywood stars Urmila Matondkar and Arjun Rampal led models on the ramp to showcase his collection. – TradeArabia News Service