Keeping the success alive harder than achieving it: Manish

An outstanding career in films and a celebrated label, Manish Malhotra has achieved it all, but the designer says it is a constant struggle to keep the success in lap.
The 50-year-old couturier says things do get stressful many times but this "anxiety" pushes him to give his best.
"I go through a constant struggle to be true to myself and the clients. It's tough to maintain the position the brand has created. Keeping the success alive is harder than achieving it. There is a lot of pressure, it's stressful, there is a continuous fight. But it is exciting too," Manish told PTI.

"It's been 11 years to my label, but I still feel like a newcomer every day. The anxiety to keep the label alive and kicking is a major motivation. I can't take things for granted. I feel when you can't afford to take life for granted, you can't take your work for granted."
He is one of the most popular designers in the country but to him, labels like "genius" and "artist" do not make sense. Manish says he would rather be known for the wearability of his clothes.
"I am not one of those designers, who feel that they have created a piece of art that people will celebrate but not take. I am not someone, who will think of himself as an artist or a genius. I get very surprised when designers do so.

"I find myself lucky to be doing, what I love to do. I feel really happy when somebody acquires my garment and feels good in it. I want people to identify with my designs and see themselves in the clothes."

Be it a red carpet or a Bollywood wedding, Manish's designs are often the 'go-to' for celebrities and for the designer, people's faith in his work is a motivation.
"I have won the faith of people. I am not one of those designers, who just come in the end, I am there throughout the process. I respect that faith people have in me and that makes me go ahead with giving my best. For me the most important thing is that it's my work and my name is going up there.

"Be it my clients from the industry or others for me all are equally important and I give proper attention to them."
Organised in collaboration with Etihad Airways, it was
India's first virtual reality fashion show and this concept forced the designer to participate in the fashion extravaganza.
"This year I was thinking of taking a break from Lakme Fashion Week as there are too many wedding orders and expansion plans. But then they came up with this idea of India's first virtual reality show. It's a fashion forward and I couldn't say no."
The wedding line, which also has designs to add glamour to both pre and post-wedding functions, was heavy on embroidery and glitter.

While menswear was subtle and royal, Manish choose heavy bling and bold work for his modern bride.
"It is the fastest collection I have ever created. It's about trousseau, celebration and festive. It's about all the events that happen around wedding. It brings back the saree as it is. There is unapologetic glamour. The designs have my touch of colour and opulence. It is for the confident bride, who is willing to experiment."
The line included silhouettes liked tunics, pants, saris, toned-down kalidars and trailing skirts with heavy embroidery and thread work.
Actors Shraddha Kapoor and Sushant Singh Rajput turned showstoppers for the designer.

While Shraddha was dressed in a pretty green lehenga with bold golden embroider and sheer choli, Sushant looked dapper in black bandhgala and pants.
Colours like royal blue, lavender, wine, ivory, grey and mustard made it to the palette.
Manish says he intentionally kept the work heavy to enhance the whole experience of virtual-reality.
"Keeping the virtual reality (concept) in mind, I have made the art and the craft more visible. It is not just about the experience of the people, who were here, but also for people, who will see it in the format of virtual reality.