Once again, designer Manish Malhotra floored audiences with his spectacular couture show ZWEEN, held at JW Marriott Juhu, Mumbai. Revolutionizing contemporary fashion through his designer lens, Manish Malhotra’s collection, Zween, (which means beautiful in Arabic), brought Middle Eastern-style mysticism and glamour to life.
Mythical winged Arabian horses in 3-D embellishments, vibrant tassels and feathers, swirls of sequins and Swarovski crystals, along with intricate floral threadwork embroidery – all came together to weave a sensuous tapestry of Arabian culture. In sync with signature Manish Malhotra style – ensembles in silks, organza, velvet and net fabrics were seen in exquisite shades of rustic orange, sandy gold, olive green, elegant ivory, soothing lavender and tropical blue.
Voluminous lehengas with ruffled bouffant blouses, kaftans with cigarette pants, saris with off-shoulder blouses, and embellished gowns with cinched waists showcased sensuous, feminine styles for the millennial bride. The classic anarkali silhouette turned a modern spin with a contemporary corset bustier. Faux feather purses, pill box clutches, and embroidered masks added the perfect touch of mystique to the garments.
Men wore structured sherwanis contrasted with printed kurtas, paired with flared formal trousers. Western jackets were given Oriental-style, old-school flair with satin lapels in luxurious fabrics of velvet, satin and silk. Each piece accentuated the intricacy of embroidered threadwork, mythological animal motifs and geometrical prints, in dreamy shades of ivory, black and teal.
Speaking at the occasion, Manish Malhotra, says, “This year is a special milestone, as my label commemorates 13 glorious years. My new collection, Zween, highlights the beauty and splendour of the Middle East, a culture I have long been fascinated with. I have sought inspiration from the region’s stunning mystical elements, albeit in a new, contemporary light with trendsetting styles for millennials across the globe.”