Manish Malhotra is a Mumbai-based Indian fashion designer, couturier, costume designer and film producer. He began his career in 1990 as a Bollywood costume designer, launched his eponymous label in 2005 and is best known for glamorous bridal lehengas, sequinned sarees and dressing India’s biggest film stars. In 2026 he debuted at Paris Haute Couture Week and launched Menswear Luxe Prêt at Lakmé Fashion Week.
For more than 35 years, he has dressed Bollywood’s biggest stars, designed some of India’s most-watched weddings and helped define what Indian glamour looks like on screen and off it. This guide covers his early life, film career, awards, signature style, iconic lehengas and sarees, celebrity weddings, global milestones, and where to find his designs today.
Key Takeaways
- He started as a Bollywood costume designer in 1990 with the film Swarg.
- He won the Filmfare Award for Best Costume Design for Rangeela (1995).
- He launched his eponymous label in 2005, covering bridal couture, prêt, menswear, high jewellery and beauty.
- His signature style combines sequins, fluid chiffons, pastels and ombrés, and heritage crafts like chikankari and Kashmiri embroidery.
- In 2026 he closed Dubai Fashion Week, debuted at Paris Haute Couture Week and returned to Lakmé Fashion Week.
- Manish Malhotra prêt is available at six Aza Fashions stores.
Manish Malhotra at a Glance
- Born: 5 December 1966, Mumbai, India
- Education: Elphinstone College, Mumbai
- Profession: Fashion designer, couturier, costume designer, film producer
- Career began: 1990, costume design for Swarg
- Label launched: 2005
- Major award: Filmfare Award for Best Costume Design, Rangeela
- Known for: Bridal lehengas, sequinned sarees, Bollywood costumes
- Ventures: Couture, prêt, menswear, high jewellery, beauty, Stage5 Production
- Flagship cities: Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Dubai
Who Is Manish Malhotra?
Manish Malhotra is one of India’s most celebrated fashion designers and the founder of his eponymous fashion house. He is known as Bollywood’s favourite couturier, having designed costumes for hundreds of Hindi films and wedding outfits for many of India’s leading actors.
His work spans film costume design, bridal couture, ready-to-wear, menswear, high jewellery, beauty and film production. He is also an advocate for Indian handcrafts, particularly chikankari and Kashmiri embroidery.
What Is Manish Malhotra Known For?
Manish Malhotra is known for five things:
- Bollywood costume design: iconic looks in films like Rangeela, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… and Om Shanti Om
- Bridal lehengas: embellished pastel, ombré and jewel-toned lehengas worn by celebrity brides
- Sequinned sarees: the shimmering party saree, popularised by the “Desi Girl” look in Dostana
- Celebrity weddings: including Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra’s 2023 wedding
- Global Indian couture: shows at Dubai Fashion Week and Paris Haute Couture Week
Manish Malhotra’s Early Life and Education
Manish Malhotra was born on 5 December 1966 in Mumbai and studied at Elphinstone College. He had no formal training in fashion design. He worked briefly as a model, and a lifelong love of Hindi cinema pulled him towards the film sets where he would build his career.
That outsider beginning shaped his approach. Instead of studying fashion in a classroom, he learned it through character, camera and colour. Those lessons still define his work.
How Manish Malhotra Changed Bollywood Costume Design
Manish Malhotra made film costumes a storytelling tool, designing outfits that were character-driven and trend-setting at the same time. Before him, costumes in Hindi cinema were often an afterthought.
His first major project was styling Juhi Chawla for Swarg in 1990. Urmila Matondkar’s wardrobe in Rangeela (1995) was the turning point. It earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Costume Design and made him the most in-demand costume designer in the industry.
Manish Malhotra’s Iconic Films and Looks
- Rangeela (1995): Urmila Matondkar’s bold, modern wardrobe
- Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995): Kajol’s wardrobe, including the famous green lehenga
- Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998): Kajol’s and Rani Mukerji’s college and wedding looks
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2001): Kareena Kapoor’s unforgettable “Poo” wardrobe
- Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003): Preity Zinta’s New York looks
- Main Hoon Na (2004): Sushmita Sen’s chiffon sarees
- Om Shanti Om (2007): Retro glamour for Deepika Padukone’s debut
- Dostana (2008): Priyanka Chopra’s “Desi Girl” sequinned saree
- Student of the Year (2012): Alia Bhatt’s debut wardrobe
- Kalank (2019): Period grandeur for an ensemble cast
- Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023): Alia Bhatt’s chiffon sarees
His film work also crossed borders. He designed for Reese Witherspoon in Vanity Fair (2004) and for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the Tamil blockbuster Enthiran (2010).
The chiffon saree is perhaps his biggest gift to popular culture. Brides and wedding guests still recreate these looks, and you can explore modern takes in our edit of designer sarees for wedding.
What Awards Has Manish Malhotra Won?
Manish Malhotra has won the Filmfare Award, multiple IIFA Awards and the Zee Cine Award for costume design. His major honours include:
- Filmfare Award for Best Costume Design for Rangeela
- IIFA Awards for Best Costume for Mohabbatein (2001), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… (2002) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2004)
- Filmfare Award South for Costume Design for Enthiran (2010)
- Zee Cine Award for Best Costume for Mohabbatein
- Bollywood Awards Designer of the Year for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…, Veer-Zaara and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
- Priyadarshini Memorial Award for his contribution to fashion
- Iconic Gold Award (2022) for Outstanding Contribution to Bollywood Fashion
He has also been named to the BoF 500 and walked the Met Gala red carpet in 2024 and 2025.
Manish Malhotra Timeline: Key Milestones
- 1966: Born on 5 December in Mumbai
- 1990: Begins costume design career with Swarg
- 1995: Designs Rangeela, later winning the Filmfare Award for Best Costume Design
- 1999: Opens his first couture store and presents his first runway show
- 2005: Launches the Manish Malhotra label
- 2015: Debuts his first menswear line at Lakmé Fashion Week
- 2016: Launches an exclusive e-boutique on Aza Fashions
- 2023: Opens his first global flagship store in Dubai
- 2024 and 2025: Walks the Met Gala red carpet
- February 2025: First international fashion week presentation, at Dubai Fashion Week
- February 2026: Closes Dubai Fashion Week with INAYA: The India Story
- July 2026: Debuts at Paris Haute Couture Week
- October 2026: Returns to Lakmé Fashion Week with Luxury Prêt 2026 and launches Menswear Luxe Prêt
From Costume Designer to Couturier
After a decade of dressing stars on screen, he brought that glamour to real life. He opened his first couture store in Mumbai in 1999 and launched his eponymous label in 2005, offering bridal couture, occasionwear and diffusion lines.
The business grew steadily:
- 2015: He debuted his first menswear line at Lakmé Fashion Week, at Mumbai’s Mehboob Studio.
- Investment: Reliance Brands became a strategic investor in the label.
- Diffuse: A younger line aimed at Gen Z dressing.
- December 2023: He opened his first global flagship store in Dubai.
Today his fashion house spans couture, Luxe Prêt, menswear, high jewellery and beauty.
What Is Manish Malhotra’s Signature Style?
His signature style is cinematic glamour: sequins and crystal embellishment on fluid fabrics like chiffon and organza, in pastels, ombrés and jewel tones. His design language rests on five elements:
- Light-catching embellishment: Sequins, crystals, zardozi, mukaish and metallic threadwork are layered to shimmer under lights.
- Fluid, sensuous fabrics: Chiffon, georgette, organza, tulle and velvet are chosen because they move beautifully, on screen and on the dance floor.
- Statement silhouettes: Voluminous lehengas, sculpted blouses, dramatic capes, Indo-western gowns and cocktail dresses.
- A celebratory colour story: Rich jewel tones and dramatic ombrés for brides, and soft pastels, ivories and metallics for cocktail evenings.
- Heritage craft, reimagined: He champions Kashmiri embroidery and chikankari. Through his long association with the Mijwan Welfare Society, the NGO founded by Kaifi Azmi, he works with women artisans in rural Uttar Pradesh.
Manish Malhotra Lehengas: What Makes Them Special?
Manish Malhotra lehengas are known for dense embellishment, sheer embroidered dupattas, modern blouse cuts and a palette that runs from classic reds to signature pastels and ombrés. Bridal couture is the heart of his business.
Signature lehenga styles include:
- Pastel and ombré bridal lehengas with crystal and sequin work
- Classic red and jewel-toned lehengas with zardozi and resham embroidery
- Light, fluid lehengas for sangeet and cocktail nights
- Ivory and gold reception lehengas that bridge Indian and global glamour
The price of his lehengas depends on the line. Made-to-order bridal couture sits at the top, while the prêt line offers his signature finish in more accessible, ready-to-wear pieces.
If you’re dreaming of a celebrity-style wedding look, explore our edit of designer bridal lehengas, curated from India’s leading couturiers.
Manish Malhotra Sarees: Glamour in Six Yards
Manish Malhotra sarees are best known for all-over sequin work and fluid chiffon drapes inspired by Bollywood romance. They fall into four main styles:
- Sequinned sarees: all-over shimmer with sleek, modern blouses, now a staple at cocktail parties and receptions
- Chiffon and georgette drapes: lightweight and fluid, inspired by classic Bollywood romance
- Embroidered heritage sarees: Kashmiri and resham-embroidered sets for festive occasions
- Pre-draped and concept sarees: fuss-free modern drapes with couture finishing
Does Manish Malhotra Design Menswear?
Yes. He launched his first menswear line in 2015 and introduced Menswear Luxe Prêt in October 2026. His menswear covers:
- Sherwanis
- Bandhgalas
- Embroidered jackets
- Festive kurta sets, often in rich velvets and tonal embroidery
Explore the full range of Manish Malhotra menswear at Aza Fashions.
Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra have all worn his designs on and off screen. At the Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI launch of Menswear Luxe Prêt, Ayushmann Khurrana walked as showstopper in a minimal black ensemble.
For grooms who want to match the bride’s glamour, browse sherwanis for groom from India’s top designers.
Which Celebrities Wear Manish Malhotra?
He has dressed almost every leading Bollywood actor, from Kareena Kapoor Khan and Alia Bhatt to Kiara Advani and Deepika Padukone. His most famous celebrity moments include:
- Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra (2023): Kiara’s ombré bridal lehenga, in three shades of Empress Rose and embellished with 30,000 Swarovski crystals, became one of the most-searched bridal looks of the year. He also designed for the groom.
- Kareena Kapoor Khan: His longtime muse, from the “Poo” wardrobe in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… to countless red carpets.
- The Ambani family: Nita Ambani, Isha Ambani and Radhika Merchant have all worn his designs at landmark family celebrations.
His wider circle of muses includes:
- Alia Bhatt
- Janhvi Kapoor
- Deepika Padukone
- Priyanka Chopra
- Katrina Kaif
- Kriti Sanon
- Madhuri Dixit
- Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Internationally, Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid and Kylie Minogue have worn his designs.
Recreate his star-studded aesthetic with our curated Kiara Advani outfits and celebrity-inspired looks.
What Businesses Does Manish Malhotra Own?
Beyond fashion, he runs a lifestyle house that includes jewellery, beauty and film production:
- High Jewellery: heritage-inspired fine jewellery taking Indian craft to a global audience
- Beauty: a makeup line inspired by his runway glamour
- Stage5 Production: his film production company, behind titles including Saali Mohabbat, Gustaakh Ishq and Bun Tikki
- Home and interiors: extending his aesthetic beyond the wardrobe
- Air India uniforms: he designed the airline’s new uniforms, blending heritage with modern polish
Latest Manish Malhotra Collections (2025–2026)
The latest Manish Malhotra collections are Luxury Prêt 2026 and Menswear Luxe Prêt (Lakmé Fashion Week, October 2026), the Fall 2026 couture collection (Paris, July 2026) and INAYA: The India Story (Dubai, February 2026). Across these shows, he closed Dubai Fashion Week twice, debuted at Paris Haute Couture Week and returned to Lakmé Fashion Week:
- February 2025, Dubai Fashion Week: His first official presentation at an international fashion week, opened and closed by supermodels Valery Kaufman and Adriana Lima.
- February 2026, Dubai Fashion Week: He returned as closing designer with INAYA: The India Story, with Kriti Sanon walking the finale.
- July 2026, Paris Haute Couture Week: He debuted as a guest designer with his Fall 2026 couture collection, a tribute to his mother.
- October 2026, Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI: He returned to the LFW runway at Taj Palace, New Delhi, after nearly three and a half years, with Luxury Prêt 2026 and the debut of Menswear Luxe Prêt, featuring Sara Ali Khan and Ayushmann Khurrana.
Where Are Manish Malhotra’s Stores?
The designer has flagship stores in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Dubai:
- Mumbai: the Flagship Bridal Store and Diffusion Store on Linking Road, Bandra
- Delhi: the flagship store in Mehrauli
- Hyderabad: a flagship store
- Dubai: his first international flagship, opened in December 2023
Where Can You Buy Manish Malhotra at Aza Fashions?
Manish Malhotra prêt is available at six Aza Fashions stores:
- Aza Altamount Store
- Aza Bandra Store
- Aza Defence Store
- Aza Regency One Store
- Aza South Ext Store
- Aza Surat Store
Visit us in store to try the silhouettes and feel the fabrics, or explore the range on our Manish Malhotra designer wear page.
Aza Fashions has worked with the designer for many years. His exclusive e-boutique launched on azafashions.com in 2016, and his prêt collection arrived at Aza Fashions stores in 2026.
The prêt line offers festive and pre-wedding pieces with his signature finish, without the long timelines of made-to-order couture. It is designed for sangeet, mehendi, cocktail and festive dressing, and for guests who want couture-level glamour without a months-long wait.
Read the full story of Manish Malhotra prêt at Aza stores.
How to Style Manish Malhotra for Every Wedding Function
The right outfit depends on the function: light lehengas for sangeet, sequinned sarees for cocktails and embellished bridal lehengas for the wedding.
- Sangeet: A light, embellished lehenga in a metallic or pastel that moves freely when you dance.
- Mehendi: A floor-length anarkali or a breezy printed set in sunny shades.
- Cocktail: A sequinned saree with a structured or corset blouse, for full Bollywood glamour.
- Wedding: A jewel-toned or ombré bridal lehenga with heirloom polki or kundan.
- Reception: An ivory, gold or blush lehenga, or an embellished Indo-western gown.
- Festive gatherings: An embroidered kurta set or a single statement piece, like a sequinned jacket.
Explore more lehengas for sangeet from India’s top designers.
Styling tip: His outfits are a complete statement. Keep the hair sleek and pick one hero piece of jewellery so the embroidery stays centre stage.
Manish Malhotra vs Sabyasachi: What’s the Difference?
Manish Malhotra is known for cinematic, red-carpet glamour, while Sabyasachi is known for heritage maximalism. Both are pillars of Indian bridal couture:
- Manish Malhotra: sequins, pastels, ombrés, fluid chiffons and a modern, red-carpet sensibility.
- Sabyasachi: deep reds, heavy velvets, vintage-inspired embroidery and a moody, old-world romance.
Read our Sabyasachi lehengas and sarees guide to compare the two houses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manish Malhotra?
Manish Malhotra is a Mumbai-based Indian fashion designer, couturier, costume designer and film producer. He is best known for bridal lehengas, sequinned sarees and more than three decades of Bollywood costume design.
How old is Manish Malhotra?
He was born on 5 December 1966 in Mumbai, which makes him 59 years old as of October 2026.
What is Manish Malhotra’s educational background?
He studied at Elphinstone College in Mumbai and has no formal training in fashion design and learned his craft on film sets.
When did Manish Malhotra start his career?
He started his career in 1990 as a costume designer for the film Swarg. He opened his first couture store in 1999 and launched his label in 2005.
What was Manish Malhotra’s first film?
His first major film was Swarg (1990), for which he styled Juhi Chawla.
Which award did Manish Malhotra win for Rangeela?
He won the Filmfare Award for Best Costume Design for Rangeela (1995). The film made him Bollywood’s most sought-after costume designer.
Is Manish Malhotra related to Kiara Advani?
No. Manish Malhotra is not related to Kiara Advani. He is a close friend who designed her bridal lehenga for her 2023 wedding to actor Sidharth Malhotra. The shared surname belongs to her husband, not to the designer.
Is Manish Malhotra married?
No. He is not married and generally keeps his personal life private.
What is Manish Malhotra’s net worth?
His net worth was estimated at around US$300 million as of January 2025. His business spans couture, prêt, jewellery, beauty and film production.
What is Manish Malhotra famous for?
He is famous for Bollywood costume design, glamorous bridal lehengas, sequinned sarees and dressing celebrity brides like Kiara Advani.
Where are Manish Malhotra’s stores?
He has flagship stores in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Dubai. His prêt collection is also available at six Aza Fashions stores: Aza Altamount, Aza Bandra, Aza Defence, Aza Regency One, Aza South Ext and Aza Surat.
Does Manish Malhotra design menswear?
Yes. He launched menswear in 2015 and introduced Menswear Luxe Prêt at Lakmé Fashion Week in October 2026. The range includes sherwanis, bandhgalas, jackets and festive kurta sets.
Has Manish Malhotra shown at Paris Couture Week?
Yes. He debuted at Paris Haute Couture Week in July 2026 with a Fall 2026 couture collection dedicated to his mother.
What is Manish Malhotra prêt?
Manish Malhotra prêt is the designer’s ready-to-wear line. It offers festive and pre-wedding outfits in his signature style without the long timelines of made-to-order couture.
Where can I buy Manish Malhotra?
You can buy Manish Malhotra prêt at the Aza Altamount, Aza Bandra, Aza Defence, Aza Regency One, Aza South Ext and Aza Surat stores, and explore his designs on azafashions.com. For availability and styling help, contact the Aza Fashions team on WhatsApp.
