~~ Celebs in Manish Malhotra ~~

From his 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' days right up until his latest project 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani', Manish Malhotra has grown from strength to strength.

Film buffs identify popular films with the kind of style he has introduced in them. Be it Anjali’s (Kajol) hair band and Rahul’s (Shah Rukh) ‘cool’ chain from ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ or Pooja’s (Madhuri) spandex bodysuit from ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’.

From the sexy sarees to the daring dresses, Manish's unique taste in fashion has reflected on each of them. Karisma Kapoor, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Urmila Matondkar are some of his muses and close friends.

Although his interest lies in Indian ethnic wear like elaborate lehenga-cholis and sarees, he has also mastered the art of next-gen fashion in films like 'Heroine', 'Student Of The Year' and 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'.

A Manish Malhotra lehenga is not only the star of every celebs' wardrobe, but is every bride's dream for her big day, including mine.

In an interview with IANS, he said, "I've always been inspired by the old world charm and grace of the leading ladies in the 1950s and 1960s. The elegance of the chiffon saris in the 1960s has also been something that has inspired me greatly."

He is one of the first designers in India who introduced the substitute for ghaghra-choli with sharara pants and fitted tops. The works mostly featured a lot of bling and fabrics ranging from silk, net to georgette.

His makeover for actress Urmila Matondkar for 1995 film 'Rangeela' won him his first Filmfare award. However, his own romance with Bollywood's ever changing fashion sensibilities began much earlier when he worked as a costume designer for actress Juhi Chawla in 1989 film 'Swarg'.

The going became smooth for Malhotra as he went on to style screen goddesses like Kajol, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan... Preity Zinta... And the list continues with the current crop of leading ladies.

In 1998, the designer decided to venture into mainstream designing with his couture store 'Reverie - Manish Malhotra'. He staged his debut fashion show a year later. He made inroads in the international fashion circle when he designed for the late pop legend Michael Jackson during his visit to India for a Bollywood show.

Malhotra also styled Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon in Mira Nair's 'Vanity Fair', actor Jean-Claude Van Damme and pop star Kylie Minogue. He takes pride in the fact that the Indian fashion industry has covered miles on foreign shores.

"The fashion industry in India has evolved beautifully, particularly in the last 20 years, when the boundaries of the industry started to expand. The West is learning that India is glamorous and that the sari is the most sensuous garment in the whole wide world," he said.