Some designers return to fashion week quietly. Manish Malhotra did not. The designer closed his show at the ongoing Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI in New Delhi with a bang: a brand-new Luxury Pret 2026 collection, his first-ever menswear line, and two of Bollywood’s most loved faces walking out hand in hand as showstoppers. It was the kind of evening the fashion crowd had been waiting for all season.
Presented in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the collection is built around one clear idea: glamour that feels easy. Not stiff red-carpet dressing, but clothes made for how people actually celebrate today, personal, comfortable and easy to dance in. Elongated silhouettes, cropped jackets, fluid skirts and relaxed tailoring set the tone across the evening, with sharp contrasts running through nearly every look.
Corsets, capes and liquid gold for women
The signature look for women was unmistakable: a structured corset blouse paired with a dhoti skirt, a traditional shape given a thoroughly modern edge. One standout look paired a strapless corset of fine gold strips, spilling down like fringe, with a pleated black dhoti skirt and an emerald necklace. It was pure Manish, drama you can spot from the back row.
Sarees were reworked too. Cape pre-pleated drapes arrived in ivory chiffon with a high halter neck and strands of pearls, and in cobalt satin over a grey satin base with a cropped lilac sequin blouse. A black sequinned saree gown came with a sheer cape trailing behind it.
Metallics did the heavy lifting in almost every silhouette. A gold peplum top with cap sleeves and a plunging neckline came with matching wide-leg trousers, while navy satin was knotted into a sculpted top over a pleated metallic skirt. Velvet brought warmth: a wine quilted jacket studded with sequins worn over bottle-green velvet dhoti pants, and a sheer navy organza blouse with a bow at the neck, layered over a textured bustier and finished with wide flares.
The menswear debut everyone was waiting for
The biggest headline of the night, though, was Menswear Luxe Pret. After years of dressing Bollywood’s leading men on screen, Manish has finally launched a dedicated menswear line, and the first outing was ambitious.
The men walked in wide trousers and easy tailoring, nearly all in sunglasses, with brooches pinned at the chest. Chikankari found a new home on velvet: one piece featured a navy velvet jacket with fringe worn over an ivory chikankari kurta, while sequins met the craft on a blush-gold jacket with patch pockets.
The range was wide. An olive pinstriped kurta with gold borders, a black kurta with blue floral embroidery, and a black bandhgala with cape sleeves and a silver horse motif all took their turn. Accessories had their say too, from metallic clutches to a leather bucket bag. Teal and royal blue added more jewel tones, and the wine quilted jacket returned on a man, a nod to wardrobes that are now often shared.
Showstoppers who stole the evening
Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan closed the show hand in hand, and the front row lost it. He wore a black jacket with silver floral sequin work, an open satin shirt and velvet trousers. She wore the collection’s defining look: a strapless black corset with multicolour floral threadwork melting into green sequins, a fluid dhoti skirt and a sheer black drape falling to the floor.
Speaking about the collection, Manish said, “Luxury Pret 2026 is about exploring a new expression of glamour, one that feels effortless, contemporary and deeply personal. I wanted to create a collection that carries the richness of our craftsmanship but also reflects the way people dress and celebrate today.”
Sunil Sethi, Chairman of FDCI, added, “His journey has been closely connected with the evolution of Indian fashion, and this collection reflects his ability to continuously reinterpret glamour while staying true to the craftsmanship that defines his work.”
Why this show matters
Beyond the spectacle, the evening marked two shifts. First, the designer who arguably defined Bollywood glamour for three decades is now openly designing for how people actually live and celebrate, comfort included. Second, the menswear launch signals that Indian menswear, long the quieter half of the industry, is getting its moment on the big runway.
What stands out most is how wearable all of it is. Manish has always known how to create a moment, but this time the clothes look made to be lived in, not just photographed. If this first outing is anything to go by, men are going to have a lot more fun dressing up this wedding season.
FAQs
Who were the showstoppers at Manish Malhotra’s Lakmé Fashion Week 2026 show?
Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan closed the show hand in hand, wearing looks from the Luxury Pret 2026 collection.
Did Manish Malhotra launch menswear at LFW 2026?
Yes. The show marked the debut of Menswear Luxe Pret, his first dedicated menswear line, featuring velvet jackets, chikankari kurtas and bandhgalas.
What was the theme of the Luxury Pret 2026 collection?
A fresh, lighter take on glamour: elongated silhouettes, corsets, dhoti skirts, metallics and jewel-toned velvet, designed to feel effortless, contemporary and personal.
Where was the show held?
The show was part of Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI, presented in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India in New Delhi.
Who organised the collection in partnership?
The collection was presented in partnership with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).
That is the story from the ramp. The collections hit stores soon, and if the front-row reaction was anything to go by, they will not stay on the racks for long.
