Anna Wintour, Fan Bingbing attend as Manish Malhotra makes a historic Paris Couture debut with 'Maa'
ETimes | July 9, 2026 1:39 PM CST
After dressing Bollywood's biggest stars for decades, Manish Malhotra has finally ticked off one of fashion's biggest milestones. The designer made his official debut at Paris Haute Couture Week, and instead of opening with spectacle alone, he chose to tell a story that was deeply personal.
His first couture collection, 'Maa', was dedicated to the woman who believed in him before anyone else did.
The inspiration came straight from his own life. Looking back on his childhood, Manish shared that some of his earliest memories are tied to the colours of his mother's saris.
"The colours of my childhood in the 70s were the colours of my mother's saris," he wrote on Instagram.
He also remembered the moment he decided to step into fashion in the 1980s. It wasn't the safest career choice back then, but his mother never tried to stop him.
"She never asked me to be certain. She simply believed in me. Sometimes, love is the greatest permission to dream," he wrote.
That feeling found its way into every look on the runway.
There were dramatic sculpted gowns, soft drapes that moved beautifully, sharp tailoring and layers of intricate hand embroidery. Zardozi, threadwork, sequins and hand-set embellishments came together in pieces that celebrated the skill of Indian artisans without ever feeling overdone.
The colours shifted from deep emeralds, rubies and sapphires to softer champagne golds, blush pinks and muted metallics. Some outfits were grand and theatrical, while others felt quiet and intimate. Together, they mirrored the many sides of motherhood - strong, comforting, resilient and graceful.
Manish also reflected on the years that followed.
"As my world grew, I realised everything I set out to achieve carried a part of her with it. Success may have found me later, but her faith was where everything truly began," he shared.
The music matched the mood. Indian classical notes blended with orchestral arrangements, giving the show an emotional edge without taking attention away from the clothes.
The front row was just as impressive.
Anna Wintour was there to witness the show, joined by Isha Ambani and Fan Bingbing .
Anna wore a mustard-gold floral dress paired with a chunky gemstone necklace, sticking to the signature style she's known for. Her classic bob and oversized black sunglasses, of course, were right on cue.
Isha Ambani arrived in a custom Manish Malhotra couture gown in gold. The fitted corset silhouette was covered in vintage salli embroidery, taban sequins and hand-set gemstones, showing just how much work goes into a single couture piece.
For Manish Malhotra, Paris wasn't just another runway. It was the culmination of years of work, belief and ambition. And instead of making the moment all about himself, he chose to dedicate it to the woman who first encouraged him to dream.
Sometimes, the most memorable couture collections aren't just about the clothes. They're about the stories stitched into them.
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