I don't fear change: Manish Malhotra

He started his career as a costume designer at the age of 23 Today Manish Malhotrarsquos fashion label is a company with a turnover of over Rs 100 crore Deepali Dhingra speaks to the fashion designer about his love for the movies his dislike for wannabes and why he calls himself a true SaggitarianIn the middle of our conversation with Manish Malhotra we canrsquot help but notice how his eyes keep straying to the mannequin placed in the middle of his store Suddenly the fashion designer gets up from the sofa and pulls away the scarf that is draped across the mannequinrsquos hand ldquoThatrsquos been bothering me ever since we started talkingrdquo he says returning to his seatAn optimist by nature Manish Malhotra seen here at his store in Khar feels that singleminded focus and patience shuts out any negativity PICPRADEEP DHIVARItrsquos a small gesture but one which goes a long way in giving us an insight into the mind of the man whorsquos one of the most renowned fashion designers this country has seen ldquoI like things to be in order I also like my life to be in order and when that happens therersquos so much one can dordquo he smilesMalhotra may have changed and evolved over the years in many ways but the one thing that hasnrsquot changed is his singleminded focus on work ldquoEven while growing up I was never one those guys you see hanging around at the street corner with friendsrdquo he reminisces The Punjabi boy who grew up in Bandra might own one of the biggest fashion labels in the country today but in his college days Malhotra modelled and even worked part time in a boutique ldquoI was very fond of watching Hindi films and was fascinated by the costumes the heroines would wear especially in Yash Choprarsquos moviesrdquo says the selftaught designer who still loves going to the movie theatre ldquoIrsquom like a kid who loves going to theatre with a tub of popcorn in my handrdquo he saysWersquore sitting in Malhotrarsquos 6000 sq ft store his second one in Khar and everywhere you look the designerrsquos love for the good things in life is pretty evident Right from Anoushka Shankarrsquos enchanting Traces of You that plays softly in the background to the rich embroidered lehengas in hues of reds pinks and oranges mdash that tempt us enough to keep stealing appreciative glances at them mdash the store is a luxury statement ldquoWhat interests me is how everything is displayed I have very neat sensibilities I like ornate clothes colours and embellishments I canrsquot stand clutter one bitrdquo Malhotra tells us Even when it comes to his professional commitments it is this singleminded attention to details and clutterfree nature that spurs him on ldquoIrsquom very serious when it comes to my work I donrsquot understand designers who come late for their own fittings or have drinks minutes before the fashion show is about to start I cannot understand peer pressure of smoking or doing drugs Irsquove never been a wannabe and Irsquove never done what I donrsquot want to dordquo he says Calling himself a true Saggitarian the designer says he has a simplistic approach towards life ldquoFor me something is either black or white I donrsquot like shades of greyrdquo Malhotra addsFor somebody who started his career as a costume designer 24 years ago Malhotrarsquos name is synonymous with movies and makeovers Think Urmila Matondkar in Rangeela Karisma Kapoor in Raja Hindustani and Kareena Kapoor in Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham among countless other top actresses hersquos designed outfits for ldquoI think the film industry has given me everything mdash a platform to evolve and learn my craft work to look back upon my lifestyle opportunity to travel and some lengthy associations Irsquom still friendly with Urmila and Irsquom regularly in touch with Sridevi Karisma and Raveena I did two movies for Dharma Productions even before Karan Johar joined it and till now Irsquom doing movies for themrdquo he addsBut now itrsquos the very same industry that hersquos taking a break from Not because he wants to lessen his workload On the contrary the designer has huge expansion plans for his label and is devoting all his time and energy into the same ldquoSomebody once asked me whether I became the Manish Malhotra I had set out to become and my reply was I became that a long time ago I wanted to become a costume designer work with the top directors and actors and travel the worldThen as you evolve things change Next year I complete 25 years as a costume designer and 10 years of my fashion label Irsquom very clear that I want to do only two movies a year My mind is on expansion growth and bettering my craft Irsquom focusing on the fashion week and couture week and trying to take the collections to another level altogetherrdquo says the man who embraces change in his life ldquoI love change Irsquom fearless that way Irsquom the kind who will jump in the water first and then learn to swimrdquo says MalhotraAny unfulfilled dream ldquoI live with my parents and I love what I do I think Irsquom blessedrdquo he says Itrsquos the right cue for us to conclude our conversation But not before we turn back and take in the sight of those gorgeous clothes on display once more No wonder Malhotrarsquos always inspired He doesnrsquot have to look beyond his own work