It is like defanging the sting out of words such as ‘Gold digger,’ ‘Sugar Baby,’ and more. One of India’s biggest couturier Manish Malhotra redefined the images associated with these not-so-pleasant words, awarding them a new meaning with his playful and quirky show at LFW 2023.
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Taking a refreshing and playful approach by redefining societal labels, Manish Malhotra celebrates one year of Diffuse at the Grand Finale of Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI. The showcase presented prints inspired by iconic-games in androgynous styles having a blast alongside a high-octane colour palette of stark blacks, electric purples, shocking neons, unconventional constructs, with the use of unmissable fabrics.
The incredibly stylish Ananya Panday and the charismatic Aditya Roy Kapur were the showstoppers for the fashion-forward show dressed in impeccably hand-embroidered and eclectically hand-printed iterations of Diffuse. Ananya Panday adorned a hand-embroidered
tassel edged gown with a scoop neck, high slit and Aditya Roy Kapur was dressed to the nines in a Black X O X O blazer paired with a co-ord set.
The collection checks in with the creative, youthful and experimental spirit of digital natives, while infusing it into timeless and all-season wearable silhouettes and separates – each garment a distinctly quirky, fun, yet unapologetically glamorous conversation-starter.
“Diffuse literally diffuse-s down the hard-to-digest terms and invests in our signature bling,bold and beautiful to be more unapologetically you. The stylish duo and our showstoppers Ananya Pandya and Aditya Roy Kapoor join the Diffuse Tribe this year and they perfectly epitomise the generational values of tomorrow” MANISH MALHOTRA
The showcase presented prints inspired by iconic-games in androgynous styles having a blast alongside a high-octane colour palette of stark blacks, electric purples, shocking neons, unconventional constructs, with the use of unmissable fabrics. The retagged labels were
incorporated, proudly and boldly, into the detailing of the collection. The accessories and styling showcase a boatload of alluring metallics, latex, oversized jackets, trench coats, a new version of the MM monogram sweatshirts, hand printed and embellished co-ord sets,lehengas, label placements, pleatings, popular high-slit gowns, and knee high boots, all this and more making a special appearance. The collection checks in with the creative, youthful and experimental spirit of digital natives, while infusing it into timeless and all-season wearable silhouettes and separates – each garment a distinctly quirky, fun, yet unapologetically glamorous conversation-starter. These bold designs were further
complimented by Daniel Bauer's expressive makeup which were an interpretation of each re-tag presented on the runway.
The chequered board backdrops, rubix cube placements, and the towering mirror in the middle served as visually interesting elements to compliment the fashion designs being showcased. The LED visual graphic installations added an interactive and dynamic aspect to the overall experience for the audience. The display of "re-tags" and their revived meanings from the urban dictionary is an interesting addition, for the younger, more digitally-savvy audience familiar with the language and culture of social media and online communities. Overall, the design elements created a visually stimulating and engaging environment that complimented the Diffuse line being showcased and created a unique and memorable. experience for the attendees with an army of models to walk the talk in sync with every music beat and graphical presentation.
Diffuse summarises pieces for every mood, and pieces for every occasion. Whether it’s a casual look, or a look to create waves.
As a metaphor for the thirst for success, the retagging sorcery is pure gold. The real memo here is how the couturier melds disparaged into tic tac toe silhouettes, indicating X and 0 to. 100 to e(x)traordinary. Manish Malhotra's playful portrait of Diffuse is tempered with
enough tenderness to make it witty but never bitter—quite an edgy message for anyone entering his runway realm where over 102 models strut to the beats of Lush Lata and the smooth rhythm of percussionist JonQui.
