Photo : FS Media Pro / FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week / RISE Worldwide
For an evening wardrobe, the appeal often lies in the details: a sculpted neckline, a fluid skirt, or a flash of metallic embroidery. Manish Malhotra’s Luxury Prêt 2026 collection explores these elements through occasionwear that balances his signature glamour with more relaxed silhouettes. Presented by Maruti Suzuki NEXA on October 17, the show also introduced Menswear Luxe Prêt, expanding the designer’s ready-to-wear offering. Actors Sara Ali Khan and Ayushmann Khurrana closed the show as its celebrity showstoppers.
Showstoppers: Sara Ali Khan and Ayushmann Khurrana
Sara Ali Khan wore a black strapless top with a sculpted corset-style bodice, an asymmetrical neckline, and intricate floral embellishments in metallic and multicolored tones. A flowing black skirt and sheer drape completed the look, while emerald jewelry added a vivid touch of color.
Photo : FS Media Pro / FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week / RISE Worldwide
Ayushmann Khurrana opted for an all-black ensemble, pairing a black shirt and tailored pants with a structured jacket. Silver-toned floral embroidery across the shoulders, lapels, and sleeves added detail to the dark look. Together, their outfits offered two distinct takes on evening dressing, from Sara’s dramatic silhouette to Ayushmann’s sharp, tailored separates.
A Different Kind of Occasionwear
The collection moved beyond heavily embellished silhouettes, introducing cropped jackets, elongated shapes, fluid skirts, relaxed tailoring, and sweeping drapes. Gold and burnished silver brought shine, while shades of green, ivory, blue, pink, and black added variety.
Some pieces made a statement through metallic finishes and intricate detailing; others relied on their cut and drape. The collection offered options for festive evenings, weddings, and celebrations that call for something more considered than everyday dressing.
Introducing Menswear Luxe Prêt
A notable addition was Manish Malhotra Menswear Luxe Prêt. The line brought the designer’s approach to occasion dressing into a contemporary menswear wardrobe, with shirts, relaxed tailoring, modern separates, and layered silhouettes.
Photo : FS Media Pro / FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week / RISE Worldwide
ather than focusing solely on formal suits, the collection explored different ways to dress for an evening out. Indian influences sat alongside a cosmopolitan approach to styling, giving the menswear a versatile appeal.
Jewelry and Accessories
Manish Malhotra Fine Jewellery and Accessories added another dimension to the presentation. Statement pieces and sculptural accents complemented the outfits, from dramatic evening ensembles to more understated looks. The styling showed how jewelry can shape an outfit, whether worn as a single focal point or layered for greater impact.
Fashion and the NEXA Connection
The collaboration drew on NEXA’s “Dare to Go Glam” philosophy, with an emphasis on design, individuality, and personal style. The New Age Baleno served as a point of inspiration, linking its distinctive design details with the collection’s sculpted forms and confident styling.The showcase also marked Manish Malhotra’s return to the runway after nearly three and a half years. The collection retained the craftsmanship associated with his work while exploring a more relaxed approach to occasion dressing.
A Broader Wardrobe
Luxury Prêt 2026 brought together occasionwear, menswear, fine jewelry, and accessories. The introduction of the menswear line was a key development, adding tailored separates and contemporary evening pieces to the designer’s wider offering.From Sara Ali Khan’s embellished black ensemble to Ayushmann Khurrana’s embroidered jacket, the show closed with two distinct expressions of evening style, both built around strong silhouettes and carefully considered details.
