From heritage to contemporary elegance, MM’s latest wedding couture collection celebrates individuality, craft, and the poetry of celebration—exclusive insights with The Gourmet Edit’s – Naomikah.
The anticipation around Manish Malhotra’s latest wedding couture, Inaya, has been palpable – and for good reason. Known for defining the Indian bridal narrative for decades, MM’s creations are never just garments; they are stories, memories, and moments stitched into fabric. We sat down with the designer to explore the philosophy, inspiration, and evolution behind Inaya, a collection that celebrates the modern bride and groom.
“Inaya is about capturing the essence of the modern Indian bride and groom—rooted in heritage, yet fully of today.” – Manish Malhotra
The Modern Bride
“Inaya really came from thinking about the modern bride and groom,” Manish explains. “Couples who cherish tradition but have a global outlook. More and more, couples are looking for contemporary design, for pieces that let them feel completely themselves. I imagined ensembles that move like poetry, carrying the weight of history without ever feeling heavy or dated.”
Every detail, from a light crystal drape to a sculptural blouse framing the waist, is intentional. “Embroidery tells its own story. Inaya is about capturing the essence of the modern Indian bride and groom—rooted in heritage, yet full of today.”
Redefining the Indian Wedding Look
The Indian bridal look has evolved dramatically over the past decade. “It’s become so much more personal,” Manish says. “Brides today they want freedom, they want colour, they want to be part of the story, not just wear a formula. It’s about creating a narrative that reflects who they are, who the couple is, and the emotion of the moment. Individuality is key it’s expressive, personal, and evolving with each generation.”
“Brides are creating their own palette, no longer bound by expectation—that’s incredibly exciting.”
Colour, too, has become a language. “We see brides experimenting with blushes, lilacs, soft ombrés, jewel tones, sometimes even unexpected combinations. Inaya celebrates that spectrum. Brides are no longer bound by expectation; they are creating their own palette, and that’s incredibly exciting.”
Craftsmanship as Art
“Craftsmanship is at the heart of everything we do,” Manish notes. From hand-embellished lehengas to soft flowing lace, tulle, and layered crinolines, the collection employs techniques like zardozi, nakshi, and badla, enhanced with Swarovski crystals, pearls, and intricate detailing.
“It’s craft, emotion, and history embodied in every piece, it’s storytelling, emotion, and lineage all rolled into one.”
Grooms in Focus
Grooms are no longer accessories, they are storytellers too. “We’ve reimagined kurtas, sherwanis, and bandhgala with clean tailoring, subtle embellishments, and statement high jewellery like brooches and heritage-inspired buttons,” Manish explains. The goal is a harmonious yet individualised bridal-groom narrative, where each ensemble reflects personal style while complementing the partner.
Heritage Meets Reinvention
Balancing tradition and reinvention is intrinsic to MM’s philosophy. “I begin with craft the techniques, the lineage, the motifs and ask, ‘What story hasn’t been told yet?’ Every collection borrows from the past but reinterprets it through colour, silhouette, and texture. It’s about creating continuity without repetition a conversation between history and now.”
Advice for 2025 Couples
“Choose what feels like you. Don’t follow trends blindly. Couture is about intention or not just how it looks, but how it feels, the memories it carries, and how it allows you to inhabit the moment fully.”
The Essence of Inaya
When asked to capture Inaya in a single word, Manish chooses three: “Light. Legacy. Intention. It’s couture that moves with you, carries memory, yet feels utterly now. Presence over appearance, celebration over ornamentation.”says Manish.“Inaya is couture that lives in celebration, ritual, intimate moments, and shared joy.”
Decades from now, a Manish Malhotra bridal ensemble will tell the story of a generation that celebrated heritage and individuality together. In a world where weddings are increasingly personal and expressive, Inaya is not just a collection, it is the modern Indian love story, in silk, crystal, and embroidery.
Also Read:
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The Serpent Arrives in India: Bvlgari Unveils Serpenti Infinito at NMACC This October
The New Heirlooms: Bridal Jewelry with a Personal Touch
Superb! A delightful read indeed