Maruti Suzuki NEXA presented Manish Malhotra Luxury Prêt 2026 at Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI at Taj Palace, New Delhi, marking the celebrated designer's return to the platform after nearly three and a half years. Bringing together the worlds of fashion, design and contemporary luxury, the showcase unveiled a fresh interpretation of occasion dressing, where the grandeur of Indian craftsmanship met a more fluid, modern sensibility. Defined by sculpted silhouettes, luminous metallics and intricate detailing, the collection reflected an evolving vision of glamour that is expressive, confident and effortlessly sophisticated.

Manish Malhotra Luxury Prêt 2026 reimagined the language of celebration through a wardrobe that balanced the house's signature opulence with contemporary ease. The runway came alive with elongated silhouettes, cropped jackets, fluid skirts, relaxed tailoring, sweeping layers and distinctive drapes, each exploring the relationship between structure and  movement. A striking interplay of luminous gold, burnished silver and reflective surfaces brought a heightened sense of shine to the collection, while intricate embellishments and considered construction added depth and dimension. Moving beyond conventional occasionwear, the showcase offered a fresh perspective on dressing for modern celebrations, where individuality and personal expression take centre stage.

Speaking about Manish Malhotra's return to the platform and the importance of such collaborations, Sunil Sethi, Chairman, Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), said, "It is a pleasure to welcome Manish Malhotra back to Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI. His journey has been closely connected with the evolution of Indian fashion, and this collection reflects his ability to continuously reinterpret glamour while staying true to the craftsmanship that defines his work. Collaborations such as this one with Maruti Suzuki NEXA demonstrate how fashion can engage with different worlds of design and creativity, creating a larger conversation around innovation, individuality and the future of Indian luxury."

Speaking about his return to the runway and the inspiration behind the collection, Manish Malhotra shared,"Luxury Prêt 2026 is about exploring a new expression of glamour, one that feels effortless, contemporary and deeply personal. I wanted to create a collection that carries the richness of our craftsmanship but also reflects the way people dress and celebrate today. From fluid silhouettes and statement metallics to the introduction of Menswear Luxe Prêt, this collection represents an exciting evolution of the house. Returning to Lakmē Fashion Week in partnership with FDCI with Maruti Suzuki NEXA makes this showcase particularly special, as we come together to celebrate individuality, design and the confidence to express oneself."

A defining highlight of the showcase was the introduction of Manish Malhotra Menswear Luxe Prêt, marking a significant new chapter for the fashion house. Translating its distinctive design vocabulary into a contemporary masculine wardrobe, the collection featured refined shirts, relaxed tailoring, modern separates and layered silhouettes. Bringing together Indian influences and a cosmopolitan design sensibility, the menswear offering explored a more versatile approach to luxury, reflecting the evolving sartorial preferences of the modern man. Extending the collection's design narrative beyond apparel, Manish Malhotra Fine Jewellery and Accessories added another dimension to the runway. Statement jewels and sculptural accents complemented the ensembles, offering an expressive approach to styling through pieces designed to be worn individually or layered together. The interplay of jewellery, accessories and clothing reinforced the collection's overarching philosophy of personal style, allowing each look to move seamlessly between understated elegance and statement glamour.

The collaboration with Maruti Suzuki NEXA brought together two distinct yet complementary design philosophies, united by their emphasis on craftsmanship, innovation and individuality. Reflecting NEXA's 'Dare to Go Glam' philosophy, the showcase celebrated the confidence to challenge convention and embrace self-expression through considered choices. Much like the sculpted contours and fluid design language of the New Age Baleno, the collection explored a contemporary aesthetic rooted in confident design and sophistication, reinforcing the idea that modern glamour is as much about attitude as it is about appearance.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer of Marketing and Sales at Maruti Suzuki India Limited.“At NEXA, we believe that true style is an expression of individuality and the confidence to stand apart. Our association with Manish Malhotra brings together two creative worlds that share this belief, where design goes beyond aesthetics to create an emotion and make a statement. The Baleno, with its distinctive design and the spirit of ‘Dare to Go Glam’, embodies this ethos. We are delighted to see its design language and personality serve as an inspiration for Manish’s creative interpretation of the collection, bringing together fashion and automotive design in a celebration of confidence, self-expression and contemporary glamour.”

Highlighting the significance of the showcase and the evolution of contemporary Indian luxury, Jaspreet Chandok, Group Vice President, Reliance Brands Limited, commented, "Manish Malhotra has played an important role in shaping the language of Indian glamour, and his return to the platform brings excitement to this season. What makes this showcase particularly relevant is its interpretation of luxury for a new generation, where craftsmanship and occasion dressing are being reimagined through a more contemporary lens. Our association with Maruti Suzuki NEXA continues to create meaningful collaborations that bring fashion, design and innovation together on a platform that celebrates India's evolving creative landscape."

With Maruti Suzuki NEXA presents Manish Malhotra Luxury Prêt 2026, the runway celebrated an evolving expression of Indian luxury, one that honours the richness of craftsmanship while embracing the freedom and fluidity of contemporary dressing. Bringing together fashion, innovation and individual style, the showcase offered a distinctive perspective on the future of occasionwear, where glamour is defined not simply by grandeur, but by the confidence to make it one's own.