 Very very warm welcome to the India's new mirror who know fashion designer Manish Manhotra You know had we been there on a live stage when each week would have probably been hearing applause So you would have to imagine that We're happening right now You know the ultimate ultimate cinematic story teller and I think it's his clothes Which have made the Indian movies so unforgettable and I think That he's really had to take Indian fashion and turned it into a love style Lifestyle and and out across the world by one and all I didn't know Indian wedding is complete without Manish Kature being coming there in some way or the other some form of the other which we always continue to see and Also, you know He's amongst one of the few fashion designers in India Who crossed the hundred floor club of kature fashion and now going in much more higher places With all the stuff that he's doing which we are going to talk about with him today So let me start with this Manish that you paid fashion and lifestyle in India And you know, but I think lifestyle is really all about culture So what is it that you understand about Indian culture bodywood culture? Which is helping you build this fashion as a lifestyle as a mission for me I think that India has got such a wide really vast spectrum of cultural variations which become one entire Indian culture like you see the Maharajas you see our artisans you see our fabrics of colors our traditions are you know different states having so many different of foods and beliefs and In terms of clothes different forms of fabrics Lot that India offers right and For me have been influenced by it I think in the age of 5 and I've been a huge fan of cinema from the age of 5 and my mother tells me that when there's There was a tuition teacher. I don't why she kept a tuition teacher for me at the age of 5 But I used to tell that teacher that your shoes and clothes are not matching You know and I used to be wanting to see every Hindi film that released and I was my mother says I was so Attracted to color and I would she says at times. She was right for me when she was leaving home Because I would definitely comment on what she was wearing I'm sure the teacher wanted to hear just that so I think the influence of that some of us are just born with a certain passion and I'm very lucky and grateful and thankful to my parents who somewhere didn't come in the way of that and they encouraged it Even if it meant going to see that many movies and I think in that cinema Sitting in cinemas and watching all the movies wide-eyed I was so influenced by the color that I saw the clothes that I saw the music that I heard And it inspired me so much. I went into painting classes and And I you know kept getting in you know more and more spider-man. I travel I'm inspired by nature by temples by Architecture so much. There's so much that India has to offer. I Totally agree with you, you know, I read that you started your journey in bodywood as a model In the entertainment industry as a model and yet you transformed very quickly to become in a fashion designer So how did that transformation happen for you? What what was it that you noticed in the industry which made you do this change? I was always interested in movies I always watched so many films and like I mentioned earlier my parents encouraged it as well It's so kind of them because that went on to becoming my life And I was really passionate about films. I want to be actually a film director And modeling happened I got busy with modeling and that there was always this one thing about me that Whatever I did I did it very sincerely. So by three years of my college. I was going for look test I was modeling. I was never one of those students who you know was Who's wasting a lot of time or who's standing with friends at the corner of his building I would be going for some audition or the other so while I was modeling I started working in a store as well as a sales boy and I used to sketch their quantities the eyes to keep changing the mannequin So my fascination was clothes as well and I thought that I thought since I'd not studied fashion and I was just passionate about it and I loved films and I remember the late 80s the look in the movies was not so good I mean you had directors I guess Chopra, Shekhar Kapoor and all of them But the looks that you saw in the 40s and 50s and 60s and of course the 70s I think somebody got lost in the 80s and I put two of my dreams together which is movies and clothes and that's how it is to get into costumes and Then you know, I kept meeting photographers and and various magazine Journalists who were looking for designers to style their photo shoots and And I think then I started giving it 48 hours in a 24-hour day I mean I would work that much I really really worked and I was so keen that I should Change the way the movies look so I came up with this concept of a look Where what's your hair? What's your makeup? What's your jewelry? What's your costume because I feel I felt that's very important in the costume And in those days when there's an Indian outfit the hero would have long hair and the next scene She's very western outfit in a hair would be short and I was like how can haircut keep changing like this You know, I came up with a whole concept of a consistent look It was all done because I was so very passionate about them Sure And you know so I mean today when you achieve so much success and you've done so much work in for Indian fashion And you sort of brought a great modern version of Indian fashion, which is so fascinating What is it that you realize about Indian consumers sensibilities, you know, what what have you understood about it? How do you think the Indian woman wants to see herself? Inspired by Bollywood, but yet she doesn't want to be a replica of Actress or somebody so how do you sort of balance this both things together? Well, I think that there was a time when the people really looked at actors and what they were wearing and If you remember those styles became iconic and those styles became what people would be seen wearing But all that the old time There was so much of cinema also changed right the glamour curtain went out and the realism came into movies And I also feel that people had even more Influences coming from different verticals and different spectrums like say social media like say your YouTube like say your Internet and And so their influences grew their knowledge through and I think at the time if you speak about today I think women and men want to be the person that they are You know, whether it's endogenous whether it's the whole fashion has become a demographic now It's not become any more of just one stereotype. I think people want to You know Where fashion the way they want to as if they know they know themselves a lot more They are far more confident. Of course, they admire the actors in by the fashion shows they admire the designers They admire clothes they but they also somewhere. I think today I have their own mind Change is invetible change is something that is a part of any form of design Change has to be a part of all of us And I think it's changing and it consistently changes and so the consumer changes and today's consumer is far more confident Far more knowledgeable and wants to pick up things that they like and they see For them design is very important quality is very important and innovation is very important And I think they want to take all of that and wear it their way You know, and sometimes they want to replica what they seem completely in terms of hair and makeup because they're liking But they're seeing so I think depends on all their life If you manage to show them something that they really like then they are for it and then once they take it They also want to wear their own way That's right and lately you also started a beauty line, you know with your range of hot couture makeup And so I mean, you know for me This is really more brand licensing as a business model And do you see the design industry now becoming more inclined toward licensing and actually going into far more extensions only rather than to your passion or Well, I think that is the future completely And if you see all the international designers who've been designers for much before us the design fraternity there and the design entire Families there are many many years old. I think that is the future right because I mean you can't just have clothes You need to if you need to expand in our case as jewelry it's makeup You're coming up now starting with home and mind you these are all things that I'm very passionate about because I actually See that I started with makeup very late because considering that in the early 90s I was the first designer to introduce styling and start this whole thing of a look and where makeup was also important and jewelry was important I should start with these verticals way back but anyway, it's now there and and I think that for designer very important to Business spare those creative thoughts those are coming from their heart, you know, and Because I think anything that's creative has to come from your heart and then that has to be followed by business, which is the mind First heart then mind for me. It's always like that Sure, and I do feel that getting dressed is an integral part of fashion, right? I mean clothes is one thing, but you're really Well, it's how you see it. It's either you use the term it as getting dressed or you term it as feeling good You know, I know so many people in the lockdown where they've also like kind of said, okay I'm getting dressed tonight and I'm probably having dinner with just my husband, you know, like girls We dressed so I think even sometimes, you know It's getting dressed is also It's like a piece like a bar. It's like having a shower, right? Well, you feel good and you look at things a little more right away in a more positive way and That is that dream or that thought of you feeling good by feeling that you're looking good is what I I am there for because that I feel There's so many times I feel being a part of these wonderful movies or weddings where, you know Why are your clothes and being a part of that happiness and that celebration is so satisfying and Sure, so you just mentioned that, you know The designers in the West have been experimenting with different lines for so long So which designer in the West is really inspired you and you know, what particularly now do you think? You know, there is a whole load of change that is happening in the fashion industry today Particularly with remote working work from home culture. So how is it? What is it that you're drawing from the West and do you think it's going to be Interesting to see in the Indian fashion industry in the coming days Well, I think that for anything to last the way the fashion houses internationally have lasted Heart is most important, you know, and then came in the mind of the business. So there you see Coco Chanel Whether you see even a in a brand which doesn't really have a face like Louis Vuitton but look at the amazing Innovation that they come out of my most favorite brands and and even a Brand like Chanel, it's yours over yours and yours over So look at the even Ferragamo. It's a family-oriented business Look at the amount of soul, you know the amount of heart It all has and then it became into businesses and I think For any business to last first thing, you know last for decade after decade Requires a lot of input requires a lot of thought requires a lot of work And I admire that consistency. Look, it's very easy to make up like a flash in the pan kind of thing Because that's in the pan like when you you know come and make a collection and now you're on social media and you Some friends just wear clothes and it's all appreciated but time and lasting out for decades it's only talent hard work persistence and I think vision and the business Accumulation business acclimation, sorry if that's the right word. Yeah, the business focus and You know be very clear of your heart is something that is very very important and I feel those brands have really shown that to us That if all that is in place Brands could last for even a friend or beyond Absolutely You know there's somebody out here for deep he's asked a question from you and he's asking What is your view on sustainability within the Indian fashion and textile industry? Well, I think Sorry And how can we reduce the loss in the sector particularly, you know, there's a lot of waste also that comes out of it So how can we sort of address that? Well in the first fundamental Essence that we all have to understand especially designers and people that we don't have to produce that much You know, I think right now Who's locked down as well people are not wanting that much quality has to definitely surpass quantity So we've got to keep that bit controlled and hence it also starts when you have different verticals in business It doesn't only have to be about clothes, right? And I think that also will be a basic Responsibility of every citizen and likewise of every designer when that is in place Sustainability also is taken a bit of care. You know, you take care of that as well now recycled garments Looking at less of wastage putting your Lots of interesting works that you must have had your path and are not being used putting that in together together in a new creation all of these Small, you know points that if you tick mark and you actually do them you Collectively are working towards sustainability Yeah, and I think that and I think that being conscious cautious and being responsible are two very big fundamental points for us for us in the journey and for sustainability and I think technology responsibility Being sustainable today are key essentials for any brand or any designer for them to lost out Sure, but I mean, you know having said that Luxury is all about experience It's about touch and feel and yet, you know the kind of times that we are living in it looks like we need to go Digital we need to think only channel and you know, you have got one of the most Some of the most popular stores as a designer So, how are you going to think of that change over the digital change over that is today required in luxury fashion? Well, that is the requirement I Cannot run away from that. That is the requirement today and also For people to feel safer digital You know, and I tell you something the last three months I've never had that many digital meetings in the past that I've had now because this is the new norm this is the new normal and And I think for us, it is really really important to also come up with products which are probably more digital friendly and Probably luck luck more accessible and you know, I don't think people are gonna move to go extra affluent right now I don't think they want to go larger than life And I think they're all in a mood of going glamorous. Yes, of course They want to go glamour some want to go more ethnic some want to go more earthy But I think we're in a mood of wearing something that is more wearable And more lasting probably and I think that is another conscious effort being made by us, you know back home and For the next collection especially and that is consistently in my mind that it has to be a very digitally friendly collection as well and and I think that is the way it is for a couple of months from now and We as a as a fashion house and as a business are adapting the new normally and I think that Challenging but in a way exciting it's almost a new brief and Because I've worked with that many films nearly thousand films and every director gave me If like director was different right and they gave me a character brief and I took it from there I said, okay, let's make this out of this character So I think then what nature is telling us today or what life is telling us today it's a brief from the universe and there's no other way but to accept it and Do something new and recreation and recreate something and reinvent yourself So do you also feel there's some Mr. Singh has asked a question here and he says that the Indian couture is very much becoming occasion oriented You know people dress up in high fashion when it's weddings or some other locations But they tend to prefer best and where when it's on other occasions So how how do you feel as a designer your Point of view of designing is changing because of that But you know what I actually Completely feel that I think a red carpet in India But it should see a lot more Indian clothes. It should see a lot of interesting Maybe a Banar Siobhan Sari. It should see a beautiful vintage brocade. Sorry It should see a lot more Indian garments. I think somewhere being very inspired by the West We definitely do a lot of Western clothes on the red carpet and that's something that consistently singing Why don't you wear a sari like I love sari's, you know and But I think that In India couture is a lot of bright new wear because that is the time when families come together to celebrate And are definitely wanting to dress up and get into hand-wrapped couture, right? But where the celebrity on the red carpet is Vincent I actually agree with Mr. Singh and I feel that We definitely should see a lot more Indian clothes on the red carpet. I'm for one Yeah, sure absolutely I think the red the red carpet experience the weddings nothing is gonna change when it comes to Indian totally agree with you You know, I must also say that with the kind of wonderful work that you've done for this industry And I personally feel that what you've done for Bollywood has probably inspired everybody outside India to You know think of Weddings or think of special occasions in their families as As a great lifestyle event that they want to dress up and they want to feel good about it You know, so for what you've done in terms of creativity for this country is truly outstanding and you know, that is also one of the reasons why we would You know, we would be seeing you as our cover face of entrepreneur in the month of August 2020 So I would like for you to sort of So I'll just put the picture on over here, which is the cover shoot we've done with And You know the fact that today He's making and he's put the wave and you know, we're so we're talking about local Vocal for local and I think you truly truly gone out and done it. So he's the cover face of our Magazine the entrepreneur magazine in August 2020 and he's truly going to reimagine the business of high fashion as we go forward So thank you, Minesh and while of course we do not hearing other cheers I'll cheer for you and say that you know, thank you for Also, we would like to present Minesh with our one of our first award categories of the day Which is the creative entrepreneur of the year award Minesh has probably done more for Indian fashion than anybody else in terms of Bringing really the Bollywood dream and he is what I would like to call the India's 21st century fashion what father so thank you Minesh for Making our country proud with and making our fashion sensibilities so so much better They would have been otherwise so he's also the creative entrepreneur of the year for entrepreneur awards 2020 Thank you so much You know, I mean I would love for you to tell us this as we present you this award What all streams are we likely to see you in you already there in kathur? You're already there in make up now what what kind of extensions what kind of areas are you likely to go and extend? We were having a meeting and I think that where our makeup line is concerned our jewelry line is concerned And now we are starting with home. I think we we need to go a lot more deeper in this vertical and have And and also a jewelry concern and my makeup is concerned. We will definitely see a lot more variety a lot more five range compared to what there is now and I Think in my clothes we not a new label But we're going to come up with a completely new thought process which is younger which is more adaptable variable even price point friendlier and The toss would be Indian and it's like an Indo-Western Bridge line collection. So it's not Fred. It's not going to be diffusion. It's it's like a bit second more You know, it's not good. It's like a bit diffusion. So it's more like a bridge collection, which is also going to have separates So you can pick up things and give you a personality that change It could be a shot embroidered beautifully embroidered jacket, which probably you can wear with your mother's beautiful Separate separate that you can pick up from that. So that that is that people on somewhere in January 2021 but or by February 2021 but right now home is something that we're looking to launch at least the first drop by Diwali and I'm going a lot More deeper and a lot more intense with makeup and jewelry Sure, and we're absolutely looking forward to it and trust me after the lockdown There we there's going to be an absolute barrage of people who would be wanting to buy your products Well, I would go and thank you so much. Yeah, we now going to present the other awards And therefore I'm going to request Kavya to please join us here and announce the awards of for now for other entrepreneurs as well Okay, as Kavya joins us Many I think somebody is also asking what is your formula of selling luxury and high price points What makes consumers spend so much more than the average consumer does Come again. Sorry. Sorry. I didn't get that There is Rumika who's asked us. What is the formula of selling luxury at high price points? What makes your consumers spend so much than the average much more than an average consumer does Well, first also it is about the occasion that they're looking for Kind of, you know Some consumers want a more opulent or a more more intense or a more intricate worked piece and I think for Anything in life anything it's not just about a garment to have a certain price point First thing that comes first is called is the is the absolute Quality, you know from the finish to the to the fabric chosen to the It's a hotel. It's a garment. It's a It's a dish that you want to eat anything that is at a certain price definitely Quality in that's very very important You know how much of heart is gone into it? And I think that when people today with social media and knowledge being there on their phones Get go for a product that means somewhere they Are people who are coming again and again to that product and which means that it is satisfying The need of looking good the satisfying the satisfactory giving them the satisfaction of Spending that money for a qualitative product and it's somewhere also satisfying them Themselves that they have something that they can wear for years So, you know for me in life something that lasts Longer has a lot more value whether it's a person whether it's a business whether it's a product And I think that assurance is very key for any put your designer or any product that has a that has a price point Which is a bit higher Sure. Thank you. So Kabya is here over to you Kabya. Please. Can you start the awards distribution? I think we're enjoying the first glitches of This so I think many should we can continue with the chat a little more So there There's another question which has come for you. I think it's not going to stop here Kavya online I Don't see her There is somebody who's from Myanmar who joined us and they're asking what are the criteria and scope for research in the garment and fashion Industry and what are the price price points to be considered by Garment industry results looks like that as a student who's doing his doctorate No, so what's the question? Sorry. I didn't get that. Sorry. They said that how do you go about researching the fashion industry today? This person's joined us from Myanmar and They said, you know, what kind of on what scale of price points they should go out and then start researching About fashion. Well, I think that I think that what is so that person was to be a fashion designer, right? Possibly. Yeah, so I think that what is your heart say? What do you want to like for example? I haven't studied fashion I used to draw and sketch and I really worked on that to learn painting and to be sketching But I took the Bollywood part because I loved films Right. So because I so I followed the fashion and my Journey for design became unique But at that time I didn't think so I just followed my passion of cinema for cinema So I think in any form of design and if you want to be a designer or you want to get into the business of fashion or design It's very important to follow your passion Do you like to do like diffusion do like with do like menswear do like this way I think those are the questions that you need to ask yourself and find that answer and that answer will be your first step towards your path