Manish Malhotra Winter/Festive 2011 showcase at the Grand Finale of the LFW

Graduating three giant wooden frames hung from the ceiling edged with hundreds of bulbs. The long glass ramp gleamed under the lights. The stage framed in ornate silver with long sheer curtains hid the excitement behind. The packed Ballroom of The Grand Hyatt with standing room only, had hundreds waiting to get in to catch a glimpse of the amazing Lakmé Grand Finale; which ended the Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011, with the outstanding collection from the “Badshah of Bollywood Couture”, Manish Malhotra.

Revealing his interpretations of the high performance long wear makeup range, Lakmé ABSOLUTE, Manish displayed his creative skills by showing garments of ultimate beauty and style. The Lakmé Grand Finale at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011 showcased a collection that was glamorous and sophisticated, with a soul that was Indian. The Lakmé ABSOLUTE range is specially created for the contemporary Indian woman and designed for the Indian skin-tone enabling every woman to be magical every day of her life.

It was a collection of international standard inspired by the looks of Lakmé ABSOLUTE cosmetic range, which combined hi-tech and hi-fashion in the most sensational manner that dazzled the audience

As the lights in the Ballroom dimmed, the stylish AV showed the wonderful products of Lakmé ABSOLUTE and the face of the brand the absolutely gorgeous super star of Bollywood, Kareena Kapoor. Her
“ABSOLUTE” favourites from the range are Super Light Mattereal Mousse, Plum and Shine Gloss, ABSOLUTE Lip Last and the Two Way Compact.

From then on it was glamour and glitz all the way, as the silk curtains parted to reveal a giant clock as the backdrop and the stage lined with handsome male models. The first model descended from the ceiling down the lit steps wearing a breathtaking white embellished kurta with accented wing shoulder detailing and a pink diaphanous lehenga.

What followed were the most magnificent Indian and western creations comprising swirling panelled lehengas, amazingly constructed cholis, superb saris and serene avant garde gowns. Each creation was a dream to behold as silver and resham embroidery covered the ensembles in a brilliant manner.

Rich fabrics like, lace, chiffon, silk, net, velvet in primary shades of white and candy floss pink were teamed with black, wine, gold, pale grey, metallics and cherry red. Gowns were either will-power or sexy with plunging ‘V’ necks and moulded to the body and flared into dozens of panels. Sheer net appeared for Kalidar covers, which were draped over luxuriously opulent skirts making the ensembles ideal bridal wear.

Men’s wear was formal with sherwanis, some with wide cuffs, long smock coats at times pleated or gathered - were at others times lean and layered over kurtas. The colour story was masculine with black grey, white and wine with a hint of fuchsia for collars and cuffs.

At the end of the stunning display by 49 models the lights dimmed, the music rose to a crescendo, the UV lights flashed and the audience held its breadth for the most amazing moment – the appearance of the face of Lakmé ABSOLUTE.

As the lights came on, framed against the giant clock high up on the stage, the gorgeous Kareena Kapoor descended down to terra firma amidst thundering applause and took the ramp in a fabulous white layered lace, silk, net gown with a shimmering bodice and a radiant smile with her flawless skin, wearing the beautiful Lakmé ABSOLUTE range of products.

As the man behind this fantastic show took his bow, Manish Malhotra rocked down the ramp with the beautiful Kareena Kapoor and confetti bursts showered the audience, to mark the end of one of the most memorable Lakmé Grand Finales that launched the Lakmé ABSOLUTE Line with the gorgeous collection of Manish Malhotra.

What an end it was to Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011 which will be remembered for months as the night of ultimate style, glamour, beauty and couture.