Renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra recently revisited a memorable milestone in his career, dressing the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, for the 1998 Bollywood Awards in New York. In a nostalgic Instagram post, Malhotra shared the story behind designing a modern sherwani for the music legend in just one day, without even having prior measurements.
The opportunity came when Kamal Dhandona and the late S.P. Hinduja, the event sponsors, asked Malhotra to create an outfit for Michael Jackson. The designer was both thrilled and challenged by the request, especially given the tight deadline. “It was an honor and so exciting to be dressing the fabulous Michael Jackson at the Bollywood Awards,” Malhotra said. “At that time, I wanted to blend a global infusion into the traditional sherwani cut, so I worked on a shorter sherwani with trousers and a shawl/stole in textured handloom with woven silk and brocade borders, all made in one day without measurements.”
The ensemble was a fusion of Indian heritage and contemporary fashion, featuring a sleek short sherwani, tailored trousers, and an elegant draped shawl. The outfit’s intricate detailing with handloom textures, woven silk, and brocade borders gave it an opulent yet modern appeal.
In the video, a grateful Michael Jackson can be seen thanking Malhotra for the outfit, saying, “Manish, thank you for your wonderful costume. I appreciate it very much.”
Manish Malhotra, known for spending days curating bridal couture, once designed an entire outfit for Michael Jackson in just one day! The Bollywood designer recalled how he created a unique sherwani for the King of Pop for the 1998 Bollywood awards without even taking measurements
For Malhotra, this collaboration with the music icon remains one of the proudest moments of his career. Dressing Jackson, a figure known for both his groundbreaking music and unique style, was a significant honor and a remarkable challenge.
At the same event, Malhotra also won the Best Costume Award for ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,’ further cementing his status as a trailblazer in Bollywood fashion. His influence has only grown since then, with his label now adorning Bollywood’s biggest stars and making waves on international red carpets, including his recent debut at the Golden Globes in 2024 with Guneet Monga.
