EDITOR’S NOTE: As a part of NCS Style’s Art of Gifting sequence, chosen tastemakers share their high ideas for gifting and mastering the vacation season.
Manish Malhotra is to Diwali what Heidi Klum is to Halloween: its final movie star celebration host.
Every yr, the Indian dressmaker throws a star-studded Diwali bash bringing collectively Bollywood’s largest names. Film legends Shah Rukh Khan and Shilpa Shetty have been amongst the A-listers in attendance throughout the most up-to-date festivities in October.
Such is his fame for internet hosting, Malhotra was employed as inventive director to 2024’s headline grabbing mega-wedding between Anant Ambani, the son of India’s richest man, and pharmaceutical heiress Radhika Merchant. As nicely as overseeing venue decor he even discovered time to design outfits for the bride and the groom’s mom, Nita Ambani, in addition to company at the numerous marriage ceremony occasions, together with Ivanka Trump and each Kim and Khloé Kardashian.
Malhotra is aware of a factor or two about gifting, too. Gold could also be the luxurious gift historically exchanged throughout Diwali, however the designer’s luxurious make-up and skincare units — alongside festive hampers he developed for a resort group — are just some examples of how he appeals to Indian clientele throughout the nation’s more and more various multi-billion-dollar vacation spending spree.
For Malhotra, the secret to memorable presents and events is the similar one underpinning his trend profession: narrative.
“I simply enjoy being the storyteller,” he mentioned, revealing his vacation gifting ideas to NCS.
Indian trend is, the designer mentioned, “having its moment.” The nation’s craftsmanship and textile traditions are having fun with elevated worldwide consideration — and few individuals can take extra credit score than Malhotra, who attended the 2025 Met Gala, the place he dressed attendees Natasha Poonawalla and Coco Jones for the pink carpet.
“Ultimately, when I showcase Indian fashion on a global stage, I want people to see its depth, its artistry and its timelessness,” he mentioned.
Malhotra has branched out past trend lately. A Bollywood costume stylist since the Nineties (“films were my first love,” he mentioned), the designer has simply made his manufacturing debut with Hindi-language romantic drama “Gustaakh Ishq,” which hit theaters final month. Then there may be the excessive jewellery line his eponymous label launched in 2023.
“Luxury isn’t just about buying something that looks beautiful; it has to carry meaning. It needs a story,” he mentioned, including: “It’s about creating something that becomes an heirloom.”
Below, Malhotra shares his tackle gifting and internet hosting throughout the holidays.
NCS: What are three belongings you want to ask your self earlier than shopping for a gift for somebody?
MM: I take into consideration who they’re, what they genuinely get pleasure from and whether or not the gift displays their persona in a significant manner.
NCS: How do you sort out gifting for individuals you don’t know very nicely?
MM: I all the time return to one thing timeless: flowers. I completely love them. They’re elegant, considerate, and so they work for each event. I’ve flowers throughout my house and even in my workplace — they immediately brighten an area and produce a way of heat and positivity. So, once I’m not sure about somebody’s private style, a stupendous bouquet appears like the perfect gesture. It’s private with out being too particular, and it all the time makes individuals smile. You actually can’t go mistaken with flowers.
NCS: What’s a fantastic gift that prices nothing?
MM: Time. It prices nothing, however it means completely the whole lot. Whether it’s sitting down for an actual dialog, being totally current, or simply displaying up when it issues — it’s priceless. In our world the place the whole lot strikes so quick, time is the one factor you may’t purchase, and the one factor that makes all the distinction.
NCS: Do you could have any traditions or rituals round the holidays?
MM: Around Diwali, I’ve my annual celebration, which has actually turn out to be a practice for me over the years. It’s one evening the place all the individuals I like come collectively below one roof. The power is all the time festive, heat, and full of a lot pleasure. There’s all the time nice music, a stupendous grazing desk — I actually love feeding individuals — and the complete house feels celebratory. Friends from the trade, in addition to my closest private circle, all attempt to come by. Many of them I don’t get to host usually due to my schedule, so Diwali turns into that one second the place all of us get pleasure from one another’s firm. It’s a time of connection, celebration and gratitude. And for me, it’s one among the traditions of the yr.
NCS: If you’re celebrating with family members round a desk, what are the most essential elements of that celebration?
MM: For me, when you’re celebrating with family members round a desk, it has to be the meals! I like a desk that feels plentiful and alluring. Good meals has this magical manner of bringing everybody collectively, making them loosen up, snicker, and keep just a bit longer.
This interview has been edited for size.