“Across different cultures and continents, women often reveal fragments of their inner selves through their choice of attire, be it the intricate bangles they wear, the bag they carry, or the way they drape their saree,” says globetrotter and founder of AiSPi, Aisha Saraf Kothari who grew up in India, studied in America, lived in the Middle East, and worked in Europe. She noticed: “Fashion acts as a silent connector, offering a glimpse into someone’s mood, thoughts, and even their deepest aspirations across cultures.”
Over the last few years, AiSPi has been the bridge between India and the rest of the world. We’ve scoured through Europe to find you the best fashion finds, bringing them to India through trunk shows and digital drops. This August, we’re taking our dream of curating the most exclusive styles from the west to the next level by hosting our trunk show at the Manish Malhotra flagship store in Hyderabad.
“Haute Dreams: A Date With Couture trunk show emerges as an opportunity to celebrate and amplify the power of self-expression through fashion,” says Aisha about this trunk show.
The Story Behind The Concept
Fashion finds inspiration in a multitude of sources: be it artistry of a region, cultural phenomenons, architecture, or others. The East has many stories to tell, and they do so with their traditionally significant clothing such as saris, kimonos, hanboks, and more. It’s all about colour, prints, intricate details, and goddess-like silhouettes.
On the other side of the world, wardrobe staples like denim, tailored ‘fits, watches, and other popular styles–how can we forget the Little Black Dress–have their origins rooted in the west. Their structure, attention to detail, and clean lines continue to inspire even today.
East meets West is the fusion of eastern and western influences, design elements, and aesthetics. And At AiSPi, we wanted to bring the two worlds together in a fun, unique fashion at our first-ever couture trunk show in Hyderabad.
The Marriage of Two Worlds
“The Haute Couture trunk show brings together two different yet similar worlds,” says Aisha. “Manish Malhotra is known to be the king of glamour and at AiSPi, it’s the glittering, glistening and glamorous things that attract us.”
“We’ve teamed up with Manish Malhotra store in Hyderabad as he is an icon in the Indian fashion industry–and someone who continues to pushes the boundaries of couture. Meanwhile, AiSPi curates with international designers, western silhouettes, very A-typical off the Indian couture space. The unorthodox pairing of our structural pieces with Manish’s opulent drapes will result in an audacious trunk show you just can’t miss.”
“A handcrafted Rosantica handbag will look beautiful when paired with a classic white lehenga. Imagine juxtaposing L’alingi’s fun shapes like heart, wavy, or butterfly paired with Manish’s couture sarees and designs.
This is a marriage of two very different worlds that enhance each other’s beauty. Our western aesthetics pair well with Manish’s modern Indian couture.”
AiSPi is bringing its fun, flirty, and western influences to one of the biggest designers who sculpted the fashion landscape in India.
Get To Know Manish Malhotra
Manish Malhotra has been continually taking the world by storm since his debut as a costume designer in 1990. With establishing his label in 2005, he has made renowned contributions to both the Indian fashion industry and Bollywood.
He is widely recognised for his ability to blend traditional Indian craftsmanship with modern silhouettes and designs. He often incorporates intricate embroidery, embellishments, and handcrafted techniques into his creations while also experimenting with innovative cuts, fabrics, and drapes.
While Manish Malhotra is always adapting to the ever-changing fashion scene, he makes it a point to stay true to his signature style which lies in the colours and techniques he uses.
AiSPi's World Of Fashion
At AiSPi, our aim is to uncover some of the best hidden fashion gems the west has to offer. We are committed to celebrating individuality and personal style.
We strive to help our audience express themselves in a playful and light-hearted manner, be it through embracing bold colours, playful prints, or whimsical designs. All aimed at creating a fun and flirtatious wardrobe that is truly yours. Every time we explore a new neighbourhood, designer, or boutique, we want our audience to feel the same sense of excitement and discovery we feel.
In an unapologetically bold and authentic fashion presentation, AiSPi is teaming up with Manish to further push the boundaries of East meets West. “As AiSPi stands for fashion, travel, and freedom of expression, we invite everyone on a whirlwind journey where glamour reigns supreme, authenticity takes centre stage, and style knows no bounds.”
The Finer Details
Craftsmanship
The elegance and impeccable artistry found in the designs of Manish Malhotra is a testament to his craftsmanship. With his creative vision, the final product is truly a blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetics.
While curating Western designers like Rosantica, Marzook, and Okhtein, AiSPi has personally witnessed the seamless union of meticulous attention to detail and the artistry of handcrafted designs. To ensure skill transmission and uphold quality, these brands frequently enlist the expertise of local craftspeople who are masters of their craft.
Structure
Tailored to accentuate the feminine form, Manish Malhotra’s designs often feature flattering silhouettes, such as fitted bodices, cinched waists, and flared skirts, that create a timeless and feminine aesthetic.
AiSPi’s diverse pool of designers come from a multitude of backgrounds, resulting in many reference points. Drawing inspiration from various sources, they employ innovative shapes and cutting-edge technology to transform their visions into reality.
The pairing of innovative ideas with usable functionality is a common trend in today’s fashion, and AiSPi’s designers are living examples of this philosophy. By employing creative building methods, they audaciously push the limits of conventional design to create their iconic works of art
Glamour
Manish Malhotra’s glamour is characterised by luxurious fabrics, exquisite craftsmanship, and a perfect balance of modernity and traditional elegance.
AiSPi is often recognised for its glamour. Our curation has the ability to elevate an outfit and give it a fun, stylish twist. Whether it’s a striking accessory or a beautifully crafted handbag, each piece is carefully selected to embody sophistication, individuality, and style.
With AiSPi bringing 24 critically acclaimed international designers to add a spin to Manish’s collection, expect the unexpected! Unorthodox pairings, contemporary twists, and classics—we have it all at this trunk show. Most of all be prepared to see how to have fun with fashion!
Mark your calendars for August 5th, for we are going to be making history!
Written by Kirthi Anand
All images are courtesy of Manish Malhotra and the respective AiSPi featured brands.
Follow AiSPi’s Instagram to sign up for our upcoming Haute Dreams: A Date With Couture trunk show! Take a look at our city page to see more of each country’s fashion scene.