"The intricate embroidery took 2 months to complete!!"
In Dubai, fashion shows tethered to real estate launches are rarely just about couture.
They serve as spectacles of power, culture, and influence, where style becomes strategy.
So when Manish Malhotra unveiled his latest showcase, it was less about fabrics and more about international positioning.
And stepping into the spotlight was none other than Nora Fatehi.
She didn’t simply walk the runway; she dominated it.
Her presence bridged Bollywood glamour with Dubai’s insatiable appetite for grandeur, reminding audiences that fashion here is never just surface.
Nora was draped in the Inaya Bridal Garnet lehenga, a piece perfect for a bride or festive spectacle.
Its cascading zardozi florals, metallic vines, and fluid silhouette channelled royal opulence.
The look carried the weight of a palace treasury.
Dark maroon velvet shimmered under the lights, its craftsmanship accentuated by contrasting embellishments that reflected every shimmer with exquisite precision.
For jewellery, Nora wore 200 carats of emeralds and diamonds. T
The choker, maangtika and earrings blazed unapologetically, cementing the look as one of the evening’s most talked-about statements.
This wasn’t just fashion; it was a global flex.
Indian couture staked its claim on the international stage, and Dubai’s city of excess was the perfect backdrop for the spectacle.
Nora amplified the moment further by teasing her upcoming global pop single ‘Just a Girl’, a collaboration with Jamaican-American star Shenseea, fusing Bollywood glamour with international music.
Her showstopping turn also hinted at this season’s festive trends.
Think velvet lehengas dripping in zardozi, sequined sarees glowing like diyas, and sherwanis with unapologetic boldness, all setting the Diwali mood board.
The collaboration between Manish Malhotra’s couture and Nora Fatehi’s global appeal became more than a fashion event.
It evolved into a celebration of Indian design on an international scale.
Toronto-raised Nora has built her name through determination and versatility.
A self-taught belly dancer, she learnt via online tutorials before entering Bollywood with Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans in 2014.
Her rise to fame came through memorable dance numbers in Hindi, Telugu, and Malayalam films, alongside appearances on Bigg Boss 9 and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, where her charisma won audiences over.
Most recently, she featured in Netflix’s The Royals alongside Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, Zeenat Aman and more, showing her versatility across genres and her reach beyond music and dance.
She is next slated for KD – The Devil, a Kannada action drama directed by Prem, produced by Suprith under KVN Productions, featuring Dhruva Sarja and Sanjay Dutt.
Nora also has Kanchana 4 lined up, alongside an increasingly diversified portfolio spanning fashion, film and music.
Her Dubai appearance proves she’s more than a performer. She’s a global force.
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