Michael Cinco: Would love to dress up Alia Bhatt

Dubai-based couturier Michael Cinco , known for his opulent, red-carpet-worthy creations, finds endless inspiration in travel, culture, and craftsmanship. Talking about his inspiration, Michael Cinco said, “I travel a lot, and I am always inspired by my travels. I discover different cultures, arts, architecture, and most importantly, people - they all inspire me. India’s skilled craftsmanship and artistry inspire me a lot, and I have used the heritage craft of zardozi and brocade in some of my designs. Some of the robes were inspired by the Middle East.”

The designer, whose outfits have been worn by several global stars, counts Aishwarya Rai as one of his favourites. “Aishwarya Rai is one of my favourites. She wore two of my outfits at the Cannes Film Festival. They have been my favourite works in my career. I appreciate Alia Bhatt a lot and I love her. I would love to dress her sometime.”

His advice for young designers in India? “It is important to know that fashion is not just about glamour. It takes a lot of hard work and patience. One needs to be proud of their heritage and show it to the world. To stand out, embracing heritage is key. My Filipino roots influence my designs and how I approach work, as we are very resilient people. After being in Dubai for 27 years, I am also inspired by their beautiful culture and infuse the opulence in my work immensely.”

Showstopper Randeep Hooda , dressed elegantly in an all-black floor-length robe and an intricately embroidered jacket, said, “It was a fairytale show—very high-fashion. I quite enjoyed wearing this outfit, though I was apprehensive at first. But it looked great, and Michael’s selection is just superb. The grand finale looked like a painting!”