DESIGNER Manish Malhotra's shows at the Lakmé Fashion Weeks are the stuff stars are made of.

This Lakmé Fashion Week, from March 29 to April 2, in Mumbai is no different. Word is that Manish favourites -- actresses Rani Mukerji, Urmila Matondkar, Preity Zinta, Kareena Kapoor -- are all expected to make an appearance. 

His Autumn-Winter 2008 collection on Day 1 of LFW is a collaboration with skincare brand Lux, of the Unilever Group.

"Please can we do this later?" he urges. Problem is, the 'later' doesn't happen.

Persistence pays. And he says, "Well, it is going to be glamour-glamour. I am showing some short dresses as well as some long ones. I am also trying out stretch fabric for the first time."

Expect to see a lot of colour in his designs. The fabrics are flowy, almost princess-like.

Photograph: Colston Julian for Manish Malhotra