Manish to create an exclusive Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Line for Wills Lifestyle

New Delhi - August 8, 2006: Wills Lifestyle, ITC’s premium fashion brand, today announced its partnership with one of India’s leading designers, Manish Malhotra, to create an exclusive collection for the Wills Lifestyle Grand Finale at the coming edition of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. Manish Malhotra’s presentation will interpret Wills Lifestyle’s Grand Finale theme of “Sensuality” is his own signature style. The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Line by Manish Malhotra will be showcased at the Wills Lifestyle Grand Finale will be subsequently launched at Wills Lifestyle stores across the country.

The Wills Lifestyle Grand Finale is scheduled for September 3, 2006.

Announcing this at the Wills Lifestyle store, South Extension, Atul Chand, Vice President - Marketing, ITC’s Lifestyle Retailing Business, said, “We are delighted to announce Manish Malhotra as our designer for the Wills Lifestyle Grand Finale. He is one of India’s leading and hugely talented designers, and with his signature glamorous style we are confident that he will bring alive the Wills Lifestyle Grand Finale theme of ‘Sensuality’”.

Mrs. Rathi Vinay Jha, Director General, FDCI said, "We are glad that this year Manish Malhotra will be closing the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week with a befitting finale. Every year, the Grand Finale draws a lot of interest from the media and the buyers alike resulting in a lot of expectation from the showcasing designer. Knowing Manish's expertise in the area of fashion design, we are confident that he will put forward a brilliant collection. We hope to celebrate this beautiful synergy between Wills Lifestyle and our designers and create the magic of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, yet again."

Speaking on the occasion, Manish Malhotra said, “To be a part of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Grand Finale is extremely prestigious and I am glad to be associated with brand like Wills Lifestyle. Our association brings about an amalgamation of prêt, which Wills Lifestyle represents and diffusion and couture – which my label stands for.”

The Wills Lifestyle theme of “Sensuality” is all about attraction – physical, mental and emotional. The Wills Lifestyle Grand finale collection by Manish Malhotra will use rich colors, textures and cuts to enhance the aesthetic sensuality of the garments. It will be strongly infused with grace, confidence and élan that promises to awaken the inner sensuality of the wearer.

In an exciting sneak preview, well known models Shawar Ali, Monikangana Dutta and Deepika Padukone showcased the collection.