Photo: Clement Dauvent

This morning, we swung by Manish Arora’s studio as he was putting the finishing touches on his eponymous collection, which will show in Paris tomorrow, as well as his collection for Paco Rabanne later in the week. “I feel I’m beginning to think of slightly more wearable clothes, for women to actually wear,” said the remarkably calm designer who’s known for over-the-top looks full of bright colors and extreme embellishment. “Tomorrow, you’ll see plenty of flesh tones and for the first time, black and white! It could be result of spending so much time in Europe?” Arora says the new simplicity (relatively speaking) will also be reflected in 60s inspired A-line dresses, recurring photographic prints (“something I’ve rarely done”), and straight cut jeans. There will, of course, be sequins, both tiny and over-sized in a fish-scale like texture at the center of the collection. The wackiest feature (we’re betting) will be the stilettos morphing into skinny jeans, “something I’m experimenting with, I’m thinking of a full shoe-outfit for next season.” As for the craftsmanship, which is key to Manish’s work, everything is still made in India where he can merge ancient techniques with modern fabrics. “It’s important to preserve traditional skills. Plus, you get standards that simply don’t exist in Europe any more,” he said, pointing to a finely embroidered holographic dress and a top composed entirely of little tubes that gives off a 3D armor-like effect. This respect of craft is one of the things Manish is importing to Paco Rabanne. Although most of the clothes will be produced in France, select few pieces will be hand-made in India, a novelty for the company. “Some of the dresses will require 25 people, which you can only do back at home,” the designer explained. “What Paco Rabanne and I have in common is lavish, over the top elegance, and a love of craftsmanship. But today, I’m trying to update that woman: she’s a woman in motion.”