Acclaimed fashion designer Manish Malhotra, one of India’s most influential voices in fashion and visual culture, will headline the prestigious India Conference at Harvard, to be held on February 14 and 15, 2026, in Boston.

With a career spanning over three decades, Malhotra has played a defining role in shaping the visual language of contemporary Indian fashion through his work in cinema and couture. Widely credited with redefining costume design on screen, he helped usher in a modern, aspirational Indian aesthetic that resonated across generations. His designs have dressed leading actors and public figures and have appeared at the Cannes Film Festival, the Met Gala, and major international award ceremonies, bridging popular culture and high fashion on global platforms, according to a statement from India Conference at Harvard. 

Beyond the runway, Malhotra has emerged as a cultural entrepreneur and institution-builder. Through his eponymous label, film ventures, and sustained engagement with artisan communities, he has advanced a fashion ecosystem that centers craftsmanship, narrative ownership, and long-term cultural value, positioning artisans as co-creators of India’s creative economy, it added. 

At the conference, Malhotra will participate in a moderated conversation recorded live as a special podcast episode, reflecting on how fashion and visual storytelling shape perceptions of India across cinema, media, and global consumer culture. The session will anchor the conference theme, “The India We Imagine,” exploring how creativity and cultural confidence can articulate a vision of India that is globally engaged yet rooted in indigenous traditions.

According to the statement, the conversation will be moderated by Simi Shah, founder and CEO of South Asian Trailblazers, an award-winning media platform, community, and advisory agency spotlighting leading South Asian voices across industries. Through the platform’s flagship podcast, Shah is known for hosting in-depth conversations with trailblazers spanning business, culture, and public life. A speaker, writer, and advisor on media, leadership, and brand-building, she brings a sharp strategic and editorial lens to conversations on identity, influence, and cultural power.

Co-Chair of the India Conference at Harvard, Ritul Madhukar, commented: “Manish Malhotra’s work has shaped how India sees itself and how the world sees India. His career sits at the intersection of culture, commerce, and storytelling, making him a powerful voice for a conference that asks how India’s creative confidence can shape its global future. His address speaks directly to The India We Imagine — one that is rooted in craft and heritage, yet fully engaged with the world.”

About India Conference at Harvard

In its 23rd year, the India Conference at Harvard is one of the largest and most influential student-led India-focused conferences in the US. An annual event hosted jointly at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School, it fosters dialogue on India’s evolving role in global affairs, bringing together thought leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons. 

This year, the conference is chaired by Arundhati Prasad (GSD 2026), Narayani Shreedevi Ananthakrishnan (HKS 2026), Ritul Madhukar (HKS 2026), Satya Krishnan (HBS 2026), and Sravani Royyuru (HBS 2026), leading a team of ~100 students from across Harvard University. 

The conference will feature 70+ distinguished speakers from diverse fields over 2 days, exploring how every Indian can shape the India they imagine across disciplines.

Highlights of the Conference:

• Fireside Chat with Priyanka Chopra, showcasing her vision for India’s role on the world stage.
• Address by Shashi Tharoor on India’s democratic vision and its role in the world.
• Policy Hackathon, in collaboration with the Governments of Jammu & Kashmir and GDi Partners, addressing climate risk and sustainability solutions. Winning teams receive upto $10K in prize money.
• Startup Pitch Competition, providing a platform for Indian and Indian-origin entrepreneurs to present innovative solutions to India’s unique challenges and win over $20K in prizes.
• Distinguished speakers, including:
  • PV Sindhu – Olympic medalist and world champion badminton player
  • Chef Vijay Kumar – Beard Award-winning, Michelin-starred chef at Semma NYC
  • Sid Sriram – Celebrated playback singer
  • Vipul Roongta – MD and CEO of HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited
  • Nikhil Taneja – Founder of Yuvaa and leading youth media entrepreneur

For more details on the India Conference’s programming and registration, visit indiaconferenceharvard.com.

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