Alia Bhatt brings old-world glamour to Manish Malhotra’s Mijwan fashion show in ivory Chikankari |
Alia Bhatt brought a touch of old-world glamour to the runway on Saturday night as she turned showstopper at Manish Malhotra’s Mijwan Fashion Show in Mumbai.Dressed in ivory from head to toe, the actor looked every bit the part in a couture ensemble covered in intricate chikankari, delicate sequins and floral detailing. The soft monochrome palette gave the outfit a distinctly bridal feel, while the modern blouse kept it from looking too traditional.Alia walked the runway alongside Vicky Kaushal, making their appearance one of the evening’s big Bollywood moments. But beneath the celebrity buzz, the show had a much deeper connection to Indian craftsmanship.The Mijwan fashion initiative is built around the chikankari work of women artisans associated with the Mijwan Welfare Society in Uttar Pradesh. Malhotra has been working with the organisation since 2010, using the embroidery in contemporary fashion while creating sustained employment opportunities for women in the region.
Alia’s ivory look was all about the embroidery
Alia’s outfit had a dreamy, almost vintage quality to it. The ivory fabric was covered in floral chikankari and shimmering embellishments, with the intricate handwork doing most of the talking.Rather than wearing a conventional saree, she opted for a lehenga-inspired silhouette. The embroidered skirt-like drape fell softly around her, while a sheer, heavily worked dupatta was pulled over her head like a veil.That veil-like styling changed the entire mood of the outfit. It made the look feel bridal without turning it into a traditional wedding ensemble.The cropped blouse added another modern touch, creating a sharper contrast against the flowing embroidered fabric.And this is where the Mijwan story becomes especially interesting. Chikankari is traditionally associated with Lucknow and the wider region of Uttar Pradesh, but the Mijwan initiative has helped take the craft from village embroidery centres to major fashion runways. The Mijwan Welfare Society says its work with women artisans began with a single livelihood centre and has grown into a larger network providing employment through embroidery.
The jewellery took the bridal mood further
Alia kept her hair sleek and pulled back, leaving plenty of room for the jewellery to stand out.A dramatic diamond choker sat close to her neckline, while elaborate earrings, a maang tikka and statement rings added more sparkle to the ivory look.Her makeup was much quieter. Glowing skin, softly defined eyes, flushed cheeks and a muted nude lip kept the focus firmly on the couture and jewellery.It was a smart choice. With that much embroidery, shimmer and jewellery already in the picture, adding a strong makeup look could have tipped the outfit into over-styling.
A fashion show with a story beyond the runway
Mijwan’s connection with Manish Malhotra has been going on for more than a decade. The designer’s association with the Mijwan Welfare Society began in 2010, with the partnership focused on both reviving chikankari and creating livelihood opportunities for women in the region. The society says it now works with hundreds of women through its sewing and livelihood centres.The fashion shows have also become a way of putting that craftsmanship in front of a much wider audience. Earlier editions have featured major Bollywood names as showstoppers, including Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor.That history gives Saturday night’s runway a little more weight than a regular celebrity fashion appearance.Alia’s ivory look brought the glamour, of course. The cameras were always going to follow her and Vicky Kaushal down the runway. But underneath the sequins, diamonds and Bollywood spotlight was the detailed hand embroidery created by women artisans whose work has been at the heart of the Mijwan story for years.And on this runway, that craftsmanship was very much the star.
