Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal spotlight chikankari at Manish Malhotra’s 15th Mijwan showcase - The Indian Express
Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal walked the ramp Saturday night for designer Manish Malhotra’s “15 Years of Mijwan” showcase in Mumbai, looking straight out of a royal wedding. The Alpha actor strutted down in an ivory chikankari sari-inspired ensemble, with floral and shimmery embellishments adding a touch of old world glam to the look.
Instead of a traditional billowy skirt, she paired the sculpted silhoutte with a cropped bralette and an embroidered pallu that doubled up as a veil. Light and minimal, it struck the right balance to avoid turning into a traditional heavy bridal look.
However, it was her icy glam that elevated the look from minimal chic to Indian regal. A heavy diamond and pearl choker anchored the look, while matching earrings, maang tika and haath phool kept the design language cohesive.
“Alia Bhatt wore a luminous necklace of diamonds, uncut diamonds and pearls, featuring over 310 carats of pearls that caught the light with every movement, paired with diamond and uncut diamond earrings and the signature MM Haathphool. Vicky Kaushal wore the House’s signature Lion Collar Pins, set with diamonds, alongside a striking necklace of tanzanite and uncut diamonds, featuring over 30 carats of tanzanite, complemented by a signature diamond ring,” read the press note.
Bhatt’s signature dewy glow, with blushed and bronzed cheeks, looked even better with her her hair pulled back in a slick bun.
Next to her, the Chhaava actor looked handsome in a white kurta layered with a velvet midnight blue jacket featuring intricate chikankari work in white for contrast.
Manish Malhotra has been long associated with the Mijwan Welfare Society, an NGO run by Bollywood veteran Shabana Azmi after the demise of her father, the late Kaifi Azmi, who was the founder of this organisation.
According to the official website, their partnership can be traced back to 2010, with the aim to revive the craft of chikankari and create more livelihood opportunities for local women. While chikankari finds its origins in Lucknow, Mijwan’s initiative empowers women from neighbouring villages as well.
Over a decade, the designer has turned to Bollywood A-listers and his close friends like Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, Ranbir Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan to grace the event. Last night was not just another celebrity event, but a true celebration of Indian craft, and coming together for a good cause.
