Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal turned showstoppers for designer Manish Malhotra at the 15th-anniversary edition of the Mijwan fundraiser in Mumbai, bringing star power to an evening centred on women’s empowerment and the work of rural artisans. The actors, who will next be seen together in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War, walked the runway in traditional ensembles as the event celebrated the long-running collaboration between Malhotra and the Mijwan Welfare Society.
Titled Ticket to Bollywood, the charity showcase highlighted the work of women and young artisans from Uttar Pradesh, particularly their traditional chikankari embroidery. The Mijwan Welfare Society, associated with actor Shabana Azmi, has worked to create livelihood opportunities and strengthen the role of women in decision-making across villages in the region.
Stars take the ramp
Alia walked the runway in an ivory embroidered ensemble featuring intricate chikankari work, with an embroidered drape worn over her head. She completed the look with traditional jewellery, including a statement choker and maang tikka.
Vicky provided a contrast in a midnight-blue velvet jacket with intricate white embroidery, worn over a white kurta and trousers. The two eventually came together on the runway, with their appearance also drawing attention because of their upcoming collaboration in Love & War.
The event marked 15 years of Manish Malhotra’s association with Mijwan Welfare Society. Over the years, the initiative has brought traditional embroidery produced by rural artisans into high-profile fashion showcases, using the platform to create visibility and livelihood opportunities for women.
‘Transformational change’
Speaking at the event, Shabana Azmi said the initiative had worked to challenge deeply entrenched patriarchal practices and help women acquire greater control over their lives. She said its efforts had extended across 42 villages in and around Mijwan.
Azmi said bringing women into the decision-making process had been central to creating lasting change. She also highlighted the partnership with Malhotra, under which artisans were trained while their craftsmanship was incorporated into contemporary silhouettes and garments showcased on larger platforms.
The initiative traces its roots to Mijwan in Uttar Pradesh and the work of poet Kaifi Azmi, Shabana Azmi’s father. The collaboration with Malhotra has subsequently helped chikankari artisans connect their traditional skills with the contemporary fashion industry.
Alia talks empowerment
Alia also reflected on the women in her own life while speaking about empowerment. She referred to her mother, mother-in-law and daughter Raha, joking that her young daughter already “bosses everybody around”.
The actor said the Mijwan initiative represented empowerment being translated into action by providing women and their craftsmanship with a larger platform. She pointed to the visibility generated by the fashion showcase and the attention it brought to artisans whose work formed the foundation of the collection.
Her comments came as the event sought to move the conversation beyond celebrity fashion and towards the women responsible for the intricate embroidery showcased on the runway. The anniversary edition placed their craftsmanship at the centre of a presentation that brought together fashion, cinema and social outreach.
Vicky looks beyond empowerment
Vicky said he had been waiting for an opportunity to participate in the fundraiser and described being part of the event as contributing, even in a small way, to a larger cause. He said wearing Malhotra’s creations had always given him confidence, but participating in the Mijwan showcase carried a different significance because of the work behind it.
The actor also expressed hope that society would eventually reach a point where organisations would no longer need to specifically fight for women’s empowerment. He said women should not merely be empowered to make decisions for themselves but should have an equal role in decisions concerning their families, communities and the wider world.
The fundraiser’s 15th anniversary ultimately placed the spotlight on the relationship between traditional craft and economic independence. With Alia and Vicky closing the showcase, the evening used Bollywood’s reach to highlight the artisans whose chikankari work has remained at the heart of Mijwan’s partnership with Malhotra.