Having originated in the 17th-century courts of the Nawabs, the art of Chikankari remains uniquely exquisite and much desired . Endorsing its relevance in contemporary fashion is couturier Manish Malhotra, as he showcases the stunning nuances of this elegant embroidery technique with Mijwan Summer 2017.
Mijwan Welfare Society (MWS), named after a local village in Uttar Pradesh, and spearheaded by Shabana Azmi, Namrata Goyal and Manish Malhotra, the NGO operates with the dual objective of reviving the timeless craft of Chikan embroidery as well as empowering local women. What started off as a passion project with 40 women has now grown to empower over 300 women today. Inspired by the artful handicraft of these women, Manish yet again, revives embroidered elegance with urban silhouettes in this new collection.
Following the label’s endeavour to translate traditional craft into effortless beauty, the collection showcases the celebratory amalgamation of the classic, with the designer’s signature contemporary touch. It renews the vintage charm of a bygone era through a design story of sequins, tassels, fringes, cold-shoulders and off-shoulder styles. Meticulously crafted, the Mijwan range offers elaborately detailed jackets, dresses, saris with embroidered blouses, crop tops and opulent skirts along with flowing gowns that will appeal to a young entourage. For the modern man, the designer yet again, showcases an enchanting fusion of urban and tradition. Handcrafted in pastel hues, the Menswear line is a classic compilation of well tailored and embroidered kurta-salwars, bandhgalas, kurta-bandis along with drape and layer kurtas, skilfully highlighting the intricate art of chikankari.
The collection is a beautiful play of muted shades of white, grey, beige, lilac, aqua and baby pink. Replete with light, breezy silhouettes and subtle nuances of woven elegance, the Mijwan Summer 2017 collection embarks a glorious celebration of an everlasting craft in modern India.
The showing culminated with the stunning Anushka Sharma, in an ivory & beige embroidered lehenga and crop blouse, and the charming King of Bollywood, Shahrukh Khan, in an embroidered shwerwani, walking the runway. Guests such as Pinky Reddy, Kajol, Neetu Kapoor, Sridevi, Kiran Rao, Farah Khan, Saiyami Kher, Diana Penty, Amyra Dastur, Devika & Suresh Bhojwani, Anupam Kher, Rahul Bose, Nandita Das, Konkana Sen Sharma, to name a few graced the front row in support of this special cause over a star-studded evening.
