Fashion for a Cause

Malhotra adopted the Kaifi Azmi Sewing and Embroidery Centre in Mijwan, Uttar Pradesh, four years ago. On Tuesday night at Grand Hyatt Mumbai, it was the culmination of nine months of work expended on the embroideries in this collection alone.
This year, Azmi and Malhotra called on Bollywood’s male brigade to support their cause of women empowerment with Sidharth Malhotra, Ranbir Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, Akshay Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan walking the ramp in a show titled ‘Men
of Mijwan’.

And while the emerging and reigning superstars walked the ramp, models showcased an Awadh-inspired collection — replete with regal sherwanis, jackets, lehenga skirts, ghararas and maxi dresses.

Anchored by Sophie Choudry, the show saw songstress Sona Mohapatra belt out soulful numbers in support of the women of Mijwan. In an audio-visual presentation, the women artisans spoke about how the initiative has instilled a sense of pride and opened up new avenues for them.

With a galaxy of stars gracing the show, Malhotra diplomatically kept away from the proverbial front row quicksand with a round table setting. One could spot Kajol giggling away with Jaya Bachchan and Sushmita Sen bonding with Perizaad Zorabian. Other guests included Neetu Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Kalki Koechlin, Parineeti Chopra, Dia Mirza, Urmila Matondkar, Richa Chaddha, Yami Gautam and Diana Penty.

With this collective of Bollywood beauties wearing Malhotra’s designs, one couldn’t help wondering if the designer had to work equally hard on the off-ramp ensemble line-up too.