Manish Malhotra Designs at Mijwan Sonnets in Fabric 2012

The third year of Shabana Azmi’s NGO, Mijwan Welfare Society, hosted a fashion show, Mijwan Sonnets in Fabric 2012 on 3rd September at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai. The highlight was Mijwan’s female population had their craftsmanship showcased on ramp, by leading models and celebrities, through Manish Malhotra’s designs. The 2012 edition of the show showcased embroidery done entirely by the girls of Mijwan. Manish has translated work done by Mijwan girls into contemporary modern designs.

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Shabana Azmi and Namrata Goyal opened the evening in aid of the Mijwan Welfare Society. Nita Ambani walked with two little girls :Shabanas niece Meghna from Bombay and Babita from Kaifi Azmi s school in Mizwan to support the cause.20 Models and celebrities such as Priyanka Chopra, Sonakshi Sinha, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudeva, Ankita Shorey, Arjun Kapoor, Chirag Paswan, Chitrangada Singh, Dia Mirza, Imran Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Kalki Koechlin, Karan Johar, Kunal Kapoor, Malaika Arora Khan, Neha Dhupia, Parineeti Chopra, Prateik Babbar, Rohit Roy, Rohit Shetty, Sameera Reddy, Shahana Goswami, Shazanne Padamsee, Diana Penty, Mary Kom, (who got a standing ovation) etc walked the ramp for the Mijwan Welfare Society. All of Manishs creations on the celebs reflected handiwork from Mizwan.

“In the globalised world of Fashion today it’s pointless to offer silhouettes to the West. But we have craftsmanship which they do not. This is our USP and that’s what we need to focus on. Mijwan to me is a microcosm of what India has to offer the world. We have a long history of the warp and weft of design aesthetics. It’s time we rediscover ourselves and go back to our roots,” says Manish Malhotra.

“In the last three years Manish recognised the talent in Mizwan and has brought it to the forefront with the world now seeing the finest work on his creations. He has broken the tradition and made the girls translate chikankari on net to upgrade their skills and help them earn more money. This has increased their negotiating power with men in their households,” says Shabana Azmi.

“The sangeet ceremony of the media magnate’s daughter in London chikankari work in the outfit designed by me has been done in Mijwan. It is a proud testament to Indian craftsmanship and it is heartening to provide regular work to these talented women “, adds Manish.

About Manish Malhotra’s Association with Mijwan
3 years ago Namrata Goyal and Shabana Azmi approached Manish to help them to promote the Mijwan Welfare Society. At the fundraiser for Mijwan Welfare Society an NGO that was founded by noted film lyricist Kaifi Azmi to empower the girl child, he was introduced to the chikankari work done by the Mijwan girls. He was very impressed by their amazing embroidery. It stands up to the highest standard of craftsmanship anywhere in the world.

Manish has wanted to do some socially responsible work for some time and Mijwan provided him the perfect opportunity. Since a year and a half he has adopted Mijwan- a tiny village near Azamgarh UP, playing mentor to 55 women from rural India with regular work and input in embroidery. He sees this not as an act of charity but a win win situation for both. The girls get a means of livelihood by which they can negotiate a better position for themselves in a patriarchal society. And it gives him the opportunity to showcase to the world the best that India has to offer.