Manish malhotra paid tribute to artisans with his stunning “ruhaaniyat” collection at the opening show of lakmé fashion week 2020 digital first season fluid edition

Jyothi Venkatesh

The Manish Malhotra x Mijwan collaboration celebrated a glorious decade when the couturier extraordinaire paid tribute to the craftsmen and artisans with his stunning bridal collection “Ruhaaniyat” fundraising opening show for the Mijwan Foundation at Lakmé Fashion Week 2020 Digital First Season Fluid Edition. Manish Malhotra and Lakmé Fashion Week have partnered to support artisans through a fund-raising opening show presentation.

The collection, a tribute to all the artisans and craftsmen of India, celebrates 10 years of the designer’s association with Mijwan Foundation. Support & empower the women artisans at Mijwan by donating using the link.

https://www.mijwan.org/empoweringvillages-with-manish-malhotra-and-lakme-fashion-week/

The craft inspirations, which were from vibrant Punjab, glorious Awadh and Kutch, embellished the amazing archival fabrics that were further highlighted with borders that glittered in zari woven with gold and silver. The classic textiles were hand-basted, and hand quilted with a muted colour spread of teal, pistachio green, dusky pink, grey, maroon, black and white.

The grandeur of the inspirations was apparent in the layered ensembles that swirled around the male and female models. With so grand a theme, the fabric base was as opulent when Manish selected the luxurious pure cotton and silk, along with lavish Mashru, velvets and muslins to create the impressive silhouettes.

Recreating the glory of the past, the construction moved from the traditional kurtas, khada dupattas, ghararas, and izar salwars for women and then to the grand Jama angarkhas and heavy shawls for men.

A variety of kurtas in a pastel line gave the festive touch to the men’s wear, while long and short kurtas at times lean in shape; offered a choice for women.The very impressive old-world charm was visible in the collection as the zardosi vintage accents for the embroidery had a marked influence. The grandeur of the lehenga, choli, and dupatta trios was visible in the embroidered trains that floated behind the ensembles.

Adding more opulence to the “Ruhaaniyat” collection, the Manish Malhotra Jewellery line, which reflected the art and designs of Punjab and Awadh; was the perfect glittering accessory. The handcrafted jewellery was visualised in pure gold with flat cut diamonds, Russian and Zambian emeralds and pearls.Manish adorned the heads of the models with passas, maangtikkas, and maathapattis.

Encircling the necks were stylish chokers, haars, two and three-tiered necklaces, as well as studs and Sahara earrings. Ornaments for the hand were as dazzling with haathphools kadas, rings and stackable bangles twinkling on the wrists. Manish Malhotra’s visually, exquisite, grand, bridal presentation of his collection “Ruhaaniyat” was a scintillating celebration of culture, craft, colours, artisanal skills and design that will complete the bridal trousseaux for discerning couples.

Talking about the show, veteran actress Shabana Azmi said, "We are really proud of Mijwan's journey and what we've been able to achieve so far. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the community, particularly Manish, to take these craftsmen's work to the world and provide them with a regular source of employment and income throughout. Mijwan is growing each day and, along with it, its craft and people, and I'm glad that Lakmé Fashion Week has come on board to support the Mijwan Welfare Society by fundraising efforts.

"Bollywood heartthrob and the only muse of the couture film Ruhaaniyat, Kartik Aaryan said, “This is the first thing I’m doing in the last seven months of lockdown, primarily because this collection has got a larger purpose and has a noble cause attached to it and through this, I want to show my full support for this initiative. It supports artisans, and I applaud the Mijwan Welfare Society, Lakmé Fashion Week, and Manish Malhotra World for this beautiful initiative."

He further adds, “The visual spectacularity of Manish’s show always leaves you in awe. This time, in this couture film of Ruhaaniyat, Manish has brought similar passion and magic. In fact, it’s even better; we got to see his directorial talent. I won’t say much. See it for yourself.”Talking about the collection and upcoming virtual showcase, Manish Malhotra said, “Ruhaaniyat is my tribute to all the artisans and craftsmen of our country who have left the fingerprints of their art onto our heritage culture.

It's about the eternal soul of the craft from two culturally rich regions (vibrance of Punjab and nazakat of Awadh) and how it continues to live on even today.”

About his association with LFW, he further added, "The new format of the digital fashion week which required me from creating, conceptualizing to directing a film has been enormously demanding. Working with models and making them characters, collaborating with musicians from all over the country, and managing several other things simultaneously, this has been a rather rare experience that I’ve truly loved because somewhere it satisfies two loves of my life – fashion and film.”“My association with Lakmé Fashion Week continues to grow stronger.

We continue in our journey to explore many layers of art and craft through our showcase, and there could be no better platform than to showcase our Ruhaaniyat collection with LFW.”

“Kartik is one of my favourite young actors and has been the muse to my previous collection as well. He adds his charm to this couture film with his magnetic presence."He further adds, "Mijwan strikes the deepest chord of my emotional bond with craftspeople. We just completed our ten years with Mijwan, and it gives me so much happiness to see the village growing bit by bit. Today, the craft of Mijwan is an integral part of our label, and we are happy that with our support, the village is growing, and we will continue to take bigger strides to empower not Mijwan but our all other craft clusters."

Commenting on the collaboration for the opening show of Lakmé Fashion Week’s digital-first showcase, Jaspreet Chandok, Head Lifestyle Businesses IMG Reliance said, “It’s always a pleasure to have Manish at Lakmé Fashion Week. We wanted the opening show to be really special this time and towards a cause that is important to all of us, towards the artisans that are the backbone of our industry. It is our privilege to have partnered for Mijwan fundraiser, which is so close to Manish. We look forward to seeing the master courtier spin his magic on the virtual runway.”