Fashion designer Manish Malhotra has offered fans a rare look at the last-minute backstage chaos from his celebrated Mijwan showcase, sharing a carousel of candid photographs on Instagram that prominently featured actress Alia Bhatt. The post marked 15 years of Manish's association with the Mijwan Welfare Society and offered an intimate window into the energy that precedes a high-profile runway show.

What the Post Showed

The Instagram carousel captured the frenetic atmosphere that defines any major fashion event in its final minutes before the models step onto the ramp. The opening frame showed Manish Malhotra personally assisting Alia Bhatt with the drape of her custom chikankari saree, while subsequent frames revealed team members making precise finishing adjustments to her ensemble. The lineup of models waiting in the wings, visibly tense with anticipation, was also documented in the series.

Writing alongside the pictures, Manish noted: 'It's always the Backstage last minute final touches, the anxiousness, the model line up waiting to go on the ramp, the chaos, the feeling all of it has my heart #15yearsofMijwan.'

The Mijwan Show: What Happened on the Ramp

The showcase itself took place on 26 September in Mumbai, where Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal served as showstoppers. The two actors, who are set to share screen space in the forthcoming film 'Love And War', walked the runway in contrasting looks — Alia in a custom ivory chikankari saree styled by Rhea Kapoor, paired with a contemporary blouse and matching veil, and Vicky in a midnight-blue and ivory sherwani ensemble.

The collection itself drew on a palette of ivory, green, coral and ombré hues, with intricate chikankari and thread embroidery forming the design language throughout. Notably, the Mijwan show has long served as both a fashion event and a platform highlighting the artisanal craft traditions supported by the Mijwan Welfare Society.

Significance of the 15-Year Milestone

Manish Malhotra's ongoing collaboration with the Mijwan Welfare Society has helped position chikankari — a delicate hand-embroidery tradition rooted in Uttar Pradesh — on mainstream fashion runways. The anniversary edition drew considerable attention given the pairing of Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal ahead of their highly anticipated film together, turning a craft-focused showcase into one of the most-watched runway moments of the season.

The backstage post, shared days after the event, underscores how social media has extended the life and reach of fashion weeks well beyond the runway itself.