Renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra has unveiled his highly anticipated Mijwan Collection 2026, presenting a spectacular showcase of ethnic wear. The lineup represents an exquisite celebration of traditional Indian craftsmanship, meticulously weaving classical heritage with contemporary trends. By placing Lucknow's historic embroidery techniques at the forefront, this collection highlights a stunning array of wear tailored for modern brides and grooms. Models, actors, and actresses graced the runway to bring this artistic vision to life.
Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal Steal the Spotlight
Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal walked the ramp as showstoppers for this grand presentation. Alia Bhatt wore a breathtaking ivory-colored chikankari saree, which she paired with a modern strapless spaghetti corset-style blouse. The borders of her saree boasted elaborate detailing, adding a layer of regal elegance to her appearance. Accompanying her, Vicky Kaushal complemented the presentation by donning a sophisticated midnight blue bandhgala sherwani, also heavily adorned with traditional chikankari embroidery. Together, they presented the perfect inspiration for couples preparing for their wedding day. This reminds us of how Alia Bhatt previously sparkled in an off-white lehenga saree.
Timeless Bridal Colors: Rani Pink and Classic Red
Malhotra's collection beautifully emphasizes royal hues like rich rani pink and timeless crimson red. These bridal lehengas are elevated with intricate white thread-work, a stellar example of enduring Indian craftsmanship. To complete this majestic look, the designer paired these ensembles with coordinating dupattas, opulent statement jewelry, and elaborate earrings featuring delicate ear-chains. This is a bold contrast to other celebrity wedding ensembles, standing out uniquely much like how other stellar looks from contemporary stars make an impression, including the coral lehenga styled by Kriti Sanon's sister.
The Majestic 182-Carat Ruby Detailing and Floral Elements
One of the crown jewels of this collection is a breathtaking lehenga designed to tell a story through threads, rich tones, and floral artistry. This specific design boasts jewelry adorned with over 182 carats of dazzling Mozambique rubies. The precious gems are artfully arranged to mimic five-petal flowers that appear to be gradually blossoming across the piece. Surrounded by brilliant diamonds, this jewelry set radiates luxury. The bridal ensemble is further enhanced with a traditional diamond nose ring (nath) and a classic hand-harness (haathphool) to complete the traditional aesthetic.
Pastels, Rose Gold, and Everlasting Golden Looks
For brides preferring softer tones, the designer showcased a rose pink lehenga featuring delicate hand-embroidered rose motifs. This piece was paired with royal jewelry encrusted with deep red Mozambique rubies that add a distinct regal touch. Additionally, the collection introduced metallic rose gold lehengas adorned with floral hand carvings, making them an exceptional option for wedding receptions and pre-wedding parties. For traditionalists, a classic golden lehenga stood out, adorned with intricate floral work and accessorized with matching gold jewelry.
The Classic Manish Malhotra Signature Style
The foundation of this collection lies in Lucknow's ancient embroidery forms, specifically chikankari and shadow thread-work. Malhotra modernizes these classical techniques by infusing his signature elements: shimmering pearls, delicate sequins, reflective crystals, and beautiful ombre color transitions. The color palette spans a wide spectrum including deep forest green, serene ivory, bright coral, delicate pastels, and majestic black. This diverse technique is applied across multiple silhouettes including heavy lehengas, fusion wear, sarees, bandhgala sherwanis, and elegant kurta sets.
