Fashion for a cause: Malaika, Abhishek and more

On December 15, Shabana Azmi organised a design contest and fashion show in honour of her father, late poet Kaifi Azmi and to support the NGO he established, the Mijwan Welfare Society, to empower the girl child.

Mijwan is Azmi's native village in Uttar Pradesh and the charitable event stemmed from a contest for young budding designers from various fashion institutes. The finalists were mentored by veterans Anita Dongre and Manish Malhotra and the winners got to design outfits for the stars at the Mijwan: Sonnets in Fabric fashion show.

Designer Namrata Goyal staged the event, inspired to do so after a trip with Azmi to the village and the funds gathered from it are to go towards establishing a District Learning Centre in Mijwan. The outfits were created using chikankari, a handcrafted fabric native to Mijwan and a few big names walked the ramp, while several more were in the audience to lend their support.

Seen here is Malaika Arora Khan, looking ravishing in a grey and gold cocktail number.

Abhishek Bachchan strutted his stuff amid cheers, looking dapper in a formal brown jacket with Indian motif and matching trousers.

Starlet Neha Dhupia was positively glowing on the runway in this feminine blue and white ensemble.

Colourful, casual duds suited Abhay Deol to the tee -- he looked very much at home as he took his turn.

Saif's younger sis Soha Ali Khan went the hep route with roomy dhoti-style pants and a pretty pout.

The lovely Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attended to lend support to her ramp-walking hubby, looking ravishing in her pink 'n' gold churidaar kurta.

Tennis star Sania Mirza looked great in a grey mini, but her shapely legs are so tanned as compared to her feet, it looked like she was wearing socks!

Neil Nitin Mukesh and Prachi Desai showed up in support and posed together for the flashbulbs.

Designer Shaina NC, Twinkle Khanna and Parmeshwar Godrej, in her trademark golf cap were also part of the audience.

Azmi's stepson Farhan Akhtar was also present, looking suave in a fedora, as was actor R Madhavan. They were spotted hanging out with Neha Dhupia.

And finally, we have Shabana Azmi herself, with husband Javed Akhtar, sis-in-law Tanvi Azmi and mother Shaukat Azmi who made it despite being wheelchair-ridden. Talk about passion for a cause!