Ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra, who has roped in Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor to walk for his show that will celebrate the seventh edition of his label in association with the Mijwan Welfare Society, says that both the actors are the style icons in their own way.

"I am thrilled to have Deepika and Ranbir as showstoppers for the Walk of Mijwan. I have worked with them before in 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' and they both are not only fantastic actors but style icons for millions of Indians," Malhotra told IANS over an email.

"In Deepika I find the confidence, grace and femininity that embodies the inspiration of my collection. Ranbir has an effortless sense of style and what he wears, he truly owns. His panache and magnetism compliment what a Manish Malhotra man is," he added.

"I've walked the ramp many times before, but this is truly a fashion show with a difference because Manish Malhotra bridges the urban-rural divide by taking the traditional craft of chikankari and fashioning it into contemporary silhouettes in his signature style," Deepika said in a statement.

Mijwan Welfare Society's work over the last nine years has been instrumental in giving women and girl children of Mijwan, Uttar Pradesh, the confidence to negotiate a better future for themselves.

Malhotra will showcase "The Walk Of Mijwan" on April 9, putting on display the craft of chikankari by women of Mijwan, in support of the movement started by the late Kaifi Azmi in 1993. It is now run by his daughter, actress and activist Shabana Azmi.

At the show, two girls from Mijwan -- Lalima Chauhan and Renu, who studied at the Kaifi Azmi School, then learned embroidery at the centre and are now teaching there -- will also relay their success stories. In 2010, Manish adopted the Sewing and Tailoring Centre run by the Society. Starting with one centre in Mijwan with 40 women, Mijwan Welfare Society-now has 10 centres in UP and a work force of 400 women.