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Rahul Mishra brings India's ancient sculptural heritage to Paris Couture Week
He is the first Indian designer to be invited to showcase at the Haute Couture Week in Paris.
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Bhavana P - Wed, 08, Jul 2026
- 12:30 EDT
- 31
Rahul Mishra Couture Fall 2026 collection, ‘Devi’, presented at Haute Couture Week, Paris / Instagram/ rahulmishra_7
Indian designer Rahul Mishra transformed the runway into a celebration of India's sculptural heritage with his Fall 2026 Haute Couture collection, Devi, unveiled at Paris Haute Couture Week on July 6.
Inspired by ancient Indian temple sculptures, Devi explores the idea of the "eternal muse," drawing parallels between the painstaking craftsmanship of sculpture and haute couture. The collection takes its cue from stone-carved apsaras, devis, celestial attendants and dancers that adorn centuries-old temples across the Indian subcontinent, reimagining their timeless beauty through embroidery and couture.
Master artisans at the Rahul Mishra atelier recreated the textures of sandstone, basalt, soapstone and bronze using traditional embroidery techniques such as zardozi and dabka, combined with crystals, stones and bugle beads to produce surfaces that appear sculpted rather than stitched.
Also read: London event celebrates Indian heritage, culture and community
The collection also featured bespoke ceremonial headpieces created in collaboration with traditional clay artisan Sumant Kumar, while renowned British milliner Stephen Jones designed veils and additional headpieces for the runway.
In the collection notes, Mishra reflects on the artistic philosophy of revealing beauty through craftsmanship, comparing couture to sculpture. "Haute Couture, similarly, is a parallel act of time and handwork," he wrote, describing how garments are built through the gradual accumulation of intricate embroidery rather than carved from stone.
Extending his collaboration with Tanishq Natural Diamonds, Mishra co-designed a selection of high jewellery pieces that echoed the collection's sculptural themes. Rather than serving as accessories, the jewellery was conceived as an extension of the couture, translating embroidery and movement into wearable art.
The runway presentation was accompanied by an original score composed by Jayant Luthra using instruments including the mridangam, ghatam, temple drums and singing bowls. Portions of the music were recorded inside the ancient Ajanta Caves, recreating their distinctive acoustics and reinforcing the collection's dialogue between India's architectural, artistic and cultural legacy.
His event was attended by businesswoman-philanthropist Isha Ambani and rapper Cardi B. Both wore custom Rahul Mishra costumes from his current collection, 'Devi'.
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