Rahul Mishra delivered one of the most striking showcases of the season at Paris Haute Couture Week, earning widespread admiration both from the audience present at the show and from viewers across India following the presentation on social media. More than a display of exceptional craftsmanship, the collection celebrated India's cultural heritage while placing the idea of the divine feminine at the centre of the global fashion stage.
Titled Devi: The Eternal Muse, Mishra's Autumn/Winter 2026 couture collection, unveiled on July 7, drew inspiration from the timeless imagery of ancient Indian temple sculptures. Transforming centuries-old stone carvings into couture, the garments resembled living works of art rather than conventional fashion.
Having become the first Indian designer to feature regularly on the Paris Haute Couture calendar since 2020, Mishra is known for his intricate hand embroidery. With Devi, however, he ventured into a more architectural direction. Instead of his signature floral and nature-inspired motifs, he turned to the sculpted deities, apsaras and celestial figures carved into the walls of India's historic temples.
"It's almost like time travel," Mishra said while describing the collection, imagining what those ancient stone figures might look like if they stepped off temple walls and into the present day.
The runway featured sculptural silhouettes in shades of stone grey, weathered ivory, antique gold, black and muted beige, transforming models into statues through intricate embroidery. Corseted bodices echoed carved temple reliefs, while oversized shoulders, monumental collars and sharply structured silhouettes drew inspiration from temple architecture rather than traditional tailoring. The overall effect was one of ancient sculptures coming to life.
Among the standout creations was a look distinguished by its extraordinary detailing and sculptural construction, reflecting the collection's central theme.
The garments featured dense silk-thread embroidery that recreated the texture of weathered stone, while metallic zardozi, dabka work, pearls, crystals and bugle beads added remarkable depth and dimension. From a distance, the pieces resembled carved sandstone, but a closer look revealed thousands of hours of painstaking hand embroidery executed by Mishra's atelier, blurring the line between fashion and sculpture.
Mishra also expanded the theatrical dimension of the presentation through collaborations with renowned artisans. Traditional clay artisan Sumant Kumar designed ceremonial headpieces inspired by ancient temple crowns, while celebrated milliner Stephen Jones created dramatic sculptural headwear that complemented the collection's monumental aesthetic.
The front row reflected Mishra's growing international appeal. Rapper Cardi B attended the show in a custom ivory Rahul Mishra couture ensemble inspired by one of the collection's sculptural silhouettes. Isha Ambani also wore a bespoke grey corseted creation that mirrored the architectural language of the runway. Together, their appearances embodied Mishra's contemporary interpretation of the Devi—powerful, regal and unapologetically commanding.
