Renowned designer Rahul Mishra returned to the capital with a grand showcase at the Hyundai India Couture Week 2025, held in collaboration with Reliance Brands and the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). Fresh off his Paris Haute Couture Week presentation, Mishra brought his deeply poetic and spiritual collection, Becoming Love, to a packed audience in Delhi.
Tamannaah Bhatia sets the stage ablaze
Bollywood actress Tamannaah Bhatia opened the much-awaited show, donning a breathtaking Hand Embroidered Chérie Floral Gown. The ensemble was an artistic blend of elegance and statement-making glamour, embodying the essence of Mishra’s latest vision. Her appearance created a stir, and the energy in the room was palpable as the lights dimmed and the first model stepped onto the runway.
She shared a BTS video on Instagram that showcases her excitement for the ramp as she gets ready for the show. She donned 2 outfits and looked absolutely gorgeous in them.
The story behind ‘Becoming Love’
Rahul Mishra’s ‘Becoming Love’ collection is more than a fashion showcase-it is a spiritual journey. Inspired by the seven stages of love described in Sufism, also known as the maqamat of ishq, the collection traverses a rich emotional landscape. These stages-dilkashi (attraction), uns (infatuation), aqidat and mohabbat (surrender in love), ibadat (devotion), junoon (obsession), and maut (death)-served as the design narrative.
Mishra explained through his show notes, "Traversing these seven stages, we gather hue and form along the way, moving ultimately towards a profound stillness, where not even light intrudes." This introspective approach lent a meditative depth to the show.
True to Rahul Mishra’s signature style, the garments were exquisite tapestries of hand-embellished details. Using techniques such as aari work, zardozi, naqshi, and dabka, artisans brought his vision to life with painstaking craftsmanship. Sequins, kundan stones, and white pearls added opulence to the runway, transforming every outfit into a wearable piece of art.
Art meets couture
One of the most visually captivating elements of the show was Mishra’s reinterpretation of Gustav Klimt’s artwork through Indian embroidery techniques. Rich golds, vibrant florals, tigers, hearts, and mystical motifs flowed across gowns and silhouettes, each telling a story. The fusion of Western artistic themes with Eastern craftsmanship created an aesthetic that felt both timeless and boundary-breaking.
With a full house and standing-room-only attendance, Mishra’s show was undoubtedly the highlight of Hyundai India Couture Week 2025. The event attracted fashion editors, celebrities, influencers, and design aficionados, all eager to witness the designer’s return after his global couture appearance in Paris.
