The iconic Zendaya sari by Rahul Mishra makes it to Paris Couture Week

Indian designer Rahul Mishra is now a constant name on the Paris Couture Week Calendar. The genesis of his design ideology is deeply rooted in Indian craftsmanship, which he amplifies season after season.

A few months ago, Zendaya walked the red carpet for the launch of NMACC in a custom-made Rahul Mishra sari. The Euphoria star looked iridescent in a diaphanous drape paired with a dainty embellished blouse for the opening night of what was referred to as the Indian version of the Met Gala.

Naturally, the look was widely appreciated and the Dune actor became one of the most talked about celebrities of the night. Accompanying the mega star was her stylist and long-time associate Law Roach, who also wore a couture number by the same designer.

Recreating the same magic in July, the slow fashion championing designer sent down two runway looks inspired by these mega red carpet moments. While the midnight blue sari got a neutral treatment with silver embellishments, Law Roach’s embroidered long jacket was now crafted in shades of salmon and white with different yet equally intricate surface ornamentation.

Titled ‘We, The People’ Rahul’s latest presentation celebrated the army of creatives that combine their geniuses to bring alive his vision. Each outfit reflected the painstaking hours and skills that went into its making.

Each couture piece in this collection demanded an average of 3000 hours of embroidery. The pièce de résistance of the line was the finale lehenga which took about 7000 hours of precision and dedication. As a sign of respect towards the hands that skilled his creations, Rahul positioned lead embroiders from his atelier, Afzal Zariwala and Noorain Alam at the beginning of the runway, where they showcased their craft while the models sashayed down the ramp.

Otherwise a kaleidoscope of colours, this season’s silhouettes were sublimely constrained in terms of the colour palette. The construction had moments of similarities from the past with ample experimentation to pave the way forward. As the perfect amalgamation between the East and the West — the silhouettes ranged from a humble sari and the show-stopping lehenga to gravity-defying couture pieces that deserve a spot on the red carpet.

In case you missed it, here are some of our favourte looks from Rahul Mishra’s Fall 2023 collection.