'India Is The Mother Of Creating Luxury': Rahul Mishra On Craft, Couture, And Culture

News18

5 days ago

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Ace designer Rahul Mishra talks about representing India on global runways, his muse, and the art of restrained opulence.
For designer Rahul Mishra, philosophy and art move hand in hand – a synergy that defines his design language. His creations seamlessly blend traditional Indian craftsmanship with a modern, global sensibility, each backed by a deeply emotional narrative. From The Pale Blue Dot, which was showcased earlier this year, to Becoming Love presented at both Paris Couture Week and Hyundai India Couture Week last month, the designer continues to push creative boundaries, leaving audiences spellbound.
A hallmark of his work is the way he incorporates jewellery to heighten the impact of his couture. A striking example was his collaboration with Tanishq at Paris Couture Week, where the brand's Radiance in Rhythm collection became an integral part of Becoming Love. In an exclusive conversation with News18, Rahul Mishra and Pelki Tshering, CMO of Tanishq, share their thoughts on fashion, jewellery, and the art of quiet luxury.
Q: What does 'modern heirloom" mean to you, and how can fashion and jewellery together redefine that?
Rahul Mishra: India has a remarkable history of jewellery – from careful selection to preserving the culture of jewellery making, gemstones, and craftsmanship. The entire world sources from India. Similarly, in fashion, the world also looks to India. In haute couture, I would say 95% of hand-embroidered garments are actually made here, whether it's Chanel, Dior, or any other house.
The same applies to global jewellery – most coloured stones, natural diamonds, and other materials come from India. When you think of high fashion or high jewellery, India is the mother of creating luxury. I believe that creating luxury will always be one of the most significant things in the world, and India has all the ingredients to be a global leader and a thought leader.
Indian craft is already showcased globally, but what makes us unique is our role as authors and creators — shaping what is yet to be created. That is something truly special.
Pelki Tshering: Our muse is the modern Indian woman – someone who strikes a beautiful balance between tradition and constant reinvention. In our collaboration with Rahul, there was a clear creative synergy. Who else but Rahul could embody that balance so effortlessly? Like Rahul said, our work draws from India's rich heritage, but we reimagine it so the designs can be worn anywhere in the world. The craftsmanship is deeply Indian, but the silhouettes and styling make it universally appealing.
Q: How do you think jewellery can elevate restraint – rather than excess – in fashion?
Pelki: At the end of the day, jewellery is not just an ornament – it's an emotion. And that emotion belongs to the modern Indian woman in all her forms. Sometimes she's vibrant and full of colour; other times she prefers the subtlety of quiet luxury. We design to give her choices for every mood, because jewellery is emotional. It allows her to express herself in the moment, in a way that feels authentic to who she is right then.
Q: Who is Rahul Mishra's muse?
Rahul Mishra: Every day, I'm surprised by the diversity of people who connect with our work – sometimes from parts of the world where they've never even seen the garment in person. It reminds me of when A.R. Rahman's Jai Ho became a global hit. Many listeners didn't understand the language, yet they loved it. That's the power of love and beauty – when something is crafted with care and sincerity, it resonates universally.
For me, the muse is not defined by age: she is a modern woman who loves to express herself. When she sees something that connects with her, she wants it, no matter where she is. She values authenticity, ethical sourcing, and the human touch of something handmade with a story behind it. That's where we find our strongest connection, and that's what our brand stands for.
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