Flower power never loses its prowess, and Rahul Mishra at Hyundai ICW 2024, made sure the embroidered dupattas were unisex, the pants-suit is now out of the boardroom and frolicking at a cocktail party in a line titled, Nargis.
By Asmita Aggarwal
Nargis or daffodil is a lively yellow flower, it could also be the yesteryears actress, Nargis Dutt, I am guessing Rahul Mishra stuck to the floral variety, naming it for his line seeped in intricate thread work, at his Hyundai India Couture Week 2024 showcasing!
His roots are in Malhausi, a non-descript village near Kanpur, which have gone far into the ground, as he has become the star of Paris, and its super competitive Couture Week, only selecting an exclusive few If his latest workplace is anything to go by 5,000 square feet, inNOIDA or the way that his wife Divya controls the office and directs the workforce, they are a team and thats what makes them so successful.
At his showcasing there was live music, which seems to be the mood of Couture Week, and the Sufi master, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khans chart topper Afreen began with cancer survivor and model, Lisa Ray, 51, mom to twins, author of the book, Close to the Bone, take the catwalk in gossamer white, emboldened with roses in her hair. Rahul is a man of collaborations, recently, it was with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), titled Beginnings. Made In Singapore, with actress Tamannaah Bhatia as the muse.
His inspirations have been many—from his daughter Arnas Jungle book, underwater creatures, insects to Hindu mythology (Lord Brahma), old dilapidated havelis and most recently it was Aura at PCW. He began his journey in 2006, and at his presentation, explored various hues—structured jackets with placement embroideries, glow in the dark gowns glittering, bare backs with silvers of dupattas hanging from nimble shoulders, as Sufi Kalams, Chandni raatein played in the background taking us back to the 90s when this number was sung first by artiste Shamsa Kanwal.
The ubiquitous sharara has come in various forms, embroidered and sheer, the cape and lehengas are now a No. 1 match, and a must-have in a new-age brides trousseau. Interestingly, the dupatta is interchangeable, it is unisex, it can be worn with a sherwani and lehenga.
White, has emerged as a hue of marriages, lighter, softer, and is considered ceremonial. The pants suit was meant for corporate meetings, but Mishra has made it cocktail worthy, glistening with crystals, pearls, and glass beads. The flowers got bigger and bolder in off shoulder gowns, wedding wear today is a game of intricate embroidery techniques and surprising placements.
The surface texture was so intricate on gowns that fabric disappeared; power shouldered capes, dripped with tassels, Rahul seemed to love lime green. Musicians really carry the show on their shoulders, A R Rahmans numbers are always a hit, no better way to end the show than that!