Draping the World in Indian Craft
Rahul Mishra has taken Indian fashion global — dressing icons, championing village craftsmanship, and blending tradition with haute couture
Couturier and designer Rahul Mishra’s brand is one of the most sought-after on the global fashion stage today. From being the first Indian designer to win the International Woolmark Prize in 2014 at the Milan Fashion Week to being invited to show at the Paris Haute Couture Week in 2020, the last decade has made him one of the formidable forces in the world of fashion and couture.
Known to skilfully blend local handloom and traditional weaves into well-crafted creations with modern aesthetics. Mishra’s roster of celebrity clients includes Zendaya, Gigi Hadid, Blake Lively, Lisa of Blackpink, Jennifer Lopez, Ananya Panday, Mark Zuckerberg and Law Roach.
Excerpts from an interview:
From Lisa at the Oscars to Zendaya, Blake Lively, Rosy Zhao — the list is endless. Most international celebrities seek out your label. What defines brand Rahul Mishra today?
RM: I believe the Rahul Mishra brand continues to evolve as a global voice emerging from India. This summarizes our intention with silhouette, surface, and craftsmanship. Each look borrows from the cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent and reimagines it in a global context.
British journalist Suzy Menkes described you as a national treasure. How does it feel?
RM: Grateful to receive appreciation from veterans like Ms. Menkes — it becomes a source of motivation to keep reinventing ourselves. When people give you that kind of love, you work harder to honour it and never take it for granted.
Which collaboration did you find particularly fulfilling, where the sensibilities of the brand and the artist came together?
RM: It’s always a feast to dress Zendaya. She wore Look 1 from our debut showcase at Haute Couture Week in Paris in 2020, and it became a sensation. Later, during her visit to Mumbai for the launch of NMACC, Law thought of us, and we created a truly global cultural moment with a saree-inspired look. She is a phenomenon who transcends film, fashion, and culture — she understands the look, and the craft behind it, and adapts to the narrative effortlessly. She took a silhouette rooted in a culture different from her own and made it completely hers. We’re endlessly in awe of her.
How do you think Indian silhouettes are influencing global fashion?
RM: I’ve been saying this for the past year — this is India’s time. The world is now acknowledging and celebrating our craft, aesthetics and heritage more boldly than ever. But even before this moment, Indian silhouettes, textiles and surface embellishments had already helped shape global luxury. Historically, India was the largest exporter of arts and crafts, and that legacy of cultural exchange still gives the subcontinent a stronghold in today’s luxury supply chain.
You can see the influence of Indian drapery in Western fashion today. Whether it’s the dhoti-inspired trouser, saree-draped one-shoulder gown, or lehenga-style crop top and skirt, Indian elements are everywhere.
How have you and the brand evolved over the past two decades?
RM: The brand was founded on the principle of purposeful design, driven by the intention to create a circular economy within Indian craft communities. My debut collection at Lakmé Gen Next in 2006 used Kerala handloom textiles, reinterpreted for a modern, fashionable woman. As we recognized the social impact of employment in these communities, we gradually moved toward more labour-intensive techniques such as hand embroidery.
The spirit of the product remains, but the surface adornment and design storytelling continue to transform with each season.