Paris Couture Week is currently in full swing, with the Haute Couture Spring Summer 2026 edition running from January 26 to 29.
The French capital is once again buzzing with showstopping craftsmanship, from Dior and Chanel to Armani and Schiaparelli. Amid this global spectacle, two Indian designers are commanding attention, much like they did last year.
Rahul Mishra and Gaurav Gupta have emerged as standout names this season, with their couture shows not only earning critical acclaim but also going viral across social media platforms.
The presence of Indian designers at Paris, underlines how Indian craftsmanship and philosophy are shaping global fashion narratives.
Gaurav Gupta's Cosmic Couture Moment
Gaurav Gupta returned to Paris Haute Couture Week Spring Summer 2026 with a collection titled 'Divine Androgyne', and it was nothing short of sculptural theatre.
Rooted in ancient Indian spiritual philosophy, the collection explored cosmic duality, androgyny, and the idea of wholeness, drawing inspiration from concepts such as Ardhanarishvara, the half-male, half-female form of Shiva and Parvati.
On the runway, Gupta translated these abstract ideas into flowing, gender-fluid silhouettes that blurred boundaries between structure and softness. Signature corsetry appeared to melt into molten drapes, while architectural shoulders transitioned seamlessly into cascading forms, creating garments that felt alive with motion. Swirling metallic structures formed halos, orbiting rings, and cocoon-like shells around the body, evoking energy, balance, and transformation.
The colour palette leaned heavily into an interstellar mood, with astral whites, cosmic silvers, obsidian blacks, and muted metallic tones dusted with shimmer. The effect was futuristic yet deeply spiritual, a visual meditation on unity rather than division. Gupta summed up the philosophy in a simple Instagram caption that has since been widely shared: "When you and I are one."
The colour palette leaned heavily into an interstellar mood. Photo: Gaurav Gupta
What truly pushed the collection was its emotional resonance. These were not costumes designed for spectacle alone but wearable sculptures that felt personal and contemplative.
The show closed on a symbolic note, with Gupta's partner Navkirat Sodhi walking in white, reinforcing the collection's themes of love, balance, and oneness. Clips of the finale, particularly the halo-like metallic forms encasing fluid silhouettes, 'stranger things' two-in-one dresses, quickly spread online, drawing praise for their originality and philosophical depth.
Rahul Mishra's Alchemy Of Craft And Cosmos
If Gupta looked outward to the cosmos, Rahul Mishra turned inward to the elements that bind human life to the universe.
His Spring Summer 2026 couture collection, titled Alchemy, debuted on January 26 and transformed the five natural elements, earth, water, fire, air, and ether, into painstakingly hand-embroidered couture pieces.
Rather than relying on literal motifs, Mishra interpreted the elements through texture, movement, and emotion. Silver, white, and blue beading mimicked swirling weather systems on minidresses, while flame-like embroidery wrapped itself around catsuits in shades of orange tulle. A fitted black look with cone-shaped shoulders dusted in stardust became an instant talking point, as did the finale gown inspired by cosmic nebulae, rendered in deep blues and mauves.
The collection drew heavily from both science and ancient Indian philosophy, referencing the Rig Veda's concept of panchabhuta and Carl Sagan's idea that humans are made of starstuff. Mishra's couture became a meditation on transience and balance, suggesting that life is a continuous cycle of transformation rather than an endpoint.
The collection drew heavily from both science and ancient Indian philosophy. Photo: Rahul Mishra/Instagram
Behind the scenes, the show was the result of intense collaboration between Mishra's ateliers in India and Paris, reinforcing the handmade purity of couture. Millinery by Stephen Jones added another layer of artistry, while front-row appearances and model debuts helped amplify the buzz. Images and videos of the embroidery details, some taking thousands of hours to complete, quickly went viral, with viewers marveling at how craft, philosophy, and fantasy were stitched into a single narrative.
Why Their Paris Moment Matters
What connects Rahul Mishra and Gaurav Gupta this season is not just visibility at Paris Fashion Week, but the confidence with which they bring Indian thought systems to a global stage without dilution.
Neither designer relied on surface-level symbolism. Instead, they translated complex ideas into form, texture, and movement, allowing couture to become a language of feeling rather than explanation.
As Paris Haute Couture Week 2026 continues, the strong reception to both shows signals something larger than trend cycles. Indian designers are no longer seen as outliers in Paris but as vital contributors to the future of couture, where craftsmanship, philosophy, and innovation meet. And judging by how widely their work is being shared and discussed online, Rahul Mishra and Gaurav Gupta are not just participating in Paris Fashion Week, they are helping define its emotional core this season
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
