Cardi B, Isha Ambani Attend Rahul Mishra’s ‘Devi’ Show That Turned Temple Carvings Into Fashion At Paris Haute Couture Week
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Dense embroidery, sculptural silhouettes and temple-inspired jewellery defined Rahul Mishra’s latest couture showcase in Paris.
Cardi B, Isha Ambani Attend Rahul Mishra’s ‘Devi’ Show That Turned Temple Carvings Into Fashion
In 2025, India’s ace designer Rahul Mishra showcased a collection that he says “was born of loss and the slow process of healing.” Wild animals had reclaimed the stage and our homes as their own. And in 2026, returning once again to Paris’ most famous fashion stage, Mishra built his collection around an unlikely but very-Indian reference: the carved stone figures found in Indian heritage sites like the Ajanta Caves. His reference was the muse that often found itself immortalised in stone and carvings.
At the Haute Couture Week in Paris, Rahul Mishra unveiled his collection ‘Devi’, with models walking out in grey, black, beige and gold sculptural looks featuring his patent dense embroidery, appliqué, and jewellery designed to read like carved detailing rather than fabric, with headpieces styled to resemble temple crowns and skin-toned bodysuits that blurred where the “statue” ended and the garment began.
It’s not the first time an Indian designer has drawn on the “Devi” archetype, and it likely won’t be the last, given how much material a 2,000-year-old reference point like Ajanta offers. But Mishra once again leaned into a mix of craftsmanship and theatricality, letting the sculptural idea come through in the construction rather than through obvious styling cues. The jewellery across the show came from Tanishq, continuing a partnership that’s now been running for several seasons.
Front row, Cardi B and Isha Ambani sat together in couture looks, both dressed in a way that matched the show’s sculptural theme rather than standing apart from it. Cardi B wore an embellished white corset gown with ornate shoulder detailing, a jewelled maangtika and shoulder-dusters. The ensemble mirrored the statues one sees in Indian temples, and had a panel of fabric and waist embellishments that seemed to merge with the look. Isha Ambani was also seen in a structured, embroidered grey corset and skirt set that had beadwork through the bodice. She also coupled it with a dupatta for a more Indian touch, as well as gorgeous diamond earrings and a necklace (with a jaw-dropping solitaire at the centre).
At the end of the show, Mishra greeted the room with folded hands, standing between two of the show’s more striking looks — a sheer, beaded black gown with a large circular lace headpiece, and a corseted black look finished with a veiled fascinator. Between the runway and the front row, the show made a reasonably clear case for itself — that couture references drawn from Indian temple art and sculpture still have room to be shown, and worn, without repeating what’s already been done with them.
About the Author
Mallika Bhagat is a Deputy News Editor at News18, where she leads the Lifestyle and Viral desks. A seasoned journalist and content strategist, she brings a decade of high-impact experience from India’…Read More
