Rahul Mishra once again captivated the global fashion stage at Paris Haute Couture Week with his Fall/Winter 2026 collection titled "Becoming Love." The celebrated Indian designer artfully merged Sufi philosophy, Gustav Klimt’s artistic brilliance, and traditional Indian craftsmanship into a single spectacular runway presentation. The collection explored the mystical Sufi concept of the seven stages of love attraction, infatuation, surrender, reverence, devotion, obsession, and death through over 30 breathtaking looks.
The show began with a striking heart-shaped golden dress, symbolizing the emotion of attraction with its gleaming textures and sculptural veins, suggesting a quickening heartbeat. This visual poetry continued across the stages of love. For infatuation, Mishra presented a vivid floral explosion, while surrender was marked by minimalist yet emotional sheer organza gowns adorned with pearls and sequins.
Inspired by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, Mishra’s reverence segment showcased dramatic black ensembles infused with intricate detailing reminiscent of Klimt’s painting style. Devotion was symbolized through ivory and gold pieces with lotus motifs, representing spiritual purity and commitment. The finale revisited the heart silhouette this time in black signifying the final stage, death, bringing the emotional journey full circle.
Mishra also paid homage to Indian artisanship by incorporating traditional embroidery techniques such as zardozi, threadwork, and dabka. More than 2,000 artisans contributed to the collection’s creation, reinforcing the value of heritage craftsmanship in haute couture. His collaboration with legendary British milliner Stephen Jones brought an additional layer of opulence to the show, featuring dramatic headgear that harmonized seamlessly with each outfit. Jones, known for his work with Princess Diana and major labels like Dior and Thom Browne, added his signature theatrical elegance to the designs.
Among the highlights was international rapper Cardi B wearing one of Mishra’s custom creations, adding star power and global appeal to the already much-anticipated event. The designer’s ability to combine spiritual philosophy, visual art, and contemporary fashion made "Becoming Love" not just a couture collection, but a powerful storytelling experience through fabric and form.
