Beauty surrounds us,
But usually we need to be walking
In a garden to know it.
-Rumi
Ace couturier RAHUL MISHRA presented his latest couture Maraasim at India Couture Week, 2018. Maraasim, an Urdu word, signifies relationships and this collection of Rahul Mishra ,based on connections with past and the present. A time of visual and intellectual magnificence; of monumental architecture, sumptuous textiles, and the finest miniature paintings- all boasting a common aesthetic coherence of Mughal elegance. The collection revives ancient visual expressions and explores new forms, with the ingenious use of geometry and arabesque (an ornamental design consisting of intertwined flowing lines, originally found in ancient Islamic art) to achieve highly complex patterns . Intricate vegetal motifs, with chevrons and spandrels from the rich decorative vocabularies of an earlier era come alive to make the meticulous surface treatment appear surreal.
While addressing the media, Rahul Mishra shared his inspiration and told that “The Mughal aesthetic was not the invention of any single artist, nor of any particular group of artists; rather it was a blend of artistic practices of Persia, European influences of passing traders and missionaries, and the rich indigenous traditions of India. Nothing can be created in isolation, it was the cross-pollination of ideas that resulted in an entirely unique and unified aesthetic that were all expressions of a genuine delight in the creation of beauty”.
As always, Maraasim collection has delicate hand-embroidery fused with handwoven fabrics to design silhouettes inspired from traditional Indian ensembles add to the lehengas and kalidars of Womenswear. Rahul has used handlooms like silk, organza , raw silk with layers . The collection had a collaboration with Swarovski, with the incorporation of unique lacquer crystals interpreted as morning dew drops. Jewellery was designer by Sunita Sekhawat , Jaipur
Maraasim explores the relationship of the balanced existence of nature and architecture, traditional and modern, blended to create fine works of art on handwoven textiles, bearing testimony to the inherent finer details of Indian craft. In my view Rahul Mishra has redefined couture in India, and it is visible in the colour pallete choices and details adorning by the fashionistas. They are keen to wear more than red or bright colours, rather they are experimenting with pastel shades. Today’s woman needs heritage value with global appeal, and that is what Rahul has been able to present till now – a couture with a difference!
Have a look!