“I was trying to explore the idea of love through philosophy, through art, through literature,” said Rahul Mishra, of the inspiration for his fall 2025 couture collection. The designer explained how he learned that in Sufism, love is divided into seven stages: attraction, infatuation, love, trust or reverence, worship, madness and death.
“It’s not necessarily the death of love, a negative thing — it may also be positive,” said Mishra.
Such philosophy seeped figuratively through the vivid, elegant collection. The opening look was a gold, sweeping sculptural dress that swirled in a heart shape, while a heart-like dress in black closed the show. Both embodied the most literal interpretations of love in the lineup.
Flowers abounded. Larger-than-life lotus flowers sprung from stem-like structures attached to a model’s similarly hued bodysuit, making her appear almost like a flower herself. Another full-length dress was finely embroidered with flowers, to a garden and tapestry effect.
You May Also Like
How love blossoms “is full of beautiful memories,” said Mishra, who envisioned love in all forms. White pearl adornments festooned some garments.
The designer looked to the artwork of Gustav Klimt, with its multiple faces and gold hues, and blended them into some clothes. “When he painted nudes, those beautiful women, it somehow reflected attraction, love or maybe reverence also,” said Mishra. “They carry something which is a kind of mystery.”
For the first time, Mishra collaborated with milliner Stephen Jones, who fashioned undulating tulle creations to top off the elegant looks.
“Love is constant, it stays on forever,” said Mishra. “This story belongs to every being.”