Rahul Mishra and Gaurav Gupta Bring Spiritual Chic To 2026 Paris Couture Week

The year has kicked off on a stylish note with Paris Couture Week. The Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026 edition, taking place from January 26 to 29, has Paris abuzz with standout showcases from global fashion heavyweights like Dior and Chanel.

Amid all the glamour, Indian designers Rahul Mishra and Gaurav Gupta once again made their presence felt. Both showcased collections that stayed true to their signature aesthetics while pushing creative boundaries, much like they did last year. Here’s a closer look at the couture moments that caught everyone’s attention.

Gaurav Gupta: Divine Androgyne

Gaurav Gupta’s collection, Divine Androgyne, was a striking blend of fashion and philosophy. Rooted in Indian spiritual thought, the collection explored themes

of cosmic duality and androgyny. It drew inspiration from Ardhanarishvara, the half-male, half-female form of Shiva and Parvati.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gaurav Gupta (@gauravguptaofficial)

The silhouettes were fluid and gender-agnostic, while the colour palette leaned into astral whites, cosmic silvers and soft metallic hues. The overall mood felt futuristic yet grounded in tradition.

The finale quickly went viral, featuring halo-like metallic structures wrapped around flowing forms and dramatic two-in-one dresses that many online compared to something straight out of Stranger Things. The collection earned praise for its originality and for seamlessly blending spiritual symbolism with futuristic couture.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gaurav Gupta (@gauravguptaofficial)

Sharing a video from the show on Instagram, Gaurav summed up the essence of the collection with the caption: “When you and I are one. A collective interplay of energy and consciousness.”

Rahul Mishra: Alchemy

Rahul Mishra’s collection, Alchemy, was a poetic tribute to the five natural elements—earth, water, air, fire and sky. These ideas came alive through meticulously hand-embroidered couture pieces that reflected his mastery of craftsmanship.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rahul Mishra (@rahulmishra_7)

The collection bridged science and ancient Indian philosophy, drawing from the Rig Veda’s concept of Panchabuta as well as Carl Sagan’s belief that humans are made of “starstuff.” Close-up images and videos of the embroidery, some pieces reportedly taking thousands of hours to complete, quickly made the rounds online.

Sharing the collection on Instagram, Rahul wrote, “To a human life, the universe may be billions of years in the making, but to itself, it has just begun.”

While both collections stood out in their own way, what truly set them apart was how deeply rooted they were in Indian culture and spirituality. Each design carried a clear sense of story and intention. As global eyes turn towards Paris, moments like these underline why Indian designers continue to command attention on the world stage.