Designer Abhinav Mishra Shares His 3 Stunning Couture Collections for SS21

BT: classics every bride must include in her trousseau?

Abhinav: An outfit in a pastel colour palette such as peach, coral, orange, mint and aqua, which will add freshness and an infusion of new energy. A voluminous skirt can add drama to any outfit which you can pair it with, be it a blouse, satin shirt or a peplum top, depending on the occasion. And the right jewellery of course— striking chokers and big jhumkas always look good. 

BT: What do you think the modern Indian bride is looking for?

Abhinav: Today a bride seeks so much more than the traditional red, she is bold and challenges what’s been the norm. Having worked closely with millennial brides, I've learnt that they want to stay traditional, but they also want to add in their own vibe, their own colours and their own personal style to their wedding wardrobe. At my wedding decor company Rani Pink, with my business partner Anika Dhawan and I have witnessed that a lot of brides like their decor to go with their outfits as well! Traditional reds and maroons still have their place, but brides are also progressively opting for their own favourite colours. I've worked with pastel colours right from the start, so I didn’t veer too far away from what I do and I chose to stick to my staples, even though you will see darker colours in my collection that are perfect for the winter season ahead! I also think that reusability can be a huge factor in the modern bride's decision-making process. One can invest in pieces that they can experiment with and wear on different occasions. An ensemble’s versatility determines its demand

BT: What are the key trends for spring-summer weddings in 2021

Abhinav: Summer is a time for lighter fabrics and fun and flowing silhouettes. I would suggest playing around with mirror-detailing on prints. In my Spring Couture 21 collection, we have used mirrors on chevron printed skirts and colour-block lehengas to create a dreamy, bohemian vibe. I’ve also used mirrors with brighter colours like fuchsia, orange and coral to set the mood for the season. And finally, mirror-work on ivory is always going to be a timeless classic, one that exudes elegance and is also perfect for summer.

BT: What do you envision as the future of bridal and Indian wedding couture?

Abhinav: India is predominantly a couturier’s land. Our traditional works like chikankari, ikat, resham and zardozi are India’s artisanal legacy, and also inherently our couture. India holds its own when it comes to couture with its legacy of rich craft and a deep sense of history. There is huge respect for Indian craft and today’s discerning customer appreciates the value of handcraft and couture. 

BT: Describe the Abhinav Mishra woman?

Abhinav: The Abhinav Mishra woman is a reflection of new India—vivid, dynamic, lively and elegant while being grounded in our history and traditions. She is fearless and confident, making an impact with her graceful and culturally-rooted nature. She is someone who is fun and likely to be the life of the party!

BT: How has the COVID crisis and the lockdown inspired you to re-think couture? 

Abhinav: Weddings are becoming more intimate and will definitely require safety measures. I also work in wedding design and decor as a partner at Rani Pink, and we are already working on summer weddings with a whole different viewpoint. It’s the perfect time for us to experiment and personalise experiences. In terms of outfits, one is moving away from the traditional reds and maroons. It’s time for prints, pastels and new silhouettes instead of heavy embroidery and bulky jewellery. It's really all about the new age bride who’s in sync with global trends and is unafraid to share her own viewpoint.

BT: What inspired you to create three collections instead of one? 

Abhinav: I just could not do justice to all my sub-campaigns by combining them into one collection. For Mir, I imagined a quaint village and created a collection synonymous with the celebration of colour and life, highlighted through stunning architecture and splashes of brilliant colour. Our second campaign Songs of Spring is a carefree and fun fiesta, where everyone is free-spirited under the spring sun, celebrating the joys of life. Lastly, Baraat presents itself as an evening rendezvous at a grand Indian wedding, with all its royal elements.

Brides Today: Tell us about the inspiration behind this new collection/collections

Abhinav Mishra: We have just launched our latest Spring Couture Collection with 3 sub-campaigns, Baraat, Mir and Songs of Spring. In this collection, we have used vibrant hues including dreamy majorelle blues, luscious ruby reds, sprightly yellows, sprinkled with mirror work and exquisite gota patti imbibing a reverence for traditional Indian craftsmanship and silhouettes.

This season, I have introduced more Indo-western silhouettes like the one-shoulder blouse, a flowy cape blouse with a lehenga skirt, printed sharara pants, flared saris etc. Our signature mirrorwork remains a mainstay in the collection as I will continue to use this craft in unique ways, it is something that is now expected from our label.

I drew inspiration from the different facets of the big fat Indian wedding, interpreted in different ways through my imagination and also my journey with wedding design and decor with Rani Pink, where I also am a Co-Founder. The stories across our 3  collections are uniquely different from each other and represent a different vibe and mood, celebrating life and all its colours.