"I want to experiment with it and preserve it, reinventing it in different silhouettes," designer Abhinav Mishra on his love for mirror work

Reflecting on the success of his recent Couture Runway Showcase, designer Abhinav Mishra takes us behind the scenes, providing details about the inspiration and meticulous planning that went into creating a spectacular display of his latest collection, 'Reflections'. From describing the quintessential Abhinav Mishra bride to discussing the evolution of the fashion industry, Mishra offers a glimpse into his design philosophy and the changing landscape of the couture world.

Brides Today: Brand Abhinav Mishra has become synonymous with mirror work and pastels. What keeps you faithful to these elements to date?

Abhinav Mishra: Mirror work has become my signature aesthetic, and I’m delighted about that. I’ve always been in awe of the craft. Even as a child, at family weddings, I’d find it so much more expressive than the usual. It came naturally to me when I started my journey. I feel a sense of loyalty towards it and want to experiment with it and preserve it, reinventing it in different silhouettes. Even the colour palette stayed with me from an early age. I found pastels in flowers, in décor and even in mithai so understated. Those hues needed more representation, and they work so fluidly with my designs. Pastel ensembles got such a positive response in my initial collections that I realised they would fit my aesthetic.

BT: Your Couture Runway Showcase was a raging success. Give us a peek into the BTS and how you go about planning a showcase.

AM: This show was a true labour of love, mainly because we were all so inspired by our first couture showcase in 2019, Mehzabeen. But the pandemic forced us to park all our ideas. Coming back to the drawing board for 2023 was a dream come true. Our team at Rani Pink worked to create this larger-than-life canvas. It was essentially the experiential version of all our campaigns from the last couple of years and also an extension of my new flagship store in Chattarpur. And what better way to reprise my couture show than with our forever muse, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja? She’s been a friend and supporter of the brand since our early days. For the showcase, I chose pieces from my latest collection ‘Reflections’ and modified a lot of the resort wear to focus more on occasion wear, menswear, customised jewellery, my love for Mughal architecture, penchant for art, and all of those things put together.

BT: How would you describe the quintessential Abhinav Mishra bride and the women for whom 
you design?

AM: She’s the life of the party, a modern woman with a contemporary vibe. She’s independent and opinionated, which I love because I sense that when I meet the brides who come to me. I can see how clear they are about what they want. She’s a new-age woman with a traditional soul, who merges the two sensibilities into her wedding.

BT: What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the fashion industry over the course of your career?

AM: The whole digital shift, not adhering to collections. The whole world has become a stage. We’ve seen sales from Instagram, from people in countries we didn’t even know wear Indian ensembles, and a lot of these patrons aren’t even Indians. We realised that we’re touching people’s lives through our social media campaigns and our take on vintage music. Plus, I’ve found a way around my love for colours. The palette I work with didn’t fit the traditional norm, but that’s changed. Our pastel brides are a big talking point!

BT: Most designers say they draw inspiration from nature. What inspires your designs?

AM: My inspiration has always been celebrations and big, fat Indian weddings. I always loved the atmosphere, the vibe, the traditions… And as I grew older, it was art and architecture. I’m fascinated by structures, by how art transforms a space. Above all, my core inspiration comes from the brides I interact with. They help bring the best out of me. I’ve grown with my patrons, which, as a young designer, is a great way to grow and test my imagination.

BT: Which bridal couture and festive wear trends do you see peaking this season?

AM: I see occasion-specific festive couture taking shape in the future. So aside from traditional wear, we have a resort collection and are working on incorporating more Western silhouettes into the mix, while staying true to our mirror work aesthetic. 

BT: Do you plan to branch out from traditional wear? What’s next for your brand?

AM: I want to work with more resortwear as an extension of wedding couture, as well as prêt capsule collections for those who want my designs for festivals and personal occasions.

Feature Image: @abhinavmishra_/Instagram

Image 1: @abhinavmishra_/Instagram