A Poetic Ode to India’s Architectural Grandeur

Couturier Abhinav Mishra needs no introduction. Over the years, his eponymous label has carved out a niche in the fashion world for creating pieces that transcend fleeting trends and strike a perfect balance between artistry, tradition, and craftsmanship.

The latest drop from the house of Abhinav Mishra—The Shrine is no exception. A breathtaking homage to India’s architectural heritage, The Shrine is a love letter to India’s palaces, shrines, and temples, and the sacred stories they hold within its carved walls. 

Unveiled beneath an open sky at Abhinav Mishra’s couture show, with Sara Ali Khan and her brother Ibrahim Ali Khan as muses, the collection felt like a dream that left the audience awestruck. Speaking to DARPAN, Abhinav reveals the inspiration for this surreal edit. “For me, The Shrine was born from a sense of nostalgia, a longing to revisit the grandeur of India’s ancient architecture and the emotion that lingers within it. I have always been fascinated by shrines, temples, and palaces that hold centuries of whispered stories within their carved pillars and mirrored walls. With sculptured pillars, mirrored walls, and fading illustrations, I was inspired by the elegance of these timeless structures. I wanted the collection to arise the feeling of a dream, celebrating heritage through softness, light, and reflection,” shares the designer, whose creations are coveted by celebrities like Aditi Rao Hydari, Parineeti Chopra, Sonam Bajwa, Janhvi Kapoor, Karan Johar, Sonam Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Rakul Preet Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Ayushmann Khurrana, among many others. 

The name itself—The Shrine —carries a deep emotion. The couturier explains, “The word ‘shrine’ has always struck a deep chord with me. It symbolizes not just a sacred place, but a sacred feeling—it represents how our culture preserves its customs, artistic creations, and narratives like priceless artefacts. I wanted to honor that sanctity by calling the collection The Shrine. My respect for India’s craftspeople and the craftsmanship that has defined us for generations is reflected in every mirror, stitch, and motif. The collection honors this commitment to memory itself as well as to craft. It is a love letter to the places, feelings, and textures that inspire us even after they have faded.” 

Rooted in India’s rich architectural and artistic heritage, the collection is a result of meticulous research and imagination. “I first investigated India’s artistic and architectural traditions, which include palaces, temples, and shrines with beautiful carvings, mirrored walls, and fading illustrations,” Abhinav shares. “These feelings were then transformed into textiles, color patterns, and motifs that created a balance between grace and elegance. We added to the embroidery patterns using pearls, sequins, zari, and my trademark mirror work. My team and I then created prints that were inspired by hues and decorative art. The objective of this process, from brainstorming to couture, was to evolve heritage into something modern, which was a pure tribute to India’s living traditions.” 

The result is a mesmerizing fusion of organza, silk, chiffon, and georgette, replete with highly ornate detailing—all coming together to create statement pieces which are timeless and versatile. “I worked a lot with organza, silk, chiffon, and georgette for The Shrine. The fabrics hold intricate hand embroidery, while being opulent and feather-light, allowing for movement and fluidity. I adore how these fabrics let light play across their surface, enhancing the gota and mirror work that are essential components of my craft. Even with intricate craftsmanship, I wanted each piece of clothing to feel light and effortless. The Shrine really exists in that fine balance between luxury and lightness,” Abhinav explains. 

The Shrine celebrates Abhinav Mishra’s signature mirror embroidery while experimenting with depth and texture. “My signature has always been mirrorwork, and I love to experiment with the craft,” he notes. “For The Shrine, we have used a variety of artisanal techniques, including gota, sequin dori, kirkiri embroidery, pearls, resham, and zari, in addition to mirror embroidery for this collection. Every layer of detail was intended to create depth and texture while maintaining an ethereal appearance. Inspired by geometric carvings, floral sketches, and temple art, the prints themselves were treated like paintings. The end product is couture that is both visually fluid and feels incredibly handcrafted, with each surface telling a unique tale.” 

The Shrine is available for purchase at Abhinav Mishra’s flagship store in Regency One, Chhatarpur, Delhi, and on their official website www.abhinavmishraofficial.com. The collection is also available at a few multi-designer boutiques across the globe. A few of the ensembles, including Sara Ali Khan’s hand-embroidered lehenga and Ibrahim Ali Khan’s regal sherwani, are limited-edition couture pieces available only through bespoke orders. 

For Abhinav Mishra, The Shrine transcends the realm of fashion—it’s emotion, heritage, and artistry reflected through light. “To me, The Shrine is a display of mirrors, light, and tradition rather than simply a bunch of clothing,” he concludes. “It showcases India’s timeless imagination while making it for a younger audience that admires both tradition and modernity. It is a style of clothing that links expression and emotion, as well as the past and present. I have always believed that fashion is about connection, between art and soul, between what was and what can be. The Shrine celebrates every bit of this.”