Under a moonlit sky in the lush greens of Chhatarpur, New Delhi, couturier Abhinav Mishra staged an evening that felt less like a runway and more like a clearing in an enchanted forest. On 24 October 2026, his annual couture showcase, Into the Wild, unfolded amid monumental deer installations, drifting firefly projections and the soft rustle of ambient nature sounds, with actor Kriti Sanon closing the show as its showstopper muse.

A Wilderness, Dressed in Mirrors

The collection took its cue from the untamed natural world: animals, organic forms and the restless spirit of exploration. It stepped deliberately beyond the familiar vocabulary of bridalwear, pairing the grandeur of traditional Indian craft with an adventurous, contemporary sensibility.

The lehenga remained the heart of the line, but it shared the stage with a far wider wardrobe: trench coats, structured high-collared jackets, wide-legged trousers, flared pants, layered wraps, corsets, bustiers, kaftans and capes, along with high-neck tops and crop T-shirts. The effect was couture with room to breathe, tradition worn with freedom.

The palette read like a forest floor at dusk: earthy olives, muted sage, deep browns, rich reds, black and dusty neutrals. Animal-inspired prints, oversized florals and nature-led markings gave the garments depth, while sculptural horse motifs lent a distinctive, almost heraldic character.

At the centre, as ever, was Mishra’s signature mirror work, the craft he is best known for reviving. Here it was layered with metallic sequins, hand embroidery, Zardozi, beads, leather sequins and laser-cut details, with metal accents and bells adding movement and sound. Light, texture and motion did much of the storytelling.

The Finale

Kriti Sanon closed the show in a classic black Abhinav Mishra mirror-work lehenga in Neo-Tech fabric, finished with intricate hand embroidery, metallic embellishments and the collection’s sculptural horse motifs. It was a fitting finale for a designer whose relationship with the actor runs deep: she has worn his creations in films, at special appearances and at her sister’s wedding.

“INTO THE WILD is inspired by animals, nature and the feeling of freedom,” Mishra said. “I wanted to bring that spirit into Indian bridalwear. Mirror work has always been my signature, and this time I have combined it with metallic sequins, distinctive motifs and prints. The collection feels a little adventurous, while still being beautiful and special for a bride.”

Sound, Setting and the Guest List

Music has always been central to Mishra’s presentations, and this season he collaborated with ANHAD & TANNER on a cinematic soundscape of layered vocals, immersive textures and evolving rhythms, developed under his creative direction.

The setting carried the collection’s language into the room itself, in tones of moss olive, forest green and deep chocolate, with branches, foliage and carefully placed shadows completing the illusion. The décor was designed in-house by Rani Pink, the creative events agency where Mishra began his journey in wedding design, and which has designed celebrations for personalities including Sonam Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Athiya Shetty. Johnnie Walker Luxe Blended Water was the Celebration Partner.

Among the special runway guests were designer and close friend Varun Bahl, Taiwanese pop icon Cheng Chang Fan, creators Mannat Sandhu and Mohak Narang, and models Sheetal Mallar, Archana Akhil Kumar, Alicia Kaur and Kanika Dev.

The Last Word

Since launching in 2017, Abhinav Mishra has built one of India’s most recognisable young luxury houses on mirror work, hand craftsmanship and cinematic storytelling, retailing today across 45+ countries. With Into the Wild, he proves that a signature can be both sacred and playful: a tradition worn with swagger, and a bridal wardrobe with a wild streak.

The Abhinav Mishra store is located at Regency One, Chhatarpur, Delhi. Explore the label at abhinavmishraofficial.com and on Instagram at @abhinavmishra_.

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