India is unlocking, and businesses that have been functioning online for the last few months, are back in full form. Talented designer Abhinav Mishra, founder and creative director of his eponymous label, had the foresight to launch Mastana—a bridal collection inspired by the onset of the monsoon season—at just the right time. In this exclusive chat with The Daily Guardian, Mishra opens up about his new collection and upcoming trends in wedding fashion.
Abhinav Mishra
Q. What made you choose a career in fashion?
A. As a child, I was always fascinated with the minute details of a wedding—the demure bride with a glimmer in her eyes, the clinking bangles, hands fragrant and decorated with Mehendi. So, I began my career in the decor and events industry by working with renowned wedding decor company—Rani Pink, of which I am currently co-founder and creative director. It was only in 2014 that I started my own label, Abhinav Mishra, where I brought together my love for weddings and my aesthetic sensibilities towards fashion.
Q. How did the pandemic affect your business?
A. The pandemic undoubtedly took a toll on the economy, affecting many industries, including fashion. However, with digital innovation and imminent unlocking, the industry is slowly getting back on track. We actively showcase our collections on our website AbhinavMishraOfficial.com, Instagram and other social media platforms. Our stores in Dhan Mill Compound and Shahpur Jat in Delhi have reopened with safety measures in place. We allow entry only by appointments, and patrons are not permitted to try outfits. However, we do allow virtual trials and I personally meet customers on Zoom/Google video calls, by appointment to ensure the best possible experience.
Q. Who was the muse for your monsoon collection?
A. Our Monsoon curation, Mastana has been inspired by the idea of young love. We wanted to create an atmosphere of ardour and passion. People are happiest during their weddings. I constantly imagine the lighter moments of such hearty occasions, such as the simple joys of new love or the beginning of an everlasting friendship. Isn’t that what weddings do – bring people closer? My muse is the new age bride—she has always been the vision behind everything I do. She is a force to reckon with and most likely the life of every party!
Q. You have used a lot of mirrorwork in this collection. What was the inspiration for this?
A. Mirror work and I have a lifelong romance and it has come to be my signature. My design ideology is to amalgamate modern cuts with traditional embroideries and mirror work using pastels as well as bright colours. My aim is to dress the modern Indian woman who is always evolving. The Abhinav Mishra millennial bride is confident, bold and unabashed about who she is, while being delicate, soft and intrinsically connected to Indian culture. The traditional vibe is interwoven with the identity of the Abhinav Mishra label, with Indian arts, craftsmanship, heritage and culture being central elements of the clothes.
Q. Weddings have become minimal with the onset of the pandemic. How has bridal fashion adapted to this change?
A. Despite the restrictions, I believe Indian brides enjoy full-blown maximalism with multiple dupattas embellished in heavy jewels and gold. With less of a budget allotted towards guests and large venues, more is given to the bride’s outfit. The three trends I predict are blended colour schemes, bridal capes and light gold lehengas. These days, an ensemble’s versatility is of utmost importance, as people adopt sustainable living. This season, I have introduced Indo-Western silhouettes like one shoulder blouses, flowy cape blouses with lehenga skirts, printed sharara pants, and saris with ghera.
I think brides today are willing to experiment and try new things, which is very refreshing. They are in tune with the latest trends and know what they want. Personally, I feel they should never feel restricted to wearing traditional reds and maroons for the big day.
Q. What inspired you to think out-of-the-box and create a collection specific to monsoons?
A. In this digital age, we have the liberty of showing capsule collections throughout the year. Personally, I feel inspired to create something new every few months. Monsoons are a beautiful season of blossoming, much like my current collection, so I felt it was an apt time to launch Mastana.
Q. What are you working on next?
A. Technology is helping us follow a more personalised approach with our clients. We’ve added menswear to our offerings recently and are soon launching a jewellery collection and home furnishing line. Stay tuned as the future holds many surprises!