THE ENCHANTED
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” ~Rumi
Akin to Rumi’s thought, ‘The Enchanted’ is a wilderness beyond the boundaries that define dreams from reality. Blooming outwards from the desire of a Himalayan spring — of the blue sky laden with cotton candy clouds riding on the wind, blanketing fields painted in every colour of the prismatic spectrum, swaying under the gentle warm sun — ‘The Enchanted’ is a work of fantasy.
Oh, to stargaze a clear night sky from a field of poppies, and of peace lilies, foxgloves, bellflowers, hollyhocks, iris and anemones. And the medinilla magnifica, and the queen crape Myrtle blooming aside Aztec and Hibiscus and Buttercup and Daphne — every beautiful thing you’ve ever seen, all together in one place. Unadulterated by citylights, when the universe glimmers through the sky, into tiny dew drops on earth. And to return home to this dream with open eyes.
Not limited by our circumstances of being unable to showcase with a physical show, we have contained our fantasies in the atelier and translated them into clothes built up with the intricacies of handcraft and psychedelic dreams. A flirtation between layers of reality, imagination and surrealist expression, the pieces of embroidery installations soak-in the spirit of nature and reimagine it. Some pieces aim to imitate nature and its elements through various applications of handcraft, forming an arrangement of Himalayan poppies, foxgloves, calla lilies amongst others, onto the surface.
On the other hand, the Anemone, which would otherwise fall into the palm of one’s hand, is magnified to a scale that encapsulates a human. The glimmering petals of an Aztec flower placed onto a dressform in a signature fashion. And the Medinilla, borrowed from nature to form the sleeves of a short dress — retaining its petals, pollen and morning dew. Wilderness creeps up the bodies of models, enveloping them in oneness with the essence of life. These pieces, combined with veneered with sheer tulle and luscious silk taffeta enable the looks to render a surrealist vision.
And in other applications, the shoulders in gossamer silk organza form the pleasant winds on which ride, the cotton candy clouds alongside birds and vibrant rays of the sun. Imagined as they slide over a vast expanse of deep hued vegetation that retains its colour and light through day and night. Mused over from a distance, it lays on the surface of the garment like a painter’s afterthought.
This collection is a love poem to nature and a humble tribute to the elaborate biodiversity of Himalayas. It speaks of a new realm that is beyond the complexities of material living, its rights and wrongs. Where all words are too loud to be spoken and the only language is of peace.
About Rahul Mishra
Rahul Mishra, the first Indian designer to showcase at the Paris Haute Couture Week champions slow fashion with traditional Indian crafts. His eponymous label with two flagship stores in India and a thriving national and international distribution channel finds its genesis in the ideas of sustainability that present fashion as a tool to create participation and empower the local craft community of India.
The brand’s purpose defines the process. The achingly slowed down process of hand-weaving and hand embroidery allows to build sustainable livelihoods for more than 1000 artisans. Fashion critic and former International Fashion Editor of Vogue, Suzy Menkes, an avid follower of the brand’s work, regards Rahul as a “national treasure” while the late Franca Sozzani has praised him as “successfully highlighting the best and most peculiar features of his homeland.”
The design house that works on the philosophy of the 3 E’s – Environment, Employment, and Empowerment, aims to look at luxury from the lens of participation and not just consumption.
All images courtesy of Rahul Mishra
Film Concept & Art Direction: Divya Bhatt Mishra & Rahul Mishra Film Director: Nirvair Singh Rai Directors of Photography: Kanak Sharma, Sohail Singh, Shivendra Sangwan & Nirvair Singh Rai Photographer: Sushant Kadam Behind the Scenes: Rishabh Sain Styling Associate: Priyanka Yadav Hair & Makeup Lead: Ashima Kapoor Models: Gunjan, Laxmi, Nitin, Ngusanuo & Tamanna Production: NConsolidated Set Execution: Anicca Collective