New boutique offers an immersive experience combining Indian craft and contemporary design
Rahul Mishra has opened a new flagship store at Horniman Circle in Mumbai, representing an expansion of the designer’s presence in high-end experiential retail.
Mishra, who established his label in 2017 and presents collections on the official Paris Haute Couture calendar, designed the 7,500-square-foot location in partnership with Mumbai architect Rooshad Shroff. The store is intended to go beyond traditional retail spaces.
“This is our largest store to date, but also one of the most intimate. It reflects our shared belief in storytelling, in silence, and in the power of handwork,” Mishra stated.
The store, named Maison Rahul Mishra, is envisioned as a “living museum” for a “slow, almost meditative experience” that brings together couture fashion, Indian craftsmanship, and architectural elements.
Shroff commented, “When we were approached to design this space, we understood immediately that it couldn’t just be a store. The objective was to create a physical manifestation of Rahul’s creative world — not just a backdrop for products, but an environment where design, material, and emotion intersect.”
The multiroom format guides visitors through different aspects of Mishra’s creative process. Guests first encounter a gallery area displaying original sketches, prototypes, embroidery samples, and botanical references that inform the collections. The following rooms present couture pieces alongside custom architectural details, including marquetry-inlaid walls, hand-etched lighting, and bespoke furnishings. Embroidery samples and illustration archives are displayed as art objects, a move in line with luxury trends focusing on storytelling and transparency.
The design of the boutique incorporates traditional Indian crafts such as handwoven carpets, etched marble, and carved wood, all set within a contemporary framework. The store’s location in the Kala Ghoda arts district places it among galleries and museums and within the context of Mumbai’s annual arts fair.
The boutique’s final room features an installation with handcrafted metal birds in flight, referencing motifs Mishra employs throughout his collections.
Most decorative elements were created in Mishra’s own studio or in collaboration with Indian artisans. This reflects the designer’s continued emphasis on sustainable practices and support for local craftspeople.
The new flagship underlines the brand’s long-term commitment to India’s luxury sector, which is forecasted to reach $200 billion by 2030, according to Bain & Co. Mishra, who received the International Woolmark Prize in 2014 and the Chevalier de Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from France in 2023, continues to expand his international recognition through participation in Paris fashion shows and celebrity endorsements, including Zendaya, Viola Davis, Gigi Hadid, and Cardi B.
Mishra’s business relies heavily on the bridal sector and related wedding apparel in India. The label’s approach to craftsmanship remains central, with some garments requiring up to 8,000 hours to produce by hand, and over 1,200 artisans involved across the country.
For his most recent collection, Mishra explored themes of love and drew inspiration from Gustav Klimt’s artwork. He also collaborated for the first time with milliner Stephen Jones, who created tulle headpieces to complement the collection.
