Rahul Mishra’s big dreams get starry cheer

Global couturier Rahul Mishra marked a major milestone this week with the launch of his flagship store, Maison Rahul Mishra, at the historic City Ice Building in Mumbai’s Horniman Circle. The 7,500-square-foot space—his largest retail presence in India—has been reimagined as a “living museum of couture and craft” in collaboration with acclaimed architect Rooshad Shroff. Set in the heart of the Kala Ghoda district, the restored heritage property once functioned as an ice storage facility in the 1970s. Today, it stands transformed into a couture haven showcasing Mishra’s most exquisite creations, blending timeless Indian craftsmanship with contemporary design. The designer, who made history in 2020 as the first Indian invited to showcase at Paris Haute Couture Week, celebrated the opening with a star-studded soirée.

Guests included Natasa Stankovic, Mandira Bedi, Pratibha Ranta, Kiran Rao, Orry, Abhimanyu Dassani with his actor sister Avantika Dassani, Ahsaas Channa among many of Mumbai’s fashion-forward elite.

The launch came close on the heels of Mishra’s recent legal victory, after the Delhi High Court restrained several businesses from copying his original designs—a landmark move in protecting Indian couture artistry. Speaking at the launch, Mishra shared, “We were contemplating whether we should move it (the launch) to the weekend. My team was wondering if the recent verdict is going to overshadow the store opening.

But I think whatever happens, it happens for a reason.” Maison Rahul Mishra now stands as both a tribute to Indian artisanship and a bold new chapter in the designer’s international journey.