Rahul Mishra’s AFEW Sculpts A Stellar Debut In The City Of Dreams

Breathing life into these words, world renowned sculptor Michaelangelo, House of Lakme’s Grand Finale designer and renowned couturier Rahul Mishra, introduced his new global luxury label, AFEW.

After winning hearts at Paris Fashion Week in 2023, AFEW Rahul Mishra’s stellar debut in Mumbai, India, was a celebratory welcome for the brand. Transforming the Jio World Convention Centre’s pavilion, Rahul articulated fashion through the enchanting world of art and design with his collection Sculpt.

Speaking about showcasing AFEW at the finale, Rahul Mishra says, “Presenting at Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI has always felt like a homecoming and this time around it was an honour to showcase our global easy-to-wear luxury brand ‘AFEW Rahul Mishra’ for the first time in India. Presenting ‘Sculpt’ my Fall-Winter ’24 collection to audiences was incredible.”

On collaborating with House of Lakme, Rahul Mishra further adds, says, “Drawing its inspiration from the House of Lakme’s MultiSlayer Sticks, the beauty looks will for the wearer define a new approach to beauty, one that is personalised and sculpted to one’s face shape. At AFEW Rahul Mishra, we have always celebrated our Indian heritage, Married to our international take on fashion, collaborating with Lakmē, at the House of Lakmē Grand Finale for us, will mark a new era in fashion and beauty, one that is inspired by nature as the ultimate sculptor.”

Opening the show was the young and talented actor Ayesha Kanga, who was styled in a tone-on-tone glimmering white sequin look complemented with achromatic natural forms, mirroring Rahul’s interpretation of Michaelangelo’s quote where art is breaking free from a solid block of stone.

Sculpting a remarkable style story on the makeshift runway adorned with larger than life sculptures, the show saw an artistic performance where the models stepped on a revolving stage, unveiling pieces designed in white marble prints resonating with the collection’s theme and Michaelangelo’s philosophy.

Embracing nature and all its forms has been one of Rahul’s biggest strengths and all 56 pieces at the show harmonised Rahul’s vision with a global perspective. Wearable art meets easy-to-wear silhouettes in AFEW Rahul Mishra’s Sculpt. From sculpted denims and marble-printed jackets to French painter Henri Rousseau-inspired contemporary sarees, each ensemble narrated a creative tale of nature, art, landscape and culture.

Ananya Panday, Lakme Brand Ambassador who turned showstopper for AFEW Rahul Mishra, brought her charming self on the runway as she walked in style to the popular song Boom Boom. The meticulously hand embroidered short dress, embellished with hand cut and appliqued motifs, not only added a sculpted edge to Ananya’s look but also gave AFEW Rahul Mishra a perfect ending to the magical showcase.