Inside Rahul Mishra’s Precious Collection of Accessories for Tod’s

This a story of two legends, who meet together to create beautiful things. One of the most exciting names on the Parisian couture schedule, Rahul Mishra, known for his precious and intricate flower embroideries hand-crafted in India by Kaarigar artisans, joined forces with Italian powerhouse Tod’s to imagine a one-of-a-kind collection of accessories, that look like jewellery. We cought up with Rahul in London during fashion week, where he presented his collection.

What's your first TOD's memory? Do you remember how you discovered the brand for the first time?

I have always known the brand and I must say, I have been the greatest admirer of Tod's and have used their products for years. As a brand, Tod's represents timeless elegance and impeccable craftsmanship. Their commitment to quality and attention to detail have long resonated with my own values as a designer and human. In today's fast paced world, I feel that it is unique to have a niche that is independent of trends and short term influences and Tod's has a profound legacy of just that.

How did this collaboration with Tod's come about?

About half a decade ago, I was invited to Ancona by Mr. Diego Della Valle for an exclusive tour of the Tod’s headquarters to understand their processes. The journey left me awestruck, planting the seeds for this project. However, the world was hit with COVID-19, and we were grappling with reality. Despite this, the meeting with Mr. Della Valle left a deep impression, leading to the concept of Rahul Mishra X Tod's. After much contemplation and exchange of ideas, the Tod’s team came to the table with many interesting concepts. Our creative visions instantly aligned for a global stage.

You presented the collection in Tod’s London boutique on Old Bond street during London Fashion week. Why?

Typically, our couture shows are held in Paris, but for this particular collection, we chose London for several reasons. Showcasing at Tod's iconic store on Old Bond Street presented a unique opportunity. London has a strong clientele for both Rahul Mishra and Tod’s, and many fashion journalists and industry insiders are based there. This made London a strategic choice for reaching our audience. Moreover, London offers a vibrant artistic energy and a willingness to embrace new experiments, which aligned well with our vision for this collection. While Paris and Milan are wonderful cities and we deeply cherish them, London provided the perfect setting for this launch due to its timing and supportive environment.

What is Tod’s for you?

Tod’s is known for its fine artisanal craftsmanship, lovingly crafted in Italy by skilled hands, akin to our philosophy as a couture brand. I was thrilled to discover the shared ethos of both brands and how similar our processes are, much like Rahul Mishra Couture’s quintessential hand-embroidery crafted by generational artisans.

What are the similarities and differences between Tod’s and Rahul Mishra?

Since the nascent years of Rahul Mishra Couture, I envisioned it as a craftsmanship-based couture label. Our hand embroidery techniques, rooted in India, now support over 2000 fashion workers, including embroidery artisans, weavers, and tailors. Our design house operates on the philosophy of the 3 E’s - Environment, Employment, and Empowerment, viewing luxury through a lens of participation, not just consumption. Each piece at Rahul Mishra Couture is made in India, for the world, echoing Tod’s ideology.

What was your main inspiration for this limited edition collection for Tod’s?

We developed a limited-edition capsule for a global clientele who values our brand's ethos alongside high-end offerings. I drew inspiration from nature, our constant muse, crafting classic in-house motifs and the distinctive foliages synonymous with my designs, like the majestic Tree of Life or several floral embroideries inspired by gold sari, enriched by crystal, beads and sequins. We essentially combined the best of both worlds in this collaboration. As embroidery is intrinsic to our brand’s working style, we incorporated it into Tod’s iconic pieces such as Di Bag, T Timeless Bag and Gommino loafers. This collaboration was a very special experience for me: combining extensive fashion knowledge, innovative developments, and artisanal mastery.

What has been the biggest challenge in this collaboration? And which piece was the most technically difficult to make?

With this collaboration, I had the absolute privilege of perceiving the iconic Tod's shoes and bags from my own lens. It was a surreal opportunity for a designer and artist in me. Hence, I wanted to put the best foot forward and bring some core inspirations from my own body of work, that is, nature as I see it around me to incorporate in the timeless silhouettes of the Tod's footwear and bags. We acknowledge that it is a huge platform for us to showcase the diverse heritage of Indian craftsmanship and embroidery which is a huge but under-acknowledged part of the luxury industry at large. Each element in the embroidery, in its own way, represents something about the Indian subcontinent such as the Sunderbans forest and the Bengal tiger, or natural foliage and wild flowers from the Himalayas.

You dressed some of the most iconic celebrities. Is there someone you would love to see in your collection for Tod’s?

I would love to see timeless icons like Angelina Jolie and Anne Hathaway in this limited edition. They are the perfect representatives for a collaboration that deeply values craftsmanship, and expresses a true blend of Italian elegance and intricate Indian couture savoir-faire.

Courtesy: Tod's

Text: Lidia Ageeva