For the closing presentation of Hyundai India Couture Week 2026, in association with Nexxus New York, Rahul Mishra presents an evening where three creative narratives converge. Following its acclaimed debut at Paris Haute Couture Week, DEVI returns to India in a new presentation that invites audiences into the craftsmanship behind the collection. Alongside it, the House unveils its latest Festive Couture collection, while a Magnolia-inspired couture hair accessory, created with Nexxus New York, becomes the visual thread connecting the evening's narrative. The presentation follows a landmark moment for the House on the global couture stage. According to Launchmetrics, Rahul Mishra ranked among the five most impactful Haute Couture houses of the Fall/Winter 2026–27 season, generating $12.3 million in Media Impact Value® with DEVI, standing alongside maisons such as Dior, Chanel, Schiaparelli and Balenciaga.

Conceived as a curated journey through the world of the House, the presentation moves beyond the conventions of a runway, inviting guests to encounter couture at close quarters. Alongside the pieces presented in Paris, the evening introduces previously unseen looks developed during the evolution of DEVI, before unfolding into the unveiling of Rahul Mishra's latest Festive Couture collection. Together, the two collections reveal a continuous exploration of craftsmanship, where the language of couture evolves from sculpture into celebration.

To close the showcase, Nexxus New York’s Brand Evangelist, Sobhita Dhulipala, takes center stage in an immersive, interactive finale—a seamless fusion where sculpted hair artistry meets couture, bringing the core spirit and raw energy of the entire collection alive on stage.

Rooted in the idea of sculpture, DEVI explores an additive process of creation, where every surface is built thread by thread until embroidery begins to resemble carved stone, gathered fabric and sculptural drapery. Using the single-thread technique of ektaarka, subtle gradients of colour transform embroidery into an entirely new textile that appears monumental while remaining remarkably soft and fluid.

This exploration continues through Rahul Mishra's latest Festive Couture collection, where signature floral motifs, intricate zardozi embroidery, hand-painted textiles and sculptural surfaces reinterpret contemporary festive and bridal dressing through the enduring traditions of Indian handcraft. Selected looks are complemented by high jewellery co-designed with Tanishq Natural Diamonds, drawing inspiration from ancient Indian sculpture to celebrate a shared commitment to patience, precision and exceptional craftsmanship.

The collaboration with Nexxus New York is woven into the presentation through a shared commitment to uncompromising craftsmanship. Inspired by the Magnolia flower, the muse behind the brand's advanced fragrance architecture, Rahul Mishra has designed an exclusive couture hair accessory that appears across both DEVI and the Festive Couture collection, extending the language of couture beyond the garment. Developed in close collaboration with Nexxus New York and hair artist Flavien Heldt, the hair direction was conceived as an integral element of the presentation, where texture, silhouette and movement were considered with the same precision as every embroidered surface.

Rahul Mishra, Founder & Creative Director, reflects, "Bringing DEVI home feels like the show finally completing itself. It started with a stone figure carved a thousand years ago, and one question I could not put down. What did the sculptor see that made her look like she was still breathing? Our answer was to work the opposite way. A carver takes stone away to find the figure. We add. Thread over thread, until embroidery starts reading as stone. But an idea is only worth the hands that can hold it. Every artisan and every young designer in our studio is not executing my vision. They are the reason there is one. Showing this in front of the people who actually built it is the part I have been waiting for."

Sunil Sethi, Chairman FDCI : “Nexxus presented the closing show by Rahul Mishra at Hyundai India Couture Week 2026, bringing this edition of the event to a memorable close with a collection that celebrated the artistry, innovation, and craftsmanship of Indian couture. We are delighted to begin our association with Nexxus New York and thank Hindustan Unilever for its continued support of FDCI over the years. We look forward to building a long and meaningful partnership together.”

Ashwini Rao, Vice President, Hindustan Unilever, "Introducing Nexxus New York to the Hyundai India Couture Week runway alongside Rahul Mishra’s breathtaking craftsmanship, brought to life by Sobhita Dhulipala, was a defining moment for the brand in India. Our collaboration was driven by one clear ambition: to elevate hair from a finishing touch to a defining element of the runway story. Together, we showcased how high performance hair artistry can stand alongside exceptional craftsmanship, bringing every couture vision to life. This collaboration reflects our belief that premium haircare deserves a place at the highest table of fashion, and this season, Nexxus New York claimed that space with confidence."

Sobhita Dhulipala, Brand Evangelist, Nexxus New York, "There’s nothing quite like the rush of closing for India Couture Week. Stepping onto the runway in Rahul Mishra’s 'Devi' vision, with my hair sculpted by Nexxus New York, especially their beautifully crafted Magnolia accessory, it was alignment at many levels. When fashion and hair artistry blend like that, it does feel electric. It was a celebration of modern Indian couture, and a moment I’ll hold onto for a long time."