Kriti Sanon traded conventional bridal glamour for something bolder at Abhinav Mishra’s ‘Into The Wild 2026’ showcase, where a black mirror-work lehenga, metallic detailing and sculptural horse motifs took centre stage.

Bridal couture has long been synonymous with elaborate embroidery, opulent colours and time-honoured silhouettes. But what happens when the familiar lehenga gets a darker, more untamed makeover? At Abhinav Mishra’s latest couture showcase in New Delhi, Kriti Sanon offered a compelling answer, stepping out in a striking black ensemble that brought a distinctly contemporary edge to traditional Indian craftsmanship.

Held on October 24, the designer’s annual showcase, titled ‘Into The Wild 2026’, explored the relationship between nature, animal-inspired forms and the freedom to dress beyond convention. While Mishra's signature mirror work remained at the heart of the collection, the presentation pushed his design vocabulary into more adventurous territory, reimagining bridalwear through unconventional silhouettes, statement embellishments and a palette drawn from the wilderness.

Sanon, who closed the show, embodied that shift in a black mirror-work lehenga crafted from Neo-Tech fabric. Intricate hand embroidery, metallic accents and sculptural horse motifs lent the ensemble a dramatic quality, moving away from the predictable romance of pastel lehengas and traditional bridal reds. The look balanced the richness of Indian embellishment with a sharper, more experimental sensibility, making a case for brides and wedding guests willing to step outside the usual colour palette.

For Mishra, the choice of Sanon as the finale star was rooted in her approach to personal style. The actor's willingness to experiment with fashion and carry distinctive looks with confidence made her a fitting face for a collection built around individuality and freedom.

Beyond the traditional bridal wardrobe

The most interesting aspect of ‘Into The Wild 2026’ was its attempt to take Indian craftsmanship beyond the confines of wedding dressing. Lehengas remained part of the collection, but they were joined by structured jackets, high-collared designs, trench coats, wide-legged trousers, flared pants, layered wraps and three-piece ensembles.

Corsets, bustiers, kaftans and capes added further variety, while high-neck tops and cropped T-shirts introduced a more relaxed counterpoint to the ornate pieces. The result was a wardrobe in which mirror work and elaborate embellishment were not restricted to ceremonial dressing but found expression across a wider range of silhouettes.

The colour story followed a similarly unconventional route. Olive, muted sage, deep brown, rich red, black and dusty neutrals established a palette inspired by the natural world. Animal-inspired prints and oversized floral motifs brought visual movement to the garments, while metallic sequins, hand embroidery, zardozi, beads, leather sequins and laser-cut details created a layered interplay of textures. Metal accents and bells added another dimension to Mishra's familiar mirror-work aesthetic.

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Speaking about the collection, the designer said, “INTO THE WILD is inspired by animals, nature and the feeling of freedom. I wanted to bring that spirit into Indian bridalwear. Mirror work has always been my signature, and this time I have combined it with metallic sequins, distinctive motifs and prints. The collection feels a little adventurous, while still being beautiful and special for a bride. I wanted to explore how traditional craftsmanship could take on a fresh energy while remaining at the heart of what we do."

A runway built around the wilderness

The show's setting extended the collection's central idea beyond the clothes. Monumental deer installations and sculptural figures established a dramatic backdrop, while shades of moss olive, forest green and deep chocolate shaped the venue's visual identity.

Firefly projections, atmospheric shadows, branches and foliage, accompanied by ambient sounds inspired by nature, immersed the audience in the wilderness theme. Music also played a key role in the presentation, with Anhad & Tanner collaborating on the soundscape under Mishra's creative direction.

The guest list featured designer Varun Bahl, Taiwanese pop icon Cheng Chang Fan, creators Mannat Sandhu and Mohak Narang, and models Sheetal Mallar, Archana Akhil Kumar, Alicia Kaur and Kanika Dev, among others.

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With ‘Into The Wild 2026’, Mishra explored a version of bridal couture that retained the intricacy of Indian handcraft while embracing a more experimental mood. And with Sanon's black mirror-work lehenga leading the finale, the collection made a case for occasionwear that can be elaborate without being predictable.