Needles meet mirrors this festive season, with NEEDLEDUST X Abhinav Mishra edit of bags and footwear

Fehroza ’24 flaunts high-grade crystals, pearls and mukaish work, alongside signature mirror and gota detailing
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Just in time for the festive season, shoe brand NEEDLEDUST has renewed its association with designer Abhinav Mishra, expanding the horizons of their collaborative pursuits. An extension of their NEEDLEDUST X Abhinav Mishra collection of footwear and handbags, which began a year ago, their new collection called Fehroza ’24 encapsulates four different edits — Pearls Collection, Crystal Collection, Kaalbeliya, and Mehzabeen — comprising over 40 exclusive designs for both men and women, featuring juttis, mules, heels, wedges and embellished purses.

“The collection from our first collaboration was so well-received that it was only natural to extend the alliance,” says Shirin Mann Sangha, the creative director of NEEDLEDUST. She credits the merging of design aesthetics in the edit to the camaraderie with Abhinav. “Abhinav and I started our brands around the same time and there’s a certain camaraderie. We love each other’s brands. We began working on Fehroza ’24 in March this year. It took us about six months to curate the collection,” she says.

While NEEDLEDUST gained popularity for the intricate embroidery on their handcrafted juttis, Abhinav has been in the spotlight for the mirror work that adorns most of his garments. Both the brands are pushing the boundaries of maximalism with the new edit that flaunts high-grade crystals, pearls and mukaish work, alongside signature mirror and gota detailing.

“We aim to create heirloom pieces. We dabble in a lot of embroidery, from zardosi and dabka to sequins and pearls. The conscious thought behind this edit was — how can we make mirror work look dynamic? So, we created more styles, catering to a larger segment. We have introduced a triangle high heel for the very first time and wedges too, in this collection,” she says.

Abhinav adds, he wanted to push the boundaries of traditional mirror work while collaborating with NEEDLEDUST. “Instead of just using it as an embellishment, I incorporated it into the structural elements of the bags and shoes. For instance, the mirror work is intricately embedded into the designs to create a play of light and texture, making each piece truly unique,” he says.

The products are manufactured at NEEDLEDUST’s studio in Gurugram, which boasts of over 200 craftspersons and artisans. “While collaborating with Abhinav, my team and his would get together and discuss everything from the moodboard to colour story and categories we want explore. Then Abhinav and I would discuss the first draft and share perspectives. We kept in mind various occasions, like mehendi, gifting, brides, bridesmaids, children — all segments. That the distance between Abhinav’s office and my studio is about 30 minutes, the collaboration was easier. Also, we both work late hours and on weekends,” she laughs.

The line also introduces a line of micro bags and bucket potlis. “For juttis, we use genuine, high-grade and soft leather, but for bags, we stick with vegan leather,” Shirin adds.

“The most challenging part of this collaboration was balancing the traditional craftsmanship with NEEDLEDUST’s design ethos. It required a lot of fine-tuning to ensure that the mirror work was both functional and visually striking without compromising the overall design integrity. But overcoming these challenges has made the collection even more rewarding and innovative,” says Abhinav. Shirin adds, “The vision — with the use of fabrics like silk, tissues, suede (for men) and crepe on footwear — was to explore the wide spectrum between heirloom nostalgia and modern glam.”

Well it’s true then, all that glitters is not gold — it could be a mirrors too.

Shop for footwear and bags in the Fehroza ’24 collection, starting at ₹6,990 on on needledust.com and in Needledust and Abhinav Mishra’s stores.