Needle meets mirror this festive season, with NEEDLEDUST X Abhinav Mishra editing bags and footwear

Fehroza ’24 features high quality crystals, pearls and pearls face work, besides signature mirror and gota details | Photo Credit: Custom arrangement

Just in time for the festive season, footwear brand NEEDLEDUST has renewed its association with designer Abhinav Mishra, expanding the horizons of their collaborative venture. An extension of Abhinav Mishra’s NEEDLEDUST X shoe and handbag collection, which was launched a year ago, the new collection called Fehroza ’24 features four distinct edits – Pearl Collection, Crystal Collection, Kaalbeliya, and Mehzabeen – including more than 40 exclusive designs for both- both of them. men and women, featuring juttismules, heels, wedges and embellished purses.

Abhinav Mishra (left) and Shirin Mann Sangha, creative director of NEEDLEDUST | Photo Credit: Custom arrangement

“The collection from our first collaboration was well received, so it was only natural to extend our alliance,” said Shirin Mann Sangha, creative director of NEEDLEDUST. He credits the incorporation of design aesthetics in the edit to his friendship with Abhinav. “Abhinav and I started the brand at the same time and are related. We both love the brand. We started working on Fehroza ’24 in March this year. It took us about six months to curate the collection,” he said.

It took about six months to organize Fehroza ’24 | Photo Credit: Custom arrangement

When NEEDLEDUST gained popularity for intricate embroidery on handmade juttisAbhinav has been in the limelight for the mirror work that adorns most of his clothes. The two brands push the boundaries of maximalism with new edits featuring crystals, pearls and face work, along with signature mirrors and tons of details.

“Our aim is 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 is – how do we make the mirror work look dynamic? So, we create more styles, provide more segments great. We’ve introduced high heels for the first time and wedges, too, in this collection,” he said.

Fehroza ’24 pushes the limits of maximalism | Photo Credit: Custom arrangement

Abhinav added that he wanted to push the boundaries of traditional mirror work while collaborating with NEEDLEDUST. “Instead of just using it as decoration, I integrate it into the structural elements of bags and shoes. For example, mirror work is intricately integrated into the design to create a play of light and texture, making each piece truly unique,” he said.

The bags in the collection are made of vegan leather, while juttis made with genuine, soft leather | Photo Credit: Custom arrangement

The products are manufactured at the NEEDLEDUST studio in Gurugram, which has over 200 artisans and craftsmen. “When collaborating with Abhinav, my team and he will get together and discuss everything from the mood board to the color story and the categories we want to explore. Then Abhinav and I will discuss the first concept and share our perspectives. We keep in mind various opportunities, like mehendi, gifting, brides, children – all parts. If the distance between Abhinav’s office and my studio, collaboration is easier. Besides, we work in the evenings and weekends,” she laughs.

The line also introduced a line of micro bags and potlis buckets. “For juttiswe use genuine, high-quality and soft leather, but for the bag, we stick to vegan leather,” added Shirin.

The product is manufactured at NEEDLEDUST studio in Gurugram | Photo Credit: Custom arrangement

Tumit Zarah special edition from the Fehroza Pearl Collection ’24 | Photo Credit: Custom arrangement

“The most challenging part of this collaboration was balancing traditional craftsmanship with the design ethos of NEEDLEDUST. It required a lot of fine-tuning to ensure that the mirror work was both functional and visually striking without compromising the integrity of the overall design. But overcoming these challenges made the collection more rewarding and innovative,” says Abhinav. Shirin added, “The vision – by using fabrics like silk, tissue, suede (for men) and crepe in the footwear – is to explore a wide spectrum between heritage nostalgia and modern glam.”

Special edition Hera bag and matching heels from the Fehroza Crystal Collection ’24 | Photo Credit: Custom arrangement

It’s true, all that glitters isn’t gold – it might be a mirror.

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