Indian couture walks the ramp in Paris

Indian designers showcase traditional embroideries and fabrics in garments that speak to everyone

- Pooja Singh

It's 4pm in Paris. The minus-5 degrees Celsius weather hasn't dimmed the excitement in the grand hall at The Westin Vendôme hotel where Rahul Mishra is going to showcase his collection on Day 1 of the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week (23-26 January). Dressed either in what seems to be the latest trend, the all-black bodysuit (or clothes that give the impression of one), teamed with matching coats, or Rahul Mishra creations, people are busy clicking photographs or shouting "hi-s" across the hall that was also Yves Saint Laurent's favourite location for presenting his couture.

The front row is full of "donuts"-a term I learnt from my neighbour. A "donut" is essentially a better way to get photographed at an event: The more dressed up (influencers, mostly) sit together-they form the hole of the donut-flanked by the "dough", or those in black or other "basic" clothes. Actors Ashley Park and Kelly Rutherford and American stylist Law Roach made a donut, too, at the show.