Luxury footwear maison, Rene Caovilla, collaborates with Indian couturier Gaurav Gupta

Renowned for a legacy rooted in time-honoured craftsmanship, the Venetian shoemaker and maison, Rene Caovilla, extends its roots into the diverse world of haute couture, beyond borders, with an exclusive collaboration with celebrated Indian designer Gaurav Gupta.

The legacy brand partners with Gupta for his highly anticipated bridal couture showcase, ‘Quantum Entanglement’, in Mumbai. The creative worlds of Caovilla and Gupta come together to celebrate a shared vision, one that is devoted to art, culture, and craft excellence. The result is seven unique, custom-made designs. Each pair is meticulously crafted using authentic Indian textiles and traditional embroidery, and adorned with crystals and refined pendants. 

The two design visionaries met during Paris Haute Couture Week last January, and from there began a wonderful, creative conversation and a relationship that continues to grow with each passing day. “It was a creative process full of ideas and passion. Without passion, you get nowhere,” shares Caovilla. “I loved this aspect of our collaboration: The passion for our respective cultures and also the loyalty that both companies have managed to maintain over time. It is something unique that must be nurtured, and this has led to a wonderful result that blossoms into a capsule collection rich in design, materials, construction and emotions.”

Gupta describes the association as a beautiful meeting of minds, almost alchemical, while working together felt seamless, similar to speaking the same language from different parts of the world. “Rene Caovilla is an iconic house—their attention to detail, and legacy of craftsmanship—all of it resonates with what we do at Gaurav Gupta. I think what made it special was how naturally our aesthetics aligned. We both believe in creating pieces that are more than just fashion; they’re expressions of art and modern heirlooms to be passed down,” he adds. 

At the heart of the collection are three of the Italian brand’s signature styles. Leading the capsule collection is the Chandelier sandal, presented in three variations crafted from satin and traditional Indian brocade in delicate shades of ivory and champagne. The 105mm heeled sandal is adorned with cascading crystal pendants that radiate opulence and lightness. The Margot sandal is reimagined in a bold platform version to evoke dramatic elegance—one in vibrant red satin with a golden crystal-encrusted snake, the other in electric blue satin with tone-on-tone crystal embellishments. Completing the ensemble is the Cleo pump, crafted in rich Indian brocade fabrics in deep black and soft ivory, and enhanced with matching crystal details. 

For Gupta, the vision was about creating something celestial—something that speaks to the woman of today. “We wanted the shoes to feel like a natural extension of the brand’s couture: Sculptural, sparkling, and full of movement. It was about merging two worlds—Italian finesse with Indian fantasy, and creating something that felt truly magical,” he elaborates. What made it even more special was using brocades that I sourced from the streets of Varanasi. To see that intricate Indian craftsmanship meet Rene Caovilla’s Italian artistry was beautiful; it was like two legacies crafting a story together.”

Having collaborated with the biggest fashion houses, including Valentino, Dior, and Chanel for decades, especially in the context of couture, Caovilla firmly believes in the power of artistic collaborations. He thinks these associations enhance all teams and enrich the history of the brand. “Comparison leads to growth, and without growth, we would not be here today, more than 90 years later, talking about it,” he explains. The brand is loved in India. The iconic Chandelier sandal is a favourite among Indian brides, with its snake ankle-strap and precious teardrop crystals adorning the foot. “On this occasion, we would like the audience to appreciate the depth of Rene Caovilla's Italian craftsmanship and the wider range of products available to suit all tastes, as long as they are dreamy!”

The collection will be available at Rene Caovilla and Gaurav Gupta exclusive boutiques and online starting January 2026.

All images courtesy: Rene Caovilla

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