Gaurav Gupta is one of the most popular designers when it comes to celebrities choosing their red carpet look. He will be showcasing his couture line collection at the Vogue Wedding Show which is taking place in New Delhi from August 3 to 5. Ahead of this grand fashion event, we catch up with Gupta to know more about his couture collection and the inspiration behind it.
His designs are known for merging indigenous Indian construction and embellishing techniques with futuristic ideas that makes his label stand out as progressive. The designer, who has been a part of the Indian couture scene for over a decade now, has established a signature futuristic style and though they might seem to be a bit edgy, Gupta for sure is creating wearable art. Be it the colours, the fabrics and even the cuts, all the elements that go into making a Gaurav Gupta piece are well thought of in terms of fashion and practicality.
The designer says that he draws inspiration from the surroundings. “Whether it’s nature — birds, feathers, fluidity of the waves and even architecture for that matter, for me, infinity as a concept forms part of the core philosophy of the brand and hence is the constant source of inspiration for my collection,” he explains.
Till a few years back, India was thought of as a destination that was the epicentre of everything traditional but that fashion narrative has changed now. The ace designer believes that of late, India has become a destination for couture wear.
The collection that Gupta will be showcasing at the wedding show is dreamy with well-defined silhouettes. Talking about it, Gupta points out that the collection features voluminously wide lehengas, tiered gowns and perpendicularly narrow lightweight saree-gowns made in muted shades like lavender, lilac, rosewood pink and silver.
The designer, who is known for his pre-draped, pre-pleated and stitched sarees with Gothic and art nouveau undertones, has experimented with traditional lehengas this time, giving them a twist with handcrafted chikankari and further embellished with zardosi, feathers and a good dose of ruffles.
The collection also embodies abstract lines, fluid and unusual wave-like silhouettes and drapes. “For bridal wear, we have drawn inspiration from the ornate art adorning the walls of the Palace of Versailles and empanelled them onto luxurious, handcrafted, textured chikankari embellished with gilded opulence of zardosi,” he adds.
Talking about how millennials have changed the game in luxury clothing, he points out that this particular new age generation is quite conscious and practical. “Millennials happen to be conscious buyers and have explored the idea of luxury in it true sense,” says the couturier.
He adds that ‘luxury’ to this generation, unlike what it was earlier, is unique and does not have something to do with acquisition, but it is an experience. “Millennials in particular like to invest in a meaningful narrative rather than a superficial image,” he concludes.
