Maverick fashion designer Gaurav Gupta gives us a peek into a universe where he dresses the stars and tells us about his creative processes, inspirations, and travelling adventures.

By ANANYA BAHL

That First Step

I grew up in Delhi and as a kid, I was always drawn to the arts. And my dad and I had a pact that if I get through the best colleges in art and architecture, I’ll pursue that. Fortunately, I got accepted to the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi, and later, Central Saint Martins in London. The rest, as they say, is history.

Towards New Horizons

To be honest, there are several things that I find unexciting in this world. And it inspires me to add a newness to everything. This feeling extends to art, culture, embroidery, draping, techniques, and just absolutely all the things I can think of! So, when people ask me how I created avant-garde silhouettes, futuristic drapes, and 3D embroideries, this is what I tell them. It’s my desire to breathe fresh life into the business and fuel my creativity. And I’m inspired by everything—art, architecture, surrealism, and magical realism. Elements like earth, fire, water, and air, the cosmos, planetary equations, abstraction, innovation, and fantasy—all these subjects attract me intensely.

Technicolour Bliss

I don’t believe in favouritism. But I do have an affinity for certain colours. Red, black, and white are our brand colours. The recent electric blue, which we showed in our ‘Shunya’ collection in Paris in early 2023, became the signature colour of the brand. It was worn by many people like Cardi B and Shakira. I wanted to find an alternative to the blood-red hue, which is popular globally, and this electric blue fit the bill because it has its own personality.

Reaching for the Stars

Beyoncé wore the Athena Saree five times during her Renaissance tour! Now, it’s synonymous with her performances. In the past, we’ve collaborated with Shah Rukh Khan, Kylie Minogue, and Jenna Ortega, among others. However, my professional associates and I don’t want to collaborate with just celebrities but also with people who are change-makers, icons, and culturalists, because we see ourselves as a very culture-driven brand. It’s more about changing thought processes. Which is why we were keen on dressing Iman Vellani, the
first South Asian to play the character of Ms Marvel. American rapper Megan Thee Stallion, a thorough youth icon, also wore our creation to the Oscars in 2022.

Fashion in the World of AI

I think AI is a part of our life already and most of us don’t even realise it. We are leaning towards bionic identities. And since fashion is a part of the world and cultural conversation, AI is obviously a part of it—we use it to develop fabrics, prints, trends, and 3D-printed garments. I know many of my friends in Europe who are doing 3D-printed jewellery. I think it has taken over marketing and is selling fast, especially with online customer experience and augmented reality. The concept of buying and selling is rapidly changing and weʼre going to see a really big shift in the next five years.

Food for the Heart

I love authentic Indian food! Especially South Indian food. Itʼs delicious and healthy at the same time. Café Lota in Delhi is one of my favourites because of its originality. Like any Punjabi boy, I love rajma chawal (kidney bean curry and rice), too. And who doesnʼt like a good Italian risotto or pasta? I adore Japanese food. As for restaurants, I love Olive—AD Singh is an old friend of mine, and I like how his team changed the whole perception of eateries in the country. I like Soho House in Mumbai and all over the world because I enjoy staying at their properties.

Unwinding Amid The Chaos

I actually find travelling relaxing. I also like to mix work with travel so thereʼs a bit of a balance. The thing is, I really enjoy my work. Itʼs like meditation for me. And of course, Netflixing like everyone else, as well as chilling with friends and family— itʼs the best. I love to take walks in forests. The Jahanpanha Forest in Delhi, which is right next to my house, is ideal for a stroll.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

I love Indonesia, because itʼs so unfiltered, with its untapped nature and several remote spots. And especially since I enjoy beaches and diving. Itʼs a gorgeous, wild haven in that sense. Prague is another favourite: itʼs like a fantasy town—dark and Gothic. I feel at home in Paris because I used to live there. Tokyo is close to my heart, as well. Itʼs really cool, like a different universe all together.

Here in India, I really feel like thereʼs no place in the world like Varanasi. Itʼs somewhere in between time, life, and death. I enjoy going to Hampi, too, for itʼs ancestral vibe. Then, I went diving in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for three weeks and had the time of my life! There are so many places in India! See, I canʼt stop talking about them (laughs). I love holidaying in forests and Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh features at the top of my list. Itʼs home to a really large Lord Vishnu statue and is one of the only places that has Lords Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva statues in one temple. Oh, and I was in Kashmir recently; Srinagar is really beautiful. Ladakh is insane, I love it and all of the Himalayas. I adore the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, too. I really could go on and on… India has a thousand sites and more that are worth visiting and Iʼm ticking them off one by one!

QUICK SHOTS WITH GAURAV

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Night owl trying to be a morning person. I love owls. I can talk to them sometimes!

Mountains or beaches?
Mountains with a driveway to the beach. And a forest has to be a part of the scenery, as well.

Netflix binge or a good book?
Netflix binge.

The one thing you love to binge on?
Sleepy Owl coffee.

Three things you absolutely can’t travel without?
Perfume, my swimming trunks, and… actually, I’m not a light traveller at all!

Gaurav in a nutshell.
Future primitive like my brand, non-stop, and always flying.

A song stuck in your head.
ʻGet Ur Freak On’ by Missy Elliott.

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