6 minute read
Designer’s Corner: Gaurav Gupta
“I see a collective consciousness rising towards the environment, a rise in ethical fashion with less wastage and more conscious choices.” – Gaurav Gupta
He is one of the most popular designers in India. His designs are aesthetic, tasteful and extremely creative. Meet one of India’s biggest and best designers Gaurav Gupta who talks about changing fashion trends post pandemic.
Gaurav, yours has been a long and successful journey in the fashion industry. How do you feel the fashion industry has evolved?
The Fashion industry has evolved from conventional runway shows to festivals of fashion that celebrate positivity, inclusivity, and the rich cultural lineage with exuberant designs. With unique and thoughtprovoking concepts, the fashion industry is trying to bring the best and neverseen-before experiences to consumers. These larger than life, yet meaningful experiences will help pave the way for more exploration, fashion, and style in the future. Definite names in the fashion industry, Blenders Pride Fashion Tour and FDCI have opened a world of avenues and created platforms for the young and budding talent across the nation. In fact, the platforms have remained dedicated to supporting India’s unique design flavours and aesthetic by collaborating with some of the best names in fashion, thereby standing with the Indian designer community in these challenging times. The post pandemic world made us realise the importance and potential of digitalization, hosting a virtual show was something that we had not imagined nor anticipated. The sense of magic that is created during a physical show was now replicated and reached out to millions digitally.
Hosting the first-ever digital India Couture Week was a moment of pride for each one of us from the fashion fraternity. I see a collective consciousness rising towards the environment, a rise in ethical fashion with less wastage and more conscious choices. There’ll be real dialogue and understanding around sustainability. The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour ‘The Showcase’ will be one of the turning points as it will pave the way for such platforms to be the center stage for talent across diverse walks of life while upholding the philosophy of consuming better.
In the movies, we used to find people wearing the most outrageous clothes. How would you describe the way it has changed? Especially now with the OTT releases, the clothes seem to be more off the street.
People have worn outrageous clothes in movies, but I think it has adapted in real life as well. People have started experimenting for parties, events etc and are wearing statement clothes as well. Even though OTT platforms have a more realistic approach to costume design and fashion in India, the interesting thing is that they are universal and Indian fashion is also influenced by global OTT platforms and global shows. For example,Game of Thrones was an amazing TV Series that affected how people saw costume design all together. OTT platforms have homogenised and globalised fashion simultaneously.
With the pandemic, everything came to a standstill. How did you cope with it personally and professionally?
Personally, the pandemic has been great since I got to take a break from a very busy life and reflect upon things that are important. It was great to connect- connect with nature, family and spending that extra time with myself and my family. Professionally it has been a journey, initially it was a struggle as I was scared about how I would retain my craftsmen, staff and workers. Somehow, we managed to do it and what is amazing about the Indian couture industry is that it is resilient. I have figured that originality and creativity always works, and my team has been the most amazing team
Were you a regular OTT consumer during the lockdown? Which all movies/series did you watch? Any discoveries you made in terms of actors or content?
During the lockdown I downloaded this platform called MUBI which has all these interesting movies from Cannes and other Artistic films. I also saw some French
animation films on it which was really cool. I discovered old classics and iconic movies on Netflix, last week I was watching The talented Mr. Ripley and recently, I saw the Tamil series Navarasa and I loved Siddharth Suryanarayan’s performance. I also really liked Tandav starring Saif Ali Khan and rewatched Schitt’s Creek. It’s really interesting to see renowned actors give gripping performances on OTT platforms like Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon in Big Little Lies.
Who according to you is the most stylish actor and actress in current times and why?
In Bollywood I like Ayushman, I think he carries street style, experimental and progressive evening wear with equal nonchalance and Sonam Kapoor is a fashion icon and has elevated fashion itself. Internationally - Tilda Swinton and Timothee Chalamet are some of my favourites.
The Showcase is a very good initiative that Blenders Pride fashion Tour and FDCI is promoting. As a jury member, what would you be focusing on while making a selection?
I am looking for an individual who will echo the vision for the platform and help us redefine the future of the fashion industry. The right attitude and confidence are integral when you need to seize the stage and this is something that I would look for in the contestants. I am expecting young designers to be proud of who they are, be original, to be able to express themselves and be inquisitive. I am expecting their individuality, passion and curiosity to show through their craft. Through the partnership with Blenders Pride Fashion Tour ‘The Showcase’, I want to support the path breakers who will dare to break the stereotypes and create designs that are unconventional and bold.
Post pandemic, do you think there will be certain changes in the way fashion is perceived so far? How do you think the established designers, like yourself, will steer it towards better tomorrow?
The post pandemic fashion will be more inclusive and accessible. With virtual fashion shows and films, the world of fashion has opened its door to the masses. There is going to be a multiplicity in trends. I see a splurge on maximalism when people come out of the pandemic. And on the other hand, there will be a wave of sustainability and minimalism. With sustainability and local for vocal being buzz words, the entire fashion community, including designers, influencers would have to steer the wheel and adapt thus doing their bit towards creating a better tomorrow. It is the burning need of the hour to work towards saving our planet which is in crisis. We need to treat the matter with utmost gravitas and take a step in ensuring that in our limited capacity, we contribute towards making the planet a better place. I have already started taking conscious steps to be sustainable. I am trying to reuse my excess and rescue carbon footprint. Even our garment covers are woven out of yarn that is made from plastic reclaimed from the ocean and landfills.
