Gaurav Gupta

New Delhi-based fashion designer Gaurav Gupta navigates the intersection of classicism and creativity with sculptural globally- relevant haute couture. Given the demand for lightweight artistic couture, his body of work strikes the perfect balance between ensembles that cater to this need and his signature dramatic aesthetic that's loved and looked forward to by loyal clientele. 

An alumnus of London’s Central Saint Martins and National Institute of Fashion Technology Delhi, couturier and artist Gaurav Gupta worked with designer Hussein Chalayan before he launched the eponymous luxury label in 2005 along with his brother Saurabh Gupta.

Out of their state-of-the-art, five storied atelier and with the help of over three hundred artisans, the luxury fashion brand has carved a world that is Indian at its core and global in its form, merging indigenous construction and hand embellishment textile techniques. The luxury fashion brand has opened five mono-branded retail stores across the country with a strong international distribution channel through trusted partners like Neiman Marcus, Moda Operandi, Bergdorf and Goodman and many others.

In 2022, La Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la mode invited the couturier to showcase at Haute Couture Week in Paris, in January 2023 and again in July 2023. And yet again in Spring 2024. Per Vogue: "For his third couture outing in Paris, the designer continued to draw on his country’s rich embroidery tradition, working his self-described futuristic-primitive vibe in a way he called ‘almost meteoric.’ This was particularly evident in mirror-and-crystal embroidery… rendered here to mimic snakeskin on a cropped jacket with a bodhi-inspired skirt or a hefty gown."

The luxury brand's sculptural silhouettes made headlines when seen on the red carpet at The Oscars, The Emmy's, The Grammy’s and at Cannes. Hailed as the "Future of Couture" (AltaRoma AltaModa 2003), "Rule Breaker" (GQ Style Awards 2018), and "Ecopolitan Designer of the Year" (GQ Men of The Year Awards 2019) Gaurav Gupta has revolutionised Indian couture with his artistic theatrical design vocabulary rooted in surrealism and fantasy.

“Renowned for his sculptural, architectural and often fantastical aesthetic, Gupta embraces traditional Indian embroidery forms like zardozi, involving the use of metallic threads. This gives him a point of difference he says. ‘We draw inspiration from ancient Indian philosophies but present it in a futuristic, modern avatar. It’s dramatic yet sophisticated. Our aim is to create a new fantasy — a universal language around the brand pillars of surrealism, architecture, art and Indian mythology' he tells Vogue Business.

The designer began incorporating bridal pieces into his collections after a few seasons with his first full bridal couture collection, Gaurav Gupta Bride, making its debut in 2022.  True to its future primitive aesthetic, the brand has been on the forefront of using cutting edge technologies to create couture; Gaurav Gupta is the only Indian brand to collaborate with tech giant IBM to create a first-of-its-kind, artificial intelligence-inspired sari-gown. The designer has been consistently working with The Elephant Family along with Prince Charles to support them in their efforts towards animal welfare and protection.

Invited by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, Gaurav Gupta is the second Indian designer to have received the honour of showcasing at Paris Haute Couture Week, in 2023. “My design process begins with a return to the brand’s core elements—structural draping in a much-elevated form. This is the first time we have used Indian handwoven tissues and brocade to form our shapes and signature sculpting. We have experimented with melting crystal embroidery, Almost every garment has something new to offer,” he tells Elle.

PS Few know that he is Beyonce's go-to designer. Per Elle: "At her ongoing world tour Queen B opted for the Neon Green Athena Sari. Expanding on this particular look, the designer added, ‘We, at Gaurav Gupta, are deeply inspired by this almost mythological tradition of drape and have tried to interpret and innovate with it in our own sculptural ways. For Beyoncé’s opening look in Atlanta at this iconic global tour, she shines in ethereal electricity, chiffon drapes of Athena with Orbiting satin sculpting.’"

Gaurav Gupta Occasions Fine Jewellery is the designer's latest venture through which he expand the tale of fantasy, narrated in hand crafted diamonds. Redefining precious couture jewellery, this line is now being noted for its kinetic design which gives the diamonds an ephemeral quality.  

Since launching his business in 2005, Gaurav Gupta's successful haute couture, bridal wear and fine jewellery business has expanded to a network of five mono-brand boutiques across India. In 2023, the luxury fashion brand debuted at the Haute Couture Week in Paris, on being invited by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode to be a guest member of the organisation.

Though haute couture is heading in a minimalist direction, that doesn't inspire Indian couturier Gaurav Gupta to turn down the theatrical design aesthetic he is famous for. His maximalist aesthetic is the base of opulent, sculpted glamorous occassionwear and bridal couture. The Indian fashion designer has perfected the art of second- skin silhouettes and opulent couture hand embellishment — all elements that define high-octane glamour.

Indian luxury label Gaurav Gupta retails sculptural, artistic and often fantastical haute couture and pret collections. Handcrafted with the finest fabrics.. the glamorous cocktail dresses and sculptural evening gowns — some with beautiful drapes and others with ruffles and fabric manipulation — make a statement at every red carpet affair. The handcrafted menswear- including tuxedos, sherwanis, bandhgalas and long jackets- will be snapped up by those who want to make a bold statement in the proverbial sea of black. The couturier has now diversified into fine jewellery with the launch of Gaurav Gupta Occasions Fine Jewellery.

Gaurav Gupta's showing at India Couture Week 2019 was a milestone. Handcrafted with textured chikankari, the second skineasque evening gowns will surely be seen at the next red carpet gala while lehengas and cocktail saris — some with a sculpted blouse and beautiful drape, others finely embroidered with pearls or zardozi — catered to the bridal segment. The menswear, handcrafted with satin, velvet and Italian wool, will be loved by men who want to make a style statement in the proverbial sea of black.'

Gaurav Gupta Spring Summer 2019 was equally captivating. Per Explosive Fashion: "We clocked several beauties — from demi couture handcrafted with Chikankari and deconstructed brocade lehengas that are sure to be on every millennial bride's must-have list to the mélange of asymmetrical minis, pantsuits with capes, draped trousers, skirts with three-dimensional appliqué, intricately draped blouses, sari gowns, neo saris and second skinesque gowns, some with organza and georgette flowers lifted with crystals… Menswear saw black tuxedos, some with shimmering lapels or zippered tailcoats; red biker jacket; brocade dinner jackets; and long shimmering sherwanis. Interestingly, chikankari was juxtaposed with velvet and jacquard."