My Life In Fashion: Gaurav Gupta
I’ve always been a creative person. I actually flunked my sixth standard – apart from art, music and dance, where I got all A+. That was very telling. I used to make clay sculptures in school, and I think that’s stayed with me – now I make sculptures out of garments. I studied at one of India’s top fashion schools, which was a huge deal in my traditional business-focused family. Later, I went on to study at Central Saint Martins in London and graduated in 2003. That year, the Mayor of Rome awarded me the Future of Couture trophy. After interning with Hussein Chalayan, I returned to India to launch my brand. Next year marks 20 years – it’s been quite a journey.
Design felt like the shortest and most impactful way to tickle people’s brains. It’s like making art or film, something that lasts forever. My thesis at Saint Martins was actually about fashion and art, so that intersection has always been where my interest lies. Creating anything is exhilarating, and design is the purest form of that feeling.
I’ve always been a maximalist. Even my early ready-to-wear was sculptural, detailed and never minimal. That’s just me. Eventually, we realised we’d been doing couture without calling it that. There’s a huge market for it in India and the Middle East, and over the past three years we’ve been showing on the official Paris Couture Week calendar, alongside Dior and Chanel. It’s surreal.
My first fashion memory is my mum’s saris. She had these beautifully printed ones similar to the ones used in all the Bollywood films featuring icons like Sridevi – the Diana Ross of India. I'd emulate them by dancing in my room and perform for my cousins.
I have so many career highlights. Megan Thee Stallion being named best dressed at the Oscars in one of our gowns, Cardi B’s 2023 Grammys look, creating a dress for Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour – each of those moments felt huge. Our first Paris Couture Week show was also very emotional. I remember fitting the models, going back to my apartment and just sobbing. I felt completely at home.
One of my biggest lessons has been that creativity needs a business sense. The biggest challenge for designers is being business-savvy. I judge on a lot of fashion panels and see immense talent but many designers lack financial understanding or the right business partners. Creativity is crucial – but to grow a brand, you have to understand money.
/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.me%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe-me%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fmy-life-in-fashion-gaurav-gupta-image-1.jpg?itok=GefW-b84)
My latest collaboration has been two years in the making. Chivas Regal came to me and said, “What do you want to create?” I told the team I wanted to make fantasy creatures that don’t exist yet. So, we made a CGI short film featuring three original beings: the Winged Panther, the Infinity Snake, and the Third Eye Sun. The packaging evolved from those designs – the snake, for instance, is our brand’s infinity logo, which also has deep mythological symbolism in India.
This collaboration is so personal. I’ve always loved Chivas, it’s very nostalgic for me, but beyond that, it’s also a progressive and ethical company. It’s moving toward zero-waste by 2026, which aligns with our values – our own packaging is made from ocean and landfill plastic. Its tagline, “I Rise, We Rise,” really resonates with me.
My imagination is the source of my inspiration. It also comes from mythology, clouds, planets, asteroids – everywhere. I think we only use about 11% of our brains and there’s so much more of the universe to explore, so I try to tap into that. My philosophy is future primitive – I don’t believe in time or geography. My work could belong in ancient Rome or a futuristic sci-fi world. Everything is universal and fluid.
I would tell my younger self to be more patient. It will all work out and take care of your health. I’ve always been a bit impatient, even now. But everything – the successes and failures – really do make you who you are. Whenever I tried to conform, it never resonated with me or my audience. So, I’d tell my younger self to stay true to who you are.
Visit GAURAVGUPTASUTDIO.COM & follow @GAURAVGUPTAOFFICIAL
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at [email protected].
/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.me%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe-me%2Ffiles%2Fwebsite-images%2F2023%2F07%2Fsl-middle-east_0.jpg?itok=mM7sU9m0)
