Despite the volatile churning of the world, GG gives a voice to those, who often go unheard in the deafening noise, making his theme inclusivity ricochet a bigger statement than his sculptural plinths!
By Asmita Aggarwal
He has always stuck to his guns, and this has been the reason for his meteoric rise, to becoming Indias top couturiers with a clientele, that swears by his sculptural wonders. Thus, when he launched his new e-commerce website, he was overwhelmed by the response to his work, from his loyal clientele in Bollywood.
Interestingly, the pandemic is not going to make the man, who built an empire by dressing Indian women in glitzy gowns, tone down or steer the ship away from its chosen trajectory. In fact, his art will find different dimensions, in this new reality. He has been one of the lucky few artists, who have been able to commercialise his business, without diminishing the cultural fabric of India.
With limited functions, the dream factor is riding on what can make the couple, who share together forever vows, wear, on the two or three select events. Undoubtedly, one will be an outfit with a global Indian outlook, carrying the GG madness, like a Gatsby tuxedo embodying boundless mystique and the other, a traditional one. Covid has made my belief stronger, women do want a statement piece, a definitive design vocabulary and there is a need for originality, explains Gaurav.
Art meets fashion, and what truly sets Gaurav apart is the conceptual nature of his slithering ensembles, which makes them ideal to be passed on to the next generation. Thats why his ICW show, tiled Name is Love, remains, the closest to his heart. It boasts of an original soundtrack, which will be available on iTunes and Spotify, written by his poetess friend Navkirat, set on a piano piece. Just like the friendship which has lasted 25 years with his muse Navkirat, GG often called OG GG believes this line, will not be a footprint in the sand.
Inclusivity is the theme, and the film shot in the capital, has faces, who are fairly new, but have a narrative written across, displaying a seismic cultural shift. From transgender, Anjali Lama, gay to lesbian couple, non-binary model, jewellery designer Nitya Arora, robust inhabitants of the New India find a place in his fashion film.
There were times when Pride marches were only for the bold and brazen, now there is a concerted change, people are not hiding in closets, they dont need urging, they have really found a voice. The film hopes to mirror these once furtive, but now pronounced movements.
We also have fresh faces, who are making their presence felt internationally, girls from Assam, Jharkhand and Haryana, he adds. The attempt was to reflect the mood of each character, and his quest to find the perfect faces culminated in a beautifully shot film at the Oddbird theatre, Dhan Mill compound. His treasure hunt included a lesbian couple staying in Delhi, madly in love with each other and living a normal life, both professionals.
GG has gone where he never went before to fuchsias, deeper emeralds, Bordeaux, velvets and also done custom-made shoes with his signature sculpting prowess. This accompanied his Fountain, Infinity, Liberation and Effervescent hand-crafted jewellery pieces from GG Occasion wear jewels. Almost 60 looks, include his concept saris and lighter gowns, in keeping with the desire, to offer a wide spectrum. The key is giving the bride a modern twist. Whenever there is a crisis, a cleaning happens, only those will survive who do it right, he adds. Maybe thats why a lot of businesses, who were counterfeiting, encountered a sudden demise.
The future is all about rebuilding, both fashion and personal structures, and with India fixated on weddings, couture here will only blossom, as a small experience of happiness, helps fight a large gloom of despondency. This is the biggest power of fashion!