Born in Delhi in 1979, Gaurav Gupta received education in design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology and then graduated from Londons Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. nHis graduating collection led to working with Hussein Chalayan and was called the Future of Couture with an award from the Mayor of Rome at Altaroma Altamoda. Soon he was appointed by high streetwear brand LTB as their art director at their headquarters in Istanbul where his prêt collections were a global success for the brand. Gaurav then moved to India to begin his own label, initially called Atpug Varuag the reverse of his name. His first show garnered claims like breakthrough designer and debutant of the year and fashion legend Diane Pernet called him the new hope at India Fashion Week. n nStrong and delving media attention propelled the brand from the start, swiftly recognising its experimental energy in draping, abstraction and the juxtaposition of beauty with military, structure with the fluid, fantasy with concrete. Fantasy and its figments have always remained the main plot of stories Gaurav tells. Many forest nymphs, mythological goddesses, mystical underwater sorceresses and sirens have meandered the ramps of Gauravs shows. Flight, birds, wings, embracing the light, the dark and the liberation from containment have been consistent ideas in all his tales. n nWorking in great proximity with lines, the flow of fabric and the anatomical makeup of the body has lent a science to the way his garments sculpt the body, making it look taller, more shapely and musical. nAnother turning point arose with Gauravs reinvention of the sari a living costume as old as the country itself. His pre-draped, pre-pleated and stitched saris with gothic and art nouveau undertones, three dimensional metal and leather embroideries and the novel sari gowns began an entirely new language in Indian wear and gradually in couture as perceived hitherto in India. Pinning modern Indian couture on the world map, his collections have since been spotted at various red carpet appearances like the Emmys and Golden Globe and in editorial content internationally. They have been worn by eminent persons in cinema, art, music and fashion across the world. n nMoving on, Gaurav got intensely involved with the designing of his flagship store that stands in DLF Emporio, Indias premiere luxury retail space. For its breakthrough concept with floating walls and mythical bird women, it was nominated for the INSIDE world architecture awards. In the stream of collaborations, Gaurav created a line in conjunction with 7 For All Mankind comprising embellished denim jackets and trousers with metallic chains and embroidery, to be retailed through their stores globally. With Swarovski, Gaurav partnered to produce a collection of couture and dramatic jewelry now stocked at their concept stores worldwide. n nHis name though reversed to its original, Gauravs drive has remained the same. has believed throughout in the power of dreams and summarising the drive behind him in his own words, he always says, “I just want to fly”. n nAWARDS: The Future of Couture: Altaroma Altamoda, Italy 2003nThe Roots of Creativity: Mittelmoda Fashion Awards, Italy 2003nAdmirality Needle: Russia 2000nMakuhari Grandprix: Japan 2000nEDITORIAL: Vogue. Elle. Harpers Bazaar. LOfficiel. Marie Claire. Femina. Grazia. Nylon. Bello. Verve. Hello. Cosmopolitan.n nThe Autumn Winter 2014 Collection is called Memphire.Is it time that passes or we alone who pass through it? Among prevailing elements, time is perhaps that has most mystified, bewildered, excited and placated thinkers of all ages. Ancient Egyptians interpreted time in a way that till today intrigues and makes one ponder over its chronology. Memphire by Gaurav Gupta is a journey in time that leaps forward to an imagined Egypt, blanketed in mysticism of the future. it is a scene from a party thrown by a pharaoh who is yet to come. The guests, ladies descending from a flying object, from an alien space. Women who have the power to control, transform, subdue and vanish at will. They arrive in twos, mirroring not just the possibility underlying shadows but also the duality in any given moment. n nOn the physical plane, this story is told by silhouettes like Carbon Lattice, Isis, Serpent Wave and Diagonal Murmur. They reflect through a composition of Egyptian gowns, multi draped futuristic saris and sari gowns and body suits that cling with a diamond sharpness but flow seamlessly at the same time. Gold, copper, anthracite, flame orange and teal in metallic jersey complete the looks.n nBuyers ContactnMr. Saurabh Gupta nM: +91 9810233385nT: +91 0120-3099390nE: saurabh@gauravguptastudio.comnW: http://gauravguptastudio.comn nMedia ContactnZARINE BAJAJ nM: +91 9212468506nT: +91 0120-3099390nE: zarine@gauravguptatsudio.comnW: http://gauravguptastudio.com
