Gaurav Gupta’s ‘Starland’ was a planet of boundless creativity and limitless imagination. From behind the revolving orb, out came his fantastical muses, all sci-fi cool and red-carpet bold.
A play of structures and shapes, Gaurav sent white, black, lava grey, night teal and midnight blue on the ramp. There were of course his futuristic gowns, with the mesh, metallic and the mask heightening the drama further. And only, in GG’s universe can a jumpsuit look like a spacesuit! #socool
The choreography was in keeping with the GG ethos of breaking away from the norm. So, the models darted in and out of the ramp, like meteors. The hair and make-up fit right in with the avant-garde vibe, so GG. Sidharth Malhotra walked in a midnight-blue jacket, that had “space bird” motifs and glass bugle beads teamed with a crystal mesh T-shirt and cutting-edge “leatherite” joggers, in metallic cotton. “We wanted to transport the audience and our imagination into a different space, a different planet... we had this planet floating and rotating all the time and the planet was not any particular planet. It was an imaginative planet which could be in any galaxy. It had that open-ended futurism to it. The colours were sharp... I am all about infinity, rhythm, Number 8....,” said Gaurav.
Post-show that was presented by NEXA, GG let us in into his universe a little more.
Gaurav, which planet was this?
My planet... planet Zulio.
Tell us about the choreography...
It was by Anu Ahuja who is the best choreographer. She is a friend and I have done multiple shows with her. And there was my internal team putting this whole thing together. It takes a whole village and country to put this kind of a show together.
So, GG is meant to disrupt?
Yeah. That’s like my middle name! I was born to shake up things, challenge how everybody thinks and how I think. So, I want to keep challenging that. I think abstractly and without any boundaries. The headgears and stockings were about futurism and accessorising the show and lifting it up to another planet. All the work is hand-done... we are like our own universe. We don’t have any references... that’s why we keep flying.
There was a dialogue on inclusivity...
Two models were in drag. I am glad that people are doing it again and again and it’s in our face. That’s how over time, culture would change in layers. It starts in fashion weeks in Milan, Paris, India or in our fashion films is when somebody sitting in Meerut or a small town close to Kolkata or somewhere in America is getting exposed and excited that I could be a bigger girl or drag, but I am accepted and celebrated. Now, I think it’s not about the inclusivity conversation. It’s almost like it’s assumed. What I like about fashion today globally is that it is assumed that it is for everyone, which is beautiful.
This was a red carpet, cocktail collection...
We’ve been dressing Mary J. Blige, Megan Stallion, Cardi B... there is so much international happening with us that we are the red carpet brand in a futuristic way. And then we have the other cocktail brand, the reception brand... challenging Indian notions in a futuristic way.
How else are you expanding your horizons?
I like to travel and meditate, maybe. I am trying to meditate more, which I am trying to find time for more, to be honest.
Sidharth Malhotra walked for Gaurav Gupta
Quick three with Sidharth Malhotra...
How often do you take risks with what you wear?
It’s mostly on the red carpet when I am wearing Gaurav Gupta. I think he has the best way to balance out something which is edgy yet being masculine. For many years, he’s been my go-to for a red carpet sharp look.
Who are your favourite actors who are stylish as well?
I think the classic... Saif Ali Khan... (“Jared Leto” prompts Gaurav.) I thought Hindi... (Gaurav: Hindi? Sidharth Malhotra) Tell her some Hindi names. (Gaurav: Ranveer, Ayushmann...) Ranveer of course.... everyone’s very fashion-conscious I think. Today, everyone wants to portray something different when they come on the red carpet.
Are you a car or a bike person?
I think everyone’s a car person... when we came in many many years ago, we were aspiring to get many fancy cars and today I can afford it. So, I am enjoying the cars I am driving, but I haven’t driven the car that we were posing against!