It’s only five years since New Delhi-based Manish Gupta launched his eponymous label. But the dexterity of his cut, colour scheme, texture, embellishment, silhouette and finish bears the stamp of a veteran. An award-winning student of the Pearl Academy of Fashion, Gupta has interned with top-notch designer Ritu Beri and worked with aces Rohit Bal and Abhishek & Nandita Basu before deciding to chart his own course in fashion. If you are to describe his clothes in two words, they would automatically be “lean and lavish.” While his cuts smack of classic simplicity, his craftsmanship is a hard act to follow. He mixes fabrics, plays with textures, revels in handcrafts to create well-articulated clothes. Here’s a quick five with the designer who unveils his latest line Primrose at Collage, Greams Road, today.
A PRIMROSE IS A PRIMROSE It’s the first bloom of spring. What fascinates me is the way the beautiful flower paints Nature’s canvas with pleasing hues after a barren winter. Creatively speaking, floral motifs offer unlimited possibilities. Its delicate petals and wide palette ranging from peach to soft shades of yellow open up a whole new world of inspiration.
DESIGN IS IN THE DETAIL It’s a craft-intensive line that revels in cutwork, lace, tapes and beads. Organza flowers are a highlight of the collection that includes dresses and gowns. Handcrafts have been used painstakingly to create the effect of a 3-D tapestry.
STYLE AND SIMPLICITY The styling is feminine and deliberately simple to offset the intricacy of the textures and needlework. If one notices carefully, there’s a mix of fabrics and craft techniques on each garment. I’ve used organza strips and cutwork to add elegance to some outfits. The fabrics include georgette, silk, cotton and silk cotton.
A SHOT IN THE ARM Ever since my debut on the ramp in 2008, I’ve been getting great reviews. It feels nice to be appreciated by the public and by veteran designers with whom I have worked. I’m not able to single out any one note of appreciation since everything that’s come my way has been fair.
EXPANSION PLANS It’s time for expansion. I show my clothes in major fashion houses across India and participate in shows abroad. I also work with a store in London. Most Indian designers see the Middle East as a big market. But sensibility-wise, my work is European. So I’m looking at increasing my presence there.
