HYDERABAD: It was fashion’s finest moment when designer Masaba Gupta addressed an interactive session organised by FICII Ladies organisation. At Park Hyatt, Hyderabad’s most stylish turned in big numbers. The hall was packed and women of all age groups made a fashionable splash. The session titled ‘Design Your Personality’ saw Masaba in conversation with Vanaja Banagiri and Padma Rajgopal, Chairperson of FLO. This is Masaba’s first visit to Hyderabad after her marriage to film personality Madhu Manthena. Ï don’t know Telugu. I only know ‘sare’, she laughed.
The session was like a nostalgic trip where Masaba answered questions about her childhood, her parents Vivian Richards and Neena Gupta who were in a relationship but didn’t want to get married, her teenage and finally finding her calling in designing.
What does Masaba mean, asked the host. “It means princess,” she replied. Masaba then spoke about her parents. Ï laugh at myself all the time,” she said with a smile and continued, “I got that from my mother. Also like her, I like to be naïve and vulnerable, see the world differently and keep faith in smaller things in life.” However, she was quick to add, “My mother didn’t get her due but never asked for what she deserves. I will never take in that quality. I will ask for what I deserve.” From her cricketer father, she imbibed his fearlessness and courage to stand focussed on her goal.
She recalled how as a teenager, she saw less of her father. “There was no place for sadness at home. My mother grilled the feeling of being grateful with what we have. Earlier my father would come two-three times in year. And, when I was 13, he came once in a year.”
She tried learning music and dance, but felt she was not good. Her mother sent a sketch made by her to designer Rohit Bal and his feedback paved the way for a fashion school. “Association with Wendell Rodricks turned my life. He said to me, “Don’t do an internship as your sensibilities will be lost.”
Masaba made a mark in the designing world when she made a debut as a teenager at Lakme Fashion Week. She spoke about her creative pursuits and said how she never googles to seek inspiration. Ï sit with my design team and master for the creations.”
A designer known for her quirky creations, Brand Masaba has carved a niche in the fashion world. Although she is known for her eclectic colours, Masaba always dresses in black and white. What is important – being stylish or fashionable? “Style is everything and comes from inside. It is more personal and individualistic whereas fashion is what the world feeds you.” The session continued with Masaba speaking about fashion goof-ups and e commerce shopping versus traditional shopping.
