There is more to Masaba

Manpriya Singh

Whatever it might be—LBD, wraparound dress, quirky prints or loud colours—good craftsmanship comes quite after the claim-to-fame.

The fashion world takes you seriously after you’ve offered what no one has. Even if that calls for making your prints do the talking. Masaba Gupta let her forte rule over the bullying trends.

“For me and my brand, it’s very important to be associated with something I believe in,” she shares, during an event for Ariel India. Perhaps, its philosophy she relies on across the board, whether sketching a large rose for the next collection or promoting the idea of gender equality.

Share and care

As a part of the Share the Load campaign, the latest to give way, is the wash care label on her garments. ‘Men and Women Wash Care Instructions’ sounds more like it. A laundry job that ought to be shared by the two. Don’t we love the new found methods and re-defined concepts of gender equality? Having just got engaged last month, who’ll share the load at her place? She laughs, “For me equality is about essentially sharing. Whether it is dividing duties or taking turns. It is about sharing the responsibilities, emotions, everything and that’s way it has always been in every aspect of our relationship.”

No bridal

It’s an industry riddled with new and old names that come by the dozen at every fashion week, each season. She entered through her signature prints, bright colours and fun clothing. While there is no bar to doing something completely unexpected but she draws the line at bridal wear.

“I will not do bridal wear because I feel it is not my expertise.”

Creative muse

It could be a pair of scissors cutting through a cloth, a large old rose, a car, a bird, a table fan; anything. The signature prints embody elements ranging from bizarre to ordinary. “It’s not so much about putting pen to paper as much about spontaneity. Most of my collections have been spontaneous where creativity is about getting inspired on the spur of the moment and not attaching any thoughts or process to it.”

Even though her collection, Sugar Plum, showcased at Lakme Fashion Week earlier this year, was possibly the brightest, she mentions pastels when talking about trends. “Pastel shades, we have already seen them make a presence this season so they’ll continue for sure.”

Wedding gown

Surprisingly it was a Shivan and Narresh creation for her engagement to Madhu Mantena last month as opposed to one of her own creations. While it is a no, no for dressing other brides, perhaps she’d like to design and don one of her creations on the big day. “Wedding is a long time away; it would be too soon to speak about that. And also I haven’t thought about anything yet.” Spontaneity, like she said.

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