Gaurav Gupta’s spring-summer couture collection, titled Aarohanam, created a world that combined ancient codes with modernity.
Photos by: Louise Daniel | @louislane7
Highlights:
- The show marks the couturier’s second spring-summer couture collection, which was held in the historical halls of the American Cathedral.
- Aarohanam draws inspiration from Sanskrit roots.
- The collection’s couture pieces traverse between structure and fluidity with the use of flowing fabrics and voluminous silhouettes.
From avant-garde figures to intricate embroidery, Gaurav Gupta’s spring/summer 2024 couture collection takes its audience on a spiritual journey. It centered around the essence of Aarohanam, which translates to ascension, bringing an almost meditative aspect to the show. Thirty-one looks graced the three-lane runway of the show, each possessing a central piece to the sacred message of the collection.
A TRANSCENDENCE OF COLORS
Intentionally, the colors have a clear connection to the collection’s message, creating an almost transformative aspect of the show’s progression. The first looks provided a blank slate, using one of the most primitive colors known to humankind– black.
In seamless transition, hints of gold and red were introduced through molded metals in the form of bronze corsets, hand sculptures and animal-like figures that add an animated, biblical feel to the looks. More so, the couturier’s signature pleats were further explored in a different array of colors.
Representing light and reflection, sand-like colored suits and ether blue dresses were embellished with cascading, luminous embroidery. Moreover, the house employed indigenous techniques such as Badla, Mukaish, and Zardozi.
The finale look was an all-white vision of purity, as the ideal Gaurav Gupta bride walked down the runway with a pleated train veil.
EXPLORING ANCIENT CODES
In retrospect, Gupta’s couture pieces in this collection moved through the runway with ethereal intent. It felt like going through a state of transcendence, as each piece walked us through a visual transformation. Furthermore, the couturier himself looked to ancient cultures as a source of inspiration. For the audience, we were bearing witness to his attempt in sculpting ancient codes to exist in the modern world.
Without doubt, Gaurav Gupta– the third Indian couturier to receive an invitation from the Fédération de la Haute Couture– will continue to expand his surreal world of sculpted art. His third official show further solidified his global and disruptive presence in the couture world.
As observed, his creations transcend the meaning of beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces, as they can create an emotional and spiritual connection with their audience. It can be appreciated by both regular bystanders of fashion and industry experts. All eyes are watching him and his atelier as they continue to build a couture world defined by Gaurav Gupta’s codes and vision.
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