GAURAV JAI GUPTA, 34, DELHI

Futuristic, engineered, blends and develops fabrics

USP

I am from Rohtak, Haryana, and I studied fashion design at NIFT Delhi and textiles at Chelsea College of Art and Design. For me, it has always been about design and not just fashion. Indian textile is traditional and I want to give it a new treatment. I am a weaver and designer. I also work with materials like steel and metal. I explored sheer in woollen silk. At Akaaro, my brand, I work on textiles by structuring the fabric, using layering and reversible techniques as well as blending two fabrics and using combinations like cotton and silk, cotton silk and woollen silk, merino wool and stainless steel. In the past we did mashru reversible fabric and metallic saris.

Muse

I always try to correlate my design with my personal journey. I struggle with things like that. I have been into urban spaces and architecture. The human ability to built structures fascinates me. Films and music have also inspired me from time to time. I bring in the sense of sound, sight and smell to my design. Something that stays with me in my subconscious archive. I disconnect and look at conflict, evolution and balance. I like working with wool. Value addition has to be done at the weaving stage and not later. My work is homegrown and progressive.

Favourite Designers

I relate with Rajesh Pratap Singh’s work. I also admire Issey Miyake, Dries van Noten, Rick Owens and Haider Ackermann as their work has a sense of completeness.

What’s Next?

I am currently working on the Spring/ Summer 17 collection. I am looking at miniatures and the concept of nayikas. It evolves around the idea of festivals, celebrations, love, positivity and gratitude.

Price Range and Retail

`7,000-30,000, Akaaro Delhi, Ensemble Mumbai & Delhi, and Amethyst in Chennai