If I had to describe Ashish in one word, it would be sequins. The Delhi-born, London-based fashion designer has been gracing the London catwalks since 2005, when he made his name in the industry for those mini dresses teamed with spandex tights. It was that African pop with a Bollywood twist that everybody adored and now his designs have identifiably matured, his fan base is still ever-growing.
Ashish Gupta’s Spring/Summer 09 collection saw us all in awe of his talent to juxtapose the rough with the sleek. He made us want to toughen up in his camouflage prints dresses, yet stay pretty in the heavily embellished biker jackets. And then of course, there are the sequins. Sensuously draped dresses covered in a million and one black sequins expose bare backs in understated glamour, whilst the shift dresses that look like huge playing cards would make any girl feel like the queen of hearts.
For someone who was discovered by luck, (a friend of his was noticed by a Browns focus buyer in one of his jumpers) his fame and credibility are nothing but well-deserved. The Ashish show on Friday will no-doubt attract an A-list front row, considering his biggest fans are M.I.A and Madonna. The upcoming collection is said to be inspired by depression era carnivals and the American Wild West, so expect extravagance, fantastical designs, surrealism and more sequins!
Eva Ramirez
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