Ashish Gupta descended on London Fashion Week in 2004 with his blend of Western and Eastern cultures, emanating in an “eccentric and unique collection” which combined sportswear and glamour. This is a formula that has since become the designer’s signature handwriting.
Winning favour with the fashion crowd early on, Gupta went on to win the BFC New Gen award three times. Not restricted to fashion other fans soon included Madonna, Patrick Wolfe and M.I.A who have sought out the label for stage outfits, and one off pieces.
Born in India, the designer studied Fine Art before moving to London to study fashion at Central Saint Martins. After graduation he travelled to Paris where he planned to begin his fashion empire; but after his portfolio of work was stolen on arrival he was forced to start from scratch.
He quietly made clothes for friends before being spotted by a buyer at Browns Focus, the first to place an offer from his small collection; this was the beginning of Ashish.
Ashish and Underground collaborated for A/W 2011 to produce the footwear in a safety-pinned tribute to England and Scotland. Multi-coloured tartan suits embellished with sequins, ripped and torn sweaters all wrapped in with houndstooth and graffiti strewn Creepers.
