Ashish

Ashish Gupta is rapidly becoming one of my favourite designers.

Ashish Spring/Summer 2012

I first came across the Indian born designer whilst scrolling through Tumblr. I saw a photo of busted black biker boots laced with an array of contrasting flowers; I knew instantly that this was a designer I would connect with. The Ashish spring/summer 2012 collection was a spectrum of bold florals on simplistic sillohuettes. Something edgy, yet feminine is what I aim to capture with all of my personal fashion choices, and I feel that Ashish communicated this perfectly. The burnt black lips and contrasting patterns created a collection that incorporated 'goth glam' with 'festival cool', a collaboration which can never go out of style.


Ashish Autumn/Winter 2014

Sequins are undoubtedly something I aim to steer clear of at all costs. I've always found them tacky and immature, reminiscent of the sequin embroidered t-shirts I was so fond of as a young girl.  They are a no go in my wardrobe. Regardless of my preferences, the signature use of seqins in Ashish' collections has almost changed my perspective on them altogether. Imagine an Ashish collection without them? As the designer said himself, 'People always ask me why I'm still doing sequins but they are no less valid than a brand whose signature is trench coats or digital prints.' (Pithers, E. 2014, January 3rd. Inside the world of Ashish Gupta. Telegraph. Retrieved February 20th 2014 from http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/) What makes the use of sequins so effective is that they are done well, they don't overpower Ashish' garments or collections; they enhance them.           
Ashish' Autumn/Winter 2014-2015 collection has only strengthened my love for the designer. We were taken back to school with sickly sweet frou frou dresses in candy shades of pink, as well as gym wear joggers all accessorized with platform trainers. The prom queen theme was given an urbanised twist with ruffles of denim and spikes of texture. 1980s influenced poodle curls and tiaras proved that Ashish had truly showcased the modern day prom queen. And of course, what would prom be without some sequins?