Photo Credit: Gaurav Gupta
The tale of Gaurav Gupta’s most recent haute couture collection is not just a story of fashion, but one of
extraordinary resilience and spiritual healing. After a devastating fire destroyed his atelier in Delhi, the
designer found himself facing the kind of loss that could break a person.
His life partner, Navkirat Sodhi— whom Gupta refers to as his twin flame—suffered severe burns and endured a grueling series of surgeries. What began as an unthinkable tragedy ignited an intense personal and spiritual journey, one that would ultimately lead to a moment of powerful transformation on the runway in Paris
.”Across the Flame” was the name Gupta chose for his return to haute couture, a collection that would prove to be more than just a creative endeavor—it became a symbolic expression of survival, strength, and the undying bond between Gupta and Sodhi. Gupta had not just returned from the edge of loss, he and his partner had crossed to the other side and back.
This collection, born from that arduous and transformative journey, was as much about reclaiming life as it was about reimagining what fashion could represent.
Photo Credit: Isidore Montag/ Gorunway.com via Vogue Runway
The concept of twin flames, an idea that goes beyond soulmates, runs deep within this collection. A twin
flame is believed to be the other half of one’s soul, a counterpart who mirrors one’s essence and accompanies them through life’s struggles. This spiritual bond transcends the physical realm and exists in a metaphysical connection. It is no wonder, then, that Gupta’s designs, in this collection, are imbued with a sense of depth and transcendence, emphasizing connection and intimacy on a cosmic level.
Sodhi, Gupta’s twin flame, opened the show barefoot, in a delicate sheer dress that left her scars visible to the world. A powerful statement of vulnerability, it was as if she was inviting us to see beyond the superficial layers of beauty and fashion, to witness her scars not as imperfections but as badges of courage.As she recounted her harrowing experience through poetic verse, accompanied by the resonant beat of tabla musicians, the audience was drawn into a profound narrative of survival.
From that moment, Gupta’s creations unfolded like an intricate narrative, with each design telling a different chapter of the journey.
The silhouettes were sculptural, almost architectural in their audacity, emphasizing sharp, lean lines that were then amplified by dramatic, voluminous elements. Draped and pleated fabrics, heavily embroidered bodices, long trailing skirts, and sweeping capes created a collection that was equal parts flamboyant and introspective.
These garments were not merely clothes—they were physical manifestations of the trauma and healing process, of the delicate balance between fragility and strength.
Photo Credit: Isidore Montag/ Gorunway.com via Vogue Runway
One of the standout pieces of the collection, the Twin Flame dress, perfectly encapsulated this theme. A deep-orange silk design was draped around the bodies of two identical models, their forms entwined in a powerful embrace. The dress was not just a garment; it was an act of profound symbolism, representing
the merging of two souls, bound together by the forces of fate, love, and resilience.
The brocade fabric woven in Benares featured an ancient Sanskrit chant, reinforcing the spiritual significance of the piece. The chant, embedded into the very fabric of the dress, mirrored the chant painted on one of the models’ faces—a poetic symbol of the sacred bond between the two. Gupta’s choice to feature such elements of spirituality and mythology within his couture is a testament to his ability to blend the sacred with the sensual.
The idea of armor as protection, a theme that emerged through the use of breastplates and sculptural details, further deepens the emotional resonance of the collection. The lacquered breastplate, which concealed half of a model’s face, spoke to Gupta’s preoccupation with the idea of strength in the face of adversity—a strength that is rooted in both vulnerability and the constant pursuit of self-preservation.
Photos Credits: Isidore Montag/ Gorunway.com via Vogue Runway
Photo Credit: Isidore Montag/ Gorunway.com via Vogue Runway
In Across the Flame, Gupta not only celebrated the bond of twin flames, but also embraced the power of
rebirth. The fiery orange tones, the intricate embroidery, and the sculptural shapes suggested a phoenix like rise from the ashes—symbolizing not just survival, but the triumph of the human spirit. His collection was a vibrant affirmation of life, a testimony to the healing power of love, and an acknowledgment of the ways in which personal pain can be transformed into something deeply beautiful. This haute couture show, more than just a display of craftsmanship, was a testament to the artistry of transformation. In his designs, Gupta showed the world that the most profound collections are not those that simply adorn the body but those that speak to the soul.
Through his work, Gupta made it clear that for him, fashion is not just about aesthetics; it is about the stories we carry with us, the struggles that shape us, and the people who accompany us on our journeys—whether they are physically present or exist in the spiritual realms.
In a world where fashion often focuses on the fleeting and the superficial, Gaurav Gupta’s Across the Flame reminded us of the eternal and the profound.
This was a collection that not only showcased fashion at its highest level but also elevated it into the realm of spiritual expression. Through his twin flame, Gupta gave the world a gift: a couture collection that was as much a ritual of healing as it was a celebration of love and resilience.
Photo Credit: Isidore Montag/ Gorunway.com via Vogue Runway
