Gaurav Gupta wins praise for 'Divine Androgyne' collection inspired by Indian spiritual philosophy at Paris Fashion Week

fused masculine and feminine energy in his gender-fluid designs (Images: @gauravguptaofficial/Instagram)

• Gaurav Gupta's Divine Androgyne dazzles Paris Fashion Week with bold designs.
• Gender-fluid couture blended masculine and feminine energies, inspired by Indian philosophy.
• Indian motifs fused with futuristic textures for a praised universal look

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Gaurav Gupta is one of the most anticipated designers at Paris Fashion Week, outdoing his previous work each time. This year was no different, as he presented his bold couture collection, Divine Androgyne, inspired by ancient Indian philosophy, which stood out for more than one reason.

The designer fused masculine and feminine energy in his gender-fluid designs, celebrating the power of unity and the beauty of coexisting. The collection was rooted in the belief that the human and the divine are deeply interconnected, and that creation arises from duality: the feminine and masculine energies that exist within every being.

The show displayed some of the most modern creations rooted in this spiritual philosophy. Sheer, layered dresses with interconnected threads represented interdependent energies. The references were drawn from Shiva-Shakti duality and Ardhanarishvara, the half-male, half-female embodiment of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

Images: @gauravguptaofficial/Instagram

Further, the paired outfits represented the concept of twin flames or karmic partners: souls that are different yet deeply connected. The shift in colour tones from red (representing Shakti) to darker masculine shades (representing consciousness) suggests that these energies are not separate and that the contrast between them is only an illusion, not a real divide.

An hourglass gown with handcrafted lace transcended imagination as it traced the body’s energy points, symbolising oneness and inner balance. The collection used elements of cosmic energy in plenty and depicted the cyclical nature of time, blending futuristic textures with traditional forms seamlessly.

The collection moved through like a “fantasy forest,” exploring themes of bloom and decay. The bridal white looks were crafted from petals fused with feathers, while animal, insect, and cosmic motifs were transformed into intricate couture details to express philosophical ideas. These looked futuristic and mesmerising.

Plenty of Indian references were used to beautify silhouettes, such as jasmine temple flowers, brocade corsets, and sari-inspired gold detailing. Reds were fused with whites, defying stereotypical bridal representation. Gupta’s efforts to create a universal form that goes beyond East or West, male or female, were highly lauded by fashion enthusiasts.