This Jalandhar fashion designer is acing bespoke bridal wear

Saurabh Gupta is a fashion designer, who specialises in gorgeous bridal wear and jewellery. He has two studios and a manufacturing unit in Jalandhar. The designer has completed his Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design from Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), Jalandhar. In an interesting conversation with the alumnus of the 2016 batch, he speaks about how fashion design goes beyond mere sitting on a chair and designing. Read edited excerpts: 

Fashion design is a very happening field. What does a working day look like?

I work from 10-12 hours a day. Being a fashion designer is not easy. It’s not just about sitting on the chair and designing. I have to attend to the clients, manage the customisation the clients ask for, then speak to the tailors, embroiderers as well as marketers. There is a lot of work in this entire process. 

I design on paper and then also oversee the manufacturing process in the unit. Sometimes, the design on paper comes out different after manufacturing. There are certain changes made in the process to enhance the finished work.  

You are a bridal wear specialist. What’s the story behind choosing this work-area?

I reside in Jalandhar. I observed while growing up that people of Jalandhar had to go to Ludhiana to buy bridal wear. There are ample stores and various brands for casual wear or semi-formal, but rarely a designer in Jalandhar who worked on heavy ethnic wear or bridal wear. So, I wanted to give my city this.

Secondly, out of the bridal wear options in Jalandhar now, mine is unique. I specialise in customisation that people request for. My approach is very different!

 Your favourite designer?

 J. J. Valaya . I like the simplicity and grace in his work.

What role did ACFA play in your journey?

Mrs Rajni Gupta,my teacher at ACFA, taught me from scratch. I just thought that I would get to learn about the stitching part, but this course was so much more. I was amazed. I got to learn so much. ACFA staff saw my latent caliber, supported me, and helped to enhance my vision. The faculty members still appreciate me and my work.  

One advice for the current students?

Nowadays, I have observed that students take fashion design since there is less theory and more of practical work. But I would like to remind them that to excel in this field, like in any other field, one has to study and work hard. The faculty is amazing at the college, you must work hard and extract the knowledge from them. 

One thing you have observed as a bridal expert?

Sometimes, in what we study and what we do in practical execution of the work, there is a lot of difference.  It is a different process altogether. 

Your upcoming designs?

Just some minor changes in my existing collection, some colour scheme changes, that’s all!