From lavish lehengas to bold, block-printed kurtas, Indian designer fashion is not exactly understated. Ms Masaba Gupta, 35, realised this when she attended a couple of shows at Lakme Fashion Week as a final-year Apparel Manufacture and Design diploma student at SNDT Women’s University in Mumbai.
“There was a major gap in the market where designers weren’t really catering to everyday wear for Indians, so the collections I did for the first seven years or so were primarily ready-to-wear with an Indian ethnic fusion kind of approach,” said Ms Masaba.
Fast forward 16 years, and her eponymous label, House of Masaba, now operates 23 flagship stores across India, with a presence in Singapore, Australia, Dubai, London, and Los Angeles. International stars like Priyanka Chopra have worn her designs.
Ms Masaba will return to Singapore after seven years for her first full-fledged showcase, presented by Melange Singapore, from 10am to 7.30pm on Sept 26 at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel.
“Singapore is always on our calendar because we see a great response there. The women who are serious loyalists of the brand rock up to our events in just the most insane archival pieces, which even I forgot that I made,” Ms Masaba said.
The showcase is the international debut of House of Masaba’s 40-piece fine jewellery collection in collaboration with Amrapali Jewels, alongside her new festive edit, titled and inspired by “Varakh” (the edible foil placed on mithai during special occasions), and the “Masaba Bride 2025” collection.
The showcase will allow guests to preview the jewellery pieces, explore Masaba’s latest collections up close, and meet the designer in person. All three collections will be available for purchase on-site.
The fine jewellery collection reimagines the brand’s mascots, such as the camera, the palm, and the Nandi (sacred bull), in 18-karat gold set with a host of precious gemstones.
“What you saw initially as prints has now evolved into sculptures and curios and finally into fine jewellery. Doing this in gold makes these smart investment pieces, but you can also wear them day in, day out or for various occasions, or with a white shirt,” Ms Masaba said.
This versatility is reflected in the promotional stills, where the models pair accessories such as ornate cuffs, statement chokers, and earrings with casual apparel like shirts, sweaters, and baseball caps.
One piece she highlights is the “nirbhau nirvair nimrata” necklace, a Sikh phrase meaning “without fear, without hate, and with love.” “I chant it every day, and for me, that is the piece that someone should own because I really believe that it will belong in a museum someday,” said Ms Masaba.
Another piece, from the bridal collection, features a large-scale, heavily embellished print of the brand’s camera mascot, departing from conventional floral and fauna-themed bridal designs, reflecting modern Indian brides’ desire for greater autonomy over their wedding day and outfits.
“I found a lot of likeness to everyday objects like the camera, turning them into something you can adorn yourself with. It was just that, a form of self-expression, but it has become the brand’s identity,” said Ms Masaba.
“The brand’s distinctive design language, signature prints and silhouettes beautifully blend Indian heritage with contemporary style,” said Ms Samia Khan, 50, founder of Mèlange Singapore, a stockist of Indian designer wear, which has carried House of Masaba since 2021.
