She creates beautiful clothes, acts with flair, designs stunning homes [her own] and jewellery, has an inclusive makeup brand, and now has designed a bridal destination in the capital! Is there anything Masaba Gupta can’t do? We find out.
You’ve had an extremely successful last few years. What’s next for you?
Thank you, that’s very kind! I am constantly looking to evolve and create something, before we launch one project, I am onto the next 5! My vision is to create a lifestyle brand, a legacy that would be inspiring for my daughter.
Can you talk to us a little about the design of your new store in Delhi—the bare walls, the large bindi like paint on the ceiling, the cove-like structure? What were your initial thoughts about the design and how did you translate them?
The store is designed to be meditative and calm from the moment you enter, welcomed by a grand dome—a striking nod to the bindi, a signature element of our brand logo seen across all our locations. This dome serves as a symbolic centrepiece, setting the tone for a space that feels serene and intentional. The bare walls act as a canvas for our bridal pieces, allowing each garment to stand out as a work of art. Subtle hues of red, maroon, burgundy, and wine—iconic to our brand—are delicately woven in, yet the overall feel remains understated. Though the garments represent luxury and ostentation, the space itself is purposefully muted, offering a fresh, distinct take unlike anything we've done before. Inspired by a trek in Rishikesh and the meditation domes used by sadhus, this store echoes that sanctuary-like energy. House motifs are subtly integrated throughout—quiet reminders of the desert, a meditation pod, and a home, all in one.
We loved the bridal designs at your store but missed the prints. They have become a part of your identity and people love you for it. But does it feel like a pressure sometimes?
The brand has grown alongside me, evolving through every stage of my creative journey. We’ve consistently retained our signature prints, while transitioning from prints to foil work, then to embroidery, and now into jewellery. The mascots you see are what I call our house mascots—talismans of protection for the brand. These include the ‘camera,’ the ‘candy,’ the ‘palm,’ and the ‘Nandi.’ You might recognize them from earlier collections as digital prints, but they’ve now taken on a new life as tangible, finely crafted pieces in gold. These are not just accessories—they’re investments, rich with meaning and intention. More than just symbolic elements, they act as a creative compass for me— guiding me through moments of uncertainty and reigniting inspiration whenever I feel creatively adrift. They’ve become a constant source of strength, protection, and creative energy throughout this evolving journey.
But can you talk about your design sensibility for the new bridal collection and how you moved away from your signature style and process?
House of Masaba has always been known to be a celebration of colour and culture. A brand that has travelled the whole of India in search of inspiration, from the most basic everyday things and turning them into wearable art. The Masaba Bride 2024 being our largest Bridal offering yet with over 100 pieces in the collection, is an ode to what I find to be one of the most inspirational places in this world - Purani Dilli. It is also where my mother grew up. And as a child I remember, absorbing everything from the thelawalas, the small but busy streets, tiny nooks, corners and colours. What inspired this collection is finding culture in the colours and chaos. India can serve as a source of inspiration multiple times, and each time there is something different to discover, this time it's Purani Dilli and everything that it holds. There is a wide range of colour and silhouette, for the bride, the groom, and their families there is a little of every piece of India in the whole collection.
Tell us how you came about choosing a particular spot in Mehrauli, Delhi?
When I first saw the space in its bare shell, I remember feeling an immense sense of calm. I had already earmarked it as a bridal store and knew it would carry our more luxurious range. It’s also set to house our fine Jewlery collection. However, I wanted the decor to be distinct from the classic House of Masaba store. This wouldn’t be a carry forward of what we’ve seen before but a completely fresh take on what a bridal store can and should be.
How do you it all? What’s your secret or mantra? Do you have a book that keeps all your goals?
I have a habit of jotting everything down the old-school way—pen to paper. It helps me capture ideas as they come and gradually build on them. I find there's something grounding and intentional about writing things down; it brings clarity to my thoughts and direction to my work. Time management is crucial to me—not just for professional productivity, but to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. I believe in being fully present in whatever I’m doing, and managing my time well allows me to do just that. It's not about filling every hour, but about making space for both creativity and calm.
What can we expect from you next?
The 2 big pieces that we as a brand as working on is building a lifestyle brand and increasing the brand categories and offering – watch out for that in the latter half of the year; and also increasing our footprint across India, we have a beautiful store in Hyderabad set to launch this month.
Words Hansika Lohani
Date 16.04.2025