Gaurav Gupta’s Dubai-inspired capsule collection represents the dunes, architecture, water bodies, and razzmatazz of the megacity

The Dubai-inspired collection features five grand pieces, each inspired by the region’s diverse aspects

The dunes, mountains, architecture, water bodies, and razzmatazz of Dubai have found representation in a new form. These have been interpreted by couturier Gaurav Gupta in his quintessential style in a capsule collection that is a collaboration between him and Dubai Economy and Tourism.

The launch happened over the weekend at Gaurav Gupta’s three-storey boutique in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai. The Dubai-inspired collection features five grand pieces, each inspired by the region’s diverse aspects.

The creations are exhibited at the flagship store with appropriate light and music to match the theme. The Silver Pearl Gown, for example, enjoys pride of place in a cove of its own. The floor has touches of silver that portray water and is accompanied by the gentle sound of the sea playing in the background. With its breastplate and abstract embroidery, the stellar gown represents the arches of the historic districts and the fluidity of water reflections around Dubai creek.

The techniques incorporated include metal sculpting and “our newer ways of sequinning micro crystals, micro glass beads, newer kinds of swirls sculpting, petal sculpting, and intricate micro bead embroidery,” explains Guarav.

Gaurav’s experiences in the megacity have also seeped into the creations. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism took the designer on an exploratory journey across the city to help him understand its culture and futuristic developments. “I have been going to Dubai for 25 years. Whenever I go there, I visit the beautiful restaurants, friends houses, etc. But there is so much more to discover. I went to the sand dunes, saw silver lizards swimming in the dunes, met the dancers and discovered their cultural heritage,” says Gaurav, who took two months to complete this edit after his “inspirational trip”. The Museum of Future — where a robot shook hands with him and made him coffee, sky diving over the Palm Jumeirah, and deep sea diving at Nemo Diving Centre also feature on his list of favourite things to do in Dubai.

The golden dunes and their contours, shifting desert winds, and the dance of light on these stretches of sand, captivated Gaurav and helped shape the Wave-Sculpted Sand Gown. His signature sculpting style with its curves and folds showcases the rhythm of the desert.

At the rugged mountains of Hatta, Gaurav was taken in by the way the fading light brushed against the rock, turning its earthy tones into a soft, ethereal blush. The Dusk Sculpted Gown — rich with thousands of hand-placed crystals — captures this fleeting interplay of light and stone. Another inspiration from Hatta, the Celestial Prism Gown features a petal-like neckline that is reminiscent of the first light cresting over the peaks.

The winding alleyways of Al Seef, bustling with history and life, find themselves in the Moondust Dusk Gown. With its sculpted layers, the gown reflects the undulating curves of Al Seef’s traditional architecture. The moondust embroidery represents the ancient stones shimmering under the night sky. It is a gown that honours the past while embracing the transformative power of the present.

“Creating this capsule collection was a meditative process, an exploration of form, movement, and the essence of Dubai’s identity. Every stitch, every sculpted detail, carries the energy of a city that thrives on transformation and grandeur, much like our designs. Dubai has always been a place where the impossible becomes a reality, and we wanted this collection to embody that audacity – to be a meeting point between history and the future, between craftsmanship and innovation,” he adds.

This is the first time ever that we have collaborated on a fashion capsule, says Bader Ali Habib, director of Proximity Markets at Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai). He believes that fashion has the power to unite people; India is a big market for Dubai.

“Gaurav is known for futurism. In Dubai we also talk about the future. In terms of AI, technology, and sustainability, this echoes with our vision,” says Bader.

“The collaboration with Gaurav celebrates the shared cultural heritage and ties between Dubai and India, expressed through the medium of fashion and style. This partnership strengthens creative connections and reinforces Dubai’s position as a premium lifestyle destination. It demonstrates the commitment to shaping Dubai as a progressive, sustainable fashion hub where tradition and innovation converge, driving global trends and setting standards for the future of fashion,” says Bader.

The Dubai-inspired capsule collection is now available on order at select Gaurav Gupta stores across India. The collection will also be available online on www.gauravguptastudio.com