While writing this article about Masaba Gupta, I first turned to ELLE India’s archive about the multi-hyphenate star—one click on the website led me to a treasure trove of her work over the years. Until a few years ago, she could still be defined as the game-changing print designer who entered the scene over a decade ago through Lakmé Fashion Week’s launchpad of fresh talent. But today, Masaba’s journey and success across different industries paint a completely different story. The thing about Masaba is, you may throw something at her as a dare or a challenge—she will not just learn to do it, but do it well enough to turn it into a career.
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When she first started acting by sharing a version of her real life on reel through Netflix’s ‘Masaba Masaba‘, there were a lot of inhibitions about her switching gears from fashion. In true Masaba style, she silenced the naysayers with her earnest and vulnerable performance. During the promotions for season 2 of the same show, in an interview with ELLE, I asked her if it’s harder to play a fictional character or yourself. Her disarmingly honest answer is still fresh in my memory. “When you’re playing a character you can escape into another reality, but when you’re portraying yourself, you are taking your guard down and opening up parts of your life with all honesty. The balance to keep some things concealed and revealing others is always tricky and navigating through that has been a learning curve for me.”
The word ‘honesty’ has been my biggest takeaway from my conversation with her and it has also been the core essence of everything she has done so far. Take her beauty venture for instance—in August this year, she launched a beauty brand and named it LoveChild by Masaba. A term that generally came with a negative connotation for her, Masaba turned it into something positively strengthening. Adding another feather to her already crowded hat, Masaba is all set to launch her own podcast—going by her fierce opinions on social media and her feisty personality, this one’s going to be as unfiltered as it gets.
On the occasion of her 33rd birthday—here’s looking at everything Masaba Gupta (the human version of a conglomerate) has done so far and intends to do in the future.
1. House Of Masaba
Launched in 2009 by a 19-year-old young designer, House Of Masaba has emerged and sustained to become one of the prominent labels in the occasion and resort wear section. Derived from Masaba’s love for bold print and pop of colours—the clothing brand may be evolved over a period of time, but the designer has remained true to her authentic aesthetic, which continues to keep her a crowd favourite.
2. LoveChild By Masaba
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It’s diverse, inclusive, genderless and all things unabashed—LoveChild by Masaba embodies everything the founder stands for. Wellness and self-love are the core virtues of her brand and she isn’t here for the perfectly projected skin tones and texture. Products tailored for brown skin, LoveChild by Masaba is all about embracing real over aspirational.
3. Masaba Masaba
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Life in fashion is often expected to be luxurious and glamorous—breaking away from the picture-perfect phenomenon showcased in shows and movies like Devil Wears Prada and Emily In Paris, Masaba Masaba tries to tap into the reality of it all. What goes into building a brand while keeping your personal life afloat, is what the show is about. Masaba, along with her mother and phenomenal actor Neena Gupta—keeps it raw, real and relatable in both seasons that have aired so far.
4. Podcast By Masaba Gupta
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If you’ve followed Masaba on social media, you know that she isn’t one to mince her words. Her refreshing take on everything and anything keeps her followers engaged beyond her regular content. Image watching (or more like, hearing) her unadulterated hot takes on life? Sign me up stat! With more details soon to follow, this venture is certainly exciting.
5. Masaba Swears By
Having dealt with acne and weight-related issues because of PCOS all through her early adult life, Masaba’s transformation is one for the books. Without preaching any unhealthy diets or fads, Masaba manages to give an honest insight into her healthy life through #MasabaSwearsBy. From what she eats throughout the day to what kind of lifestyle she practices, Masaba breaks it down for her followers. On some days it may be portion-controlled clean eating, on other days, she happily eats a croissant—because it’s all about striking a balance after all.
For more on Masaba Gupta and her journey, tap here.
