Ashish enters bridal with mix of archive-inspired and new pieces

Ashish is entering the bridal market for the very first time with the London-based label launching a six-piece collection.

Designer Ashish Gupta has been ramping up his business initiatives in recent periods and after celebrating the label’s 20th anniversary in 2023, only launched his first transactional website late in 2024. This was followed by the unveiling of the AW25 collection in a return to London Fashion Week in February.

Now, the first dedicated bridal collection brings his signature embellishment to wedding dressing. The collection “reimagines some of the designer’s archival pieces with a fresh perspective on bridal style”.

Highlights include a hand-sewn glass-bead fringed dress (Ashish specialises in hand-sewn sequins and beading), “a light-catching design made for movement, and a cream silk organza gown adorned with cascading hand-appliquéd florals, creating a delicate ‘shower of blooms’ effect”.

There’s also a simple slip that’s “effortless and elevated in a ‘lace illusion’ sequin fabric, with an effect of flowers created using cream and translucent paillettes”.

Accessories complete the collection “with a contemporary edge”. A ‘confetti’ veil is hand-embroidered with sequins and beads and was originally created for a friend of the brand some years ago.

As mentioned, the label celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023 and this included a retrospective at the William Morris Gallery. As the new bridal collection shows, the label’s past remains a key feature of its modern output and the website launch last year also included revivals of some favourite pieces.

Born in Delhi, India, Gupta studied fine art in his native India before moving to London to study fashion. After completing his MA at Central Saint Martins in 2000, he went to Paris with the aim of working in a design studio there. But his entire portfolio of work was stolen, so he began quietly making clothes for friends until being spotted by Yeda Yun of Browns Focus, who placed his first order in 2001.