On November 22, fashion designer Masaba Gupta will marry filmmaker Madhu Mantena for the second time. This time with a mehendi and sangeet ceremony, but no conventional pheras.
"I'm already married, technically," says Masaba, who had a court marriage on June 2 in Mumbai, following a star-studded engagement ceremony at a SoBo hotel on March 9. "But I got married in jeans with six people in the room. It was one of those really quick decisions I made. But I wanted to dress up. The designer shopping is finally done and I will be wearing multiple ensembles - my labels and that of other designers too."
What about the guest list? "We're hoping everybody can make it," she exclaims.
Does that include cricket legend Vivian Richards? Masaba admits that Viv has promised to make an appearance. "He loves Madhu, they instantly bonded over Bob Marley and listened to his albums for hours when they first met," she reveals.
Mother Neena Gupta believes her son-in-law to be a "seedha saadha" guy after he told her during one of their early meetings that he really liked her daughter and promised to treat her well.
Masaba admits that there have been many "I don't really know" men in her life. Then, the 'I really know' Madhu came along and she grabbed him. "I couldn't tolerate dating boys my age anymore," she confides.
Image: vintage bridesmaid dresses
Prod her on what drew her to Madhu and she says that he is settled, responsible and enthusiastic about her work.
"And he's calm to my hyperactivity," she giggles, adding that her workload has doubled since she got married. "With Madhu I can let my guard down. I don't have to look great around him or be someone important."
For the last three months, Madhu has taken over the business side of Masaba's clothing line. "I have no patience for numbers, Madhu now deals with that and when it comes to fashion, urges me to constantly reinvent myself. He's been telling me to make a five-year-business plan to sustain my line. I have asked him to deal with all that stuff," she yawns.
Interestingly, when Masaba was 14, she went to her mother and told her she wanted to become an actress. "With that big nose, you'd have to undergo 30 nose jobs to fit the bill. Don't make plans to ruin your life," Neena warned her, not mincing her words.
Her daughter admits that now she criticises her designs and reprimands her for being lazy. "Once, when my collection was ready, she looked at it and told me, 'This is really bad, but now that you've done it, let's see what happens,'" she laughs at the memory. Now, all these irreverently amusing anecdotes have been documented in a book. Titled, The Masaba Print, it hits stands in early January. "The title refers more to my DNA and the visual impression I leave behind because of it, than my designs," she is quick to assert, referring to her mother's much-talked about affair with former West Indian cricketer Vivian Richards, in the 1980s, and her birth out of wedlock.
The fashion designer-turnedauthor had originally intended to pen a memoir when she was 23 to discuss her upbringing. But though her mother was supportive, she didn't think she was ready back then. "But now, the book has turned out to be a wellrounded narrative of my growing-up years and fashion and should appeal to young girls," she says.
The book also delves into topics like the rampant commitment phobia, depression and drugs among the young generation. "It essentially tells you how to keep it simple and how to be a designer," she maintains, adding that by revealing her own insecurities, she has conveyed the message more effectively. However, she is quick to clarify that it does not touch any controversial aspects. "I am not discussing my father's temperament. Instead, I highlight how I was pitied for being a 'love child'. I am settling scores and saying out loud, "hey, it wasn't bad at all!'" she smiles.
The 26-year-old believes she has inherited all her dad's traits and that includes the Carribean love for vibrant colours which she has internalised in her designs. She does, however, wish she could be more like her mother who is better at dealing with tough times while she panics. "My mother is the most underrated actress of her time and I tell her she never got her due," she sighs.
Also Read: http://www.sheinbridaldress.co.uk/princess-wedding-dresses
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