Delhi born designer, Ashish Gupta burst onto the fashion scene in the autumn of 2004 when he first debuted at London Fashion Week. Gupta quickly became a personal favourite designer for some of the most coveted celebrities, making a name for himself amongst fashion’s elite in London. Madonna calls him up to request exclusive garments, and Victoria Beckham has been spotted flaunting Ashish’s sequinned confections. Ashish first turned heads with his flashy miniskirts and party dresses, and these have since become his signature style and look, a staple in every collection we’ve seen from him since his debut four years ago.

Backstage, just a half hour before Ashish’s show opened to a packed, discerning audience at the Natural History Museum, the excitement was palpable. Make-up artists hastily put finishing touches on high cheekboned faces. Models milled about, each looking very tall, beautiful, serene. Photographers jostled one another, and in the midst of it all was Ashish. Quiet, nervous, pensive. Reviewing every remaining detail while he could.

The show opened with a short, sexy, pink and black diamond patterned sequinned dress followed by a variety of other short, shimmering numbers, great for party wear. The sparkly dresses were juxtaposed with plaid printed pants, long floral printed skirts, and oversized hooded jackets. Ashish calls this season’s collection a “continuation of his midwestern odyssey” and a cross between “Marilyn Monroe and Peewee Herman.” It was clear he was having fun.

Not as conservative as his previous collections, he took a few risks, best illustrated with the six-inch, transparent platform shoes – also commonly called stripper shoes. More pole dancer, less high fashion. Even better, they lit up in the dark!