5 style lessons to take from Masaba Gupta

In the ever-evolving world of Indian fashion, few names resonate as powerfully and personally as Masaba Gupta. Daughter of legendary actress Neena Gupta and former cricketer Vivian Richards, Masaba has not only carved out her niche as a bold and successful designer, but she’s also become a cultural force who redefines Indian beauty with every public appearance. Her personal style is an extension of her identity—fierce, free-spirited, and deeply rooted in heritage. Whether she’s at a fashion show, on a magazine cover, or simply walking through the airport, Masaba’s sartorial choices always tell a story. Here are five style lessons you can steal from this unapologetically authentic fashion icon.

by TOI Lifestyle Desk

Masaba’s biggest design signature and personal style statement, is her love for prints. Whether it’s her own label’s iconic cow motifs, bold tribal graphics, or abstract floral patterns, she uses prints not just as decoration but as a language of identity. Her wardrobe is a walking gallery of her roots, interests, and boldness. Unlike trend-chasing, Masaba teaches us to wear prints that mean something.

She’s also shown how print-on-print can be playful yet powerful when done right. Pairing a printed sari blouse with contrast pants or styling an oversized shirt dress with heritage-inspired motifs is her way of breaking the rules while owning every inch of it. The lesson? Don't fear being loud, just make sure it's your voice that's being amplified.

Masaba's style is a masterclass in Indo-western dressing. She blends traditional silhouettes with modern tailoring in a way that feels seamless and sophisticated. Think saris paired with sneakers, lehengas styled with sports bras, or blazers thrown over embroidered skirts. It’s not just trendsetting - it’s about reclaiming Indian garments for contemporary life.

By wearing a corset with a dhoti, or teaming a brocade crop top with trousers, she makes Indian wear feel less “occasion-only” and more everyday-glam. Her approach encourages young Indian women to see their cultural wardrobes as fluid, not fixed and that comfort and culture can coexist.

Masaba never shies away from bright colours, bold makeup, or statement jewellery, and she doesn’t tone anything down to “suit” her complexion. Her beauty choices, from cobalt eyeshadow to berry-toned lips - stand as a quiet rebellion against colourism in beauty norms. She doesn’t wear makeup to conform; she wears it to express.

She often chooses mustard, burnt orange, deep greens, and other hues that many are told to “avoid” with darker skin and rocks them with confidence. Her presence is a celebration of brown-skinned beauty in all its richness, showing that being dusky isn’t something to hide, it’s something to highlight. That’s the real glow-up.

Masaba isn’t one to suffer for style. Even when she’s dressed to the nines, there’s an ease in her look -like she could just as easily walk into a boardroom, a brunch, or a shoot without needing to change. She champions breathable fabrics like cottons, muls, and linens, especially in her casual wear. Oversized kurtas, fluid dresses, and flowy co-ords dominate her off-duty looks.

By prioritising ease over extravagance, she’s rewriting what luxury means for modern Indian women. Instead of painful heels or skin-tight fits, Masaba’s message is clear: confidence is the only thing that needs to fit perfectly. This lesson is especially liberating in a world that often equates discomfort with elegance.

At the heart of Masaba’s style lies one core value: authenticity. She doesn’t dress to please anyone but herself. Whether she’s flaunting her natural curls, wearing a saree with sneakers, or styling a look that no one else would dare to try, she’s unapologetically herself. That authenticity extends beyond fashio, she talks openly about her personal life, challenges, and wins with the same boldness she shows on the runway.

Her Instagram isn’t just curated; it’s real. You'll find her in kaftans on one day and corsets the next, talking about skincare one minute and business plans the next. It’s this mix of high fashion and raw honesty that makes her so relatable and magnetic.

Masaba Gupta’s style is not just about what she wears, it’s a reflection of who she is: unfiltered, fearless, and fabulously Indian. In a world obsessed with trends and aesthetic perfection, Masaba stands out by leaning into her roots, celebrating her skin, and designing for the soul as much as the body. Her fashion isn’t about fitting in - it’s about standing out, while staying true to yourself.

So the next time you feel stuck in a style rut or pressured by Instagram’s polished grids, take a page from Masaba’s playbook. Embrace the chaos, wear your culture, ditch the rules—and most importantly, let your fashion reflect you.