Remember the voluminous blue gown social media personality and actor Uorfi Javed adorned, which broke the internet this year? The MET Gala worthy gown, received the attention from Diet Sabya and the filmmaker Karan Johar among others. Behind every unconventional vision of Uorfi there has been fashion designer Shweta Gurmeet Kaur’s creative skills, making history one outfit at a time.
Having designed 80 per cent of Uorfi’s avant-garde statement pieces, Shweta made her debut special appearance in the reality show, Follow Kar Lo Yaar, based on Uorfi’s life.
Born in UP, Shweta did her schooling in Lucknow. Shweta’s life journey began with her doing a masters in music business from the University of California, Los Angeles. In 2018 she returned to India. Unfortunately, her music career didn’t go as she expected and so she decided to give fashion a try, as she had done some research in the field back in the US.
What began as an Instagram page for her brand, led to her designing clothes for her dear friend, Uorfi, when she was doing a reality show back in the day. As a self taught designer and visionary at that, Shweta is proud that she gets to create something exceptional and extraordinary with her skills.
Sharing with News18, Shweta Gurmeet Kaur talks about working with Uorfi Javed, the impact of social media and why she wouldn’t mind showcasing her creations on the runway someday.
From designing Uorfi Javed’s ensembles to featuring in her reality show, how would you describe your journey as a designer?
I feel wonderful since, looking back, I had no idea this would be so big. Also, I’m doing something unique; no one has done this before. My creations are distinctive and original, and I feel quite special. I’m constantly excited about my new creations.
How challenging has executing Uorfi’s vision for her looks been?
It has been extremely difficult from the start because we were creating something unique and original that no one had ever done before. Each time we had to come up with a new creative design. Uorfi’s ideas were always very different, and she trusted me with her vision, which I carried out.
How long did it take to create Uorfi’s most talked about blue ruffle gown and how did it feel when the gown received so much media attention?
It took me three months to produce the dress, which was difficult for me because it was a really large dress weighing between 90 and 100 kilograms. I felt both excited and nervous. Also, I knew it would create talk because it was a one-of-a-kind outfit, similar to a dream dress. I was overjoyed when it went viral. It was worthwhile.
DIY has been your forte, but is that the only aspect of your design skills you want to showcase or do you have more in store?
It is not do-it-yourself. It’s impossible to do it yourself. We become inspired and then alter it. We include a lot of international ideas and tweak them properly. It has been really tough since you have fewer suppliers in India.
Has things changed for you as a designer after associating your skills with Uorfi’s DIY ideas?
I’ll say it again: it’s not do-it-yourself. DIY refers to do-it-yourself projects. I have invented something that has never been done before. Additionally, I don’t think anything has changed for us as designers because we have always known what we want and are doing, but yeah, it has always been tough and complex.
How many looks have you designed for Uorfi till date?
I honestly don’t need to count because I make practically every outfit, about 80% of them. It has been two years since we began this journey.
What is your take on fashion in the world of social media?
Fashion in the world of social media is all about immediacy and influence. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest have transformed how trends are created and spread. Social media allows for a more democratised fashion landscape where anyone can become a trendsetter, not just traditional designers or celebrities. However, it also brings challenges, such as the pressure to constantly update your wardrobe and the impact of fast fashion on the environment. Overall, social media has made fashion more accessible and diverse, but it also requires a more mindful approach to consumption.
Celebrities you would love to design for in the future?
To be honest, I am open to everyone. I would like to design for many celebs. I want my design to be shown at the Met Gala, as long as they accept my unique ideas.
Do you plan to take your designs on the runway someday?
About the runway, I had never considered it, but if the opportunity arises, I would. It’s been a wild ride for the past two years. I’m just going with the flow. I will seize every opportunity to be there and create history.
Changes you would like to see in the fashion world?
If you’re talking about changes, I feel like I’m making some with my designs, because developing anything like this in India was extremely difficult. People were teasing me at first about how crude and cheap it was, but I never cared what others thought.People in Hollywood wear anything they want, but it was tough to accept in India at first. Things are changing, and they are liking and appreciating it.
