When I, Sumita Chakraborty, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheGlitz, set eyes on Puneet Gupta’s latest minaudieres couture collection, The Gilded Folklore, it was clearly that this was not just a fashion launch… it was a super elegant royal amalgamation where every minaudière shimmered like a whispered secret from India’s royal past.
The Puneet Gupta Story
Puneet, a gold medalist from NIFT and one of India’s most refined couture storytellers, unveiled a collection that transcends accessory and becomes artefact… a chic conversation between heritage, artistry, and the eternal allure of luxury.
Puneet Gupta has long been celebrated for his mastery in marrying the grandeur of Indian craftsmanship with the restraint of European refinement. His latest collection of minaudières feels like a tribute to both… exquisite, sculptural, and unapologetically ornate. The Gilded Folklore echoes the splendour of temple treasures and the intimacy of royal relics. Each handcrafted clutch is adorned with sculpted goldwork, enamel detailing, pearls, and semi-precious stones, blurring the line between jewelry and accessory. It’s couture for the hand, crafted to be cradled like a family heirloom, luxurious, storied, and timeless.
Unveiling The Minaudières
The minaudières carry a quiet, regal opulence. Intricate repoussé patterns inspired by India’s age-old motifs of flora, fauna, and mythic guardians breathe life into each piece. They’re stylish embodiments of India’s enduring romance with ornamentation, elevated to a contemporary vocabulary. In fact, we dare say… you don’t just carry a Puneet Gupta minaudière; you carry a fragment of history, reimagined through modern artistry.
Two Unique Chapters
The collection unfolds in two evocative chapters. The first, inspired by European aristocracy, pays homage to treasures once safeguarded in palace vaults. Custom prints, jewelled accents, and delicate embroidery come together in three-dimensional harmony, evoking vintage grandeur while maintaining a modern edge. Each piece is an ode to timeless refinement… perfect for the woman who walks the fine line between power and poise.
The second chapter is a poetic tribute to Mewar and Rajputana valour, a world of rich folklore, intricate artistry, and fearless glamour. Here, minaudières shimmer with hand-blown glass beads, jewel-like hangings, and intricate motifs reminiscent of Jaipur’s royal courts. The result is a glorious collision of past and present… a couture masterpiece that’s deeply Indian, yet universally resonant.
Reviving Revered Art
What truly sets The Gilded Folklore apart is its craftsmanship and conscience. Puneet revives the rare nakashi technique, once the pride of royal ateliers, detailed with silver and gold plating that glows with painstaking precision. In a refreshing nod to sustainability, the bags are crafted from recycled metal, making each creation not just luxurious, but meaningfully responsible.
“For me, The Gilded Folklore is about creating pieces that go beyond fashion… they are vessels of memory and heritage,” Puneet Gupta shares. “True luxury is rooted in permanence, not pace. Every bag is a story, designed to be treasured for generations to come.”
Earned A Place
Puneet’s youthful energy and visionary approach have already earned him a place among India’s most discerning clientele… royalties, political figures, business magnates, and fashion icons alike. His creations have graced the Vogue Wedding Show, India Couture Week, NDTV Good Times, and productions like Made In Heaven and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. With patrons including Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha, Rana Daggubati and Miheeka, and Randeep Hooda, Puneet has established himself as one of India’s most collectible designers… a couturier who crafts not just luxury, but legacy.
TheGlitz Says
Forget set trends, The Gilded Folklore feels almost rebellious as it denotes a return to stillness, to stories that endure, to beauty that doesn’t rush to impress. And as I went through the grand collection glisten under the soft glow of studio lights, I realized this wasn’t just a showcase of minaudières… it was undiluted true luxury.
It’s not about owning more, I mused looking at the grand collection, It’s about holding on to what matters.
…And Puneet Gupta, with The Gilded Folklore, reminds us that when art, memory, and craftsmanship meet, luxury transcends fashion… it becomes forever.
