The Gilded Folklore: A Celebration of Craft, Culture & Couture by Puneet Gupta
In an age where luxury is often measured in fleeting trends and fast-fashion footnotes, designer Puneet Gupta stands resilient—an artist whose work reminds us of what true craftsmanship feels like. With the launch of his latest festive collection, The Gilded Folklore, the designer invites us into a world where accessories transcend fashion and become vessels of memory, heritage, and quiet opulence.
A gold medalist from NIFT, Puneet Gupta has long been celebrated as a visionary who merges Indian heritage with the refined tropes of global luxury. His work is a rare confluence of story-rich design, meticulous craftsmanship, and a deep-rooted reverence for artisanal traditions. In The Gilded Folklore, these sensibilities reach their most evocative form—each minaudière resembling a temple relic, a royal artefact, a jewel sculpted not for a season, but for generations.
Inspired by temple treasures, palace vaults, Rajputana folklore, and European aristocracy, these handcrafted minaudières are not just accessories. They are gilded memories, sculpted in metal, pearls, beaten gold techniques, and centuries-old motifs that feel ancient yet dramatically contemporary.
A Designer Who Shapes Luxury Beyond the Visible
Puneet Gupta’s artistic vocabulary has always been rooted in an “undiluted” Indian sensibility. Whether he is designing bespoke wedding invitations, trousseau trunks, men’s accessories, or now these jeweled minaudières, his signature remains unmistakable—luxury that feels personal, meaningful, and rare.
His clientele, spanning royalty, political leaders, business magnates, and global fashion icons, speaks volumes about his cultural impact. His creations have adorned elite showcases like the Vogue Wedding Show, India Couture Week, NDTV Good Times, and productions such as Made in Heaven and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani.
With names like Ali Fazal & Richa Chadha, Rana Daggubati & Miheeka, and Randeep Hooda among his patrons, and with the honour of being the official Invitation Partner for IIFA 2024, Puneet embodies a new era of Indian luxury: slow, intentional, heritage-driven, and globally relevant.
A First Look at the Collection: Where Craft Meets Sculpture
The Gilded Folklore unfolds like a visual opera—a sequence of handcrafted minaudières that draw from mythic Indian arts and European grandeur. The moment your eyes meet the design, you understand instantly that this is not a handbag. It is a high-value artefact—the kind once passed across palace halls, preserved in velvet-lined trunks, and inherited as heirlooms.
Let us explore the main inspirations and the visible detailing reflected in the minaudières you shared.
1. Temple Treasure Aesthetic: Sculpted Goldwork That Feels Devotional
The minaudières in this collection echo the visual language of South Indian temple jewellery and ancient gold artefacts. The repoussé work—hammered by hand—forms raised textures reminiscent of ceremonial ornaments, mythic motifs, and sacred architecture. In the first bag, the sculpted peacocks carved in high-relief gold metal appear almost alive, surrounded by kundan-inspired stones, enamel detailing, and pearl clusters.
The gold surfaces are deliberately textured, resembling treasure-chest embossing. The effect is majestic: each bag looks as though it has been recovered from a temple vault or royal treasury. The heavy use of gold plating introduces an unmistakable aura of divinity and grandeur.
2. Artistic Embellishment: Pearls, Semi-Precious Stones & Enamel Magic
The minaudières display an extravagant use of embellishments—pearls, sculpted florals, hand-carved stones, multicolored crystals, and miniature enamel detailing. The additions never feel ornamental for ornament’s sake; instead, they create a story around each bag.
In the first piece, pastel stones, pearl clusters, iridescent crystals, and leaf-shaped beads are arranged like pieces of fine jewellery. In contrast, another minaudière is adorned with large ruby red and emerald green stones, framed by glass beads and kundan patterns that reflect Rajasthani regalia.
Each embellishment serves a purpose:
✨ to mimic the ornamentation of royal durbars,
✨ to recreate temple artistry,
✨ or to evoke the richness of Indian bridal jewellery.
3. Handles with Jewel-Like Assembly
One of the standout elements in this collection is the beaded handles—crafted not merely as functional straps but as jewellery strands. Whether it’s the muted lavender beads, pastel stones, crystal beads, or the striking emerald-green bead strings, each handle feels like a bracelet designed to complement the bag’s persona.
This makes the minaudière work as a piece of wearable jewellery, blurring the boundaries between bag and adornment.
4. Tassels, Hangings & Dramatic Ornamentation
Several minaudières in the collection feature luxurious tassels—champagne gold threads, blush pink beaded tassels, red rajputana-style latkans, and ornate jhumka-style hangings.
These add movement, drama, and ceremonial richness. When the wearer walks, the bag doesn’t just stay still; it performs.
In one of the designs, three grand gold jhumkas hang from the base—miniature sculptures in themselves, reminiscent of ornate lanterns, temple bells, and heirloom jewellery pieces. Another bag uses soft, blush-pink tassels to introduce femininity to its heavy gold aesthetic.
5. The Nakashi Revival: A Lost Art Finds a New Voice
A defining feature of The Gilded Folklore is Puneet Gupta’s revival of Nakashi—an ancient metal engraving craft once treasured in royal ateliers. Traditionally practiced in Andhra Pradesh, Nakashi requires unparalleled precision; each motif is carved manually, using time-honored tools and techniques.
By reviving this heritage skill and embedding it into contemporary accessories, Puneet positions the collection as a significant cultural moment—one that celebrates artisanship at a time when many crafts face extinction.
Furthermore, the minaudières are made using recycled metal, presenting a conscious alternative to commercial luxury. The sustainability does not compromise the opulence; instead, it heightens the narrative of mindful craftsmanship.
6. Two Chapters, One Story: European Grandeur Meets Rajputana Glory
Puneet masterfully divides the collection into two conceptual chapters:
Chapter One: The European Aristocratic Muse
This chapter references European palace vaults, royal insignia, and Victorian regalia.
These designs feature:
– jewel-toned stones
– vintage goldwork
– three-dimensional sculptural embroidery
– enamel florals
– baroque patterns
– ornate repoussé engravings
This chapter is for the woman who appreciates old-world glamour—someone who loves art deco, palace chandeliers, Renaissance jewellery, and the intimacy of vintage collectables.
Chapter Two: The Mewar Story – Rajputana Valor & Heritage
This chapter draws from the cultural richness of Mewar—evoking tales of royal darbars, courtly rituals, miniature paintings, and heirloom jewellery.
The minaudières from this chapter incorporate:
– hand-blown glass beads
– kutsita stone settings
– meenakari-inspired colours
– jhumka-like hangings
– rajputana shields and motifs
– gold tassels
– emerald-green beads
This chapter speaks to the Indian bride, the cultural revivalist, and the collector who cherishes India’s artistic past.
Why These Minaudières Are Heirlooms, Not Accessories
Puneet Gupta doesn’t design with the intent of mass production. His focus has always been on rarity, precision, and thoughtful design. Each minaudière in The Gilded Folklore takes days, sometimes weeks, to conceptualize, sculpt, assemble, and finish.
These are not accessories created to match outfits. They are investment pieces—collectible objects meant to be cherished, preserved, and gifted like jewellery.
In a world of fast fashion, these minaudières stand as a bold reminder of luxury that doesn’t chase trends. Instead, they celebrate permanence—a quality increasingly rare and deeply coveted.
The Modern Maharani: The Woman Who Wears The Gilded Folklore
The collection imagines a woman who embraces her heritage with pride, yet lives comfortably in the global world. She may be a bride carrying a modern silhouette, a collector attending an art gala, or a woman of culture dressing for a festive celebration.
She is unapologetically regal, grounded in lineage, and drawn to objects with cultural resonance. She understands that true luxury is not loud—it is layered, storied, and intimately personal.
Bridal Couture & The Power of Keepsake Accessories
Modern Indian brides are increasingly turning toward heirloom-inspired accessories—pieces that will outlive their outfits. Puneet’s minaudières are a natural extension of this shift.
Whether paired with a Kanjeevaram sari, a Banarasi lehenga, a pastel chikankari ensemble, or even an evening gown, these bags add a ceremonial gravitas that only handcrafted metalwork can achieve.
They become part of a bride’s trousseau much like her jewellery—objects she takes with her into a new chapter of life.
Accessories as Couture Storytelling
Indian couture is experiencing a remarkable shift—one where accessories are no longer afterthoughts. Designers like Puneet Gupta are elevating them into core elements of the couture vocabulary.
With The Gilded Folklore, Puneet proves that a bag can embody as much emotional and cultural depth as a lehenga or a piece of jewellery. It can tell stories of dynasties, of artisans, of craft histories, and of the woman who chooses to wear them.
Sustainability & Slow Luxury: A Conscious Choice
In today’s retail climate, where the pressure of fast production dominates, Puneet’s studio stands apart with its steadfast commitment to slow luxury. Every minaudière uses recycled metal, ethically sourced embellishments, and craft techniques that prioritize sustainability.
This approach makes the collection not only breathtakingly beautiful but also deeply responsible—an example of how Indian luxury can lead global conversations around conscious craftsmanship.
Conclusion: A Collection That Marks a Cultural Moment
The Gilded Folklore is more than a festive range. It is a cultural homage—a tribute to the grandeur of India’s artistic legacy, interpreted for the modern world. It is the perfect alignment of art, heritage, craftsmanship, and couture storytelling.
In a world of digital noise, these handcrafted minaudières offer something timeless: silence, devotion, detail, and beauty. The kind of beauty that isn’t glanced at but contemplated. The kind that feels familiar yet awe-inspiring. The kind that stays.
Puneet Gupta once said,
“True luxury is rooted in permanence, not pace.”
This collection embodies that philosophy with extraordinary clarity.
For collectors, tastemakers, brides, and connoisseurs of fine craftsmanship, The Gilded Folklore is more than a launch.
It is an heirloom moment.
Fashion Drift is proud to collaborate with Puneet Gupta Designs—a name that stands at the forefront of India’s luxury wedding and gifting landscape. Together, we celebrate the power of heritage, storytelling, and artistic innovation that speaks to today’s generation of brides, creators, and connoisseurs of culture.
Through this collaboration, we aim to spotlight the exquisite craftsmanship and timeless beauty that define Puneet Gupta’s work—whether it’s a handcrafted bridal trunk, a poetic wedding invite, or a bespoke gift that becomes part of your legacy.
✨ This is more than a partnership. It’s a shared vision of honoring tradition while reimagining it for the modern world.
Stay tuned as Fashion Drift continues to showcase meaningful collaborations with iconic creators who shape the future of fashion, design, and cultural storytelling.
