• Fashion

From Being Bullied To Walking For LV, Burberry, And More: Deepak Gupta

The 20-year-old didn’t own a passport, but had big dreams.
  • ByRadhika Bhalla

Deepak Gupta walked for Issey Miyake, among the world’s biggest fashion Maisons.

Last week, our social media feeds exploded with 20-year-old model Deepak Gupta’s inspiring story—how he stood cup to naysayers; walked for Emporio Armani, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and more; and proved, once and for all, that his own opinion is the only one that matters.

Last checked, Deepak’s Reel—about his transition, which catapulted him to fame—had garnered over 43 million views, along with comments from Bollywood bigwigs and fashion stalwarts. But behind his fashion face of a could-care-less walk and chiselled features, Deepak is quick with a wide smile and delightfully optimistic view on life. In his first-ever conversation since becoming a social media favourite, Deepak spoke with The Word. about his journey, learnings, and more.

“When I was in the 10th grade, I was really overweight, with big cheeks. People bullied me and called me ‘fat’,” shares the Mumbai-born, now London-based model. “I joined a gym for a year because my clothes had stopped fitting me, and managed to get into decent shape. I even got a face cut after that!”

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In 2022, before Deepak embarked upon his journey in modelling.

Standing at over 6 feet tall, it was natural for Deepak to be asked to walk for fashion shows while in college. And that is where his interest in modelling began, for he was all set to earn a science degree in information technology at Thakur College, Mumbai.

However, there were those who tried to pull him down and shake his confidence. “In college, some people would say, ‘You look so weird’, ‘You’re dark, you can’t be a model’, or ‘Why don’t you leave it?’,” he recounts. Deepak’s response? Silence and self-assurance. “I never responded to their comments. I knew myself and my worth, I looked good, and I believed in myself. I just did what I had to do.”

And so, he stayed in his zone and decided to continue modelling. “After one of the shows, I made friends with a professional model, and asked him, ‘Bro, how do you get into this full-time?’. I was very excited.”

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Deepak walking for Burberry.

He was advised to join a modelling agency to get runway jobs and campaigns, and began researching online—on YouTube, Google, everywhere—to learn more about it. After a week, he figured out how to make a basic portfolio, and shared it with an agency called Anon Models in India. “After joining them, I got a test shoot done and bagged campaigns for Amazon and Westside. I even walked for Falguni Shane Peacock for FDCI and Blender’s Pride,” Deepak recounts.

Over time, Deepak learnt about the big, bright world of international modelling and the scope of it. Except, he didn’t know anything about it. “Ksenia and Deepak of Anon Models taught me everything, from how to walk to how to interact with others, as well. I was such an introvert that I couldn’t even start a conversation!” he opens up.

Not only that, Deepak didn’t have the documents to travel abroad. “I didn’t even have a passport at that time because I didn’t expect to do so well. I applied for the passport and received it after two months. I was so happy, I got a cake to celebrate it! I even asked the bakery, ‘Can you write ’passport’ on it?’. They wrote it. I loved it.”

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At the Emporio Armani show.

The first time Deepak left India was in June 2023, to audition for Milan Fashion Week for which his agency prepared him. “I stood for six hours in the casting line on the first day. It is a three-day process, comprising the pre-casting, main casting, and fittings. A day before the show, I got an e-mail from the agency saying I was confirmed for the Emporio Armani show the next day. I couldn’t believe my eyes!”

Ever since, Deepak has become the youngest Indian model to be featured by Burberry, has strutted for Louis Vuitton and Issey Miyake. And, naturally, he has even become a source of pride for his parents and their community. “Here, in London, people recognise me on the streets. And back home, people sometimes go up to my dad and ask him if we are related. It feels so special.”

At his college, they celebrated Deepak’s achievements during their annual day by printing out his banner and even gifted him a hoodie with his name on it as ‘The Deepak Gupta’.

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With the sweatshirt made for him by his university in Mumbai.

Over time, Deepak’s style has evolved. “I like to walk fast and aggressively on the runway. But most importantly, I like to be myself so that I am most comfortable,” Deepak states. “During one show, I saw [artist] Travis Scott sitting in the front row, and I wanted to say hi to him but I obviously couldn’t. After taking the round, we had to come back to stand and pose and I ended up standing and posing right in front of him! He saw me and said, ‘Oh, nice’. I really wanted to meet him at the after party but I couldn’t because I had another show the next day and had to go home and sleep.”

Does he consider himself lucky? Yes, sometimes, but Deepak reminds us of the hard work he has had to put in for all the castings, stood in line for six-seven hours, learnt how to walk properly, how to travel, and even how to talk to people. “I had to learn it all. I have to make sure I’m in good shape, and that my skin in good condition. But if you love what you do, and are passionate, then it’s not tough.”

Words to live by.

All images: Courtesy Deepak Gupta