Shakira turned to Indian couture for her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour Madrid residency, wearing a custom Gaurav Gupta creation that brought together a sculpted brass “she wolf” breastplate and a handwoven Banarasi silk brocade skirt.
Styled by Nicolas Bru, the custom ensemble took more than 500 hours to create, with a team of over 10 artisans working on the look, according to a statement from the designer.
At the centre of the outfit is the sculpted breastplate featuring a she wolf — an image closely associated with the Colombian singer since her 2009 song and album She Wolf. Gupta’s interpretation uses the motif as a symbol of instinct, resilience and feminine strength.
Banarasi silk meets sculpture
The brass breastplate was paired with a handwoven Banarasi silk brocade skirt, bringing traditional Indian textile craftsmanship into a look conceived for a large-scale concert performance.
The contrasting elements — a rigid, sculptural metallic bodice and flowing handwoven textile — reflect Gupta’s signature approach of combining dramatic forms with Indian craft traditions.
“Shakira’s artistry has always embodied fearless transformation. The she wolf became the natural heart of this creation, a symbol of instinct, strength and freedom, brought to life through brass, Indian craftsmanship and couture that moves with the power of performance,” Gupta said in a statement.
The designer said the look was created specifically for Shakira’s Madrid performances on the European leg of her ongoing world tour.
Shakira’s second Gupta look
This is the second time Shakira has worn a Gaurav Gupta creation.
The singer previously appeared in an electric-blue sculptural outfit from Gupta’s Shunya collection for a Billboard cover in 2023.
Shakira has also turned to another leading Indian designer during the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, wearing an Anamika Khanna creation as part of her concert wardrobe.
The 49-year-old singer has built a career spanning more than three decades, with global hits including Hips Don’t Lie, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), She Wolf, Beautiful Liar and Can’t Remember to Forget You.
Indian couture on global stage
Gupta has increasingly become a familiar name on international red carpets, magazine covers and concert stages.
His designs have been worn by global celebrities including Beyoncé, Cardi B and Kim Kardashian, as well as Indian actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Kiara Advani.
His sculptural couture has become particularly recognisable for its dramatic silhouettes, while his collections frequently draw on traditional Indian embroidery, textiles and craftsmanship.
Shakira’s latest look places Banarasi weaving — a centuries-old textile tradition associated with Varanasi — alongside the metallic breastplate conceived around one of the singer’s most recognisable artistic symbols.
The Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, which began in February 2025, is scheduled to conclude in October after 127 performances.