A 35 year journey through British menswear, design and craftsmanship.
Ash Gangotra’s career is a masterclass in British menswear evolution, rooted in street fashion, elevated by tailoring and defined by an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship.
His journey began in the early 1990s with Chameleon Clothing, a bold streetwear and clubwear label that quickly gained international traction. With designs sold in over 25 countries worldwide and sponsorship from The Clothes Show Magazine, Chameleon became a cult favourite among fashion forward youth and tastemakers across the UK and overseas.
It was here that Ash honed his instinct for fabric, silhouette and cultural resonance, skills that would later shape his legacy in luxury menswear.
Today, as the founder and creative director of Gangotra 1916, Ash channels his decades of experience into a brand that blends heritage craftsmanship with modern elegance.
Bearing his family name and in tribute to his late grandfather, a master tailor born in 1916, the studio is Nottinghamshire’s highest rated tailoring house celebrated for its Made to Measure suits and accessories. Ash personally oversees every detail, from fabric selection and client experience to brand storytelling and digital strategy.
His work is not merely worn, it’s lived, remembered and passed down. An award winning Menswear designer, a mentor to emerging talent and a storyteller through cloth, Ash Gangotra continues to shape the future of British menswear with the same passion that launched Chameleon Clothing over thirty years ago.
Today, through Gangotra 1916, Nottinghamshire’s highest rated tailoring house on Trustpilot, he dresses discerning individuals in fine tailoring and accessories that honour tradition while embracing modern elegance. Each piece is a reflection of legacy, craftsmanship and quiet distinction.
These images offer a glimpse into Ash Gangotra’s moments in a journey, reflecting over 35 years of design, innovation and craftsmanship. They capture select moments, from bold beginnings to refined elegance, but represent only a small part of his wider body of work and creative legacy.
This is the foundation upon which Gangotra 1916 is built.
Over the next three decades, Ash’s influence expanded across the industry. As an original founding member and designer of Liam Gallagher’s Pretty Green label, he helped the brand win Best Menswear Brand of the Year at the Drapers Awards, outshining global heavyweights like Paul Smith and Ralph Lauren.
His creative leadership as Design Director for Chinese fashion giant Bosideng in the UK also earned the brand a coveted shortlist position for Best Design Team from WGSN Global Fashion Awards, standing shoulder to shoulder with Hugo Boss, Hackett and Fred Perry, a rare honour for a newcomer launching its £35m flagship store on South Molton Street, London.
Ash’s design tenure continued with Bosideng UK, where he led the creative direction for the brand’s first European expansion and with Holland Esquire, where his flair for expressive design found a devoted following.
Across his 35 year career, Ash has also designed for numerous other fashion labels and corporate brands, lending his signature blend of heritage and innovation to collections that span streetwear, corporate wear, formalwear and luxury ready to wear.
Beyond the atelier, Ash is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of creative entrepreneurs. As Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Nottingham Business School, he actively mentors emerging talent, sharing his industry insight and guiding students as they navigate the world of fashion and business.
His commitment to education extends far beyond the university, delivering inspiring talks at schools, colleges, and universities both across the UK and overseas, encouraging young creatives to pursue their ambitions with confidence and clarity.
Ash Gangotra stands apart in the world of British tailoring. With over 35 years in the fashion industry, his journey spans streetwear, luxury menswear, global brand leadership and award winning design, a path few tailors, if any, have ever walked. From shaping international labels to mentoring the next generation of creatives, his career blends craftsmanship, innovation and cultural influence in a way that is entirely his own.
Gangotra 1916 is the only tailoring house built on this remarkable foundation. Every garment created in the studio carries the weight of Ash’s experience, from his early days designing for global audiences, to his award winning work with major fashion houses, to the heritage he honours through his family’s tailoring legacy. This is not just a tailoring business, it is the culmination of a designer’s lifelong pursuit of excellence.
What sets Gangotra 1916 apart is not only the quality of the work, but the story behind it. No other tailoring house is led by an award winning designer with such a rich, diverse background, a designer who has shaped brands, influenced industries and now channels that mastery into Made to Measure garments crafted for the modern gentleman.
Gangotra 1916 is more than a name. It is a legacy, a lineage and a level of expertise you will not find anywhere else.