Anu Gupta was under the impression he was merely assisting a friend when he agreed to try on a suit before his upcoming book launch. Little did he know, his fiancé Justin Senense had an elaborate proposal plan in motion.
A Surprising Turn of Events
Living in New York and engaged for nearly a year, Gupta assumed he was helping out Senense’s friend, Caycee Black, a former contestant on “Project Runway,” who needed a model for her new men’s fashion line. “I was so honored to be asked,” Gupta, a 39-year-old author of “Breaking Bias: Where Stereotypes and Prejudices Come From – and the Science-Backed Method to Unravel Them,” shared with PEOPLE.
However, Gupta was completely unaware that Black and Senense had been secretly conspiring. Senense, an actor and personal trainer, was keen on turning the tables by being the one to propose this time.
Senense even concocted a story to explain why he wasn’t the model choice. “I told him, ‘Well, I’m shorter. You’re more the average height, around 5’8″ or 5’9″, which is a more common size. So Caycee will tailor the suit to your measurements, and then I can wear it afterward,'” he recalled.
Behind the scenes, the duo exchanged plans through a confidential WhatsApp chat.
The Big Question
On September 19, dressed in a custom “emerald-ish” suit crafted by Black and her team, Gupta was stunned when Senense proposed. The suit even included a handkerchief embroidered with Senense’s proposal.
“I immediately started tearing up,” Gupta admitted. “It was probably the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
This heartfelt moment came 10 months after Gupta had initially proposed to Senense during a Diwali celebration surrounded by family and friends. “I guess I always hinted that I wanted to be the one proposed to if it ever came to that,” Senense explained.
Senense revealed that despite Gupta’s earlier suggestions on how he should propose, he insisted on doing it his way. “You can’t dictate how I propose if you want me to do it,” he stated.
The idea of an engagement suit struck during a casual lunch with Black, whom Senense met in an acting class back in 2016. When Black mentioned she was considering venturing into menswear, Senense seized the opportunity. “I asked, ‘Could you design an engagement suit for Anu?'” he said, noting that Gupta had always intended to purchase a new suit for his book launch but never did.
A Symbol of Their Love
Senense described Gupta’s favorite attribute as kindness, a theme central to his book on combating bias with compassion. “I thought it would be meaningful to envelop him in love but also celebrate his professional achievements and our relationship,” he explained.
Black, despite her years of experience, admitted to feeling nervous about the outcome. “There’s always this worry, ‘What if they absolutely hate it?'” she confessed. Nevertheless, she moved forward with a design that reflected the couple’s “East meets West” heritage—Gupta being of Indian descent and Senense Filipino. The suit subtly matched the color scheme of Gupta’s book, integrating his professional and personal identities.
The suit’s lining included Gupta’s favorite poem, “Kindness” by Naomi Shihab Nye, further tying back to his literary work. Both were amazed by the final product.
For Senense, clothing is transformative. “The right outfit not only changes how you feel but also represents stepping into a new phase of life,” he reflected.
The specially designed suit now symbolizes their shared future, a testament to their deep connection and mutual respect.
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Ellis McDowell is a trend analyst with a sharp eye for spotting the next big thing in entertainment. With years of experience in digital media and trend forecasting, Nora tracks the movements of influencers, viral content, and entertainment trends. Her insights help shape the stories that captivate our audience.