This is a fascinating fact, which has garnered the attention of a broader user-base across the world. However, there have been times when the designer turf remained intact to Coco Chanel or Versace. But today Indian designers are gaining their deserving recognition in the market, and are carving a great fashion picture for the audience.
Indeed, Indian designers are showcasing the higher-end of the creativity than before and to complement this fact further, the list of the most successful artists is not an easy one to make, since there is a huge glut of talent available in the design fraternity. Talking from Wedding dress designers in India to indo-western designers, there is a great number of designers available with incredible talent in India, and the evolving fashion adaptation has opened many doors for every kind of designer.
1. Ritu Kumar
There is a strong reason why Ritu Kumar is ranked on number #1 in the list of top 10 fashion designers in India because from 1969, the label Ritu Kumar has flourished from a tiny studio on the outskirts of Kolkata to one of India’s biggest brands with 27 stores across the country.
The use of fine Indian fabrics and the country’s most talented craftspeople, Kumar has brought the age-old Indian traditions in the contemporary era, by creating a balancing style, which is both rich in Indian aesthetics and modern sophistication. She has received prestigious awards including France’s Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and India’s Padma Shri Award for her contributions to fashion, textiles, and craftsmanship.
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2. Tarun Tahiliani
Ensemble- India’s first multi-designer boutique, in 1987. He founded his own studio in 1990 and became one of the famous fashion designers in India to showcase his works at Milan Fashion Week.
Today his signature style is influenced by Italian pattern cutting and Indian craftsmanship mixed with modern technologies like digital textile printing and speaks of contemporary & chic style.
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3. Sabyasachi Mukherjee
This Kolkata-based designer, founded his label after he completed his graduation from New Delhi’s National Institute of Fashion Technology in 1999 and in just a few short years, he started to make waves in the fashion world.
More often, he is described as “international styling with an Indian soul”. His designs are characterized by a fusion of styles, patch-worked embellishments, and vibrant color palettes.
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4. Manish Malhotra
Does he need the introduction?
Of course not, his work, designs, and dresses reflect his exceptional style, which fits the demand of consumers, not just for reel life but also for real life.
His work always helps us to realize the difficulty that goes into blending with a character through design. His instincts work in tandem with his creativity, which is quite unique and makes him turn into a favorite designer for the Bollywood stars.
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5. Anita Dongre
This magnificent girl next door from Jaipur, moved to Mumbai; started her life with two sewing machines in a bedroom then went on opening two stores in America, four labels under her name and dressing up the Duchess Of Cambridge.
OMG!
Yes, this is the phrase, which releases from the mouth, after knowing that a girl with many dreams can carve it BIG on the global fashion space. She meticulously planned her labels to cater to the different needs of customers.
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6. Bibhu Mohapatra
Initiated his journey from a small town Rourkela in Odisha, and this very designer had designed for the then FLOTUS Michelle Obama on several occasions.
Also, he won the Young Innovator Award, in the recent New York Fashion Week. Today he is designing fine jewelry with De Beers & Forevermark.
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7. Neeta Lulla
Neeta Lulla is amongst the famous fashion designers in India who is also one of the most sought-after and Bollywood’s favorite designer known for her artistic work and re-creating the specific era through her designs.
Neeta has been associated with blockbuster movies Devdas, Jodha Akbar and Kochadaiiyaan—where the emphasis was on costumes. She very well knows how to create the perfect silhouettes for period dramas. Her label offers the ideal balance of contemporary and ethnic wear.
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8. Sandeep Khosla And Abu Jani
After spending thirty years together in the industry, today their clientele involves Mr. Bachchan to Beyonce. Playing along with the Chikankari and Zardozi is their USP, and their work consists of European influence tailored in a way that infuses Indian craftsmanship.
To be honest, their collection, which is a fusion of tradition coupled with a modern aesthetic and gives a very RICH feel.
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9. Gaurang Shah
His baby step towards his fashion career was taken with his father’s sari shop in Hyderabad, where he learned every bit of his fashion career, and today Gaurang Shah is a self-taught artist, who has re-invented the Khadi.
Today Bollywood celebs are a significant chunk of his loyal customers. His USP lies in working well with organza, silk, and kanjeevaram or any other fabric.
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10. Anamika Khanna
She is India’s very first designer, who presented her label at the Paris Fashion Week a decade ago. She got recognition in the market for speaking unique taste of infusing Indian touch and technique but with a western outlook.
Her creative and distinct sense of styling separates her from others and has helped her to create ripples in the fashion industry. The Dhoti saree- a much engaging fashion piece today is the brainchild of Anamika, also the idea of using a cape for the Indian attire. Her signature fashion style has brought her in this list.
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This very enticing list of top 10 fashion designers in India, is truly overwhelming, but it would go incomplete without the top 10 tips for summer dress style.
Hence, to make it interesting and inspiring to read in the upcoming blogs, I will include the top 10 tips for pool party styling as well, to help you beat the blues of heat with your incredible styling.
Other Best Fashion Designers in India
There has been no dearth of top designers in India. Continuing with the top 10 list wherein we couldn’t fit all the names under one article, we have brought in yet another list of the other best fashion designers in India who are raising talents and known names from the fashion industry who have brought a revolution to the evolving fashion.
11. Masaba Gupta
Inspiring and ambitious, MasabaGupta has been winning the hearts of people with her awesome designs. With time, she has grown into a promising designer. Her designs are novel and eclectic, and that are highly path-breaking in the present time.
Moreover, the designs define modern-day women, and elegantly bring out the beauty of a woman. No wonder this has earned her the Most Promising Designer tag at the Lakme India Fashion Week. Her recent designs include polka-dot jumpsuits, pocket sarees, and denim suits.
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12. Shantanu &; Nikhil
These brothers have made a winning team that has swayed the world with their wonderful labels for the past two decades. Their creativity is well comprehended in their designs, which is an eclectic blend of vintage and contemporary designs made for the young crowd.
They are chic, dynamic and bold, and this is what matches through the varied demographics. They are also the brand designers of Mumbai Indians Jersey and for Adidas that has turned into a vogue presently.
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13. Ankur and Priya Modi
Ruling the field of the fashion industry since the past 15 years, they bring out the perfect taste of sensibilities and creativity in art. Whether it’s the use of fabric, color or embellishments – all their designs are created with perfect finesse offering comfort and style.
Having touched the hearts of their vast clientele, they have gone on to grow their business opening with a new range of collections, expanding to nine standalone stores across the country. Handcrafted and symbol of grace, they make to the list of the next top 10 fashion designers in India.
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14. Rohit Bal
A fashion maverick hailing from a small town of Kashmir, this fashion designer has reached great heights in the industry with his designs. He kick-started his career designing for his brother’s clothing company back in 1986, and later on, in 1990, he then went on to start his collection brand under his name.
Through years, he has designed for popular celebrities in India and abroad including Anna Kournikova, Pamela Anderson, Naomi Campbell, Uma Thurman, and many more. His designs stand apart in the psyche and energy listing him among the list of next top 10 fashion designers in India.
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15. Vikram Phadnis
His works are worn by top celebrities in the film and television industry. He is a name that needs no introduction! Vikram Phadnis surely makes it to the list of the next top 10 fashion designers in India.
He makes it effortlessly comfortable for the wearer by blending his immaculate sense of creativity in his outfits. Without any formal training as a designer, he went on to design for many Bollywood celebrities in India and internationally as well for many movies, and from then on, there has been no looking back for him.
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16. Anupamaa Dayal
A woman, who is known for her free spirits, Anupama Dayal beautifully, blends the idea of nine yards in her designs. Her designs are enriching and empowering, and are also aesthetically inspiring. The touch and feel of the fabric she uses in her designs are awestruck, and it has spread her prominence across the world.
Her work has been recognized in Bollywood, and has been acclaimed by Vogue, UK. One can gain a sneak peek into the heart and aura of this fashion designer, who has become an unstoppable force through her impeccable designing skills.
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17. Surily Goel
She began her career with PreityZinta’s ‘Salaam Namaste’ and went on to create her mark in the industry with her immaculate skills. SurilyGoel, with her immense creativity and craftsmanship with fabrics, surely deserves to rank among the top fashion designers in India.
Her label Ensemble is a prominent name, and she has been showcasing her enticing work at the Lakme India Fashion Week along with showcasing her work at the Milan Fashion Week. Her USP lays in blending colors and fabrics that suit across seasons and geographies.
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18. Asmita Marwa
Listed among the top upcoming international designers in Vogue’s list, Asmita Marwa is a popular name in the Fashion industry. Her collections are a perfect combination of traditional and modern trends.
Moreover, what makes her stand apart among designers and make her a brand in herself is her tact of skilfully re-inventing and re-working on existing designs and using them as separate outfits; thereby bringing in the trend of zero wastage in the fashion world. Her unique ideation, up cycling and recycling skills put her apart from other fashion divas.
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19. Prathyusha Garimella
Though her collections are more inspired by the European culture, yet they do not lose their blend of the Indian touch. A simple look at her collections and designs will radiate her enthralling taste and knowledge of fabrics, colors that comprise of an unending choice of pastels and simpler tones.
Her choice of fabrics consisting of tulle, organza and satin cotton transpires her expertise in designing clothing which is different yet elegant. She has been turning into a hot favourite for celebrities from the Bollywood industry, and she has been flaunting her brand around.
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20. Ridhi Mehra
Ridhi Mehra is yet another favorite of celebrities in the industry; she has won their hearts with her immaculate sense of designing elegant outfits. After kick-starting her career by completing a business management course, she went on to assist her mother and aunt for three years.
Later she launched her label which revolves primarily around bridal wear. Her USP is her offbeat jumpsuits, which have been a craze among Bollywood celebs lately. With her impeccable designing prowess, in no time, she became a prominent face at the Lakme India Fashion Week, bringing her to the list of top fashion designers in India.
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21. Payal Singhal
A fashion aficionado who knew that fashion was her thing from a very young age. The parent label — Payal Singhal is 15 years into this industry and going strong, catering to her long list of young clients.
She has evolved over the last decade and a half as an exemplary designer. Her collection is a refreshing take on Indian wear but with a very new age design. Like the backless choli for a lehenga, lycra suits, cowl pants with short satin salwar. Her runway collections are ravishing, yet pret-a-porter. And, you will know it’s Payal Singhal when you see one. Affordable, edgy and stylish are constant while the colors depend on her mood and state of mind.
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22. Nishika Lulla
Dreaming of growing up as something or someone we see every day (as children) to actually becoming one, is not as easy as it sounds. You still need passion, dedication, and fascination to turn that into an actual profession. That’s exactly what Nishika Lulla went on to become.
Her mother influenced her heavily because of all the trips she would make with her kid. But, what makes her label ‘Nisshk’ unique is that it caters to youngsters — teenage to roughly 30 years. She identified this gap in the market and quickly moved in that direction. The fabrics that you will mostly see on this label are tulle, net, lace, and sequin which work so well for her target group. Bling, chic and vibrant just how they like it. Now that’s what we call passion.
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23. Archana Rao
A graduate from National Institute Of Fashion Technology, Hyderabad and Post Graduation from Parsons College Of Design, New York Archana worked her way up the fashion ladder, rather quickly and made a name for herself. She has an interesting take while designing clothes, where she tries to experiment with the structural design of the dress. She likes playing with the cuts, ombre effects etc in proportions without compromising on the aesthetic element. And, her label is known to be supremely elegant yet simple and understated. Her collection ‘Frou Frou’ which literally translates to ‘sounds of a fabric.’ Like they say beauty is in the details, but when you look at her dresses, it’s more like beauty is in the hidden details.
Indian Fashion Designers Archana Rao’s Spring-Summer collection in 2015 established her in the industry where she found her passion. It was named ‘The Apartment’ and took inspiration from a vintage set up from Paris. It was a beautiful melange of nudes, pastels, ivories and blushes that slowly transitioned into a stronger color palette of green, amber, etc. It is a feast to the eye and truly a show-stopping collection.
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24. Gauri And Nainika
Your sister is your first best friend, you will definitely understand this if you have one. These sisters started a brand together 12 years ago, with an intent to start a label that would focus on bespoke and cocktail dresses, evening gowns, etc, which was way progressive and futuristic for Indian market when they began.
In retrospect, it might seem like a scary idea for most of us to venture into. However, the sisters did not let any hindrances come in their way. People prefer luxury couture labels if they are investing that kind of money. Yet they believed in their idea and went ahead.
They have slowly but steadily sold the idea of a home label and have been quite successful at that. They draw their inspiration from European culture and blend the elegance with understated designs which are not as easy as it sounds. After all, they grew up looking at fashion legends like Audrey Hepburn who is the epitome of timeless beauty and elegance.
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24. Shantanu Nikhil
The winning team of the brothers helps to realize the blending of design with character. Their instincts work in tandem with their creativity. The unique brand has been creating a sensation for two decades since the launch of their label. Their designs are a creative combination of both arts & commerce which they draw from their passion. The contemporary & vintage design inspires the urban market, especially the younger crowd. Chic and elegant, that’s how the youth prefers. Bridal and haute couture were their favorite hits. They had tied up with Adidas. They have designed the jersey for Mumbai Indians too.
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