The top fashion designers in India

‘It is the Mode that makes the

Manners – Mighty is the power of fashion, which has in recent seasons led its devotees

from discretion to ways of desolating license – and back again

FASHION in India: What comes to your mind when you hear FASHION in INDIA? In a country like India with the culture so antique and diversified, having an ancient clothing design tradition with its forever emerging fashion industry. What do you think? What comes to your mind? Yes, yes the mesmerizing ‘lehenga-choli’ of the royal western India, ‘chudidars’ and ‘salwaar kameez’ of the north, the famous ‘pherans’ and the ‘Kashmiri shawls’ from Kashmir, ‘mekhela chador’ of the seven sister northeastern states, ‘sari’ with its exceptional grace and elegance, which can be seen throughout India yet in different draping styles. Along with the traditional clothing the enticing haute couture, the fusion of the contemporary and the traditional clothing, irresistible and exquisite jewels, the gorgeous and resplendent accessories. Works of the designers with intricate designs reflect the richness and heritage of the culture. This diversification of dressing style has given Indian fashion designers ample scope of creativity. The fashion industry is a product of the modern age.

Let us have a look at the faces who have taken Indian Fashion and Indian Fashion Industry at the top most level. These personalities are the best known faces of the International Fashion Industry and are the top fashion designers in India.

Manish Malhotra

Manish Malhotra (born 5 December 1966) is educated from Elphistone College and is one of India’s most promising and successful fashion designers. Famous in the Indian film industry for his remarkable styles and his ability to envision a ‘look’ for the character. Although he usually designs for women, he designed for Shahrukh Khan in “Mohabbatein” and Imran Khan in “I Hate Luv Storys”. He was also asked to design clothes for Michael Jackson for his appearance during the Bollywood Awards held in New York, which aptly soared his popularity to new hieghts. Manish Malhotra has even taken to jewellery designing to mark another milestone in the world of design.

Official website: https://www.manishmalhotra.in

Wendell Rodricks

Wendell Rodricks (born 28 May 1960) is a famed fashion designer from western region of Goa. Wendell started his career as a caterer, not satisfied with the job and passionate for fashion designing moved to fashion designing later. Rodricks was the first designer to be invited to IGEDO (the world’s largest garment fair) and the first Indian to open the Dubai Fashion Week. He is openly gay and married to Jerome Marrel in a civil ceremony in Paris. His distinctive Indian design wear is inspired by the natural beauty of Goa around him. Rodricks’ has an experience of varied work such as lecturing on world , fashion journalism, costume history,international advertising campaign styling etc. At present he is writing a book based on Goa’s clothing  tradition.

Official website: https://www.wandellrodricks.com

JJ Valaya

JJ Valaya (born 8 October 1967) is an immense name in the Indian fashion industry, born in the city of Jodhpur. He graduated in 1991 from National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi in fashion technology. He founded the House of Valaya, luxury fashion and lifestyle house in 1992, along with his brother TJ Singh. The House of Valaya has commenced to show the world, the new India, dazzling with the sensation of blue blooded sophistication, innovative craftsmanship and modern receptivity.

Official website: https://www.valaya.com

Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla

This boy duo is both famed and glorified with the correct touch of success. For twenty eight years, Abu and Sandeep have been at the forefront of fashion in India. They are among the country’s most desired couturiers. Best acknowledged for their ability to infuse Indian craftsmanship and textile heritage with European tailored silhouette. Their designs soothe your soul like no others. A style icon in themselves, they are two men with a sole vision to create the finest.

Official website: https://www.abusandeep.com

Tarun Tahiliani

Tarun Tahiliani (born in 1964) is a renowned charismatic fashion designer. With his wife Shailja ‘Sal’ Tahiliani, he co-founded Ensemble, India’s first multi-designer boutique in 1987, followed by Tahiliani Design Studio in 1990. His signature is to associate traditional aesthetics with modern design, and has developed his designs into a blend of textile, distinguished luxury and meticulous tailoring. He creates couture, diffusion, and accessory lines which are Indian in their receptivity, yet international in their demand. In 2003, he was the first Indian designer to showcase his work at the prestigious Milan Fashion Week.

Official website: https://www.taruntahiliani.com

Rohit Bal

Rohit Bal (born 8 May 1961) is another very hardworking and diligent fashion designer of India. He is also embraced with the title of India’s Master of fabric and Fantasy in the year 1996 by the magazine named Time. He started the Company Orchid Oversea Pvt.Ltd in 1986 with his brother Rajiv Bal, and started his own first independent collection in 1990. Bal was chosen by the Khadi Gram Udyog, the largest handloom textile operation in Panchkula, and has won many fashion awards. He is best known for his use of Lotus and Peacock themes. . He has had famous personalities like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell,Uma Thurman, Anna Kournikova and Pa as his clients.

Official website: https://www.rohitbal.com

Manish Arora 

Manish Arora (born 14 June 1982) in the year 1997 started his label under the name Manish Arora. After initiating his label in India he conducted a very prominent show in Hong Kong Fashion week representing India. His name of second  Arora was Fish Fry and this label was launched after the fashion week, held in Delhi. And in the year 2007 he showcased his farfetched work to the international audience at Will India Fashion Week. He is renowned for his style which he adopts in his fashion shows. His fashion shows are very intriguing and colorful.  He has even shaped a vast range for lipsticks, lip glasses, blushes in his range.

Official website: https://www.manisharora.com

Rina Dhaka

Rina Dhaka is one among the dynamic leading designers of India, successfully delivering fashionable elegances to Indian market for past two decades. Winner of Yuv Rattan award, she is reckoned among the creative and innovative designers of the country. She has experience in western designs, separates, and theme collections. She did the training portions from Inter crafts and worked under the designer named Evan Grandhal. She has since expanded to Indian designs with western knit fabric.

She is best known for her ever green theme collections- sheer trousers, crochet, stretch jersey, woolens and spider web motifs.

Ritu Beri

Ritu Beri is the first Indian designer who presented her work in Paris, and was the first Asian designer to head the French fashion brand, Jean-Louis Scherrer. Her style and projects are not just famous in India but is also famous in many countries like London, Paris and USA. She accomplished her graduation from Delhi University. After finalizing her graduation she started with designing career.

Official website:

Ritu Kumar

 Ritu Kumar is one of India’s leading fashion designer, and the first women to introduce the ‘boutique’ philosophy in India under the name ‘Ritu’. She is also the winner of Padma Shri award 2013. The designing style of this designer is very exclusive and incorporates the reproduction of ancient tradition in the designs. Ritu’s understanding of ancient designs and the groundbreaking use of traditional craft has created a new classism in the Indian fashion industry.

 Official website: https://www.ritukumar.com/