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10 Famous Fashion Designers and Fashion trends in India

by: Avocados | last updated: February 24, 2009
Category: Bollywood, Fashion & Trends | Tags: ritu kumar, ritu beri, rina dhaka, tarun tahiliani, wendell rodricks, jj vallya, manish malhotra, manish arora, Lakme Fashion, india fashionweek '08
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10 Famous Fashion Designers and Fashion trends in India


Fashion is a huge industry in India. With globalisation Indian Fashion has got a wider platform to display their talents and introduce the 'Sari' to the world. India was always known as a country of jungles, snakes and poverty. But this has changed over the last decade. One of the reasons of India competing in the race among the leading countries of the world is because of its sudden burst of fashion exposure - both within and beyond the country.

India is a diverse nation and does not have one particular style to call its own. However, fashion in India placed itself on the map creating its own unique identity of FUSION - the beautiful blend and combination od various dressing styles in the country. Right from the traditional salwar kameez or sarees to churidars, kurtis, the semi formal way of wearing it over trousers or jeans, capris and the higly elegant and contemporary style of draping sarees, from simply cotton blouses to halter-neck, puffed sleeves, deep necks, and lycra-fitted blouses. Apart from regional attires, the Bollywood element also holds a domineering part in Indian Fashion style.

Lets take a look at the current top fashion designers in the country.

Ritu Kumar

One of the earliest and reputed fashion diva amongst fashion buffs, Ritu Kumar has developed a unique style of her own. Her designs reflects the ancient traditions of Indian craftsmanship in a contemporary fashion. With a background of art history and musicology, which has enriched her horizons, Ritu Kumar’s understanding of ancient designs and the innovative use of traditional crafts has created a new classicism. Ritu holds the status of a revivalist in the Indian fashion industry, which has successfully bridged the gap between traditionalism and modernity.

Ritu Kumar has been designing the wardrobes of the three winning Miss India’s , for their participation in International Beauty Pageants (Miss Universe , Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific respectively ). In April 2002, Ritu Kumar launched her new sub brand, ‘LABEL’. 'LABEL’ cater today’s woman, who is increasingly independent, discerning and global. It is a modern offering, focusing on the cut, color, drape and feel of the garment. This brand has a universal appeal aimed at today’s mobile lifestyle. It is fashionable, affordable and like all Ritu Kumar products, it is of the highest quality.

Ritu Beri

She is known as the first Indian designer to present a collection in Paris. There is no comparison for her style and elegance. Today her designs have become a highlight in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, USA, London and Paris. Ritu Beri's ready-to-wear line is an impressive couture collection that had the French media raving about her. She is one of early fashion designer whose collection made it quite big internationally. Ritu started her illustrious career in fashion when she created her first line of clothing in 1990, called Lavanya. It was a complete success for Ritu in India and on the international market, with the range selling out very quickly.

Ritu graduated from Delhi University in 1987 and after this she decided to do something artisitc and ever since being interested in fashion, the natural choice was to try designing outfits. Ritu enrolled in the newly-opened National Institute of Fashion Technology in 1988. The tertiary education centre is linked to the F.I.T (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York, and had just been established in Delhi. Lavanya was her graduation collection, if you will, created in December of 1990, after she became one of the first students to complete the fashion study course.

Rohit Bal

Titled as the 'India's Master of fabric and fantasy' by the Time magazine in 1996, Rohit Bal's sense of aesthetics is finely honed, and each of his creations is handcrafted to perfection, with meticulous attention to detail. He has access to the best the industry has to offer in terms of materials and workmanship. From villages where local craftsmen weave dreams with magic fingers, to factories, workshops and outlets where retailers jostle for survival, to the opulent grandeur of glitzy boutiques and malls at the best addresses in the big cities of high fashion, Rohit Bal can lead one to the doors of discovery, and he holds the key.

Rohit Bal graduated from New Delhi's St. Stephen's College with a first class (Hons.) degree in History. He worked for a few years with his brother's export company and in 1990 he created his first line, traditional designer wear for men and the rest history. Some of his clients include celebrities like Uma Thurman, Cindy Crawford, Pamela Anderson, Naomi Campbell and Anna Kournikova. Most of the Rohit Bal's fashion shows in India, New York, Paris, and Singapore are sponsored by The Swatch Group, and he is the brand ambassador for their Omega Watches, since 2001.

Manish Arora


In 1997 Manish Arora launched his Label "Manish Arora" and started retailing in India. Three years later in 2000, Manish represented India at the Hong Kong Fashion Week and participated
at the first ever India Fashion Week held in New Delhi. The following year Manish launched his second Label "Fish Fry" and showed this collection in six leading cities in India and was stocked at Lord & Taylor, New York.

Arora's future-in-outer-space inspired line at the Wills India Fashion Week 2007 attracted international viewers. A collaboration with MAC in the pipeline, a successful eyewear range for Inspecs just launched and two new stores ready to open in India in the next couple of months Manish Arora is one busy designer. Chosen for his vision and sense of style and colour references, MAC has enlisted designer Manish Arora to collaborate on a new, Raj-inspired beauty range. The Indian designer, known for his colourful fashion shows, has created a collection of lipglasses, lipsticks, blush and a fabulous eye palette (Eyes on Manish, £30) with bright shades from Yellow to Bright Pink and Acid Green for MAC. And, if what's inside isn't enough, the packaging is a fashion accessory in itself. These products will be available from October 2008.

Rina Dhaka


Rina Dhaka is India’s leading fashion designer who burst onto the fashion world in late 1980s. Winner of Yuv Rattan Award, she is counted among the creative and innovative designers of the country. After college, Rina Dhaka did a training project with Intercraft, and with designer Evan Grandhal. She also set up a 'Salwar Kameez' boutique for one of her acquaintances. Around this time 'Mutiny' and 'Ensemble' were just coming up as fashion houses and she made a line of designs for them.

She is best known for her theme collections - sheer trousers, crochet, and stretch jersey, woolens and spider web motifs. Her forte remains western wear, and she prides on the fact that her pieces can be worn as separates. Rina Dhaka emphasises silhouettes. She is not afraid of experimenting. In one of her collections, she had mixed fur and boots with her Indian outfits.

Rina Dhaka has held shows in London, Paris, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Jakarta. Her Singapore shows in 2001 and 2002 were major success. International fashion magazines ‘Vogue’ and ‘Elle’ featured her work. With brothers Shantanu and Nikhil joining her in late 1990s, Rina Dhaka’ s fashion design has become a family affair. Her designs are available in at Carma -Delhi, Design Studio-Mumbai, Kimaya-Mumbai, Selfridges-London, Coin-Italy and Lord and Taylor-New York.

JJ Valaya

Born and raised in the historical city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India’s premier fashion designer, JJ Valaya, has made a name for himself as one of the most original and inspired designers working today. The revolutionary fusion of traditional crafts and contemporary haute couture generates an alluring, urbane, one-of-a kind handiwork is the signature of the House of Valaya. Valaya has rejuvenated and redefined age-old Indian crafts as a profitable niche within the cosmopolitan market, allowing the valued artistic processes to live on despite the pressures of globalization.

In 1994, Valaya became the first Indian couture label to have a solo show in India. Met with enthused reactions by fashion critics and buyers, the label opened JJ Valaya Life, India's largest single designer store till date. Since 1997, the House of Valaya has shared the catwalk with many of the world’s top designers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, London, Dubai, New York and Paris. As one of the most respected designers in contemporary fashion, JJ Valaya continues to wow fashion’s toughest critics with his two apparel lines, Couture and Diffusion, and his product labels Valaya Home and Studio Valaya. JJ Valaya’s innovative and groundbreaking styles assure the majestic era of royal India will continue to reign well into the present.

Tarun Tahiliani

Tarun Tahiliani is one of the most celebrated fashion designers of India. He acquired a degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology, New York. When Tarun Tahiliani came back to India, he realized that there was a huge scope in India in the designer wear sector. He brought a revolution in the field of fashion in 1987, by opening the first fashion boutique in India, 'Ensemble'.

He established the Tarun Tahiliani Design Studio, situated in New Delhi. His own brand label is known as, Ahilian. The brand is known for its creative style and uniqueness. The designer clothes created by him are sold in Tokyo, New York, London, Hong Kong, Dubai and in his stores in New Delhi and Mumbai.

Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla

'The boys', as the twosome of Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla are known in the fashion circuit, can be considered among first names in that made it big, by way of success, attention, fame and hype. It is a creative alliance that exudes attitude and talent. They were one of the first to display their creations at Harrods. Ever since, the Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla show is a much awaited, though not so frequent event.

Though they lack in professional training, they push ethnic fashion to the limits, almost to the dictates of their fancies. No wonder they claim that they do not make garments, they make heirlooms.

Wendell Rodricks

Designer Wendell Rodricks started out as a catering graduate but found fashion designing was more suited to his palate. His minimalist chic style is a rage among Indian clothes lovers and he is known for his passion for white. He has written special features for Apparel, regular columns for Femina, Goa Today and freelance fashion journalism in major Indian news media. The multi-talented designer`s work includes theatre design, advertising styling and forecast portfolios.

In 1994, the Ministry of Culture displayed the Wendell Rodricks Shiva Temples Collection at the Festival of India in Peking, Canton & Shanghai. The designer is a keen art patron and promotes Goan artists through special promotions at the Wendell Rodricks Couture Salon. The Fundacao Oriente awarded a scholarship to the designer to intern at the prestigious Museu Nacional do Traje in Lisbon, Portugal. Wendell Rodricks also interned at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York to learn costume preservation and conservation

Manish Malhotra

At the age of 25, Manish Malhotra forayed into Bollywood by designing for Juhi Chawla in Swarg. Today, at 34, his name is synonymous with style in Hindi films. He revolutionized the fashion scene in Bollywood by envisioning a 'look' for the character. His tenure as a costume-designer has seen him clothe most of the leading actresses in the film industry from Sridevi, Urmila Matondkar, Karishma Kapoor, Kajol, Raveena Tandon, Manisha Koirala, Madhuri Dixit, Twinkle Khanna, Shilpa Shetty, Kareena Kapoor, to Aishwarya Rai, Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta.

High on his success, Manish Malhotra decided to branch into mainstream designing in 1998 with his high-profile couture store Reverie - Manish Malhotra. He has done several wedding trousseaus for reputed families. His popularity soared during this period when he was exclusively asked to design clothes for Michael Jackson for his appearance during the Bollywood Awards held in New York. The performer was so please that he requested Manish to design outfits for his show in Munich and to design clothes for his children.

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Guide Comments

binoy said about 1 year ago:

Dear Sir, I heard about Ms Ritu Kumar/ Ms Rina Dhaka. My company is dealing with the garment in Kuwait and I am the Operation Manager. We are looking forward good business from the reputed fashion designer like Ms Ritu & Ms Rina to have joint venture in Kuwait so that both companies can grow side by side. I hope that you will send us the some response from the both person. With best regards, BINOY MANAGER

anmol said about 1 year ago:

dear sir, As i m intrested in becoming up a fashion designer. I want a favour from you in asking that what all subjects should I take for it and which university whould be the best for my graduation in this field. I would be very respectful to you if u help me out With this. With regards anmol (future fashion designer)

zalak said about 1 year ago:

there r great designer...and lots of motivation by them......

manoj kumar said about 1 year ago:

hiiiiiiiiii

Sharvari said about 1 year ago:

Hellow sir.

soni said about 1 year ago:

h!!!!!!!!!! you all are my inspiration!!!!

shamika said about 1 year ago:

hello to all of you!!~~!!above all are really great designers and i look upto them....as i want to add my name amongst them...very soon..!!!

shweta sharma said about 1 year ago:

hello sir i want to learn basic steps of fashion and design plz ............... u are really great designer

rashmi dubey said about 1 year ago:

hiiiiiiiiiiii to all of u.we all are great designers.can we pls tell me what can i do for being famous designer i have complete my bsc in fashion tec.marchndaising,than what can i do pis tell me .i want to my amongst them in this list very soon.i think we wish for me.

sunandaramesh said about 1 year ago:

Hiiiiiii to all the loving and adroable designers . can u plz guide or suggest in a right way as ihad done my 3yrs dip in fashion designing 5yrs back and was a teacher for the same for 1yr 7 months after that i got married and iam a housewife till 2dy ... now i wanted 2 get back 2 my field with a small fashionable boutique with my own new and fresh designes . so, can u plz guide me or give me some tips to how i start up .. thank u

ramu said about 1 year ago:

There are lots of Senior citizens fit and fiddle but not getting a job due to trend in other fields..why not fashion designers audition them and create a new revolution on global level..Some of them can make the leading models to run for their money..believe me'''sounds a bit wierd uh??call me for a proof on 28370381 and let us meet in ur office,at coffe shop or in ur home...Hey we Indians are hard working understanding compassionate and karmic humans yeah?creation and manifestation is a gift for fashion designers and I amsure they will value this comment..I am positive.....

jyotsana verma said about 1 year ago:

HI Its jyotsana fron k v no 1 jodhpur. i am study in class VIII. i am also want to be a top fashion desginer of india, not india of the whole world.

deepti panday said about 1 year ago:

please send me all the latest information about the fashoin design as soon posible.

Nikita Bhateja said about 1 year ago:

hello evrybdy.. u all are my inspiration as i also want to become a fashion designer.. m persuing fashion designing bt dnt knw wat to do after completing my course.. i will feel lucky if anybdy would guide me regarding this..thanx

Narendra said about 1 year ago:

Hello sir, That was really great motivational study of all experiences that you all had. I thought that to become a fashion designer I need a degree but after read all this,If a persons have the passion about to do that he can do any thing. Sir i want start my journey please guide me because I am working in buying house as Merchandiser,wanna be a Fashion designer.Give me a way......

RIDDHI.P.SHAH said about 1 year ago:

hey..i want to learn basic steps of fashion designing pls help me....if u help me i m thankful to u...RIDDHI

sireesha k.R. said 11 months ago:

hello evry g8 designers. . . . . hw r u ??actually i want to bcome a fashion designer ,bt presently i m doin b tech bio technology.bt my goal n aim is to bcome a fashion designer .nw presently i m in second yr . . later i want to join in nift m f tech. wat do u suggest?plz reply me

Harshada Ghui said 11 months ago:

Hello d legends.. I'm doing fashion designing 4m INIFD Pune. So is der any job apportunity for students like me rit nw wit education, jst 4 xpernc....After my B.Sc in F.D. m I able to do job under a well known fashion designer... plz reply me..

Saurabh Chaukiyal said 11 months ago:

hi,2 all the milestones in fashion industry.m doing BA(prog.) 4rm (DU).there is a lot of confusion with ma future. i want 2 make a strong carrier in fashion designing. so plz show me the way 2 start.... thank u.

deepali arora said 11 months ago:

hii to everybdy.. i am doing fashion designing frm gndu. looking for a designer who can help me out in my career.. i ll b very thankful if u help me out..

aspan kaur said 10 months ago:

hi 2 gr8 designers,as i had done my fashion designing course, i want a designer who can help me in my career, i had done 3 fashion show as a project (individually)......... i'll be very thxful 2 u if any designer can help me.

DEEPIKA FULWANI said 10 months ago:

MY REGARDS TO ALL OF YOU. I AM A STUDENT OF FASHION DESIGNING FROM "INIFD"INSTITUTE OF CHANDIGARD AND CENTRE 'BEAWAR'. I HAD DONE 2YR COURSE IN FASHION DESIGNING AND WILLING TO GO FOR INTERNSHIP UNDER A GREAT DESIGNER LIKE YOU ALL. I WISH TO BE A GREAT DESIGNER LIKE YOU ALL AND THAT'S WHY I NEED YOUR GOOD WISHES AND SUPPORT.

anonymous said 10 months ago:

hiiiii to all designers. i am doing my graduation in fashion designing from Pearl Academy Of Fashion. i want to be become designer like all of you. i willing to do internship under designers like you. i need your support and blessings for achieving my goal.

umang shridhar said 9 months ago:

hello every one i also wants to become a great fashion designer like u all i'm in 12 so plz help me

subrata said 9 months ago:

hello!!!i am doing my b.sc fd and this is my final semester and i am confused what to do and how to start. It would be great help if you provide me some guidence

Aanal Patel said 9 months ago:

helloo sir ....

balaji said 8 months ago:

hello everyone..im very much impressed by ur history.i wanna to become g8 FD.i wanna to knw some basics and reputed institution for FD.if u help me im grateful to u all..waiting for ur valuable guidance

anu said 8 months ago:

i have finished bft in assumption college kerala.we have conducted a fashion show in changanasserry ,kottayam, kerala.my collection is wedding collection,indian traditional fabrics on western silhoutte.igot the best designer award.i want to be become a designer like all of u.can u help me for my career?iam waiting for u r avaluable gudidance

PREETI said 8 months ago:

Hey guys .ALL THE BEST for your ambitions. I really want you guys to achieve your greatest dreams and represent yourself as biggest fashion designers to the whole world. i hope you all will do very well in ur lives n fr others. My blessings r always with u. AMEN!!!!!!!

Giza Varghese said 8 months ago:

Hai great designers.. Happy to see u all.. I finished my apparel designing from Avinashilingam University Coimbatore. I wanted to become a great designer. Hope our dream come true. Sure it will happen because in this field v r the creators so nothng is possible without us.. best wishes to all..

Arpana Srivastava said 7 months ago:

Hello everyone, I am doing Diploma in Fashion Designing (I.N.I.F.D.)from Lucknow .I want to be best Fashion Designer so please help & guide me in this line and I want work with you. I hope that you will send me some response. I will be very-very thankful If you help me. with regards, Arpana Srivastava, Lucknow, U.P.

jhanvi patel said 7 months ago:

hello sir/madam happy to see u all , i m doing diploma in fashion design and i need ur birth dates so please tell me . waiting for ur response.

shailza goyal said 7 months ago:

Hello everyone, I had completed Diploma in Fashion Designing (Women's Polytechnic College)from Jodhpur (Rajasthan) .I want to be best Fashion Designer so please help & guide me in this line . I hope that you will send me some response. I will be very-very thankful If you help me. with regards, shailza goyal From Jodhpur(rajasthan)

Jasbir Kaur said 6 months ago:

Hello sir, I had completed my Diploma in Fashion Designing (IITC) from Mumbai. I want to be a best Fashion Designer, But First I need a gud job for this. I want to gain experience. I hope u will response me. Will be very thankful if u help me out.

Jaanvi said 5 months ago:

I KNOW,AAP ITNE SARE COMENTS KO SIRIOUSLY NI LETE HOGE.......BUT FASHION IS MY PASHION N M...WITH HEART...WAITING FOR UR RESPONSE PLZ REPLY...AS SUN AS POSSIBLE..I DONT NO...RIGHT NOW M DOING FASHION DESIGNING COARSE FROM LUDHIYANA........TKRE BYE...REPLY...DONT FORGET..ITS URGENT

Jaanvi said 5 months ago:

I KNOW,AAP ITNE SARE COMENTS KO SIRIOUSLY NI LETE HOGE.......BUT FASHION IS MY PASHION N M...WITH HEART...WAITING FOR UR RESPONSE PLZ REPLY...AS SUN AS POSSIBLE..I DONT NO...RIGHT NOW M DOING FASHION DESIGNING COARSE FROM LUDHIYANA........TKRE BYE...REPLY...DONT FORGET..ITS URGENT

anushachowdhary said 4 months ago:

hi sir... i wanna become a gud fashion designer...nw i am dng my btech 3 yr....later i wanna do my fashion designing courses in aboard so if u suggest me in which place it is gud so that i would prefer that place....so kindly plz say me the country which is leading and gud to go for doing the f.d courses so i will be very kind to u if u help me sir....i hope u will definetly..tanq ...

hiranya said 3 months ago:

tnks u al r grt

Name said 3 months ago:

DEAR SIR, WE HAVE STARTED DIGITAL PRINTING ON 100% COTTON,100% SHIFFON, 100% SILK & 100 % VISCOSE & PURE GOURJET. RIGHT NOW WE ARE PRINTING SAREES, LADIES TOPS, SCALF, KHANGA'S, CURTAIN, BADSHEET, PILLOW COVER. WE CAN PUT UP TO 750 COLOURS IN ONE DESIGN, OUR MACHIEN CAN PRINT 1500 MTRS/DAY. SIR IF U ARE INTRESTED WE CAN SEND U SAMPLS ALSO. WE ARE GOING TO LOUNCH OUR DESIGN WEBSIDE VERY SOON. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAIL.+919824111366.email:- aarmar_in@hotmail.com, hemydigital@gmail.com.

Smarti said 3 months ago:

Smrati Gupta

RAVI RANJAN PRAKASH said 3 months ago:

HI,THIS IS MY OPENION FOR ALL OF THE INDIAN DESIGNERS I LOVE ALL THE INDIAN DESIGNER BEING SO CREATIVE TO CREATE A NEW INDIA . I M ALSO A DESIGNER FROM NIFT DELHI PRESENTLY I M IN PEARL JAIPUR.. MY FAVOURITE IS WENDELL RODRICKS....

Neha Naithani said 2 months ago:

hi, all of u r superb.I had done 3 year course of fashion designing and before 2 years i m doing a job as a sampling coordinator in an Export house, But now I want to join a fashion Designer like u . since a long time i m trying but I don't know how to forward a CV . so please help me

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