Indian Fashion designers – A Journey from perfection to fame

Manish Malhotra

Manish Malhotra

Manish Malhotra is one of India’s most successful fashion designers. Manish Malhotra has designed for many leading actresses in Bollywood. He is known for his different style and his ability to envision a ‘look’ for the character. He is known for designing the costumes for Urmila Matondkar in the film Rangeela. Stars including Kajol, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukherji, Aishwarya Rai, Sonam Kapoor and Preity Zinta have all worn his designs. 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 when he visited India for a Bollywood show.

His designs have been seen in films such as Raja Hindustani, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dhadkan and Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai.

Manish has trained fellow designer Surily Goel, who made her debut at Lakme Fashion Week 2006.

In 2005, he began a talk show named The Manish Malhotra Show.

Latest designs

His designs were worn by Kareena Kapoor in the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001). He designed for Sushmita Sen in Main Hoon Na (2004), Kajol in Fanaa and he has designed for Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta in the film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006). He also showcased his new collection in April 2006 at Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai. His actress-friends Kajol and Preity Zinta walked the ramp for him.

Awards

  • Filmfare Award for Costume Design for Rangeela
  • Showtime Opinion Poll Award for Raja Hindustani
  • Siemen’s Viewer’s Choice Award for Dil To Pagal Hai
  • Zee Cine Award for Costume Design.
  • Bollywood Award for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
  • Indira Priyadarshini Memorial Award for his contribution to the fashion industry
  • Stylish Designer Of the Year at the Elle Style Awards in 1999.
  • Manish was Felicitated by National Institute Of Fashion Technology.
  • Filmfare Award for Costume Design for Enthiran

Costume Design Filmography

Year Film Actors Designed for
1995 Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Kajol
1995 Rangeela Urmila Matondkar
1996 Khamoshi: The Musical Manisha Koirala
1996 Raja Hindustani Karisma Kapoor
1997 Gupt: The Hidden Truth Manisha Koirala and Kajol
1997 Koyla Madhuri Dixit
1997 Dil To Pagal Hai Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor
1997 Judaai Sridevi and Urmila Matondkar
1998 Duplicate Juhi Chawla
1998 Dushman Kajol
1998 Satya Urmila Matondkar
1998 Soldier Preity Zinta
1998 Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Kajol and Rani Mukerji
1999 Dil Kya Kare Kajol and Mahima Chaudhry
2000 Mela Twinkle Khanna
2000 Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai’ Aishwarya Rai
2000 Mohabbatein Shahrukh Khan
2001 Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love Juhi Chawla and Karisma Kapoor
2001 Dhadkan Shilpa Shetty
2001 Asoka Kareena Kapoor
2001 Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham Kareena Kapoor, Jaya Bachchan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji
2002 Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya Karisma Kapoor
2003 Talaash: The Hunt Begins… Kareena Kapoor
2003 Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon Kareena Kapoor
2003 Kal Ho Naa Ho Jaya Bachchan and Preity Zinta
2004 Main Hoon Naa Sushmita Sen
2004 Chameli Kareena Kapoor
2005 Bewafaa Kareena Kapoor and Shamita Shetty
2006 Chup Chup Ke Kareena Kapoor
2006 Fanaa Kajol
2006 Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Abhishek Bachchan and Kirron Kher
2007 Sivaji: The Boss (Tamil) Rajinikanth, Shriya Saran, Nayantara and Vivek
2007 Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Konkona Sen Sharma
2007 Aaja Nachle Madhuri Dixit
2007 Om Shanti Om Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Shreyas Talpade, Arjun Rampal, Kirron Kher
2008 U Me Aur Hum Kajol
2008 Tashan Kareena Kapoor
2008 Dostana Priyanka Chopra and Shilpa Shetty
2009 Blue Kylie Minogue
2009 Kurbaan Kareena Kapoor
2009 3 Idiots Kareena Kapoor
2010 My Name is Khan Kajol and Shahrukh Khan
2010 We Are Family Kajol and Kareena Kapoor
2010 I Hate Luv Storys Sonam Kapoor and Imran Khan
2010 Enthiran (Tamil) Aishwarya Rai
2011 Bodyguard Kareena Kapoor
2011 Ra.One Kareena Kapoor and Shahrukh Khan
2012 Agneepath Priyanka Chopra
2012 Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan
2012 Agent Vinod Kareena Kapoor
2012 Dangerous Ishhq Karisma Kapoor
2012 Heroine Kareena Kapoor
2012 Yash Chopra’s Untitled Project Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma
2012 Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani Deepika Padukone and Kalki Koechlin
2013 Krrish 3 Priyanka Chopra and Kangna Ranaut

 

Official Site: Click Here

 

Manish Arora

Manish Arora

Manish Arora  is an Indian fashion designer based in New Delhi. In early 2011, he was appointed as creative director of the womenswear collection of the French fashion house Paco Rabanne.

Early life and education

Born and brought up in Bombay (now Mumbai), Manish was studying to graduate in Commerce, when he decided to change his career path and applied for the National Institute of Fashion Technology in New Delhi. He graduated in 1994 after winning the Best Student Award.

Career

In 1997 Manish Arora launched his own label “Manish Arora” and started retailing in India. Three years later, Manish participated in the first-ever India Fashion Week held in New Delhi and represented India at the Hong Kong Fashion Week.

Model in a Manish Arora design (Spring 2007 collection) at London Fashion Week

Arora launched his second label, “Fish Fry”, in 2001. This colorful, sportswear-styled line was created in association with the athletic apparel manufacturer Reebok. During 2002 Manish opened his first flagship store, Manish Arora Fish Fry, in New Delhi and in the following year opened a second store in Mumbai. Another successful showing at India Fashion Week (2003) led to a stocking deal with the fashion house Maria Luisa (Paris) and the beginning of a successful export business.

During 2004 he was awarded the Best Women’s Prêt Designer at the first ever Indian Fashion Awards’ 2004 held in Bombay and MC2 Diffusion Paris started representing the label for the export business. The following year Manish participated in the Miami Fashion Week in May 2005 where he was presented with the designer’s choice for Best Collection Award.

He had a successful debut at the London Fashion Week in September 2005 and received an overwhelming response from the press as well as the buyers. He opened a new store at Lodhi Colony Market in New Delhi in December 2005. Arora exhibited some of his work at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London for an exhibition called “Global Local” in association with the British Council, India.

A fashion jury in a leading Indian publication Outlookdesignated him “Best

Model in a Manish Arora design (Spring 2007 collection) at London Fashion Week

Indian Fashion Designer” and featured him on the cover of its March 2006 issue. Manish opened his first Manish Arora franchise store in Villa Moda, Kuwait and another Manish Arora Fish Fry store at Crescent at The Qutub, New Delhi in 2006.

In 2007 the first Fish Fry for Reebok concept store opened at the Garden of Five Senses, New Delhi, and Arora teamed up with make-up and cosmetics giant MAC for designing a signature collection. He has also collaborated with Swatch for a limited edition of watches. In 2008, once again, Reebok launched the ‘RBK Fish Fry Collection 2008′, an exclusive lifestyle range designed by Manish Arora.

“Indian by Manish Arora”, a brand designed for the growing Indian market for women’s wear, is licensed to another fashion company. Manish was invited to show his collection at the “Fashion in Motion” exhibition held at Victoria and Albert Museum, London in September 2007. By 2009 Manish owned four stores in India and sold his collections to more than 80 retailers worldwide.

Style

Manish Arora is regarded by many as “the John Galliano of India”. He is known for a rich palette of psychedelic colours and kitsch motifs in garments that combine traditional Indian crafts like embroidery, appliqué and beading with Western silhouettes.

Official Site: Click Here

Ritu Beri                                                                                                                                               

Ritu Beri

Ritu Beri is a New Delhi based International fashion designer. She is the first Asian designer to head the French fashion brand, Scherrer.

Career

Ritu Beri did her schooling from Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan in New Delhi and went on to study fashion arts at the NIFT, New Delhi. She is the only Indian designer to be featured in promostyl’s magazine Acustyl, which forecasts fashion trends worldwide. She is the author of the personal fashion book, 101 Ways to Look Good. She also serves on the board of Governors at NIFT, and is an honorary patron of the Savera Association, a popular charity involved in improving the lives of Indian woman.

Ritu Beri’s Logo

She wrote the Most Expensive Indian Book, Firefly – A Fairytale. The book is priced at Rs 1 lakh and is published by Ritu Beri herself. Famous publisher Penguin had earlier commissioned Ritu Beri to write the book but abandoned the project after hearing the price for the book she had in mind. The book deals with topics like architecture, history, women and their beauty. It also talks about Ritu Beri’s experiences in Paris which were important in shaping her career. François Lesage, the guru of embroidery, has written the foreword to the book. Firefly – A Fairytale will have limited edition. Only 100 copies will be sold in India through Ritu Beri’s store in Delhi and the book is also available at the new Louis Vuitton flagship store near Champs Elysee in Paris.

Her notable international clients are former US President Bill Clinton, Prince Charles, Moulin Rouge, Nicole Kidman, Hollywood actress Andy McDowell, Supermodel Laetitia Casta, famous Parisian Socialite Mrs. Lagerdere, Langes Swarovski & The Swarovski family, Elizabeth Jagger and Jerry Hall.

Her notable Indian clients are Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukherji, Preity Zinta, Parmeshwar Godrej & Shobha De.

Official Site: Click Here

 

Neeta Lulla

Neeta Lulla

From simplicity to royalty, Neeta Lulla has it all to her credit. Neeta Lulla has been one name which has been prevalent in the industry since two decades now. The designer has been an active contributor in giving the actors a look to die for. Her designs have not only been recognized in India, but have also acquired great acclaims globally. The designer has made a niche for herself, creating the costumes of the era long lost. The challenge to create designs for the high profile and larger than life movies like Jodha Akhbar and Devdas have been very well met by Neeta Lulla, who tuned them to the richness and charismatic period of the movies. From the elegant look of Chandni and the underdone colors of Yuva, to the majestic appearance of Paro and the recent Jodha, the talented designer has each time surpassed her own record, to create a new high.

Early Life
Neeta Lulla started as an assistant to the former Indian leading fashion choreographer, Jeanne Naoroji, in the late 1980′s. After gaining experience and knowledge in the field, she started off with her first venture in Bollywood with the film Tamasha, with Kimi Katkar. However, the glare of publicity that brought her instant stardom in the fashion world of Bollywood came with the movie ‘Lamhe’. The simple yet elegant look of Sridevi won her not only great accolades, but also a national award for designing great attires. Her journey in the fashion fraternity has no looking back since then.

Career and Success
The ingenious capabilities of Neeta Lulla has kept her going strong past two splendid decades, with almost over 350 movies to her credit. They have also won her national award. Globally, Neeta Lulla has done a number of shows in U.S., Canada, Monte Carlo and Rome. Apart from being the ‘desi’ style guru, she has also had impressive international victory. She was commissioned to design all the costumes for Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole in the Hollywood mega film ‘One Night with the King’. Neeta is also designing costumes for Gurinder Chadha-Paul Myeda’s ‘Mistress of Spices’, with Aishwarya Rai once again in the lead. She is also working for Tanuja Chandra’s English film and one more untitled Hollywood film.

Brand and Clientele
An expert in bridal trousseau and a national award winner, Neeta Lulla has a whole bunch of Bollywood biggies in her kitty as her clientele. From Sridevi, Juhi Chawla, Tabu, Mahima Chowdhary to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan the designer has roped them all. After designing for movies and the who’s who of the industry, the designer has moved a step further and launched a flagship store in Mumbai. This two-storey showroom, made of ivory, dull gold and aquamarine, has two lines of collection. While the basement caters to the bridal lounge (Neeta Lulla Coutre), the ground floor holds diffusion line (Neeta Lulla Nishq).

Awards

  • National Film Award for Best Costume Design 2012 for Balgandharva
  • National Film Award for Best Costume Design 2009 for Jodhaa Akbar.
  • IIFA Best Costume Design Award 2009 for Jodhaa Akbar.
  • Kingfisher Fashion Award 2005 for Contribution to Fashion.
  • Bollywood Movie Award – Best Costume Designer 2003 for Devdas.
  • National Film Award for Best Costume Design 2002 for Devdas.
  • Bollywood Movie Award – Best Costume Designer 2001 for Mission Kashmir.
  • National Film Award for Best Costume Design 1991 for Lamhe.

Filmography
Some of the famous movies Neeta Lulla has been a part of are:

  • Jodhaa Akbar
  • Bhram
  • Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag
  • Baabul
  • Zindaggi Rocks
  • Ankahee
  • Humko Deewana Kar Gaye
  • Home Delivery
  • Bhaggmati
  • Main Aisa Hi Hoon
  • Kisna
  • Raincoat
  • Garv
  • Yuva
  • Ishq Hai Tumse
  • Jhankaar Beats
  • Devdas
  • Ajnabee
  • Kasoor
  • Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya
  • Dil Kya Kare
  • Haseena Maan Jaayegi
  • Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
  • International Khiladi
  • Major Saab
  • Zor
  • Deewana Mastana
  • Itihaas
  • Hero No.1
  • Ghatak
  • Mr. Bechara
  • Jeet
  • Daraar
  • Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi
  • Tu Chor Mein Sipahi
  • Hum Aapke Hai Kaun
  • Virasat
  • Aatish
  • Chaand Ka Tukdaa
  • Darr
  • Khalnayak
  • Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke
  • Parampara
  • Dil Aashna Hai
  • Lamhe
  • Chandni

Official Site: Click Here

 

Sabyasachi Mukherjee

Sabyasachi Mukherjee

Summer of 1999, Sabyasachi Mukerjee graduated from the National Institute of Fashion Technology India with three major awards. Four months later, Sabyasachi started his eponymous label which began with a workforce of just three persons. Over the years, he has successfully built a clothing brand which has a very strong social perspective. Quick to understand the demands of the Indian market, Sabyasachi has created a brand that has represented a comfort zone to global Indians and remained undestroyed through major socio-economical-political changes.

2001, Sabyasachi won the Femina British Council’s most outstanding young Designer of India award, which took him to London for an internship with Georgina von Etzdorf, an eclectic designer based in Salisbury. Returning home with edgier ideas, Sabyasachi started retailing at all major stores in India.

Design by Sabyasachi Mukherjee

2002, Sabyasachi participated at the India Fashion Week where his debut collection earned him rave reviews from the national and international press. On a cover by Women’s Wear Daily, considered the most coveted international trade magazine, he was reckoned as the future of Indian fashion. Sabyasachi’s design philosophy is very simple and clear-’Personalized imperfection of the human hand’. Deserts, gypsies, prostitutes, antique textiles and cultural traditions of his home town, Kolkata have been a lifelong inspiration for this designer who believes that “clothes should just be an extension of one’s intellect”. He uses unusual fabrics, texturing and detailing, ‘fusion’ of styles, ‘patch-worked’ with gorgeous embellishments in a vibrant diverse color palette to make the feeling of going back to the soul’. His creations evoke images of ancient and medieval ages. He describes his own collections as ‘an International styling with an Indian soul‟. In his designs, he tries to maintain a non commercial balance in an extremely aggressive, commercial and competitive industry. His collection is for people who prefer to walk a path less traveled and who definitely believe that slowing down is not equivalent to dropping out.

Design by Sabyasachi Mukherjee

He pioneered the use of Indian textiles, albeit in a modern context. His unique contribution was the use of indigenous methods like bandhani, gotawork, block printing, hand dyeing etc in construction of modern silhouettes.

Spring of 2003, Sabyasachi made his debut on the international Runway (fashion), with the “grand winner award” at the Mercedes Benz New Asia Fashion week in Singapore, which paved his way to a workshop in Paris by Jean Paul Gaultier and Azzedine Alaia. His collection “Kora” at the Lakme India Fashion Week 2003 won him laudatory reviews where he used unbleached and hand woven fabrics with Kantha and other hand embroideries. He was declared the best Designer of India at the MTV Lycra style awards and won the “Society” Achievers award for the best new Indian designer.

2004 , Sabyasachi took a step ahead with Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week and The Miami Fashion Week of America with a bohemian take on Indian textiles and his collection was called “The Frog Princess”. With this, Sabyasachi arrived on the global fashion scene with a bang. His significant achievements included his coveted showing in Browns earning him a retail place at the tiny London store voted by Vogue as the best shopping destination in the world, thereby establishing himself as one of the most promising young designers for years to come.

He is the youngest board member of the National Museum of Indian Cinema. He earned the distinction of being the only Indian designer to be invited to showcase at the Milan Fashion Week 2004 facilitated by Indo-Italian Chamber Of Commerce. Along with accolades, he was also voted by Asia Inc. a Singapore based Business magazine as one of the ten most influential Indians in Asia, alongside Aishwariya Rai, Priyanka Gandhi, Sabeer Bhatia…etc.

2005,His Spring Summer Collection, “The Nair Sisters” was inspired by hand block printing, embroideries, bagru prints and the extensive use of cotton and other hand woven fabrics. The collection found itself in the racks of Browns & Selfridges in London, and has been featured in the UK Vogue hot list, establishing his presence on the international fashion arena. He was requested to showcase his collections at the prestigious Oxford University Annual black tie charity dinner fashion show.

2006,Sabyasachi’s debut Spring Summer collection’07 at New York Fashion Week earned him critical acclaim and his label started selling world-wide in territories ranging from Moscow to Hong Kong. The essence of this collection was based on folklore, glamour, simplicity, modern architecture and intricate detailing. There is a marked influence of paintings from the seventeenth and eighteenth century painters like Brueghel, Claude Monet and others. He has beautifully used dark jeweled colors with muted shades accentuated with subtle texturing and indigenous embroidery. He is the only Indian designer to be a part of all three leading fashion weeks such as New York, Milan and London fashion Week. His recent collections project India in a new light to the west which in turn would help Indian textiles and tourism in a big way. His clothes are found in countries far and wide like U.S.A, Kuwait, UAE, Switzerland, Russia, Greece, Germany and U.K amongst others. Sabyasachi believes that the unique positioning of Indian designers is due to the exclusivity of his homeland with its rich history and culture. He believes that Indian designers bring a flavor to the west that is no longer perceived as only exotic but also a rich blend of individuality and sensitivity.

He has also designed Bed/Bath lines for Bombay Dyeing which has been well received by all.

2007, Sabyasachi was invited to participate at the New York Fashion Week considered to be one of the most prestigious fashion events of the world. He was also invited to showcase his collections at the London Fashion Week, Bridal Asia’07 apart from the Lakme India Fashion Week and the Vogue Launch event in India. His “Sanctuary” collection showcased at Lakme Fashion Week Fall Winter 08 received positive reviews from the renowned fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune –Ms Suzy Menkes.

2008, he launched a line of jewelry exclusively designed by him in association with the GAJA brand. He launched his exclusive menswear collection featuring Sherwanis, Kurtas and Headgear at the Lakme Fashion Week Spring Summer 09 Grand Finale show. He has been developing textiles from Dastkarin-Andhra Pradesh, Berozghar Mahili Samitiin-Bihar, Tantubay Samiti-Fulia and Kotpadin-Orissa. Over the past two years he has also been involved in reviving cotton Benarasi sarees in pure khadi and vegetable hand block prints from Bagru, Rajasthan.

He forayed into films by designing costumes for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s landmark film: “Black” which earned him critical acclaim along with the National Award in 2005 for the best costume designer for a feature film. Since then, he has designed for other Bollywood movies such as “Babul” and “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag”, “Raavan”, “Guzaarish”,”Paa”,“No One Killed Jessica”.

In 2012, Sabyasachi appeared on NDTV Goodtimes’ show Band Baja Bride, a TV show on which he gives make over to 13 different brides on their weddings. The TV show is doing very well.

Sabyasachi sells out of five flagship stores nationwide and is a part of various multi designer stores in India. He collaborated with Wills to launch a prêt line in 2011. His future plans are to start an Indian inspired kid’s wear brand and to establish a contemporary clothing brand for mass India that completely employs and thrives on weavers and artisans at a grass root level. Sabyasachi aspires to grow a “people tree” enterprise that encompasses Indian tradition, culture, and history and converts it into an intellectual and aesthetical global super brand

Awards

  • Best Design Collection (NIFT Kolkata)
  • Best Design Collection (NIFT All India)
  • Ritu Kumar Award for Excellence in Design
  • National Film Award for Best Costume Design for Black

 

Official Site: Click Here

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  • Comments (2)
  1. you have done a great work ………. its really important for us.
    So please keep sharing ………
    I would like to visit your again your site…..
    I really like it

      • Ankita
      • June 28th, 2012

      Thanks a lot for your inspiring words…surely will try to give more quality works in d future…

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