The glitz and glamour of Bollywood are a far cry from the western counterpart on the California coast; Bollywood is the Mumbai-based enterprise that racks in millions of dollars of revenue beyond the blockbusters on U.S. shores. From movies to celebrity coverage, Bollywood is a thriving industry that shows no signs of slowing down. Fashion designers for the highly stylish and trendsetting runways might not receive as much press and coverage as the U.S.-based assortment we’re so used to. Many have exclusive contracts with top media producers and gurus in the industry, while others wait for India fashion week each year to showcase their work. If you have an eye for fashion with a touch of global infusion, here’s a who’s who of Bollywood fashion designers:
Aki Narula crossed the ocean for a U.S. education in communications, before launching his own AKI label in 1996 from Calcutta. This designer’s debut began early in his career, and included designs for ‘Monsoon Wedding’ and the opening sequence for Miss India 2002. His flagship store is in Delhi,India, but his celebrity closet lineup includes some fresh looks for Aishwarya Rai and Irfan Khan.
Ritu Beri found fame on the fashionable streets of London during a sell-out show for a her designer creations. She’s made her mark with charity initiatives and has become famous for her unusal and eclectic designs. Many of her pieces incorporate faux leather, denim corsets, bright corduroys, and strong Indian color influences of yellow, red, and orange. She was the first and only Indian designer to present at ‘La Semaine de la Haute Couture’ in Paris.
A specialty line and studio based in Mumbai, Anita Dongre spearheads the Om Chambers in India for an internationally-acclaimed designer collection. Her work includes western women’s wear labels, with much success in Germany and central Europe. Indian Ethnic wear and lifestyle specialties are part of her craft; her collections have sold in Pantaloon Stores and Shoppers Stop in Bangalore with much success, and she was the first designer invited to showcase her collection in the CPD Dusseldorf Fashion Show in 2000.
Anamika Khanna is a frequent showstopper at India Fashion Week, and was one of the first designers selected to showcase her work at Paris Fashion Week in 2007. Her work retails at Carma and Ogaan stores in New Delhi, and she’s racked up awards from the Damania Fashion Hall of Fame.
Famous for delicate designs and elaborate collections, Anjana Bhargav is one of India’s finest designers with global appeal. ‘Wearable art’ is a frequent trend for this contemporary and forward-thinking clothing guru; classic silhouettes, draping fabric, and plenty of silk and luxury are on the top list. Actress Sushma Seth, Shahnaz Hussein, and Arundhati Roy are just a few famous people on the clientele list.
Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla are a popular duo amongst the fashion collections, promoting a fresh take on ethnic fashions and contemporary design. They’ve paved their way to success with a new take on classic looks, incorporating western influences and most recently catching the eye of Abhishek Bachchan.
