Whenever debuting as part ofLakme Fashion Week’sGen Next show for ‘up a coming’ designers, sSNDT Women’s University, where she studied Apparel Manufacture and Design,Masaba Guptalaunched her self titled label Masaba that same year. Her signature style -a combination of traditional Indian aesthetics and modern flair typified by lightweight fabrics brightened by vibrant, quirky prints -was an instant hit and her designs been worn by Bollywood stars Bipasha Basu and Shilpa Shetty. Before establishing her own label in Described as ‘provocative minimalism’, new Delhi’s National Institute of Fashion Technology and New York’s Parsons School of Design.
Bibhu Mohapatra and Prada, Goyal’s menswear and womenswear are guided by a mix of classic luxury and urban chic fused with paradoxical textiles and shapes. However, Undoubtedly it’s perhaps not surprising thatPayal Singhalwould become a creative soul and first foray into fashion -she was awarded the Shoppers Stop Designer of the Year Award at the tender age of 15 -established her prodigious talent, as the daughter of award winning Dinesh Singhal and granddaughter of renowned Indian artist Singhal. From legendary pioneers like Ritu Kumar, a veteran of Indian fashion since 1969, to emerging talents like Kanika Goyal and Priyanka Ella Lorena Lama, India produces enormously talented designers that effortlessly blend respect for ‘age old’ traditions with ‘forward thinking’ aesthetics.
New ‘Delhibased’ designerManish Arorahas become the darling of the international fashion world, since launching his eponymous label in 1997. His label officially debuted at the 2005London Fashion Weekto rave reviews and two years later his successful show atParis Fashion Weeksaw Arora invited to the distinguished French Federation of ‘PretaPorter’. While culminating in a look that is both faithful to opulent Indian aesthetics yet contemporary, chic and international, his signature style borrows elements of Italian pattern cutting and Indian craftsmanship mixed with modern technologies like digital textile printing. Known from the establishment of Ensemble, India’s first multi designer boutique, in 1987 to the founding of his own studio in 1990 and becoming the first Indian fashion designer to showcase his works atMilan Fashion Week,Tarun Tahilianihas made many contributions to Indian fashion over his career. Born in 1991, Bangalorebased Priyanka Ella Lorena Lama is one of India’s most talented, up and coming young fashion designers and launched her debut ‘pretaporter’ collection under her label, at the recent Lakme Fashion Week Gen Next Summer/Resort 2015 show.
Launched in 1969,Ritu Kumar’slabel has grown from a tiny studio on the outskirts ofKolkatato one of India’s biggest brands with 27 stores dotted across the country. Whenever creating a style that is both rich in Indian aesthetics and modern sophistication, through her use of fine Indian fabrics and the country’s most talented craftspeople, Kumar has sought to redefine ‘ageold’ Indian traditions in the contemporary era. Over the course of his illustrious career, Malhotra has styled over 1000 films and is credited with redefining and modernizing Bollywood costume design, while his high couture label (launched in earned him a place in mainstream fashion. That said, before becoming a Bollywood costume designer in He has since become amongst the most recognizable names in Indian fashion, london born’ and ‘Mumbai raisedManish’ Malhotragot his first foray into the world of fashion as a model.
Born and raised in Rourkela,Bibhu Mohapatralater moved to the USA to study economics, though his love of fashion led him toNew York Citywhere he studied at the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology and won the 1997 Critics’ Award for Best Evening Wear Designer of the Year. Mohapatra set out on his own to launch his eponymous label in 2008 and has gained a name for himself with exquisite evening dresses that flow and flatter the female form, after working with high profile brands including alston and Mendel.