Indian fashion is all about presenting tradition in a modern way. It’s about intricate designs and extensive attention to detail. The credit of making Indian fashion so popular globally goes to the fashion designers of India. Here’s a definitive list of the top fashion designers, check out the list to see if your favorite designer made it to our list.

Hey there! Here at ShilpaAhuja.com, we love data analysis to create trustworthy, research-based rankings to discover the Fashion industry. Whether its’ SlubAnalytics or every season’s fashion trends forecasts, we always keep our views transparent. Even in this article, I along with our team did loads of research on top Indian designers and how to them. And our analysis for the top fashion designers in India was based on several criteria like:

1. Social media followers
2. Experience
3. The approximate maximum price of their latest outfits
4. Number of stores in India and abroad
5. Whether they do couture collections or not
6. How many collections they do, whether they design for both men and women

So far after days of intensive data-studies, we’re so excited to publish our list. You can find the analysis at the end of our article.

So, discover who the top fashion designers in India are!

Top Fashion Designers in India

1. Manish Malhotra

The famous Indian designer started his career as a model. When he failed as a model, he streamlined himself into designing clothes, art and fashion. He started his fashion career in Bollywood films and his designs for the Indian film industry was influential in bringing the fashion design industry in the spotlight. So its no surprise that he tops the list!

He also won best costume designer awards in the years 1999, 2002, 2005 & 2007. Also, he was the one who paved way for most of the designers and was an inspiration for designers to get into the Indian fashion weeks.

He is best known for revamping traditional wear designs to modern looks. Intricate embroideries, unique western-inspired trends like off shoulder blouses or floor-length ponchos are some of his signature styles. To know more read Manish Malhotra: All You Need to Know About India’s Favorite Designer.

2. Sabyasachi Mukherjee

Kolkata based designer started designing since 1999 and his roots and heritage have heavily influenced his designs. Traditional and Indian is his forté and he gets his inspiration for the scenic views and backdrops of Kolkatta. Not only traditional but he has a good insight into western culture too and that’s the reason he has collaborated with Christian Louboutin to create embroidered Louboutin shoes.

In one of his interview’s Sabyasachi described his style as ‘personalized imperfection of the human hand’. Soon after he started his label, within 3 years he was awarded the outstanding young designer by Femina British council. In 2002, he was at the India Fashion Week and later on he was also part of many international fashion weeks like Mercedes Benz fashion week, Kaula Lumpur and Miami fashion weeks.

He has 18 stores in India and 6 international stores. He designs for both men and women and apart from the clothing he designs accessories too! Personally, I am a huge fan of his embroidered capsule clutches.

3. Anita Dongre

Indian culture, heritage and craftsmanship have always been an inspiration for the designer. In 2008, she has received an award for Excellence in Fashion Design. Her designs are available under four different brands namely, Anita Dongre, Anita Dongre Grassroot, AND and Global Desi.

Of which Anita Dongre brand caters to bridal and menswear, Anita Dongre Grassroot for organic clothes, AND for western wear and Global Desi for ethnic lovers. With 13 stores in India and 2 international stores of which one is opened recently in SoHo, the fashion designer is all set to make a benchmark in the world of designing.

The designer has an immense interest in Indian culture. She loves working with Indian handloom, textile weaves and eco-friendly textiles.

4. Rahul Mishra

Rahul Mishra is one of the first designers who showcased his work at Paris Fashion Week. He is well-known for his signature three-dimensional architectural and laser-cut patterns, intricate botanical motifs and extraordinary workmanship.

He is also the first Indian designer to win the International Woolmark Prize. We’ve seen the designer making use of his skills in menswear too! He has acquired a milestone of 10 years in the Indian fashion weeks and 4 years in Paris fashion week.

Rahul Mishra is known for his contribution to Indian handlooms and is continuously working on it through his sustainable design innovations.

5. Tarun Tahliani

Indian couturier Tarun Tahiliani has famously been called as the ‘Karl Lagerfeld of India’ by  British stylist Isabella Blow. He was the first Indian designer invited to present his work at the Milan Fashion Week. He is also a co-founder of the popular Ensemble store which was the first multi-designer boutique in India.

With over 26 years of experience, he’s been marveling in bridal wear designing. Not only bridal wear but couture, ready-to-wear is something Tarun loves to do! He has designed for Lady Gaga, Deepika Padukone, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty. Apart from clothing, he even designs accessories and they are remarkable too!

6. Gaurav Gupta

The Delhi based designer has an impeccable take on designing three-dimensional silhouettes. He is well known for creating a fusion of outfits. In most of his collections, we see that western silhouettes take a modern take on haute couture. His collections also feature the usage of softest fabrics like chiffon, georgette organza and silk.

However, our previous reviews on his collection have been more on the harsher side, since some were notably similar to Paris Fashion Week looks. With over 600k followers on social media, this designer is surely one of the top fashion designers in India.

He started his career in 2006 and ever since then there’s been no looking back for the designer. He designs for both men and woman and has stores all over the world.

7. Rohit Bal

He is well known for his keen interest in designing as an art form. Also, his attention to detail is something that is worth mentioning! Rohit Bal is known for his contemporary gist of Indian tradition.

Born in Srinagar, this designer has started designing since 1990 and launched his label in that year itself. He has held fashion shows in Paris, new york, Singapore, Geneva and all the major cities of India.

He has partnerships with many Indian and international brands like Christian Louboutin, Kirtilal Jewellers, Zippo Lighters and very recently with an international textile company, Reid & Taylor.

8. Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla

Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla together decided to start a label in 1986 and it’s been nearly 30 years since the duo have been working together.

Their friendship with the famous Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and their family is well known. More recently, in the wedding of Sonam Kapoor, the Bachchan family wore the outfits designed by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. The bride, herself wore the sangeet outfit designed by the duo. A well-known label among the film fraternity.

9. Varun Bahl

Varun Bahl makes it to our top fashion designers list. He is well known for creating style signatures and hence his clothes are fashionable and unique. His expertise in blending classic with contemporary gives one an desired dreamy tale outfit. He is also the one who has brought modern timeless touch to Indian bridal wear. Also, check out his “Vintage Gardens” collection, one of our personal favorites.

Starting from thousands to a maximum price of approximately five lakh rupees, you’ll find creative outfits designed by Varun Bahl. With over 17 years of experience and the way he has given a twist to Indian bridal wear, this designer certainly deserves to be in this list of the best Indian fashion designers.

10. Falguni Shane Peacock

Unique and unusual styling and attention to detail that they give to each of their designs are remarkable. The brand carries the signature use of feathers, prints and sequins. Even in their Summer/Resort 2017 collection, we could see the designers’ signature style as the collection had sequined gowns, embellished capes, etc.

The dresses designed by Falguni Shane Peacock are perfect for parties. Although still, the brand has not stretched its wings internationally, in India, the designers are amongst the best.

11. Shyamal & Bhumika

The duo started designing in 2000 and within a span of three years, they even started their own label.  With millions of followers on social media and over 18 years of experience, these designers deserve to be on the list of top fashion designers in India. The Shyamal & Bhumika page on Facebook is one of the most loved designer labels with over 2 million followers!

Their affinity for fashion grew along with them. Infused with Indian inspirations, they use artisan techniques and are also passionately involved with the revival of several crafts. The design duo are one of the newest in India to have made an indelible mark on Indian couture scene with their intricate designs.

12. Anushree Reddy

Although she doesn’t have a fashion background and was a business management student, she still managed to be one of India’s top fashion designer. Her keen interest is designing ethnic wear like bridal lehengas and sarees.

Her distinguished creations offer the young bride a wide range of options and also a different and subtle color palette. She set her foot in the Indian fashion weeks in 2013. One of her Lakme Fashion Week collections was inspired by the Indian Desert and the unique draping and the color palette of the outfits was appreciable.

Although she is a young Indian fashion designer and started designing in the late 2000s, she supplies her designs for the most reputed boutiques in India like Ensemble, Aza, Evoluzione, etc.

13. Neeta Lulla

The first thing that comes to one’s mind when we hear the name Neeta Lulla is costume designer for films. I still remember the outfits worn by the gorgeous actresses of the epic movie Devdas. She was also known for designing outfits for period films like Mohenjadaro. She has won a couple of national awards for costume designing.

“Fashion is not constant, style is,” says Neeta Lulla in most of her interviews. She has always been a feminist and it portrayed in most of her collections.

14. Anamika Khanna

The designer is well known for blending traditional Indian textile with western silhouettes. Her philosophy in designing is innovation in Indian style and keeping it extremely relevant to the modern world. She is also one of the first Indian women to showcase her designs in Paris Fashion Week. She is a designer who can help one find a personal style of their own!

15. Ritu Kumar

At 73, Ritu Kumar is one of the eldest Indian fashion designers. With a background of ancient history and museology, her understanding of ancient designs and traditional craftsmanship has created a new era of designing in India.

She is one of the top fashion designers who has bridged the gap between traditional and modern wear. Also, she is the one who has bought the boutique culture in India. With more than 50 stores in India and a couple of them in foreign countries, this designer surely deserves to be on the list of top fashion designers in India.

16. Monisha Jaising

After seeing her couture collection in 2017 inspired by opera, I’ve personally become a huge fan of this designer. Metallic outfits both for casual and party wear and Indian outfits with a touch of western silhouettes made this collection a remarkable one.

More recently, famous Bollywood actress, Kareen Kapoor Khan walked for Monisha at LFW 2018, wearing a holographic off-shoulder outfit.

She started working in 1990 and there has been no looking back since then! She even designs for kids and she was the one who brought trademark polo tees in mini sizes.

17. Anju Modi

You’d be glad to know that Anju Modi has designed the outfits for Deepika Padukone in the movie, Bajirao Mastani. If you’re thinking, is this the reason she made to the list of top fashion designers? Then, the answer is yes and no! This makes her one of the renowned fashion designers or the other way round, because of her work she was the costume designer of the movie! Also, fashion for her is all about evolving, refining the roots and bringing out a completely new element!

18. Manav Gangwani

The designer doesn’t have much of social fame, with just 22k followers across Twitter, Facebook & Instagram. But still owing to his look of unique youthful opulence and being a much-loved Bollywood celebrity interest, he made it to our list of top fashion designers.

In one of his interviews, he says, “My muse is a sensuous woman, who is disposed to make a statement & break all the norms.” This shows how much he likes making unique, statement and sensuous outfits.

19. Shantanu & Nikhil

With Nikhil having a background of fashion and Shantanu having the qualification in finance, the duo fits best for art and commerce. Their designing skills are not only limited to couture but all they are amongst the few Indian designers who have laid their foot ahead in sports too!

Their partnership with Adidas and their design expertise can be seen on the jersey of Mumbai Indian team. With over 5 stores in India, and a huge following and years of experience, they are some of the top fashion designers in India.

20. Rimple & Harpreet Narula

Refined luxury, passion for modifying silhouettes is what the brand focuses on!  Most of their collections are riots of motifs and are perfect for Indian wedding wear. In the period movie Padmavat, the outfits for the lead roles were designed by the duo!

Comparison of Top Indian Fashion Designers’ Influence & SlubScores

So, this is all about the top fashion designers in India. Did your favorite designer made it to our list and if not why do you think he should be on this list? Do let us know your opinions by tweeting @shilpa1ahuja.

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