Top 10 Indian Couture Designers

Indian fashion designers have proved their mettle many times in the fashion industry on a global front. Thanks to celebrated Indian fashion designers who are going places and making India proud again and again by incorporating Indian design sensibilities into modern fashion complexities. You name a style and one of these esteemed fashion designers are the master of it.

It's not easy to make the list of the most successful fashion designers. From veterans like Ritu Kumar, a legendary fashion designer who is ruling the Indian fashion industry since 1969 to young talents like Masaba Gupta - India boasts of highly distinguished fashion designers that concoct traditions with new-world aesthetics.

Considering the current talent pool of fashion designers, it's probably at an all-time high. Until quite recently, India had only a handful of fashion designers. However, that's not true anymore. There are numerous fashion designers with incredible talent and fashion sense. The dynamic ever evolving runway scenes have further boosted growth prospects for fashion designers. With this growth space, designer-wear has become accessible and affordable than what it was a few years ago. Also, it's quite common to find flagship stores of fashion designers in every city. Owning a piece of stunning designer wear is easier than ever, thanks to the chain of designer led flagship stores that carry the latest designer collections.

Indian fashion designers cater to all categories from apparels to jewellery and accessories. The fascinating fact is that each designer has a unique style to offer. Be it haute couture or bridal wear with a sea of options from contemporary, ethnic, and modern collections, fashion designers in India are the masters of all.

We have curated 10 of our most favourite Indian fashion designers with no order. Let's have a look at the names who have taken Indian fashion industry to the topmost level. These are the well-known faces of the Indian fashion industry that hold a domineering part in Indian fashion style.

Sabyasachi Mukherjee

Sabyasachi, the name needs no introduction! A name that resonates with royal embroidered bridal wear in India. Designer Sabyasachi's creations are a legit dream for every Indian bride. Right from donning his stunning red signature lehengas to choosing the most experimental silhouettes in unique hues, brides have been making strong sartorial statements in Sabyasachi bridal lehengas. A Kolkata-based designer started his label soon after graduating from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi. Currently, he has 18 stores in India and 6 international stores. Apart from designing traditional and Indian wear for men and women, he designs accessories too!

Sabyasachi has propagated the use of handlooms in his designer collection. His cotton, silk, and khadi hand woven sarees are near iconic. Besides designing apparels for some high-profile names and Bollywood actors, he has also started designing everyday outfits for women. Sabyasachi uses uncommon fabrics, textures, and detailing. If you are someone who loves to do experiment with your look, then Sabyasachi clothing label has exclusive designs which you will love to include in your wardrobe.

Manish Malhotra

When talking about the fashion industry, the first name that strikes everyone's mind is Manish Malhotra. He inevitably is the dream designer of Bollywood. Manish Malhotra has worked with every leading actress of B-town. Red carpet events inescapably have more than one actor or actresses showcasing his work. From a revolutionary costume designer to a top-notch fashion designer, this celebrated designer has a range of glories attached to his name.

Manish Malhotra is best known for his unique ability to envision a look for the character and create a distinguished style for it. Being one of the most talked about and popular couturiers for over three decades, Indian fashion trends have been often marked by his work. In addition to working with famous Bollywood actors like Kajol, Karishma, Kareena, Rani Mukherjee, Aishwarya Rai, Alia Bhatt, Preity Zinta, and more. He has also designed clothes for Michael Jackson when he came to India for a Bollywood show.

Neeta Lulla

You can't finalize your list of best fashion designers without including the most desirable and successful designer, Neeta Lula. This Indian costume designer and fashion stylist has worked on more than 300 films. Her name is inseparably associated with Bollywood after actresses like Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai wore her time period-based costumes in the trend setting Bollywood film, Devdas.

Neeta Lulla is known as the most awarded costume designer in Bollywood. Her first full time fashion designer role caught attention when she designed costume for late Sridevi in Lamhe. She is all about creating perfect silhouettes for period dramas. An ideal blend of contemporary and ethnic is what you can expect from her label.

She's in the fashion industry since 1985 and still a favourite among Bollywood brides for her traditional yet contemporary style. Her incredible styling sense and creativity has won her accolades in places like Rome, Canada, US, and Monte Carlo.

Anita Dongre

Anita Dongre is the choice of new generation divas despite being counted among famous fashion designers in Bollywood. The cutesy subtle colours, floral patterns, and layers in her fabrics transform fairy tales into reality. She has 2 stores in America, four labels under her name and has dressed the Duchess of Cambridge. Her labels are meticulously planned to cater to the varying needs of people. Her dresses are never over the top or loud. If you are crazy for eclectic and elegant designs, her labels have that and a lot more. Her designs are extremely fashionable yet classic.

She came from Jaipur and moved to Mumbai to achieve her passion of becoming a successful fashion designer. Today she is a popular name in fashion industry and Bollywood actors. Her popular brands include A.N.D and Global Desi that carry the latest chic wear. She has also invested in organic clothing under her label Anita D Grassroot.

Tarun Tahiliani

Popular for his spectacular vision for fusion, designer Tarun Tahiliani established India's first multi designer boutique in 1987. He was the first and only fashion designer who showcased his works at Milan fashion week. Tarun Tahiliani has contributed a lot to the Indian fashion Industry over his career. The Designer's signature style borrows elements of Italian pattern cutting and Indian craftsmanship combined with modern technologies such as digital textile printing concluding in a look that justifies both opulent Indian aesthetics and contemporary, international and chic.

As a noted fashion designer, Tarun Tahiliani is mostly known for his unconventional collection of bridal trousseaux. He has designed for leading ladies of Bollywood including Katrina Kaif, Lisa Haydon, Hrithik Roshan, Madhuri Dixit, Arjun Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, etc. He is not only the heartthrob of Bollywood actors but also Hollywood celebrities like Lady Gaga who once draped his designer saree. Oprah Winfrey and Elizabeth Hurley are other prominent celebrities Tahiliani has designed for.

Anamika Khanna

Anamika Khanna is India's first designer who walked at the Paris fashion week about a decade ago. Her designs have an Indian touch with a western outlook. She also got an offer from Britain's leading retail fashion giant Harrod's. Dhoti sarees are her brainchild. She is known for her distinct and experimental sense of styling that has always created waves in the fashion industry. Her brand is an international label known as Ana Mika.

A legend in Indian fashion, Anamika Khanna's take on Indian clothing incorporates style influences from all over the world. Capes, dhoti pants and jackets have bought an entire new wave of Indian style. Her designs hint not only of European culture, but she even employs international techniques of tailoring. She has also made collaborations with other brands has bought her fame and helped her become the fashion icon she is today.

Manish Arora

Manish Arora, a New Delhi based designer, is yet another renowned name in the fashion industry. Since launching his label in 1997, he has become popular in international fashion world. He has designed for Lady Gaga, Katy Parry, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Sonam Kapoor, Kangna Ranaut etc. His collection is popularly recognised for the use of candid use of vibrant colours and motifs. His flagship stores can be found in Delhi and Mumbai.

Designer is known for his detailed craftsmanship and unique colour palette. His designs fuse Indian rich heritage with playful and contemporary vibes. His work has been featured in high profile fashion magazines like Elle, Interview, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar.

Today, Manish boasts of selling his creations worldwide across prestigious stores including Joyce and Beams, and Printemps. His rich and colourful designs have been appreciated worldwide by bevy of international superstars. Designer has collaborated with eminent bands like Swarovski, Reebok, Walt Disney, Barbie, MAC Cosmetics, Amrapali among others.

Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla

A dashing duo of Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla is considered among first names in the fashion circuit that made it big by way of success, fame, attention and hype. Their creative alliance exudes talent and one of kind designs. Duo is appreciated quite often for bringing their work in Chikankari and Zardozi to the ramp extensively. They enjoy fascinating clientele ranging from the iconic Bachchans to Beyonce.

Abu Jani and Sandeep khosla designs have European influence which tailored in a way that infuses Indian craftsmanship. Their collection is all about combining tradition and heritage with a modern aesthetic. Their couture collections are both intriguing and incredible. They were one of the first to display their designs at Harrods. Hallmark collections of these designers feature mirror work, Chikankari, Tharad and Zardozi forms of embroidery. Their creations are famous for extravagant, detailed, fine, exquisite, and extensive embroidery in distinct forms. Their label has become a rage with younger demographics.

Masaba Gupta

An iconic fashion designer, Masaba Gupta has carved a special place for herself in India's fashion industry in a relatively short span of time. A very talented young designer is known for her unconventional prints, bold colours and distinct creative interpretations of traditional wear. Daughter of veteran TV actress Neena Gupta, Masaba Gupta graduated from SNDT women's university in 2009 with a diploma in Apparel Manufacture and Design. She is winning hearts as the most promising designer.

Her eclectic and eccentric collections generally carry geometric, bold and path breaking silhouettes with kaleidoscopic colours. Denim saree, pocket saree, and polka dot jumpsuits have been greatest hits and hot favourites from her collection. A label under Masaba Gupta, MASABA is a diffusion line that comes with its unique revolutionary quirks. Her designs are fierce, bold, and the USP of their design lie in its unique colour and sensibility that marry Indian and modern in a perfect mix.

Ritu Kumar

Padma Shri awardee, Ritu Kumar is the veteran designer who pioneered boutiques in India. She started her career forty years ago with a modest collection of four hand block printers and only one table in a small village near Kolkata.

Label Ritu Kumar is all about progressive, traditional and contemporary styles. She took the responsibility upon herself to bring ancient Indian traditions to millennial generation and deliver it in modern style. She has her stores in Paris, New York and Landon. For her immense contribution to Indian fashion industry, she has received Padma Shri in 2013. Today, she has outlets in 14 cities in India.

Ritu Kumar's forte lies in traditional Indian clothes which draw heavily on the textile and embroidery heritage of India. Her incredible ability to evolve with each collection into creative styling, transforming textures and embellishments into contemporary silhouettes, make her work popular in Indian fashion industry. Her exceptional contribution in field of textile, fashion and craftsmanship in India has led country's fashion industry to the next level.

The designer courtiers from India are unmatched. Indian designers are giving tough competition to the fashion standards of Paris and New York. Owing to these fashion designers, the Indian fabric and Indian textile has got popular and in demand in international markets. India has risen as the fashionistas country and has prominent position in the international fashion industry. This is made possible by our young and creative designers who often come forward with their exemplary designs and catch the global attention.

When you think of the top fashion labels, the first names that probably come to the minds of millions of people are Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi and Masaba. But if we dive deep into the ocean then the list is quite long. Indian designers are known for showcasing extravagant and fabulous outfits in fashion shows from traditional sarees to eccentrically patterned dresses. There is no dearth of talented fashion designers in India. The Indian land harbours some of the greatest and finest craftsmen in the world. Indian designers have been able to successfully revive lost traditional designs and set new trends with client base spread all around the world.