21 Indian Fashion Designers You Should Check Out Immediately
From sarees to tie-dye sweatpants—they do it all.
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India is behind some of the most talented and creative fashion and accessory designers, yet they're not as widely recognized as their white counterparts. (A lot of Indian ateliers are actually responsible for the embroidery, embellishments, and fabrics you see from prestigious fashion houses like Versace, Hermès, Christian Louboutin, Gucci, Prada, Dior, and more.) So many Indian fashion designers incorporate bright colors, rich textiles, and intricate sewing into their pieces, and it's clear that their fashion lines are influenced by the country's colorful markets, awe-inspiring temples, and the bright outfits of its people. While you may have heard of some of these designers, others are mostly known in India, but all of them deserve your attention because of their beautiful creations.
From wearable everyday pieces to luxe bridal couture, these Indian designers have made their mark on the fashion industry and each represent their country in their own unique way. While some stick to traditional styles like sarees, lehengas, tunics, and churidaars, others embrace updated aesthetics like tie-dye sweats, floral button-downs, and puff sleeves. Also, India is known for its intricate jewelry and vivid gemstones, so you know we had to include some standout jewelry designers in here too. Here, 21 Indian fashion and accessory designers to keep on your radar.
Sheena Sood of abacaxi
Inspired by nature, Sheena's designs feature tie-dye, quilted textures, mesh panels, balloon sleeves, and more. She also has an array of cute seashell hair accessories and beaded face masks.
Anita Dongre
Born in Mumbai, Anita has been a mainstay in India's fashion scene with her clothing and jewelry designs, but when Kate Middleton wore one of her dresses in 2016, everyone wanted to nab the style. She has a flagship store in New York City, and other celebs who have worn her creations are Beyoncé, Sophie Turner, and Priyanka Chopra.
Suket Dhir of SUKETDHIR
Wow to this matching floral set! Designer Suket of his namesake line makes some truly stand out pieces with the most stunning prints. He was also awarded the International Woolmark Prize in 2016—the same award that has gone to the late Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent.
Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia of Sachin & Babi
This design duo met at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, got married, and started their own label which usually features florals, bright hues, and some seriously jaw-dropping beaded jewelry.
Ranjana Khan
And speaking of jaw-dropping beaded jewelry, feel free to peruse Ranjana Khan's designs. Born in Mumbai, she launched her jewelry brand in 2008, which feature incredible detailing using materials like beads, feathers, crystals, and more.
Megan Kothari of Aaryah
Each piece of jewelry from the brand is like an heirloom. They're statement designs made for everyday wear, like this malachite ring here. Megan was born into a family of jewelers and was inspired by her Indian heritage to create her unique designs.
Naeem Khan
Naeem Khan hardly needs an introduction, as he does regular shows during New York Fashion Week and has dressed Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton, among other A-listers. He's known for his intricately detailed gowns with sequins and beads, and he also designs equally stunning bridal collections.
Bibhu Mohapatra
The New York-based fashion designer draws inspiration from his time growing up on the east coast of India in Odisha. His mother first taught him how to sew and after he moved the U.S., he launched his eponymous label. His structural pieces and expert tailoring make for some chic outfits.
Tarun Tahiliani
Tarun specializes in bridal couture and started his namesake label in 1995. He uses rich fabrics to make his creations and he also has his own jewelry line with shimmery Swarovski crystals to go with any of his looks.
Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla of Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla
Both Abu and Sandeep have work together on this label for 34 years to become one of the most recognizable fashion houses in India. Combining traditional craftsmanship with a modern aesthetic, their pieces are like works of art.
Ritu Kumar
Ritu's label has been around since 1969, and she's one of the most well-known Indian designers. She started the brand in a small village near Calcutta and now has almost a hundred retail stores across the country. Indian stars like Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra are fans of her chic yet colorful designs.
Kanika Goyal of Kanika Goyal Label
If a cool streetwear vibe is more your style, this brand made by Kanika Goyal is definitely for you. The Delhi-based designer collaborated with Adidas Originals and also interned for Bibhu Mohapatra. Recently in 2019, she was named Forbes India 30 under 30.
Saloni Lodha of Saloni
Saloni's dresses feature some mesmerizing and bright textiles. In 2011 she launched her eponymous label inspired by the vivid colors she remembers seeing on her grandmother's sarees and the architectural details in the Jain temples she visited.
Neeta Lulla of House of Neeta Lulla
Both a stylist and fashion designer, Neeta has worked on hundreds of Bollywood films dressing Indian actresses for their roles. She also designs wedding dresses with her bridal couture collection, but also has pretty tunic and skirt sets and cocktail dresses.
Karishma Patel of KAPES Fine Jewelry
Karishma was born in India and moved to Tokyo at a young age, where her father ran a jewelry and diamond business. She eventually got into the business herself and now makes jewelry inspired by India, Japan, and her travels to Italy. Currently eyeing these sparkly om rings for myself.
Payal Singhal
The fashion house was founded in '99 by Payal and has a contemporary aesthetic with an emphasis on everyday wear. It also expands beyond fashion into categories like decor, weddings, and stationary.
Roopa Pemmaraju
Emphasizing slow fashion, Roopa said in an interview that "every garment we create uses natural materials and processes that are carbon-neutral, with each sale going back to supporting the skilled artisans and their families." Her designs are sold at Anthropologie and her bold quilted face masks are some of her most popular pieces.
Sujan Doshi of LMJ
Sujan was born in NYC, but each piece is handcrafted in India using naturally-sourced diamonds and gemstones. Just look at these bold turquoise rings!
Sabyasachi Mukherjee of Sabyasachi
Sabyasachi designed Priyanka Chopra's wedding dress and has a casual 4.6 million followers on his IG page, so he's a huge deal in the fashion space. He launched his own label in 1999, and he also designs jewelry, as seen on these models here.
Masaba Gupta of House of Masaba
Masaba started her fashion line in 2009 and it has since expanded into beauty, fashion jewelry, accessories, menswear, and swimwear. If you want something that really turns heads, the fabrics with metallic threading and bright hues from this brand will definitely do the trick.
I'm Cosmopolitan's Associate Fashion Editor and write about any and all trends, major celeb fashion moments, and why wide-leg jeans are basically the best. I originally moved to New York City to audition for RENT, only to find out that the play closed 10 years ago.
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