Manish Malhotra is high profile designer whose creations are the preferred option for not only the Bollywood glitterati but also the denizens of big industrial houses like Godrej, Birla, Jindal, Dhoot, Raheja etc. and global corporations such as American Express Bank, Citi Bank, Wizcraft, Barclays Bank, Thai Gems and Jewelers Association, Deutche Bank, HSBC, Kotak Wealth Management, Moet & Hennessey. He sells under his own label, “Manish Malhotra’, which he launched in 2004. His designs balance the divide between b prêt and haute couture and are infused with enchanting color and texture and drape. He has nearly 34 awards, has designed for more than 1000 films.
Varun Bahl is a designer whose sense of style was well developed even when he was knee high. The degree from the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Delhi was a mere formality for this very talented designer. Varun Bahl is known for his expertise and flair for western clothes. But this has not come in the way of the designer successfully adapting his preferences for surface ornamentation, simple and clean silhouettes and a fusion of techniques into his Indian saris and lehengas. He also successfully uses block printing, appliqué and embroidery on an outfit that is crafted from fabrics with different textures.
The lack of formal training in the craft of fashion designing has not come in the way of Anamika Khanna winning sundry awards like the recent Kingfisher Award for the Fashion Designer of the Year and previously the Damania Fashion Award in 1995, besides the Exports Council Award and the Texcellence Award for Outstanding Boutique (Female). Her namesake label, ‘Anamika Khanna’ for India and ‘Ana Mika’ for the international markets, is visible on fashion ramps across London, Paris, Singapore, New York and Los Angeles, besides Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkota.
Sabyasachi Mukherji made waves in the fashion circles even before he graduated from NIFT Kolkata, where he won three top awards. He launched his label soon after graduating in 1999. As winner of the Femina British Council most outstanding young Designer of India award in 2001, he traveled to London and interned with Georgina Von Etzdorf based in Salisbury. His success stories run into many pages.
Vivek Karunakaran graduated from NIFT, Chennai, in 2002. He started out as Creative Head of Isex Fashion and turned out successful collections for American and European labels like Zara, Armani, Facconable, Kenzo and Brooksfield. Subsequently, he headed the creative team for retail brand ‘evoluzione’. In 2006 he launched his own range of men and women’s wear under the label ViiA. His USP remains to be perfection matched with uncomplicated simplicity.
Raakesh Agarvwal trained at NIFT, Delhi and went on to work for Tarun Tahiliani as head designer. He launched his own studio in 2005, which is known for creating glamorous yet comfortable apparel.
The designer acquired a Fashion Design Diploma at SNDT and a few years later specialized in Textile Design at the Sophia Polytech, Mumbai. A decade and more later, she enrolled for the Corsetry and jacket making course at the London College of Fashion Studies, London. With so many specializations interspersed with experience under such designers as Sylvia Fletcher and her success at her own various initiatives have made Priyadarshini Rao a designer of some mettle. She explores and learns and relentlessly strives for excellence.
Pallavi Jaikishan is a destiny’s child. With no formal training in any aspect of fashion designing, Pallavi has defied the norms to enrich the apparel and fashion industry with her classic and timeless creations. Spouse of famous music director Jaikishan, one of the Shankar-Jaikishan duo, she started out small but today runs a huge organizational structure with her styles and designs doing exceedingly well globally. Her daughter Bhairavi Jaikishan, having train at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angles, also works alongside her. While the duo works together, each has her own distinct style of designing.
