Anamika Khanna's name is synonymous with a certain kind of rebellion in Indian fashion. She is a designer who respects tradition enough to deconstruct it, creating a visual language that is both deeply Indian and strikingly global. Her designs are not just garments; they are fluid pieces of art that drape the body, telling a story of modern femininity. This post explores the journey of Anamika Khanna, from her early inspirations to her iconic creations and the indelible mark she has left on the world of fashion.
The Roots of a Fashion Visionary
Background: Born in Jodhpur and raised in Kolkata, Anamika Khanna was surrounded by a diverse blend of culture, art, and textile heritage. Despite having completed a degree in commerce at Loreto College, Kolkata, she had no formal background in fashion. Her path was carved by self-driven creativity.
Finding her passion: A keen observer of traditional crafts and Western aesthetics, Khanna began experimenting with draping and textiles in her early years.
Breakthrough: In 1995, she won the Damania Fashion Award, a pivotal moment that catapulted her into India’s elite designer circle and connected her with renowned fashion professionals.
Key influences:
- Ancient embroidery techniques
- Bengal’s artistic heritage
- Evolving roles of Indian women in society
Early style: Her initial collections often mixed handloom fabrics, earthy palettes, and intricate embroidery. It reflected her Kolkata roots and growing awareness of global fashion currents.
Milestones of a Trailblazer
Paris Fashion Week (2007): Among the select few Indian designers ever invited to showcase at Paris, Khanna’s Indo-Western collection received international acclaim and opened doors for Indian labels globally.
Signature design elements:
- Asymmetrical draping: Famous for transforming traditional sarees and dhotis into ready-to-wear garments. Her dhoti pants, paired imaginatively with coats and capes, are widely imitated.
- Contemporary embroidery: Incorporates traditional methods like zardozi and chikankari but in modern patterns, colors, and silhouettes.
- Indo-Western fusion: Seamlessly merges Indian saree, lehenga and kurta with Western tailoring. Think capes with sarees, tunics with tailored pants and more.
Collections as narratives: Each collection tells a story! Such as “Save the Sari” (an effort to revive and contemporize the garment) and “Luxury for the Mind” (focusing on comfort and intellectual luxury).
Taking Indian Fashion to the World
Bollywood & Indian Celebrities:
- Sonam Kapoor Ahuja: Walked for AK|OK at London Fashion Week 2025, epitomizing Indo-western style.
- Alia Bhatt: Sparkled in Khanna’s marble white concept saree at the 69th Filmfare Awards.
- Radhika Ambani: Trusted Anamika Khanna for wedding couture, reinforcing her brand’s luxury status.
- Janhvi Kapoor: Turned heads at Cannes in a signature Anamika Khanna creation, showcasing the brand’s global appeal.
International Icons:
- Shakira: Sporting Khanna’s stunning attire during her world tour, blending Indian style into pop culture.
- Oprah Winfrey: Chose Khanna’s signature drapes for the 2025 "Women in the World Summit."
- Kelly Rowland: Wore her exquisite gowns at major international red carpets.
- Jennifer Lopez: Dazzled in a custom Anamika Khanna couture for her performance at Saadiyat Nights, Abu Dhabi.
Celebrity Moments:
- Met Gala 2025: Isha Ambani wore a handcrafted, superfine tailored fit that seamlessly merged traditional Indian textile with high-fashion drama.
- Lady Gaga: Received a custom Anamika Khanna lehenga, weighing over 10 kg, gifted by Simi Garewal during the singer’s India visit.
- Lady Amelia & Lady Eliza Spencer: The British aristocrats appeared in custom red silk gowns at London’s Serpentine Summer Party.
Noteworthy Events
London Fashion Week (2025): Marked the AK|OK label’s international runway debut. The show focused on “urban Londoners” and included:
- Chikankari layered in a relaxed, global context
- Classic Indian cuts paired with denim, trainers, and tailored jackets
- Widespread acclaim for translating Indian techniques into modern urban fashion.
Harrods Collaboration: Exclusive collections in the iconic UK store, cementing Khanna’s relevance in the luxury retail market.
Anamika Khanna: The Brand
Philosophy: The brand centers on “intellectual luxury” and bold individuality. Each piece is a statement of empowerment, not just a fashion item.
Product categories:
- Fusion Wear: Dhoti sarees, belted tunics, and fashion-forward capes.
- Couture Bridal: Lehengas and sarees that double as modern heirlooms, hand-finished for discerning clients.
- AK-OK (Ready-to-wear): Vibrant, convenient, and accessible. Fashion for every day without compromise on creativity.
- Craftsmanship & Artistry: Partnerships with Indian artisans enable preservation and reinvention of historic textile arts.
- Innovation: From reimagining bridal looks to launching playful ready-to-wear lines, her work constantly pushes boundaries while staying rooted in Indian sensibilities.
H&M Collaboration (2024):
- Launched a capsule collection blending Indian motifs and techniques with casual, global silhouettes.
- Made Indian design accessible to an international, mass-market audience.
- Inspired other collaborations between global high-street and Indian designer brands.
What’s Next for Anamika Khanna?
- Sustainability: Focuses on “slow fashion” - timeless designs, eco-friendly processes, and social impact by supporting artisan communities.
- Expansion: Plans to expand into new digital platforms and retail markets, leveraging growing international demand.
- Innovation: Announces collections exploring unexpected combinations like urban streetwear meets heritage textiles.
- Ongoing collaborations: Open to further pairings with international brands, artists, and events, spreading Indian design philosophy worldwide.
Celebrating a Fashion Icon
Anamika Khanna’s enduring legacy:
- Dresses India’s most powerful women, actors, entrepreneurs, brides, and leaders at key life moments.
- Her outfits rule global red carpets (TIME 100 Gala, Cannes, Filmfare Awards); she seamlessly blends in with the world’s best platforms.
- Her designer-muse relationship with Sonam Kapoor Ahuja has redefined how Indian fashion is viewed worldwide.
- Stands out for empowering women to embrace both tradition and confidence, poetry and practicality.
Want to see Anamika Khanna’s Vision Up Close?
Explore Anamika Khanna's curated collections at Aza Fashions online or at the stores, showcasing India’s finest artistry and the pulse of modern fashion. Follow the brand for updates and inspiration as she continues to redefine the world’s idea of Indian couture.
