The fashion industry at present is thriving with the gamut of the Indian designers with their impeccable talent and skills. Each of these fashion designers has their very own sense of fashion and designing which makes them stand apart from each other. This scenario has welcomed a new era of fashion which opens its door to almost every trend which budding designers propose. At the same time, this upcoming trend has made designer wear inexpensive so as to expand its reach and affordability. Ranging from khadi, traditional or earthy, people now have a pool of options to choose from. This list seems inexhaustive as more and more people are coming up with their own benchmark design. Needless to say, there are a few designers who, with their impelling and encouraging journeys have carved a dominant space for themselves in the industry. A glance at their design is enough to gauge the passion they have for designing. Read on to know the top fashion gurus in India who seem to rule the industry.

• SABYASACHI MUKHERJEE– Is one of the most prominent and renounced fashion designers widely known for his impeccable bridal designs. It is a dream for almost every bride to own a Sabyasachi lehenga because of its immaculate design and gorgeous feel.

• MANISH MALHOTRA– is a celebrated fashion designer in the Bollywood industry because of his distinctive style and extravagant designs. He has carved a name for himself which expands further than the eternal Indian couture. His designs are a reflection of his creativity and instincts which spans the broad spheres of styling, diffusion, and timeless bridal and Indian couture.

• ANITA DONGRE– Hailing from a small city in Jaipur, she followed her passion for designing with two sewing machines in her one-bedroom flat. She is one of the pioneering designers of Indian Bridal Couture and designs. Her designs are subtle yet eclectic and magnificent which can be seen right through.

• BIBHU MOHAPATRA– Since the beginning of his tryst with the needle at the age of 12, Bibhu Mohapatra has created a niche for himself by designing clothes meant for evening wear to nightgowns and did not stop there. Hailing from a small town of Rourkela, he has chiseled his path and dressed some of the most influential people, including New York’s former First Lady, Michelle Obama. Along with his A- list fashion designs, he is now into designing fine Jewelry with De Beers and forever mark.

• NEETA LULLA– known for her ravishing couture collection and costume designs, she has been an indispensable part of the Indian fashion industry for over two decades now.  Her quintessential designs strike a perfect balance between contemporary and ethnic wear and this is what makes her stand apart from the rest.

• RITU KUMAR– Is a veteran Indian Fashion designer who is known to be amongst the first few who pioneered boutiques in India. She introduced ancient Indian designs to the millennials and furnished it with eclectic style. Her colossal contribution to the fashion industry is enormous and for this reason, she has been awarded the prestigious ‘Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award’

• TARUN TAHILANI– He is one of the few designers who are known for their impeccable amalgamation of Indian royal heritage and the European sartorial styles. Owing to his magnificent designs, he was the first one from the Indian Fashion Industry who was invited to showcase his creations at the Milan Fashion Week. Designs by Tarun Tahilini are stimulated by refined legacy, panache and Indian royalty.

• MASABA GUPTA- Is undoubtedly one of the youngest and most promising face in the fashion industry, which is why she earned herself the title of ‘Most Promising Designer’ at Lakme Fashion Week. She has carved a name for herself with her own revolutionary quirks. From kaftans to elegant sarees and jumpsuits, she introduced a fresh wave of clothing which were distinctive and unique. She has created a benchmark for herself through her bold and fierce styles which are bohemian yet traditional.

• RITU BERI- Is considered one of the germs of the global fashion industry. She has carved her a name for herself with her own revolutionary quirks not only in India but has been acclaimed worldwide. Having a global clientele, Ritu Beri has worked for some really influential people like Elizabeth Jagger, Bill Clinton, Prince Charles with her diverse sense of creations and silhouettes in her designs. Her designs are lauded because of their opulence, royalty, and elegance.   

• ROHIT BAL- Hailing from the beautiful state of Kashmir, Rohit Bal has made a benchmark for himself by venturing not only in women’s fashion but in men’s fashion designs as well. His creations are a perfect coalescence of Indian traditions and western designs that can be seen right through. With ardent finesse, grandiosity and sartorial splendor, his work becomes exemplary.

• ANJU MODI- For more than two decades now, Anju Modi has been one of the leading in the fashion industry. Her name resonates through Bollywood because of her grandeur and stunning costumes that she has designed for literally every Bollywood celebrity. From stylish evening wear and angrakhas to sophisticated bridal wear and Indian couture, her creations transcend beauty, style, charm and magnificence through its overwhelming stature. Her distinctive designs have helped her in bragging the title of being the most versatile fashion designers of India.

• SANDEEP KHOSLA AND ABU JANI- This dynamic duo is widely known for reviving the Chinkari and Zardozi work and also bringing it to the ramp extensively. Their creations are a fusion of contemporary traditions and heritage with millennial aesthetics. Their designs are all about traditional mirror embroidery, Chikan work on sheer fabrics and rich silk embroidery in wedding dresses which they have used extensively in Indian couture and ethnic wear.

• ANAMIKA KHANNA- Her designs are all about a blend between the Indian touch and technique with the western outlook. Signature designs like donning the evergreen dhoti sarees or the idea of the cape for Indian attire were her innovation.

• NISHKA LULLA- The ace fashion designer is known for her passion and dedication which transcends in her very own label ‘Nisshk’. Her designs delineate tulle, net, lace and sequin which work well for her target group. Opulent, vibrant and stunning work can be seen in her creations.

• SHANTANU AND NIKHIL- Another dynamic duo that has changed the face of Indian Couture Culture with their impeccable creations and entrepreneurial design. They have aced in urbane styling by showcasing their elegant and sophisticated designs. From intricate embroideries on Banarasi silks, sheath silhouettes adorned with laces to flamboyant sarees, they perfectly know how to represent design aestheticism.

• GAURANG SHAH- Is a self-taught fashion designer and is accredited with reviving India’s near-forgotten textile designs. His awe-spring journey shows us how he revived fabrics from the past, introduced it to the millennial generation in a way that transcends the present. He created a meticulous and enriching fusion of Kanchi-Kalamkari, Organza-Kanch, Khadi-Kanchi and Tussar-Kanchi.

• PAYAL SINGHAL- Is one of the leading south Asian designers is lauded for Indian Bridal wear laden with a global appeal. A contemporary and minimalistic approach with a vintage feel are her signature designs. Her forte has always been affordability along with the comfort and value of money.

• SANJAY GARG- Having completed a decade in the fashion industry, he is known for commendable work on bridging the gap between fabrics and style. Founder of the label ‘Raw Mango’, Sanjay Garg changed the game and has given the sari, especially, traditional weaves like the banarasi, chanderi or mashru, a completely modernistic interpretation.

• RIDHI MEHRA- widely known for her stunning creations in the Bollywood Industry, she is an aesthete and purveyor of quintessential designs. Her own label which was launched in 2012, showcases vintage- inspired designs which are a magnificent blend of European tailoring with Indian craftsmanship which makes her stand apart.

• MANISH ARORA- Quirky, bold, and aesthetic designs are emblematic of Manish Arora’s creations. His work is a fine coalescence of Indian crafts, colors, and motifs with classic Western silhouettes to come up with splendid fashion creations. In 1997, he debuted with his own label, ‘Manish Arora’, and forayed into the retailed sector of the Fashion Industry.