Top 15 Influential Indian Female Fashion Designers

You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it. —Edith Head

I personally believe that fashion plays a defining role in enhancing a person's confidence and sense of self. The fashion industry in India is known for its talented designers and the industry has always been a great opportunity for designers to showcase their talent. Here are the top 15 female fashion designers who have achieved great heights in the world of fashion just based on their pure talent and hard work. Let's know about them in a particular order.

1. Anamika Khanna

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Born in 1971 Anamika Khanna is an Indian fashion designer who has her studio in Kolkata. Khanna started her career in 1998 and since then she has achieved great heights in the fashion industry. She was the first designer to launch her own international label- "ANA MIKA". In 2005 she took part in London fashion week and hence ended up getting many contracts from the British department store Harrods. She also got featured in many magazines like Glamour (Paris), Vogue (October 2005 edition), Vogue Best Buy.

Anamika's style can be defined as hugely inspired by the Indian culture but with a touch of Goth and Punk. She has changed the traditional saree draping in a very unique new trend. She is also known for introducing the tulip drape, wavy drape, and two pallu - dhoti style drape.

Anamika Khanna was the first female designer to display her designs at Paris Fashion Week in 2007.

Anamika Khanna has a brand that is something we all have our eyes on and are always excited about the new launches.

2. Anju Modi

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When we talk about designs that interpret Indian culture and elaborate ethnicity the only designer that comes to my mind is none other than Anju Modi. She is known for her work since the '90s and over the years she has gone on to achieve great heights in the fashion industry.

Modi's inspiration behind her designs is the craftsmen and weavers. She considers them her mentors. She has always collaborated with artisans across the country. She has always tried to inculcate weaving, block-printing, and traditional embroidery works in her work. She has always been keen to work on costumes that reflect historical or mythological characters.

Modi is known for her work in Bollywood movies like Ram Leela, Bajirao Mastani, etc. If you're someone who loves Indian culture you should definitely check her out.

3. Anushree Reddy

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Anushree Reddy is an MBA graduate who initially started her career as an editor of a fashion magazine which made her realize her true calling in the world of fashion.

So in the year 2010, she launched her own fashion line which made all kinds of Indian ethnic wear like lehengas, sarees, etc. Reddy's designs are always on every bride's wishlist.

Anushree's style is inspired by old-world charm and elaborate designs. She also brings floral patterns, vintage styles and combines it with zardozi embroidery from Hyderabad in her style. Her silhouettes are very glamorous and full of drama which usually attracts a lot of young crowds. Her designs can also be spotted wearing by a lot of Bollywood actresses.

Anushree's design can be found at all the high-end stores all over India and also in international locations like London and Canada.

4. Anita Dongre

Courtesy : India Today

Founder of the iconic Indian fashion house of Anita Dongre, Anita Dongre is an Indian fashion designer who has been in this creative field since the start of her career. In the initial days, she was known for her jewelry brand Anita Dongre pink city which till now is part of her fashion house. Later on, she decided to try her hands in the field of fashion, and today she has three different fashion labels under her brand which are AND (Western wear), GLOBAL DESI (boho-chic inspired by folk tales) and her signature line ANITA DONGRE.

Courtesy- Weddingz

Her designs are immensely inspired by the folk culture clubbed with modern aesthetics which has made her couture famous worldwide

Anita's couture is very popular among the vegans as she prohibits the use of leather or any animal obtained material for her brand.

5. Arpita Mehta

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Arpita Mehta started her fashion industry in the year 2008 and since then she has gone on to become a huge fashion icon among the youths. Mehta's label is very minimalistic but very fashion-forward which makes her brand a seamless blend of ethnic yet contemporary. Arpita's silhouettes reflect femininity. Her signature aesthetics are usually mirrored works, trendy cuts, and very unique yet wearable color patterns.

Arpita was always keen in fashion from a very early age and hence she decided to complete her studies in apparel manufacturing and dress designing. In the year 2013, Arpita displayed her collection at Lakme Fashion Week and since then there has been no turning back. Her designs are spotted in many fashion and Bollywood celebrities. Her label can be found in all posh stores in India and also in Dubai. The brand can also be found on online sites.

6. Falguni Shane Peacock

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This husband-wife duo has marked 15 years in this industry and has always been considered legends in the field of fashion. The brand's style can be defined as very edgy and out of the box. They are known for taking Indian fashion wear into the international circuit. The brand has been worn by a lot of international celebs like Katy Perry, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj, etc.

They are known prominently for their extraordinary designs and dramatic outlook toward their silhouettes which makes their brand very solitary.

The brand is the epitome of versatility and has mastered all kinds of different genres of fashion. The brand is known for catering to exquisite bridal collections, resort wear, sensible fashion for kids, and luxurious evening wear. Their signature style is contrast and glamour featuring intricate embroideries, sequin works, sheer fabrics, and bold prints. They have a unique capability to present raciness with ladylike elegance.

Their brand also has a huge presence in international markets like London, Dubai, new york, etc.

7. Gauri & Nainika

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The brand is a brainchild of the sister duo GAURI AND NAINIKA. Born and brought up in Delhi both sisters were inspired by the great style icons of the '50s and '60s like Hedy Lamarr, Marilyn Monroe, and many more. They consider them the prime example of high style. In the year 2001 after graduating they decided to launch their own brand "MAGNETIC RAG" which is defined as a pret label of the day into evening wear crafted for young women.

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Their collections have always been for women of all age groups and designs are very glamour and sparkle with a very different and eclectic color palette.

8. Masaba Gupta

Courtesy- Economic Times

Masaba Gupta has had her feet in the fashion industry since a very young age. She started her career at the age of 19 when she participated in Lakme Fashion Week. Masaba is known for giving unique names to her collection like her first collection was named "KATTRAN" which means miniature bits of fabrics. Gupta's style can be defined as very traditional but with a blend of contemporary design. Her brand is known for modernizing ethnic wear. She has always considered fabric the most essential part of designing and hence she uses different types of fabric like silk, chiffon, and cotton with rich embroidery work.

Masaba was awarded as "FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR-2015".

Courtesy- House Of Masaba

9. Monisha Jaising

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Monisha Jaising is one of the pioneers in the fashion industry. She has been in this industry since the 1990s and has been an inspiration to a lot of young girls. In the past two decades, Monisha has been behind a lot of trends and fashion revolutions. She is also known for reinventing the wardrobe staple of every Indian woman- Kurtis.

Courtesy : nevanta.com

The brand's philosophy is to interpret modern designs in a very luxurious and edgy manner. The brand is known for using the luxe fabrics and also their designs reflect a unique blend of intricate techniques and exquisitely drawn prints and embroidery.

Jaisingh believes her designs give a boost of confidence to anyone who is wearing them.

10. Namrata Joshipura

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Namrata, a NIFT graduate, decided to launch her brand under the label NAMRATA JOSHIPURA in 1996. Joshipura is known for her global aesthetics. She has a very chic outlook towards her designs which grabs a lot of attention from young women.

In 1999, Namrata represented India and won second prize at the Asia Pacific Young Designer's Show, held during Hong Kong Fashion Week. The following year, she was the first Indian designer to be selected to participate in the "World Young Designers' Award Ceremony" at the London Fashion Week and she later presented her collection at the 'Indian Show" in São Paulo, Brazil. Namrata has also designed the costumes for the award-winning Indo-German film "Dance of the Wind" which captured prizes at both the London and Nantes Film Festivals

Namrata was named as "designer of the year" by ELLE AWARDS in 2013.

11. Neeta Lulla

Neeta Lulla is the name behind all the iconic costumes in Bollywood movies. Since the past two decades, Neeta is known for designing dresses for more than 300 Bollywood movies.

Neeta is known to utilize "PAITHANI", the ancient technique of tapestry that combines different colors of threads and also includes gold and silver thread woven together to create a beautiful piece of silk. She showcased her "PAITHANI" inspired collection in February 2016 at the Make in India initiative.

Courtesy- Indian Express

About this collection Neeta said:

"Maharashtra has always held a special place in my heart; this has been home to my whole life and art. I have chosen to showcase the intricacies, elaborateness, and immaculacy of Paithani, a legacy of Maharashtra."

Recently Lulla has opened Whistling Woods international Neeta school of fashion in Mumbai. The institute offers various courses in fashion and online marketing.

12. Ranna Gill

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In 1990 Ranna Gill completed her graduation in fashion from New York. In her initial career days, Ranna had worked with many fashion pioneers like Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan. In 1996 she decided to come back to India and launch her own label "RANNA GILL".

Courtesy : verveonline.com

Ranna believes in blending colorful Indian colors with beautiful silhouettes. Ranna was one of the founding members of FDCI (fashion design council of India) and hence is considered to be one of the pioneers in the Indian fashion industry. Gill derives her inspiration from the Indian culture and also from the upper east side in New york. Therefore her designs are a mix of both the cultures presented in very unique couture.

13. Ritu Beri

Courtesy : DNA India

Born in 1972, Ritu Beri is also referred to as Donnatella Versace of India. In 1987, Beri was among the 25 students that were the first batch to graduate from the National Institute of fashion technology (NIFT). She started her career by designing clothes for her family and friends and later on she decided to launch her own brand "LAVANYA".

Ritu was the first Indian designer to be featured in an international magazine- PROMOSTYL. She also headed the french fashion brand "Jean Louis Scherrer".

14. Ritu Kumar

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Ritu Kumar is one of the biggest inspirations in the Indian fashion industry. She started her career in Kolkata in the '60s with just two tables and a hand block printing machine. Later she went on to extend her business to all over India and the international markets too.

Ritu Kumar's designs mainly include natural fabrics and traditional prints. She uses a lot of weaving techniques in couture. She has also included western wear in her label but she is prominently known for innovating the traditional saree.

In 1999, her brand had an estimated turnover of 10 billion which is the highest among all the Indian fashion outlets.

Courtesy : utsavpedia.com

Ritu Kumar was awarded the most prestigious award of the country "PADMA SHRI" in 2013 for her contribution to the Indian fashion industry.

15. Payal Singhal

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Born in a fashion-oriented family Payal always wanted to have a career in the fashion industry. At the age of 15, Singhal designed her first couture and was awarded "designer of the year" by Shoppers Stop. Her winning design was worn by the then Miss World Aishwarya Rai. Later on, Payal completed her degree in fashion from SNDT. Later in the year 1999, she launched her own eponymous brand.

Payal's brand is known usually for designing modern bridal wear and occasion wear laden. Her brand focuses on contemporary yet minimalistic designs with a vintage heart. The brand's emphasis has always been on comfort, wearability, and value for money.

Payal Singhal once explained her vision by saying the following words.

"I have always been passionate about giving traditional wear contemporary relevance."