Famous Indian fashion designers and how they made it big - Part 1

The Indian fashion industry has witnessed a sudden boom and massive takers all across the globe in recent years. From a time where Indian fashion was not acknowledged anywhere in the world to a time when the Indian national dress – Saree is increasingly been credited to be the sexiest and most regal attire a woman can don, our very own fashion industry has come a long way. And we can easily credit this to our stylish, creative and very talented fashion designers.

So, for all fashion design aspirants or people like you and me who love to dress-up and look good, Shiksha spills the beans on how some famous fashion designers became the celebs they are today, on Indian as well as international platforms.

Manish Arora

Born in the ‘City of Dreams’, Mumbai, Manish Arora was pursuing a graduation degree in commerce when the fashion bug bit him and he went on to join the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) at New Delhi. He is known to have graduated from NIFT with the ‘Best Student Award’ in 1994.

The world for the first time saw the works of Manish Arora in 1997 when he started his own label called – Manish Arora. Often termed to be the ‘John Galliano of India’, Manish Arora is known for his unique play of colours along with his trademark palette of pinks and golds.

He has collaborated with various popular brands such as Swarovski, Walt Disney, Barbie, Reebok, Swatch, Nespresso, Mono Prix, MAC Cosmetics, Nivea, Amrapali, and Pommery etc. Popular international celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Katty Perry and M.I.A have worn and appreciated Arora’s creations time and again.

He is also one of the few Indian fashion designers who was been appointed at the helm of an international fashion label, the French fashion house – Paco Rabanne in 2011, wherein he was appointed as the creative director.

Rohit Bal

A New Delhi based designer, Rohit Bal, was born in Kashmir. He completed his schooling from Srinagar’s Burn Hall School and then pursued his graduation in History from St. Stephens College. After which, he pursued a course from NIFT.

This famous Indian fashion designer started his career in 1986 with his brother Rajiv Bal under the company Orchid Overseas Pvt. Ltd. However, he started designing independently in 1990. He is also known to have designed for the famous show – Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Apart from Bollywood celebrities, Bal's clientele includes the likes of Uma Thurman, Pamela Anderson, Cindy Crawford Anna Kournikova and Naomi Campbell.

Rina Dhaka

Growing up between Chandigarh and Shimla, Rina Dhaka came from a conservative family. Having graduated from Government College for Girls, Chandigarh, Rina did a training project with Intercraft, one of the biggest garment exporters of India and is also known to have trained under Evan Grandhal.

Rina entered the fashion industry by taking up modeling assignments and she got into fashion designing when she set up a boutique for a friend.

She is known the world over for her design themes which include crochet, sheer trousers, stretch jersey and spider web motifs.

Her clientele includes popular national as well as international celebrities such as Susan Fales Hill, Uma Thruman, Naomi Campbell, Tara Palmen Tomkison, Molly Simns, Diana Hayden and Lara Dutta.

JJ Valaya

Born in Jodhpur in an army family, JJ Valaya as we know him today is actually – Jagsharan Jit Singh Ahluwalia. Known to have been the best artist as well as calligraphist at his school, Valaya went on to graduate in commerce from a Chandigarh college. After which he went on to work as a chartered accountant. However, his desire to work in the designing industry made him enroll for a course at NIFT, Delhi in 1989. He graduated in 1991 with awards such as Prix de Incitation in Paris, The Thapar-Dupont Medal, The Elyxa award and the KLM-NIFT Trophy.

After graduation he went on to train under the veteran Indian fashion designer, Rohit Khosla, after which he started his own label with his brother TJ (Tribhavan Jit) Singh.

He is also the man behind labels such as House of Valaya, JJ Valaya Muse, JJ Valaya, Valaya Quantum, Valaya Base, Valaya Home, The Home of the Traveler.

Founding member of Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), JJ Valaya is also the first global brand ambassador of Swarovski, the Crystal giant.

An amazing photographer, Valaya released his first book in 2011 called Decoded Paradox.

His clothes are worn by celebrities such as Cate Blanchett, Joseph Fiennes, Kareena Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan.

Sabyasachi Mukherjee

This popular Indian designer hailing from the city of Kolkata always wanted to make a career in designing and for that he wanted to pursue a course at NIFT. However, his family did not see a bright future for him in this profession and refused to fund his education. Sabyasachi then went out to sell his books so as to gather money to purchase and fill the admission form for NIFT, Kolkata. As luck would have it, he got through and completed his graduation in 1999. After just four months of graduating, he set up his workshop with a workforce of just three people.

Selling his merchandise under the label – Sabyasachi, he is one of the Associate Designer Members of Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and is also National Museum of Indian Cinema’s youngest board member.

You must have often seen his amazing works but never known that Sabyasachi’s petname is ‘Pepsi’ and he aspires to be a food writer and even wants to host/conduct a food show.

Mukherjee is known to have designed clothes for many Bollywood films including English Vinglish, Raavan, Black, Paa, Guzaarish, Babul, No One Killed Jessica, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag etc.

He is also known to have designed the wedding trousseau for actress, Vidya Balan. His clientele includes Rene Zelleweger, Reese Witherspoon, Sridevi, Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Tabu and Shabana Azmi.

Ritu Kumar

Born in Amritsar, Ritu Kumar completed her graduation in 1964 from Lady Irwin College after which she pursued her higher education from New York’s Briarcliff College (1966).

Known to have introduced the boutique culture in India, Ritu Kumar, started designing in 1969 from a small village near Kolkata with just two tables and four hand block printers and today she has more than 35 stores spread across the country. She makes clothes under the label – Ritu.

In 2013 she was awarded the Padma Shri for her contribution to the field of fashion, textile and craftsmanship.

Ritu Kumar is also known to be one of the designers who design clothes worn by Miss India contestants in Indian as well as at the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific pageants.

Her designed outfits have been worn time and again by celebrities such as Mischa Barton, Anna Ivanovic, Anoushka Shankar, Aishwarya Rai, Vidya Balan, Lara Dutta, Priyanka Chopra and Dia Mirza. Even Late Lady Diana is known to have worn and adored Ritu Kumar’s ensembles.

Famous all over the world, our very own fashion designers have not only made a mark for themselves in the world but have taken India to newer heights in the global fashion arena. However, do not think our list has ended here. We have more Indian fashion designers who have caught our attention and applause all at the same time. Click here to read Part-2 of this story.