Top Fashion Designers in India, Check List

Top Fashion Designers in India: The Indian fashion landscape is as rich and diverse as its cultural heritage. Indeed, over the years, a host of talented designers has shaped trends, revived traditional crafts, and fused Indian aesthetics with global sensibilities seamlessly. Top fashion designers in India include Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi Mukherjee for their luxurious bridal wear, as well as intricate craftsmanship.

Designers like Anita Dongre and Ritu Kumar focus on sustainable fashion with Indian origins, while fresh talent like Masaba Gupta brings bold prints and new ideas. This generation of designers continues to create and inspire trends, pushing boundaries and setting a new bar for the industry.

Top Fashion Designers in India Overview

Indian fashion industry is shaped by visionary designers who intricately merge traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. The table below gives a glimpse of the top fashion designers in India, focusing on their signature style and their contribution to the industry:

List of Top Fashion Designers in the Country

Some of the most influential fashion designers, who have shaped modern Indian style through creativity, craftsmanship, and innovative design, are listed below. Their work continues to inspire trends across couture, bridal wear, and contemporary fashion.

1. Manish Malhotra

Known for his glamorous, Bollywood-inspired couture, Manish Malhotra began his career in costume design for films and later became synonymous with bridal wear and celebrity ensembles. His label stands for luxury, beauty, and cinematic charm.

2. Ritu Kumar

Pioneering Indian fashion, Ritu Kumar is renowned for her work in revitalising traditional handicrafts and block-printed textiles. Beginning her journey in the 1960s, today her work is loved across the globe because of its artisanal approach.

3. Rohit Bal

Rohit Bal, an alumnus of NIFT, was famous for his rich, regal designs. His collections often mingled storytelling, drama, and deep craftsmanship together, making him a favourite for bridal couture and formal Indian wear.

4. Tarun Tahiliani

The signature style of Tarun Tahiliani combines Indian craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes. His designs are elegant yet avant-garde, and his eponymous label is loved by Bollywood stars.

5. Neeta Lulla

The master of costume design, Neeta Lulla, rose to fame with her work in films like Devdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Her elaborately crafted costumes and the deep understanding of fabric and drape have earned her multiple national awards.

6. Anamika Khanna

Kolkata-based Anamika Khanna is mostly self-taught. From winning a design competition in the 1990s to dressing international icons, Anamika's journey embodies determination. She is known for sculptural silhouettes and a merge of traditional and modern elements.

7. Ritu Beri

Among the pioneering fashion designers of India, Ritu Beri studied at NIFT and then trained under some of France's finest. She launched her brand in 1990 and became the first Indian to present at Paris Fashion Week.

8. Wendell Rodricks

Wendell Rodricks championed simplicity and eco-conscious design. Awarded the Padma Shri, his relaxed resort wear and minimal aesthetic made him a trendsetter in Goan-inspired fashion.

9. Sabyasachi Mukherjee

Sabyasachi, known for his rich embroidery, vintage-inspired design, and bridal masterpieces, have established himself as a dominant force in Indian couture. He interned with globally respected fashion houses before returning to build his signature brand.

10. Masaba Gupta

The youngest on this list is Masaba Gupta, who launched her label House of Masaba in 2009. Her designs are vibrant, bold, and playful, with much of her work drawing influence from youth culture and Indian motifs. She also operates a cosmetics brand.

Admission Process to Top Design Institutes

Admission to the top fashion designing institutes in India generally includes a combination of qualifying entrance exams, for example, NIFT, NID, submission of the portfolio, and personal interviews. Some design entrance exams and their respective admission process are as follows:

1. NIFT

Admission to NIFT usually takes place in two stages of examination.

• The first stage of the exam is a written test involving CAT and GAT. It covers design ability, general knowledge, and English.
• Qualified candidates in the written test proceed to the Studio or Situation Test, followed by a personal interview.
• There are 19 campuses of NIFT in India. Candidates can select any one of them based on their preference in the counselling and seat allotment process.

2. NID (National Institute of Design)

• Admission to the design programmes offered by NID is based on the Design Aptitude Test.
• There are two phases to the DAT, i.e., DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. Candidates who clear the prelims are shortlisted for the mains.
• Merit is prepared by combining the marks of both NID Prelims and Mains exam. 

3. UCEED / CEED

• Candidates aspiring to get admission to IITs to pursue design courses have to clear UCEED and CEED entrance exams. 
• For undergraduate design, students have to clear UCEED.
• Admission to postgraduate design courses such as M.Des is through CEED.

4. CUET-Based Admissions

• Many institutes accept the score in the Common University Entrance Test for their design programmes.
• This is a useful pathway for students looking to avoid multiple entrance exams.

Best Suited Colleges To Pursue Fashion Design in India

Many colleges in India offer design courses at the UG and PG levels, such as BDes and MDes. These institutes provide diverse programs to cater to evolving trends in design and technology.

Here is a list of the best-suited colleges to pursue Fashion Design in India: