International Take On Indian Designers by Anupam Dabral

There was a time when any international red carpet event was dominated by names like Versace , Ralph Lauren and Christian Dior, brands like them stood like stalwarts of haute couture for at least half a century but now the winds of change have started blowing.

Udita Goswami in a Rohit Bal creation

Today Indian designers have started making a mark for themselves in the west too. Fashions elite today know about the Indian sarees , cholis , Punjabi jutis , salwaar kameez and the very intricate ethinic embroidery work that India is famous for but the question is, are these the only attributes that define an Indian designer today on a global platform , I say NO.

Manish Arora is one name who is leading the tide of international recognition today , famous for his  psychedelic combination of colors and larger than life designs , he was appointed as the creative director of Paco Rabanne, showcased his collections at Miami , London  fashion week and is all geared up for forthcoming Paris Fashion fashion week 2012. He has dressed celebrities like Katy Perry , Lady Gaga , fashion goddesses like Hillary Alexander have been appreciative of his designs. One of the best qualities of his designs is that they are extremely experimental and one requires something futuristic to capture an international eye.   For him going dramatic does not mean to loose wear ability, his designs are extremely wearable , only better than wearable.  His aim is that clothes should not overpower one’s individuality rather they should enhance it. He is one creator who is something more than a designer , for him every piece is an art which requires to be worked upon and materialize into an apparel piece.

Another  brand name that is catching up international pace is Falguni and Shane Peacock, this husband wife duo has been climbing the staircase of fame at a skyrocketing speed , they have designed for Brittany Spears , Ozzy Osbourne , Jennifer Lopez and Fergie. They are known for breaking all the barricades of predictability and exhaust every possible mode to make their creations worth it.  The very sensible use of colours paired with the very  European style of cuts and sillohuets have made them visible on the international fashion forefront.  They have showcased their collections in almost all the leading fashion shows including the Mercedes Benz in USA and have made it to the shopping Mecca of London ‘THE HARRODS’ store.

Ritu Beri , this NIFT graduate is a one man’s army and is sufficient enough to compete today with brands like Sophie Thallat , Prabal Gurung and Alaxender Wang, her speciality is her sense of  enhanced  feminity and her knowledge of fabric , she knows the difference between a girl and a women and bets of making any one look stunning at any international event , with names such as Nicole Kidman , Katie Holmes , Prince Charles and Jerry Hall , cruises her way through the fashion A- listers towards a glorified victory.

Rohit Bal

The king of Indian fashion Rohit Bal is all set to hold the reigns of international couture scene in his hands , with an unimaginable longevity of his career, his jaw dropping creations and his intricate sense of style he has been catching a lot of attention abroad. Hollywood royalty such as Uma Thurman and super models such  Naomi Campbell  and Elizabeth Hurley have been his loyal clients. Known for his gracefull designs he is one designer who knows how to lure his clients with is structuring capability.

Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla

There was a time when Hilen Mirren wore a shimmering grey saree to the Emmys , Judi Dench wore an Indian attire designed by Abu Jaani and Sandeep Khosla for the Oscars, Nehru jacket ( kotti) was seen at the Cannes red carpet 15 years back ,  but this seemed to be an occasional event , now we have Indian designers regularly being spotted on any red carpet event. However it is to be seen in the times to come how long does this craze last for but one thing is for sure that Indian fashion is growing at an unparallel pace which is only adding to the Indian GDP, fashion market is huge and with names like Shantanu and Nikhil Moitra , Gauri and Nainika Karan , Rajesh Pratap Singh , Anamika Khanna , Ritu Kumar , Narendra Kumar Ahmed and many more , the Indian fashion scene is to grow , its just that the international market needs to understand that for Indians fashion is no more an art , but it is a billion dollar business

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