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DESIGN BY TIANA CRISPINO
As you likely already know, Indian wedding designers are some of the most ingenious and innovative creatives around the world. Known for crafting bold and intricate designs, with maximalism at the core, the garments produced by these creators can only be described as awe-inspiring and breathtaking.
In fact, many modern Indian bridal designers have helped rewrite the rules when it comes to wedding day fashion, even setting trends that transcend the Indian bridal landscape, like three-dimensional embellishments and the use of unique, colorful prints. Best of all? There's no shortage of looks when shopping for an Indian wedding ensemble, and no matter where you live in the world, you can easily find a designer that suits your personal aesthetics and day-of vibe.
Need some help finding a brand that aligns with your big day? Here, we put together a list of 10 Indian bridal designers you should have on your radar, including some of the top names known worldwide and a few emerging brands.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee
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Courtesy of Sabyasachi
The Designer
Sabyasachi Mukherjee is one of the most sought-after Indian bridal designers in the wedding fashion space. Known as the designer to the stars, he's created bridal looks and jewelry for the likes of Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone, and Priyanka Chopra, to name a few.
The Sabyasachi Bride
With timeless and elegant creations, Sabyasachi designs are for those with fashion-forward aesthetics. From minimalist looks to more elaborate and glamorous ensembles, Sabyasachi has something for a variety of bridal tastes.
Manish Malhotra
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Courtesy of Manish Malhotra
The Designer
Manish Malhotra is not only a world-famous bridal designer, but he's also a renowned Bollywood costume designer, which comes as no surprise given his showstopping design aesthetic. For those swooning to see his magnificent wedding creations, the brand has an Instagram account (@manishmalhotravows) dedicated to showcasing photos of Manish Malhotra’s designs worn by real brides and grooms.
The Manish Malhotra Bride
Malhotra’s designs are for the confident bride who isn’t afraid to stand out. According to the brand's website, the latest bridal edit “is an enchanting medley of bridal glory sprawled across strikingly hued compositions where each ensemble narrates an emotional story of its own.”
Naeem Khan
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Courtesy of Naeem Khan
The Designer
Naeem Khan is a New York City-based Indian-American fashion designer. He began his career as an apprentice to American designer Halston at age 20, and later launched his first-ever collection in 2003, followed by his bridal line in 2013. His designs have been worn by Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Rachel McAdams, First Lady Michelle Obama, Queen Noor of Jordan, and the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, to name a few.
The Naeem Khan Bride
Khan's designs are constructed for every bride around the world. His creations are bold and cutting-edge, from unconventional gowns to jumpsuits and mini dresses. Each season, you can expect Khan to push bridal boundaries in every way possible.
Tarun Tahiliani
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Courtesy of Tarun Tahiliani
The Designer
With numerous accolades and several stores across India, Tarun Tahiliani is definitely a name to know. Tahiliani began his career co-founding Ensemble, a luxury multi-brand designer store, with his wife Sailaja Tahiliani. Following the store’s popularity, the designer launched the Tarun Tahiliani Design Studio in Delhi, which later resulted in his signature Tarun Tahiliani collection. Today, he is now a founding member of the Fashion Design Council of India.
The Tarun Tahiliani Bride
Tarun Tahiliani's garments are created for the modern Indian couple. His website states that each collection “takes a moment to think about the bride of today and what her heart would want. Lightness, joy, comfort, and above all…to be herself.”
House of Vian
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Courtesy of House of Vian
The Designer
House of Vian is an accessories brand that focuses on creating pure leather Juttis, Mojaris, wedges, and handcrafted clutches. The brand’s creative head and founder is Drishti Mahajan, an alumnus of FIDM California.
The House of Vian Bride
House of Vian's creations feature bold colors and intricate beadwork, which are perfect accessories for the fun-loving and creative bride. With a wide variety of styles, any bride will be able to find a piece that fits her style. The best part? Not only are these designs a great addition to any wedding day look, but they can function as thoughtful wedding favors and pieces that are able to be worn long after the big day.
Ritu Kumar
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Courtesy of Ritu Kumar
The Designer
Known for combining contemporary with traditional Indian craftsmanship, Ritu Kumar is one of the leading designers in India. Since the brand’s humble beginnings, dating back to 1969, Kumar has been featured in 93 stores across India, and her designs have been worn by notable individuals such as Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Dia Mirza, Princess Diana, Mischa Barton, and Anoushka Shankar.
The Ritu Kumar Bride
Ritu Kumar’s designs are “renowned for its distinctive use of colors, quality of fabrics, intricate embroideries and a gloriously rich Indian aesthetic,” according to the brand’s website. The Ritu Kumar bride is bold and modern, and not afraid to push the fashion envelope.
Anita Dongre
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Courtesy of Anita Dongre
The Designer
With a love for fashion and design at a young age, Antia Dongre has created a name for herself, not only in the bridal space but in today's luxury fashion world. In addition to her renowned brand, the designer also prioritizes philanthropy, environmentalism, and local activism. Founder of The Antia Dongre Foundation, Dongre focuses on giving rural women jobs and professional training in making garments. Furthermore, as an environmentalist, Dongre creates her dresses without the use of fur or leather.
The Anita Dongre Bride
Dongre’s designs are created to enhance a person’s confidence and sense of self, as explained on her website. “We seek to create luxurious designs that leave unforgettable impressions on the world and are yet versatile enough to transcend people, places, and occasions,” the website adds.
Seema Gujral
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Courtesy of Seema Gujral
The Designer
Seema Gujral launched her brand in 1994 with no prior experience in the fashion industry. In 2010, she opened her first flagship store in Nodia, where the brand’s production facility is located. Since then, her designs have been featured in a range of Indian luxury retail platforms, including Ogaan, Carma, Aza, Pernia, Ensemble, and more.
The Seema Gujral Bride
If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind creation, Seema Gujral is definitely the designer to know. Gujral’s garments are handcrafted and “customized according to the taste and requirements of the bride-to-be,” as written on her website—and her ensembles are for those searching for a traditional look with a touch of modernity.
Esha Koul
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Courtesy of Esha Koul
The Designer
After studying at the Pearl Academy of Fashion New Delhi for four years, Esha Koul launched her eponymous label and has quickly made a name for herself in the Indian bridal fashion world. Currently, Koul is best known for her use of contemporary fabrics and modern accents.
The Esha Koul Bride
Koul’s designs combine traditional Indian styles with inspiration from Parisian and Grecian cultures. On her website, Koul writes, “I am a catalyst for creations that celebrate and represent the multi-cultural and multi-faceted lifestyles of all women, women who believe in the elegant and luxurious, the timeless, the emotional, the caring, the bewitching, the angelic, the sinful, and finally, the enlightening."
Anamika Khanna
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Courtesy of Anamika Khanna
The Designer
Known for her fashion-forward and modern designs, Anamika Khanna is a household name in the Indian bridal space, with over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry. After the launch of her eponymous label, Khanna became the first female Indian fashion designer to show at Paris Fashion Week and has been named by the Business of Fashion as a designer to know.
The Anamika Khanna Bride
As noted on the brand's website, "Anamika's philosophy is about innovation with regards to the Indian style, while also keeping it extremely relevant to the modern world." Meaning, for brides who desire a classic look with some modern flair, consider wearing one of Khanna's designs. "Anamika Khanna is all about finding your own personal style and having the dream and vision to express them to the world around you," the brand further shares on its website.