Luxe Indian Fashion Brands To Know
Every year, when Diwali comes around, homes across South Asia and the diasporas beyond light up with diyas as Hindus worldwide celebrate the festival of light. It’s a time for families and friends to come together over ghee-laden sweets, a card game or two, and plenty of song and dance. And while here in London, the city is lighting up with Diwali parties, menus, and festivities, there’s a very important factor to consider at this time of year: what are you wearing?
India’s luxury fashion scene has been growing exponentially, with designers showcasing their exquisite craftsmanship on the global stage – Zendaya and Law Roach are long-time fans of Indian designer Rahul Mishra, Beyonce has been spotted more than once in Gaurav Gupta‘s signature ethereal styles, and Jennifer Aniston wore a stunning Manish Malhotra ensemble in the film Murder Mystery 2. Indian fashion is making its mark in the world of haute couture like never before – and as Diwali inches closer, we’ve put together a list of Indian designers to know – and most importantly, where you can get your hands on their pieces in London.
Tarun Tahiliani
Tarun Tahiliani is known for his contemporary, modern Indian pieces that embrace maximalist couture. For almost three decades, the designer has pioneered iconic bridal lehengas that are breathtaking to look at and actually comfortable to wear. His pieces have long since been embraced on red carpets in India, and lately, the brand has taken over the global stage by storm. With styles that represent India’s rich textile heritage but with a modern twist, Tahiliani’s most recent collection OTT, which has been 30 years in the making, is all about creating accessible couture without losing out on impeccable craftsmanship.
Gaurav Gupta
Gaurav Gupta is a visionary Indian fashion designer renowned for redefining contemporary couture with his avant-garde and sculptural creations. Trained at Central Saint Martins in London, Gupta blends traditional Indian craftsmanship with futuristic silhouettes, creating designs that are both ethereal and boundary-pushing. He is known for his fluid draping technique, and he’s carved a niche for himself in both Indian bridal couture and the global fashion scene. This is wearable art that has graced red carpets and fashion weeks around the world with big names, including Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B and Lizzo wearing his pieces.
Payal Keyal
Payal Keyal’s work is characterised by timeless silhouettes, intricate craftsmanship, and luxurious fabrics such as Banarasi silk, velvet, and organza. Keyal’s bridal collections, like “Shalimar” and “White Mughals”, draw inspiration from the Mughal-era design, with rich embellishments like zardozi, pearls, and sequins, along with regal motifs. And while her designs have become a favourite for modern brides, the pieces also make for a stunning outfit for a luxe Diwali party.
Rahul Mishra
Known for his dedication to sustainable fashion, Rahul Mishra is a global name in haute couture. Mishra’s collections often highlight hand-embroidered details inspired by nature that showcase India’s artisanal heritage. He was the first Indian designer to showcase at Paris Haute Couture Week and has been applauded for his ability to merge sustainable practices with luxury fashion.
You might have seen Zendaya in a Mishra creation earlier this year – she wore a custom creation that served as a modern interpretation of the sari, with a gorgeous golden top and a sweeping skirt.
Known for his dedication to sustainable fashion, Rahul Mishra is an international name in haute couture, blending Indian craftsmanship with contemporary global fashion.
Anita Dongre
A leading figure in Indian fashion, Dongre is known for her eponymous bridal line and ready-to-wear labels like AND and Global Desi. Known for her commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship, she promotes eco-conscious fashion through her Grassroot initiative, which supports local artisans.
This Barbie Diwali doll represents the fashion-forward modern woman, who wears India on her sleeve with pride.
Anita Dongre has recently been in the news for creating the world’s first Barbie Diwali doll. She took to Instagram to say, “This Barbie Diwali doll represents the fashion-forward modern woman, who wears India on her sleeve with pride.”
The outfit on the doll is a contemporary take on the traditional lehenga that’s paired with a Rajasthan-inspired koti vest, highlighted with Dongre’s signature nature-inspired motifs.
Sheetal Batra
Sheetal Batra started her label to revive traditional designs with a contemporary flair. From wearable kurta sets to designer lehengas and sharara suits perfect to take you from a colourful sangeet to a Diwali celebration at home, Batra’s collections are carefully curated and offer a bespoke shopping service too. You can visit the site to shop her pieces from anywhere in the world, with a virtual stylist who can help you find the perfect look.
Papa Don’t Preach
You can spot a Papa Don’t Preach outfit from miles away – this edgy contemporary Indian fashion brand founded by Shubhika Sharma is all about going bold and maximal. Expect vibrant colours, intricate embellishments, unconventional silhouettes, and playful, statement-making accessories. From statement lehengas to coord pieces, jumpsuits and stilettos, these are pieces that you’re bound to see on the dance floor at a Diwali party this season.
Shopping pre-loved Indian fashion
A growing trend in the South Asian fashion market is shopping pre-loved pieces and renting designer pieces for one-off events. “Searches from “Indian wedding”, “lehenga”, “saree” and other South Asian fashion-related terms have increased by 1060% in the last twelve months,” says Eshita Kabra-Davies, whose company By Rotation allows you to rent high-quality designer pieces on an app.
Searches from “Indian wedding”, “lehenga”, “saree” and other South Asian fashion-related terms have increased by 1060% in the last twelve months.
“If you’re unable to find a suitable option, I’d highly recommend investing in pieces directly from the designer’s websites (so as to support them) which ship globally,” she adds.
Rewearing is also a trend within the Indian fashion industry that is being championed by fashion houses, Kabra-Davies says. “There is also a return to more traditional and regional craftsmanship, especially in bridal outfits, as we are a country of so much diversity and variety even within itself.”
Companies like the London-based Circular Threads offer the opportunity to shop sustainable luxury pieces from designers such as Sabyasachi, Falguni Shane Peacock and Manish Malhotra. The platform has a curated collection of pre-loved fashion that can take you from a Diwali party to that big Indian wedding you’ve been invited to. The platform hosts regular pop-ups in London where you can see their exquisite pieces yourself, with designer selections available for men and women.
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
