9 Indian Wedding Designers Every Brides Should Know

From intricately designed lehanga’s to colorful sarees, Indian bridal fashion is known for its bold designs. Maximalism is at the core of these garments, and the designers behind these looks embrace just that. Traditionally, Indian brides wear the color red, which is known in their culture for prosperity and fertility—and is also the color of Mars, the planet in charge of marriage in Hinduism.

Why Do Indian Brides Wear Red?

While the culture does embrace maximalism, today, modern Indian bridal designers have interpreted tradition in their own way. From bright pinks to minty greens, there are an array of colors brides can choose from, in addition to looks that are more simple and embrace crisp lines and minimal embellishments. But whatever direction you decide to take with your bridal look, just know that there will always be a remarkable design for you.

So, to better acquaint you with the names dominating the Indian bridal scene, we put together a list of nine Indian bridal designers that should be on your radar—including some of the top names known worldwide and a few emerging brands.

01 of 09

Sabyasachi

The Designer:

Sabyasachi Mukherjee is one of the most sought-after Indian bridal designers today. He is known as the designer to the stars, creating 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 the modern Indian bride. From minimalist looks to more elaborate and glamourous numbers, Sabyasachi has something for a variety of bridal tastes.

02 of 09

Manish Malhotra

The Designer:

Not only has Manish Malhotra made a name for himself in the bridal world, but he has also worked as a costume designer for thousands of Bollywood films. This comes as no surprise given his showstopping and fantastical design aesthetic. For those swooning to see his magnificent bridal creations, the brand launched a new Instagram account in 2021, @manishmalhotravows, showcasing photos of Manish Malhotra’s designs worn by 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.”

03 of 09

Naeem Khan

The Designer:

Naeem Khan is a New York City-based Indian-Ameican fashion designer. He began his career as an apprentice to the American designer Halston at age 20—later launching 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 Duchess of Cambridge, 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 to mini dresses. Each season, you can expect Khan to push bridal boundaries in every way possible.

04 of 09

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, and later created his signature Tarun Tahiliani collection. He quickly became recognized for his bridalwear pieces and became a founding member of the official fashion week governing body, the Fashion Design Council of India.

The Tarun Tahiliani Bride:

His recent collection, titled 'The Age of Innocence', was created for the modern Indian bride and groom. His website states that this 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.”

05 of 09

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. 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 after the big day is over.

06 of 09

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 in 2002, she launched a sub-brand, LABEL - Ritu Kumar. Kumar’s designs have been worn by Indian stars such as Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Dia Mirza, and international celebrities including Princess Diana, Mischa Barton, 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.

07 of 09

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 band, 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.

08 of 09

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. Her designs are 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 design, Seema Gujral is one brand you should keep on your radar. Gujral’s designs are handcrafted and “customized according to the taste and requirements of the bride-to-be,” as written on her website. Gujral designs for the bride looking for traditional pieces with a touch of modernity.

09 of 09

Esha Koul

The Designer:

Esha Koul is an up-and-coming designer based in New Delhi. She studied for four years at the Pearl Academy of Fashion New Delhi before launching her eponymous label. 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."

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