(August 11, 2025) Before Indian fashion found its seat at the global table, Ranna Gill was already stitching it into the conversation. Her designs — effortlessly glamorous, unapologetically bold, and steeped in tradition — have graced red carpets from Bollywood to Hollywood. Naomi Campbell, Uma Thurman, and some of India’s biggest stars have all turned to her label for sartorial statements that transcend trend. But Gill’s global success isn’t a stroke of luck — it’s the result of a journey that spans continents, cultures, and decades of craftsmanship.
Educated at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in New Delhi and later the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York, Gill trained under some of the most influential names in the business. “Those years in New York were transformative; I had the invaluable opportunity to intern with some of the industry’s leading lights, including the legendary Rohit Khosla and Donna Karan. Later, I also had a significant stint at the exacting fashion house of Ralph Lauren in their women’s wear division in Madison, New York. Each experience, whether in India or New York, meticulously shaped my perspective and honed my skills, preparing me for the path ahead,” she tells Global Indian.
Ranna Gill
It was New York that sharpened her instinct and India that gave it soul. In choosing to return home — rather than build a life in the West — Gill set the stage for a new kind of Indian designer: one who didn’t need to choose between modernity and heritage, between global polish and native pride.
She wasn’t chasing a dream — she was building a vision.
The Early Imprint
Gill’s journey into fashion began long before FIT or even NIFT. It started in her childhood, when she would spend hours in her mother’s kidswear factory. For most children, a factory floor would seem dull — but for her, it was an early playground. “This early exposure instilled in me a profound appreciation for the art of creation,” she says, remembering those foundational days.
Ranna Gill in college
Looking back, she admits that she truly believes dress designing was always her calling, even before she could articulate it. “It always felt like an art form, a journey of conceptualisation, development, and finally, the product. While my formal education and global experiences were crucial, the moment I knew this was my absolute calling was when I felt a deep, undeniable pull to return to India in 1996. It wasn’t just about starting a business; it was about bringing everything I had learnt back to my roots and contributing to the evolving landscape of Indian fashion. There’s a passion and commitment I bring to design that I don’t think I could replicate in any other field. It’s an inherent part of who I am,” she says.
A Defining Debut
Her return home was followed by a meteoric rise. In 2000, she launched her flagship boutique, Ameera, and opened the very first show of Lakmé Fashion Week — a defining moment not just for her, but for the country’s fashion industry. “That same year, I had the incredible honour of opening the inaugural show at the very first Lakmé Fashion Week, in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), of which I am a founding member,” she shares.
It didn’t take long for the RANNA GILL label to become a force. By 2005, she transitioned her brand to focus on ready-to-wear collections, capturing the desires of the modern Indian woman who wanted fashion that was stylish but wearable, contemporary but rooted. Her stores today span more than 15 locations across India and a growing presence in New York — each space a reflection of her design philosophy.
Designing for the Modern Indian Woman
The primary impetus to launch her brand stemmed from a glaring gap she observed in the domestic fashion market. While there was exquisite traditional wear, there was a distinct lack of contemporary luxury prêt-à-porter that truly resonated with the evolving tastes of the modern Indian woman – someone who was global in her thinking but deeply connected to her heritage.
“My vision was clear: to craft womenswear that wasn’t just beautiful but empowering through its design, offering confidence, comfort, and a vibrant sense of style. I wanted to create pieces that could effortlessly transition from a global red carpet to a celebratory Indian gathering, reflecting a sophisticated yet easy-to-wear aesthetic.”
Her signature lies in a seamless fusion of East and West. The core of the RANNA GILL label lies in its harmonious fusion of contemporary aesthetics with the rich tapestry of traditional Indian craftsmanship. The signature style is bold, vibrant prints, which often draw inspiration from her travels to places like Spain, Morocco, and Greece, or from the natural beauty of flowers and landscapes. These prints are then often juxtaposed with intricate hand embroideries and exquisite embellishments, executed by skilled artisans.
“We pay meticulous attention to detail, fabric, and form, ensuring that each garment has an aesthetic and uncluttered appeal. Our silhouettes are designed to be timeless and versatile, celebrating the female form with fluid drapes and thoughtful proportions, creating pieces that are both modern and enduring. It’s a constant exploration of how the past and present can merge to create something truly extraordinary.”
Rooted in India, Refined in New York
The soul of her work lies in this duality — a fluent dialogue between New York’s pace and New Delhi’s poetry.
Building a Brand With Purpose
The evolution of her brand has also been a lesson in resilience. Gill recalls the early technological and marketing challenges of the Indian market, long before digital made things easier. But her approach remained clear-eyed and grounded. “It’s about balancing artistic integrity with strategic business acumen.”
And always — at the centre of it all — is the woman she designs for.
“I love immersing myself in different cultures, landscapes, and architectural wonders, and then bringing those stories and visual elements back into my work. Nature, especially flowers and landscapes, also has a profound, calming effect on my design language; I am truly happiest when surrounded by it. Ultimately, the modern woman herself—independent, eloquent, and confident—is a constant muse. Crafting pieces that empower her and speak to her multifaceted identity is incredibly rewarding.”
Today, RANNA GILL is more than a label. It’s a story of vision, risk, return, and reinvention — rooted in heritage, refined abroad, and embraced by a global audience.
Looking Ahead With Grace
As Gill looks ahead to expanding in cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Ludhiana — while continuing to build her international presence — she does so with a commitment to staying grounded in her ethos.
“In a world often clamouring for attention, remember that it’s not about creating noise; it’s about creating connection. True impact comes from authenticity and from genuinely connecting with your craft, your team, and your audience. For me, being a designer isn’t just about the highlight reel; it’s about showing up every single day, noticing the subtle details others might miss, and meticulously shaping something that didn’t exist the day before.”
In telling her story — one that began with a child surrounded by thread and fabric — Ranna Gill has not just built a brand, but become a symbol of Indian fashion’s global voice. Quietly powerful. Unmistakably her own.
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