July 13 2021
Five Indian and Indian-origin designers putting Indian fashion on the world map
When people think of Indian fashion, images of colourful sarees, intricate embroidery, handwoven textiles and traditional silhouettes often come to mind. While these elements remain at the heart of India’s sartorial heritage, modern Indian fashion has evolved into a dynamic blend of craftsmanship, innovation and global appeal.
Today, Indian designers are redefining luxury fashion by seamlessly combining traditional Indian textiles with contemporary silhouettes. From New York and London to Mumbai and Paris, these designers are taking Indian fashion to the world stage, dressing celebrities, royals and style icons while showcasing India’s rich textile heritage.
Global Indian takes a look at five Indian and Indian-origin fashion designers who have built globally acclaimed labels and helped put Indian fashion on the international map. From Naeem Khan and Sabyasachi Mukherjee to Ritu Kumar and Bibhu Mohapatra, these designers are influencing the future of luxury fashion while celebrating their Indian roots.
Naeem Khan: The Indian-American designer behind Michelle Obama’s iconic looks
The 63-year-old Indian-American designer is today a blue-chip name in fashion, with film stars, royals among his clients. From Cameron Diaz to Beyonce to Taylor Swift to Padma Lakshmi, Khan has styled the who’s who of international celebrities. But the biggest moment for the designer came when he styled former First Lady Michelle Obama in 2009 for the first state dinner. In no time, he became the most Googled name in the world. Since then, he has not only created more than 20 outfits for Michelle Obama but has also become a good friend of hers. Khan has taken all these opportunities delicately and has presented Indian fashion to the world in the best possible way.
View this post on Instagram
As one of the most recognisable Indian designers on the global fashion circuit, Naeem Khan continues to be a dominant force in American luxury fashion in 2026. His New York-based label is celebrated for its hand-embroidered embellishments, intricate beadwork, and opulent silhouettes that draw deeply from his Indian heritage and early training under Halston. Khan’s collections are regularly featured at New York Fashion Week, and his bridal line remains one of the most sought-after in the United States. For Indian fashion on the world stage, Khan remains the gold standard.
Saloni Lodha: Bringing Indian textiles to London’s luxury fashion scene
Born in a traditional Marwari family, Saloni became interested in fashion since her teenage days. But her journey as a fashion designer began when she moved to London. However, it wasn’t until Emma Watson made an appearance on The Early Show in a dress by Saloni that things started moving drastically for the designer. Indian heritage is always at the forefront of her designs, and even Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, couldn’t ignore Saloni’s creations. In 2015, Kate Middleton stepped out in a dress from Lodha’s Pre-fall collection, and since then, there has been no looking back for the Indian designer.
The Saloni label has grown into one of London’s most coveted luxury womenswear brands, consistently celebrated for its signature use of Indian textiles — particularly silk, chiffon, and hand-blocked prints — reimagined through a distinctly British lens. Stocked at premier retailers including Net-a-Porter, Selfridges, and Bergdorf Goodman, Saloni’s designs bridge Indian craftsmanship and Western contemporary fashion with effortless elegance. In 2026, the brand continues to attract a global clientele drawn to its feminine silhouettes and its deeply rooted celebration of Indian textile heritage.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee: The global face of Indian bridal couture
Widely regarded as India’s most celebrated luxury designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee has transformed Indian bridal couture into a global phenomenon. From light floral designs to intricate and classic lehengas, Sabyasachi is bringing traditional Indian wear to the forefront with his timeless designs. But not many know that the Indian designer has styled Oprah Winfrey in 2018. She wore a custom-made black saree designed by Mukherjee for a photoshoot for Elle magazine. It was on Winfrey’s maiden trip to India that she met Mukherjee at a dinner hosted by the royal family, and the two have remained in touch since then.
View this post on Instagram
Beyond his unrivalled status in Indian bridal fashion, Sabyasachi Mukherjee has built one of the most powerful luxury fashion brands in Asia. His flagship stores in Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, and New York have made the Sabyasachi label globally accessible while retaining its artisanal exclusivity. His celebrated collaborations with global brands — including H&M and Pottery Barn — brought Indian craft traditions to an international mass audience without compromising the brand’s luxury positioning. In 2026, Sabyasachi remains the definitive name in Indian designer fashion, both at home and on the world stage.
Ritu Kumar: The pioneer who revived India’s textile heritage
In 1997, Princess Diana arrived in Pakistan in a blue salwar kameez designed by Ritu Kumar. Widely known as the First Lady of Indian fashion, Ritu Kumar is credited with reviving several traditional Indian crafts and making them relevant to contemporary luxury fashion. The Indian designer has styled many global celebrities. From Spice Girls to Anoushka Shankar to Mischa Baron, the divas have had the opportunity to be styled by the ace designer.
View this post on Instagram
With over five decades in Indian fashion, Ritu Kumar’s legacy is unparalleled. She is widely credited with reviving and commercialising traditional Indian crafts — including chikankari, zardozi, and block printing — at a time when they were in danger of being lost. Today, the Ritu Kumar label operates across multiple lines including the contemporary Label Ritu Kumar and the luxury pret line RI by Ritu Kumar, with stores across India and a growing international presence. Her contribution to preserving India’s textile heritage while making it relevant to modern global fashion is her most enduring achievement.
Bibhu Mohapatra: The Odisha-born designer conquering New York fashion
Indian-American designer Bibhu Mohapatra has emerged as one of the most respected names in international luxury fashion, with his creations worn by Hollywood stars, global icons and former First Lady Michelle Obama.The Odhisa-born and Manhattan-based Indian-origin designer has styled artists like Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lupita Nyong’o, Hilary Swank, and Demi Lovato. But it was former First Lady Michelle Obama who changed the game for Mohapatra. “It was Michelle who essentially put me on the map when she arrived in India for her state trip wearing my outfit. To be able to collaborate with individuals like her has made me a very lucky guy,” he told NDTV.
View this post on Instagram
Bibhu Mohapatra‘s ascent from Odisha to Manhattan’s fashion elite is one of the most compelling stories in Indian fashion. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Mohapatra launched his eponymous label in 2008 and has since built a reputation for sculptural, feminine designs that marry Western structure with Indian sensibility. His work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution and featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and WWD. In 2026, Mohapatra continues to be one of the most critically respected Indian designers working in the international luxury fashion space.
Editor’s Take: Fashion is more than clothing—it is a reflection of identity, culture and craftsmanship. Through their labels and creations, these Indian and Indian-origin designers have transformed traditional techniques into globally admired luxury brands. Whether through Naeem Khan’s red-carpet glamour, Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s bridal couture, Ritu Kumar’s revival of Indian textiles, Saloni Lodha’s contemporary elegance or Bibhu Mohapatra’s international influence, each has played a role in strengthening Brand India on the world stage. Their journeys highlight how Indian fashion, rooted in centuries-old traditions, continues to shape global trends and inspire a new generation of designers.
RELATED READ: Diipa Buller Khosla: The law graduate who became first Indian influencer to walk the Cannes red carpet
-
Which Indian designer has dressed the most celebrities?
-
Which Indian designer has dressed British royalty?
-
Is Indian fashion recognised on the global stage in 2026?
-
Who is the most famous Indian fashion designer in the world?
-
Which Indian designer is known for reviving traditional Indian crafts?
