(July 17, 2025) From Hyderabad to New York, Aisha Rao’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Her label, known for its vibrant colours, revived appliqué work, and commitment to upcycling, has found a place on global shelves — from London and Toronto to New York and Chicago. With each collection, she fuses Indian craftsmanship with a modern, playful edge, building a loyal community of wearers around the world. Her upcoming collection, Americana, is especially close to her heart — a tribute to New York City, where her design story truly began. It marks not just a homecoming, but a celebration of how far she’s come.
Aisha came very close to becoming a lawyer. Coming from a family of lawyers, she was expected to follow suit — and she was working towards it. In fact, she had already completed her law degree.
Aisha Rao
But her creative streak just wouldn’t let her go. It prevailed and changed the trajectory of her life completely. Fashion fascinated Aisha and by following her heart, she turned that passion into a successful career. “The decision to enrol at a design school and pursue fashion soon after graduating from law school was purely instinctive,” smiles fashion designer Aisha Rao, in a chat with Global Indian.
What began as a small bridal label in Hyderabad in 2017 only got bigger with Aisha Rao label dressing up leading A-listers in Bollywood, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, while also showcasing her creations on major platforms — building a loyal community across the world.
The Making of the Label
Aisha launched her brand with a love for bold colours, detailed craftsmanship, and the idea of designing more consciously. “It all began with upcycled occasion wear—taking fabric waste and turning it into vibrant appliqué pieces, layered with aari, zardozi, and macramé. Over time, that become our signature,” says Aisha, known for reviving appliqué work with a contemporary lens, fusing traditional handcraft with modern motifs and colour theory.
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One aspect that always stays consistent, is her love for pop colours. “No matter the mood or theme of the collection, there’s always a bit of whimsy. Bold prints and bright hues are just my way of adding joy to the clothes,” says the designer, whose collections are stocked across key markets including London, New York, Toronto, and Chicago, via leading retailers like Aashni + Co, Estic Couture, Studio East6, Sia Bridals, NDNY and Nyraa.
In a span of seven years, Aisha Rao’s footprint has expanded across India with three standalone stores in New Delhi (at Ambawatta One, DLF Emporio, and Dhanmill), one flagship studio in Hyderabad (Banjara Hills) and one in Mumbai (Kala Ghoda) — marking a strong and growing national presence. All manufacturing is in-house and Aisha operates three units employing 190 members.
Beyond Bridal: The Expanding World of Aisha Rao
Aisha weaves magic with fabrics — from raw silk to organza, zari tissue, and lurex jacquards. “Our latest collection, Matilda, feels like a step forward. It’s more intricate and refined, with soft Benarasi silks, expressive prints, and heirloom-inspired details, but still very much rooted in the vibrant, joyful energy that defines the brand.”
The brand’s prêt and accessory lines – Trencadis, Starboard and Port, and Kinfolk, continue to expand its offering beyond bridalwear, redefining how maximalism meets modern wearability.
Americana – A Love Letter to New York
Her latest collection – Americana, which is going to be launched in August — is close to her heart as it is the one that shaped a lot of who she is as a designer. With this collection, Aisha returns to the emotional and artistic origin point — New York City.
Giving a peek into the collection, Aisha says the silhouettes move like the city: structured yet fluid, bold yet considered. “Elements of mid-century romanticism blend seamlessly with Indian crafts, while high-octane glamour softens alongside time-tested silhouettes,” says the designer who has showcased multiple times at Lakmé Fashion Week, earning critical appreciation for both design innovation and visual storytelling.
Much like Rao’s earlier campaigns shot in Turkey and Siddhpur, where layered cultural histories shaped the mood and mise en scène, this collection finds its anchor in place. “And not just any place — one that contains multitudes.”
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Elaborating, she says a red lehenga doesn’t clash with the backdrop of Central Park or a Midtown skyline. “Instead, it belongs. As does a draped silhouette in the Beekman Hotel’s shadowy corridors. Here, nothing is ever out of context. It isn’t bridalwear bound to ritual. It’s an ode to movement, memory, and the radical act of blending — of belonging everywhere, all at once.”
It’s this deep, emotional connection with the city that continues to shape her creative lens. “A great city is like a great love — it brings you closer to your own centre, envelops you in its immutable magic, and no matter how far you stray, it always calls you back,” says Aisha, recalling her time in New York, a city, she says, that carved its spirit onto her creative journey during her time at Parsons.
She says it’s less a homage than a continuation, and draws on the city’s natural rhythm of contrast and coexistence — neoclassical alongside postmodern, Art Deco gleaming next to glass-and-steel.
Parsons: Where the Craft Became a Calling
For Aisha, studying at Parsons was a formative experience. “New York wasn’t just the backdrop, it shaped me in so many ways. The city’s energy and diversity felt familiar, almost like India, and it quickly started to feel like home,” recalls the designer, who studied Sewing & Garment Construction at Parsons.
It was at this school that Aisha learned the grammar of garment-making: how to drape on a mannequin, how to draft patterns, and more importantly, how to tell a story through fabric and form.
“Every assignment pushed me to think beyond aesthetics, it was about intent, about meaning. New York gave me more than just skills. It gave me perspective and a real sense of creative freedom,” she says.
From Hyderabad to High Fashion: A Journey of Creative Courage
Aisha grew up in Hyderabad and had always been drawn to the arts, from painting and visual storytelling to experimenting with form and material. “I was always inclined towards fashion for as long as I can remember but I come from a family of lawyers and so like my parents and elder brother, I was expected to follow that path,” says the Hyderabad-based designer, whose studio is located in Banjara Hills.
But that was not where her heart was and she soon realised that her interests were better aligned with creative expression.
After graduating from the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), Kolkata, Aisha was apprehensive if she should give fashion a chance, given the lack of formal training and experience. She went head anyway, enrolled herself in IED, Barcelona and then to Parsons in New York.
“I worked really hard those few years to grasp as much as I could given the short schooling period. The structure of my legal education and the freedom I found in design school together shaped the way I think and work today,” says the gifted designer, whose work has been featured in leading publications such as Vogue India, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, The Voice of Fashion amongst others for innovation in embroidery, colour theory, and surface development.
Next Stop: The World
“Over the past year, we’ve focused our energy on expanding Aisha Rao’s footprint through strategic trunk shows in the United States and a growing roster of international clients,” informs Aisha. These engagements have not only deepened her label’s presence in key global markets but also opened doors to exciting collaborations that are currently underway.
“As we continue to scale thoughtfully, our vision is set on widening our global reach while staying rooted in our craft-first ethos,” says Aisha’s whose brand will be debuting at India Couture Week this year, marking a major milestone in its journey. It marks a pivotal moment for the brand, entering a platform that has long defined the landscape of Indian high fashion, says Aisha, who loves visiting bookstores.
With her upcoming debut at India Couture Week, Aisha finds herself at a turning point — one that feels less like a finish line and more like a beginning. What started with scraps of leftover fabric and a head full of ideas has grown into a label with a voice of its own. Quietly confident, rooted in craft, and full of colour, Aisha Rao isn’t just shaping clothes — she’s shaping a world where tradition and individuality walk side by side.
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