If Indian models are walking international ramps, so are the Indian fashion designers. In fact these designers have been instrumental in putting some of the models up there. How have these models managed to break into the stronghold of western design and fashion? Here we have for you, top Indian designers who are sought after names world over.

Ritu Kumar

Ritu has pioneered the term 'fashion' in the Indian context by demonstrating that hand made products can be as profitable and even more glamorous than those made by the machine. 

Ritu Kumar's forte is traditional Indian clothes. She has created some extraordinary fashion statements using the textile and embroidery heritage of India and remains classics of their kind. But she evolved another style for European buyer. Her Indo-West fusion wear has all the trappings of block prints, embroidery and craft inputs on a western style. 

Ritu’s creations adorned the winning three Miss India's, for their participation in the International beauty pageants (Miss Universe, Miss World & Miss Asia Pacific respectively). Manpreet Brar, Ruchi Malhotra, Rani Jeyraj and recently Lara Dutta, have won the award for the Most Outstanding Evening Gown in International pageants. Other prestigious clients include Late Princess Di and Jemima Khan.

Rohit Bal 

Rohit Bal, whom Time magazine in its recent Special Report on India (March 25, 1996) profiled as 'India's Master of fabric and fantasy' is among the giants of Indian fashion who has a discerning, high profile clientele, that includes some of India's biggest names in the media, film, fashion and corporate world. 

Bal draws upon history, fantasy and folklore to create his masterpieces, which retail for up to-hold your breath- 15,000 $. Bal in 1990 created his first line, traditional designer wear for men and the rest, indeed, is history. This young designer's sense of aesthetics is finely honed, and each of his creations is handcrafted to perfection, with meticulous attention to detail. Little surprise that Bal has reached the height he traverses in now.

Ritu Beri

What started as a hobby became a passion. Beri enrolled in the national Institute of Fashion Technology in 1988 and opened her studio 'Lavanya' in December 1990. She achieved instant success with this collection even in the fashion Meccas of London's Regent St., where a couple of her creations were a sell-out in 'Liberty! Further collections followed. 'Sanskriti ' creations was a path-breaking way of tracing her roots. 
According to Ritu Beri," Designing clothes for the Indian contingent is a great honour and a big challenge. Ritu Beri says-"Today, the world is still my oyster-and I appear to have succeeded in prizing it open just a little bit." 
Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla

'The boys', as the duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla are known in the fashion circuit, are considered the pioneers, the pathbreakers in introducing Indian talent in international arena. What is surprising that they lack professional training, yet their intuition, hard work and an understanding of what would “work” has taken their creations to unimaginable heights. In their words, “they do not make garments, they make heirlooms”. 

Rina Dhaka

Rina Dhaka has been in the eye of the Indian fashion scene for the past fifteen years. Early in her career, one of her designs for the Miss India events caught the eye of Rohit Khosla. Spurred on by his appreciation, she has striven to keep up the spirit of innovation. She is best known for her theme collections - sheer trousers, crochet, stretch jersey, woollens and spider web motifs. Her forte remains western wear yet she prides on the fact her country has a rich textile heritage. . Dhaka points out, "We need both clothing. I'm not going to go to an Indian occasion wearing my pants; I'm not an angrezi mem. We have beautiful Indian clothing, antique Indian shawls and old sarees and now we have us, Indian designers, who will try hopefully to keep the culture intact and make a strong fashion statement." 

Tarun Tahiliani

His creations epitomizes style, craftsmanship, quality and refinement. 

Tarun and his wife Sailaja along with a bunch of handpicked talented but unknown designers started the Ensemble, heralding a revolution that would change the face of the fashion industry. 

Recently, Ensemble inaugurated a boutique in New Delhi. Tarun Tahiliani's first ' store within a store' at Ambawata, Mehrauli has an attached couture salon where Menswear, home furnishing, bridal and occasion wear will be designed and fitted in consultation with clients. 

Today, Tarun, the master of drape, is one of the most sought after and successful fashion designers in the country whose clients cover a domestic and international arena.

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