Discover Indian fashion with stories, styles and designers 

Summary 

• Indian fashion is full of color, meaning, and history. It’s more than just clothes. It’s a mix of culture, tradition, and creativity.
• Even for fashion designers in the West, Indian fashion offers endless inspiration and fresh ideas to explore.
• Experience the future of the fashion industry with Audaces360. Start your free trial today! 

From ancient patterns to modern runways, Indian fashion has made its mark around the world. Each piece tells a story, shaped by time and place. 

You might love intricate embroidery or bold, expressive prints. Either way, every detail in this rich culture has something to teach. And this guide is for professionals like you — designers who want to create with meaning. 

We’ll explore its roots, its symbols, and the people behind the beauty. You’ll also see how young designers are reimagining traditional styles in today’s fashion scene. 

So get ready to dive into one of the world’s most vibrant and inspiring styles. Happy reading! 

Why learn more about Indian fashion? 

Indian fashion is rich in meaning and beauty, it feels like every piece tells a story. It speaks of culture, art, and tradition, and that’s why it’s worth knowing more. 

For designers, it opens new paths. Learning about Indian fashion means discovering new shapes, colors, and techniques. It helps you think differently and design with depth.  

That’s because Indian clothes are famous for their fine details. They mix bold colors, handcrafted work, and flowing fabrics. Each look is full of character!  

Understanding this style makes your work stronger. It allows you to connect with new audiences, create with more care, and develop cultural respect. 

A bit of history behind Indian fashion 

Indian fashion goes back thousands of years, connecting culture, religion, and art. Over time, it has grown and changed, but it never lost its soul. 

In ancient India, clothing was simple but meaningful, with people wearing garments made of cotton and silk. These early pieces showed signs of what we now call traditional Indian wear. Later, many cultures came and left their mark. 

The Mughal Empire, for example, brought luxury, fine embroidery, and rich fabrics. This mix helped shape Indian ethnic style as we know it today. 

British rule changed things again. It added western cuts and tailoring to local looks, creating new styles while keeping old ones alive. 

Today, Indian fashion blends all this history. It honors the past while looking to the future. That’s what makes it so unique and powerful. 

Learn more: What is the fashion industry, its value, and key players? 

Cultures that shaped Indian fashion 

A wide range of cultures has shaped Indian fashion over time. From spiritual roots to royal courts and global influence, each one added something new. 

The result is a unique blend of tradition and modern style, including the popular Indo Western look seen today. 

See the key influences below: 

Vedic traditions and Hinduism 

The earliest forms of Indian outfits had a deep link to religion. During the Vedic period, people wore simple clothes made from natural fibers like cotton that had strong symbolic meanings. Colors, shapes, and fabrics could show a person’s role or status. 

Traditional garments like the dhoti and sari have roots in this period. They reflect the connection between the body, nature, and spirituality — a connection still seen in Indian fashion today. 

Islamic culture and the Mughal Empire 

When the Mughals arrived in India, they brought new ideas in art, architecture, and fashion. They introduced rich fabrics like silk and velvet, along with detailed embroidery. 

Fashion became more elegant and refined. Long tunics, fitted trousers, and layered outfits became common. Jewelry, headpieces, and fine prints also became part of daily wear, especially among royals. 

Out of this time came enduring styles. They include the sherwani, the traditional men’s coat, and the anarkali, the Indian dresses. 

British colonialism 

The British brought western clothing styles to India. Tailored shirts, jackets, and trousers began to mix with traditional Indian wear. 

Even after independence, this blend stayed strong. It helped shape modern Indian fashion into what it is today — rooted in the past, but always evolving.

Dreaming of designing clothes that stand out? Grab our free e-book and discover the world of 3D fashion design!

Top 5 characteristics of Indian fashion 

Indian fashion is full of unique elements that make it stand out. From colors to fabrics and shapes, each detail adds meaning and beauty. 

Let’s explore five key features that define this powerful style. 

1) Vibrant use of color 

Indian fashion loves color: bright reds, deep blues, glowing yellows. All bold colors and full of life! 

This strong use of color makes Indian clothes joyful and rich. It’s one of the first things people from all around the world notice and remember. 

2) Handcrafted details and rich embroidery

Many Indian garments are handmade. Artisans add beads, sequins, and metallic threads, and these fine details bring the fabric to life. 

Embroidery styles can vary, like the use of mirrors in some regions and gold threads in others. Each type tells something about where it came from. 

These details are common in ethnic wear. They show the care, time, and skill behind each piece.  

3) Influence of Bollywood 

Bollywood plays a big role in Indian fashion. Movie stars often set trends, what they wear on screen soon becomes popular across the country. 

Fans love to copy their favorite looks. Dresses like the lehenga choli or salwar suit become more than just clothes, they become a dream! 

This influence helps Indian fashion stay fresh. It blends tradition with modern flair, reaching millions through film and music. 

4) Flowing, draped silhouettes 

Indian fashion often uses long and soft shapes. These clothes wrap, drape, and flow with the body, feeling light and easy to wear. 

Outfits like saris and dupattas show this style best, as they move as you move. The fabric falls in waves and curves, creating beauty in motion. 

5) Luxurious fabrics 

Silk, cotton, chiffon, and velvet are popular choices in Indian fashion. These fabrics feel smooth and look rich. 

Some are light and perfect for warm weather. Meanwhile, others are thick and used in winter or for weddings. No matter the choice, they make every piece feel special, whether simple or full of detail. 

Learn more: The best types of fabric for your clothing company 

Leading Indian fashion designers 

Sabyasachi Mukherjee 

Sabyasachi is one of India’s most loved designers. He is famous for the use of rich fabrics and detailed embroidery. You can see his designs in many well-known Bollywood movies. 

He often uses deep colors and vintage patterns and brides across India dream of wearing his designs. 

Manish Malhotra 

Manish Malhotra started as a Bollywood costume designer. Today, he is a top name in Indian fashion and celebrities wear his designs on and off the screen. 

His style is glam and bold, with sparkle, rich fabrics, and flowing shapes. His wedding collections are especially popular. 

Learn more: Inside the career of Indian designer Manish Malhotra 

Ritu Kumar 

Ritu Kumar is a true pioneer in Indian fashion. She began her work in the 1960s, with the goal of bring back traditional Indian crafts. 

The designer works closely with local artisans and often includes block prints and hand embroidery in her designs. She gives old styles new life in a very beautiful way. 

Ritu’s fashion is elegant and full of meaning. She helped shape what we call Indian ethnic fashion today, and her legacy continues to grow. 

Tarun Tahiliani 

This is another Indian fashion designers famous for blending the old with the new. He was one of the first to mix Indian fabrics with Western cuts. 

His clothes are full of luxury. He uses fine draping, rich colors, and sharp tailoring. His bridal designs are modern but still rooted in tradition. 

Tarun believes fashion should feel like art. His style is clean and elegant, but never boring. He brings global flair to Indian fashion. 

Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosla 

This designer duo is famous for their detailed work. They often use hand embroidery, mirror work, and bold textures. Their style is rich and full of drama. 

Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla celebrate Indian culture in a big way. Their fashion is for those who want to shine! 

Anita Dongre 

Anita Dongre brings grace and simplicity to fashion. She designs for women who want to feel strong and beautiful. Her designs often include clean lines and soft colors. 

She also supports eco-friendly fashion. Her brand works with rural artisans. Together, they create modern clothes with a traditional soul. 

Anita’s style is elegant and wearable. She mixes comfort with class, making her one of India’s top designers today. Her list of clients includes Hillary Clinton and Kate Middleton. 

Learn more: Meet 8 iconic fashion designers of the moment to inspire you 

How is technology influencing Indian fashion today? 

Technology is changing the way Indian fashion designers make and share their creations. They can now rely on digital tools to sketch, plan, and test their ideas. 

Sustainable fashion is also growing with technology. Modern machines help reduce fabric waste. At the same time, smart tools track how clothes are made, making sure the process is better for the planet. 

Designer Anita Dongre, for example, uses technology to support eco-friendly practices and reduce harm to nature. 

Moreover, shopping for clothing online has become a big part of fashion as well. Many brands now sell their clothes on websites and apps. This makes Indian clothes easier to buy, even for people living far away. 

Learn more: Learn how to set up your online clothing business from scratch 

Create and simulate fashion collections with the leader in technology

Audaces Fashion Studio 

Audaces Fashion Studio is a groundbreaking innovation for fashion designers within Audaces360 multisolution.  

This technology empowers professionals to create smarter sketches on a 3D mannequin. It provides tools and functionalities to enhance your design process.  

Its features enable you to examine fit, drape, and movement in different body types. Explore fabrics, colors, textures, and apply prints in a few clicks.    

Audaces Idea 

Audaces Idea is your solution for creating and applying prints to your designs.    

It helps end errors and streamline communication between design and the other teams. This way, you can reduce the development cycle and ensure timely deliveries.  

Audaces Idea also includes integrated tech packs and automatic pre-cost calculations. You can visualize all your creation’s information on a single screen during the process. 

Automating technical tasks frees up your time for more design exploration! 

Audaces Sofia 

Meet Audaces Sofia our cutting-edge fashion Artificial Intelligence. It helps you enhance your creations with an unlimited source of inspiration.    

This solution has the power to transform concepts into reality in a matter of minutes. Some simple prompts are all you need to generate print variations.  

Audaces Sofia integrates with Audaces Idea and Audaces Fashion Studio. This combination provides you with the complete solution to create effortlessly  

Discover Audaces360 and unlock a world of possibilities for fashion design and production. Explore our comprehensive suite of solutions today!

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