Designer Anita Dongre's Life - A Success Story

There is no denying that designer Anita Dongre is one of the most popular and successful Indian fashion designers. Indeed she has been at the forefront of the Indian fashion scene for over 20 years, but how did she succeed and get so famous?

 

First, as she always loved fashion and style, she studied designing from SNDT, Juhu - a leading Indian fashion school in which she graduated in 1983 - and Bcom from Narsee Monjee. Then to realise her passion for design, she and her sister Meena Sehra, acquired two sewing machines in order to create and supply clothes to a boutique called Saks which was frequented by Bollywood stars. She made a line made from linen for the boutique which agreed to sell her collections. It was a success and Saks wanted more of her creations and this is what launched her career in the world of fashion. And then for few years Anita Dongre not only supplied to famous boutiques in major Indian cities, but also in other cities all around the world.

 

After these experiences she finally decided to create her own label with fresh ideas. The boutiques thought that it will not work, but she travelled several times and had seen that trends were changing. She wanted to design something that urban women can wear and the only way to do it were to retail by herself and so found her own business.

Supported by her sister and also her brother who left his job to join them, thus the company And Designs India Ltd. (ADIL) was created in 1998 and the ascent to success started here. 

 

 

In mid-1999, the label “AND”, which offers a collection of western wear, was launched as an answer to the growing needs of the Indian woman. Today the label remains and has evolved to keep pace with its clients’ changing lifestyles.

At the core of the fashion industry she was able to realise one of her dreams and launch her couture design label “ANITA DONGRE”. It was launched in 2000 at IGEDO, an international forum.

Anita Dongre is the only Indian Designer chosen to showcase her collection at the Finale of the IGEDO Spring Summer Fashion Show. The signature label includes different sub-label that cover varied needs in the market: TIMELESS, IINTERPRET, GRASSROOT, MENSWEAR and recently launched PINKCITY which is a line of jewelry. 

The last of ADIL’s high fashion brands launched in 2007 it is called “GLOBAL DESI”. It is inspired by Indian heritage of colours, fabrics, prints etc.

Anita Dongre's inimitable creations have reached award shows, global red carpets, international catwalks and the pages of many other events. She acquired the loyalty of everyday kind of people and also several celebrities such as Shraddha Kapoor, Anuradha Mahindra, Juhi Chawla, Neha Dhupia, Urmila Matondkar and more.

 

   

  Lakme Fashion Week 2013 and 2014 respectively

   

Anita Dongre at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Ressort 2014

 

And now more than a designer, she has been ranked among one of the 50 most powerful women in business. With her dreams in mind she worked with passion and perseverance and has built what we can call an empire.

 

If you want to see more about Anita Dongre, click here!

 

Salwar Kameez - Popular Indian Fashion Apparel

If you are the type of woman who finds wearing jeans and tops too suffocating and modern apparel not flattering enough for your figure, then Salwar Kameez wear is the ideal option for you. It is commonly believed that Salwar Kameezes are normally simple with plain patterns. This is not true there are plenty of different and exciting patterned Salwar Kameezes.

Salwar Kameez came from the Mughal reign. Other clothing items from this region are churidars, sharara and lehengas. It is thought that Salwar Kameez is the conventional dress of Punjab.

Traditionally Salwar Kameez has been worn with knee length Kurtas. Today the tradition of wearing them has been modernized and girls have started wearing them with bandeau tops and long shirts.

Salwar Kameez has been made popular in the west due to the Bollywood celebrities wearing them to high profile events. These traditional dresses are often made with a variety of rich fabrics, silk, tissue, Crepe, Chiffon and Georgettes. There is often beaded work on the neckline and shoulders. Extensive sequins are also used combined with patterns and colours that capture the eye.

Often there are different Salwar worn in the outfits, for example a churidar salwar is a baggy drawstring trouser. Wearing this item with a Kameez Kurta creates a classy, cool and sophisticated look.

See also how Indian and Western styles can be combined together!

High-Low Indian Tunics as Must Have of the Season!

From famous Bollywood celebrities to the street, everyone seems gone crazy for high-low Indian tunics!

The trend of the season is a two-length style, doesn’t matter if is a dress, skirt or top, and Indian designers know this quite well.

Bollywood celebrities fell in love with Payal Singhal ‘s new collection of gorgeous high-low Indian tunics. For example, have a look at Huma Qureshi, that was seen promoting her upcoming movie “Dedh Ishqiya” wearing colourful pants and a printed tunic by Payal Singhal. She matched the look with a trendy neckpiece with black coloured beads.

What about the ever gorgeous Sonakshi Sinha? She looked stunning on “Comedy Nights” sets in a black and white colored style by Payal Singhal.

Both the celebrities wore Indian tunics matched with flat shoes, would you have done the same? Maybe would have been better to match a high-low cut with high heels!

What about red for you bridal lehenga?

Gorgeous Indian Tunic Tops wore by Celebrities at a Store Launch

In occasion of the launch of a new collection of styles by Mark & Spencer, some Bollywood celebrities were present in the important guests list.

Among these, Sonakshi Sinha, Nita Ambani and Bipasha Basu, were in first row showcasing stylish looks.

The trend of the moment seems to be wearing Indian tunic tops, like the one showcased by Nita Ambani at the event, who complemented the style with a bohemian necklace.

Talking generally about the guests look, we loved how they have created a contrast between the colour of the shoes, and the rest of the outfit.

Have a look for instance at Shibani Dandekar: she matched a lace blue coloured dress with open toe in a brilliant red tone!

However also the guests in Indian tunic tops were fabulous!