There was time when buying designer wear was limited to occasions- a wedding mostly. These curated picks consisted of lehengas and sarees featuring embellishments a plenty and mostly weighing as much as a baby. Dresses, co-ord sets were considered too mainstream for celebratory functions. The general consensus was that designer pieces are out of reach and certainly not something you stock your regular wear wardrobe with.

Then the pandemic came, companies with deep pockets came calling and accessibility became the name of the game. A plentitude of labels by top fashion designers (not necessarily the ones mentioned below) saw the the opportunity presented by the upwardly mobile segment that wanted few statement pieces but not while burning a hole in the pocket. The game was changed up and all the players now have cocktail saris, versatile separates, lightweight Indian wear, et cetera in their repertoire, rather than just lehengas weighing 50 kgs & gowns only Mrs. Padukone would dare pull off.

Let’s have a look at such notable prêt lines by iconic Indian fashion designers.

The Anita Dongre Empire

It’s of paramount importance for a business, to scale in the right amount & at the right time, so as to bar stagnation of any kind. And that seems to be the last of the worries for Anita Dongre & the numerous brands in her kitty – Grassroot, AND, Pinkcity & I’m already losing count. Ready to wear, couture, jewellery, you name it. She’s done it all, whilst incorporating…