Audacious vision, cultural shift and fusion styles—the fashion doyenne Anamika Khanna is known for all of it and more. With her modern take on traditional Indian styles, the east meets west silhouettes came into the picture and started trending in a bazillion! Winning accolades and recognition left and right, Khanna gained a strong foothold in the fashion industry, and that’s not just limited to India.
Couturier Anamika Khanna (Credits: Vogue)
This year, we’ve been splashed with designer looks that have become a byword for cosmopolitan glam at big-ticket events like Cannes, NMACC and so on, and Anamika Khanna showcased her prowess like the pro she is. Again and again, she had created trailblazing moments, and with the most recent being the hood couture that Mrunal Thakur was spotted in at the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival, people were in a chokehold with its eternal power that dates back to the ‘80s.
Mrunal Thakur slaying the hood couture by Anamika Khanna
Talking about Cannes, Sonam Kapoor’s desi avatar in 2013, donning Anamika Khanna’s white lace saree with a gold embroidered jacket, was definitely an iconic moment as she pulled it off with a scintillating nose ring, winged eyes and a swipe of red.
Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s iconic desi look in Anamika Khanna’s white and gold lace saree at Cannes 2013
From Deepika Padukone, Bhumi Pednekar, Athiya Shetty, Patralekha, Kajal Aggarwal, Shibani Dandekar Akhtar, Mira Kapoor to Isha Ambani and more, the bevy of Indian celebrities stole the show in Anamika Khanna ensembles at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) including the German fashion blogger and model, Caroline Daur joining the list amongst the international names at the star-studded event.
Deepika Padukone in Anamika Khanna at NMACC
Bhumi Pednekar in Anamika Khanna at NMACC
Dressing up the belles of B-town with her contemporary perception, AK broke the monotonous nature of the Indian couture scene, which had been carried forward till now. Would you know she was among the first to reinvigorate the draped sarees and dhotis? Ahead of the curve, signature kaftans, capes, jacket sets, cowl dresses, printed silhouettes, draped styles including the tulip, wavy and the two-pallu-in-dhoti drape and so on have often been the highlight of her modern collections that are embraced in subtlety and luxury but not without the spice of Indian aesthetic.
Madhuri Dixit Nene in Anamika Khanna’s jacket & draped skirt set
Gliding her way into international waters, she joined hands with the New Zealand-born, UK-based designer Emilia Wickstead, known for her graceful and elegant designs, to create Sonam Kapoor’s bespoke outfit for King Charles-III’s coronation ceremony. The monumental collaboration resulted in an off-shoulder floor-length gown crafted precisely to the royal theme with calico-inspired prints.
Sonam Kapoor in Anamika Khanna & Emilia Wickstead gown at King Charles-III’s coronation
Anamika hit it off with Hollywood celebrities too. For Elle India’s cover, the Netflix star Madelyn Cline tapped into her boho chic persona in Anamika Khanna’s exemplary design that speaks volumes of her art and creativity.
Madelyn Cline in Anamika Khanna’s boho outfit for Elle India’s cover
Next, we have the Slumdog Millionaire fame, Frieda Pinto who aced the high-fashion game at the South Asian Excellence Pre-Oscars Celebration 2023 wearing the designer’s head-turning embroidered co-ords.
Frieda Pinto in Anamika Khanna co-ords at the South Asian Excellence Pre-Oscars 2023
As we can see now, not belonging to a fashion background didn’t shadow her efforts in the slightest. Not only was she the first female Indian fashion designer to display her collections at the Paris Fashion Week 2007, but also one of the three designers to showcase their collections at ‘Huts to High Street’, the Khadi fashion show held by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) in association with Gujarat State Khadi and Village Industries Board for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Made in India project.
Anamika Khanna’s collection at the ‘Huts to High Street’ fashion show by FDCI X Gujarat State Khadi & Village Industries Board
Apart from collaborating with global brands like Bvlgari, presenting her collection at various fashion shows and bagging numerous awards to her name, she has also been featured in notable publications including Elle magazine, India Today, Vogue, Verve Magazine, Femina, Blitz Magazine, The Business of Fashion, to mention a few.
Kriti Sanon in Anamika Khanna at Luka Chuppi promotions
Expanding her success with Ana Mika, her first ready-to-wear international label launched at London Fashion Week in 2004, she went on to construct AK-OK by intermixing Indian as well as international styles with traditional and futuristic references. Now be spotlight-ready for any occasion with Anamika Khanna’s pre-loved designs exclusively available on Revivify.
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