This top couturier was the first to get corporate funding, move her workshop and workforce into a Navi Mumbai building, open two flagship stores in New York and Dubai, use only vegan leather, and empower kaarigars countrywide, including female artisans of SEWA (an NGO started in Gujarat) whose handmade textiles and crafts she uses in her ready-to-wear and couture pieces. Today, Anita Dongre continues to support Indian craft through her dreamy yet extremely wearable collections. Case in point: at her latest couture showcase at Jaipur’s magnificent City Palace, each one of her outfits was lauded for its modernity, intricacy and nod to the city that framed her aesthetic since childhood.
A go-getter ever since those idyllic holidays in Jaipur as a child—home to both her maternal and paternal grandparents, where Anita would scour local markets for colourful bangles in between playtime with her cousins—she wanted to emulate her mother in one particular skill.
“We were three sisters, and until we were 10, our mother would cut and sew clothes for the whole family,” says Anita. “We were 35 cousins, and she looked after us all. She would take fabrics and make frocks for us.”
AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MIND
As she reached 10th grade in Mumbai, she was sure she wanted to be a designer. After studying commerce in grades 10 and 11, she joined SNDT Women’s University in Juhu in the 12th grade. During the holidays, she designed, cut and sewed an entire collection with three of her college friends, which got sold out. She was already an entrepreneur at 19. “It was a technical, sound course, with a focus on pattern making,” she says.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A SUSTAINABLE FAIRYTALE
It's hard to believe that characters from Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland would come to life in a traditional Indian wedding—especially a sustainable one. JUVECA PANDA, founder and CEO of a vegan accessories brand, shares her magical, mindful three-day celebrations at Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire, setting an example for conscious couples the world over.
D-DAY IN DOHA
Businessman Sahil Arora fell head over heels for brand consultant Somya Goenka on their first meeting—quite literally. The rest, as they say, is history. Their coming together and lavish festivities at The St. Regis Doha is straight out of the movies. We bring you their special moments...
10 YEARS OF TOGETHERNESS
The world may know her as the young Poo' from K3G, but to couturier and entrepreneur Pranav Bagga, Malvika Raaj is simply the love of his life. We take you through their decade-long love story that culminated in a beautiful ceremony in Goa.
A BEACHSIDE BASH
After six years of dating, strategy and marketing whizz Kyraa Manchandani and businessman Hardik Pahwa tied the knot in a surreal sunset ceremony just north of Phuket in Thailand. A yacht party, a haldi that ended in the sea, a pool party, sufi night, beach wedding and finally a cocktail afterparty made it an event to remember. Here's how....
DESTINY CALLING
For marketing professional Tanya Jacob and actor Tanuj Virwani, their journey's been a matter of the heart as well as practicality. Right down to the nitty-gritties of their special day, they made. every decision together, ensuring there were no faults in their stars. Their. story is, indeed, one of destiny....
SEALED WITH A KISS
From a wild night in Paris seven years ago to a magical wedding against a Goan sunset, celebrity photographer Rahul Jhangiani and entrepreneur Shimul Patel's love story is straight out of a fairytale. Read on to know more...
IVORY AFFAIRS
Whether blended with metallic accents for a touch of glamour, or softened with pastels for a spot of romance, an ivory palette creates a dreamy, elegant ambiance like no other hue. We decode the ivory obsession taking over Indian weddings.
FOR THE ULTIMATE BRIDAL GLOW
To get that perfect radiant complexion, five dermatologists share the best new pre-wedding therapies and skin treatments.
CONQUERING GLOBAL STYLE MILES FALGUNI AND SHANE PEACOCK
The era of virality ensures that their designs multiply on the net worth and the networks of alpha women who are brands themselves. The downside? To keep up with their own breakneck trajectory! Brides Today raises a toast to 20 years of the Falguni-Shane journey and their designs flaunted by global goddesses.
UNCONVENTIONAL. UNCENSORED. UNMATCHABLE - Sobhita Dhulipala
With far more successes than box-office defeats to boast, her filmography is as enviable as her strong jawline, exceptional elegance, or wide, expressive eyes. An actor par excellence and a vision in couture, Sobhita Dhulipala is proudly and unapologetically charting a path that's truly her own. In conversation with Brides Today, she opens up about her perception of life and fashion, cinema being cinema regardless of geography, and much more.
