As Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda's temple-inspired wedding looks continue to flood Instagram mood boards, the spotlight has firmly returned to the designer behind the ensembles — Anamika Khanna. For over two decades, the Kolkata-born couturier has been quietly redefining Indian bridal fashion, transforming traditional craft into global couture while creating some of the most influential wedding wardrobes for celebrities and modern brides alike.
Born on July 19, 1971, Khanna began her creative journey not in fashion, but in classical dance and painting. That early training still reflects in her work — in the way her garments move, drape and hold structure. She launched her label in 1998 and quickly built a design language that felt deeply Indian yet strikingly contemporary. A major turning point came in 2004 when she introduced her international label Ana mika, taking her work to global fashion capitals. Her shows at London Fashion Week led to an exclusive retail association with Harrods and international editorial attention, and in 2007 she became the first Indian woman to present a collection at Paris Fashion Week — a landmark moment for Indian couture.
Across the 2000s and 2010s, she became a defining presence at Lakmé Fashion Week, Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week, Delhi Couture Week and India Couture Week, often closing the events as the grand finale designer.
Her couture has long been a red-carpet favourite — worn by Sonam Kapoor at Cannes, Deepika Padukone at the TIME 100 Gala, and by Kareena Kapoor Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Shilpa Shetty, Alia Bhatt and Shraddha Kapoor at major events. Internationally, Oprah Winfrey and other global figures have also chosen her designs. In cinema, she has contributed to the visual identity of films such as Fashion, Aisha, Mausam and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, and designed the lead costumes for Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. She has also collaborated with heritage jewellery houses and even introduced her own jewellery line, presenting everything from traditional naths to polki sets.
Celebrity weddings are a big part of her journey — Mira Rajput's pastel bridal lehenga set a major trend, and more recently Radhika Merchant's fresh floral pre-wedding look went viral, with many high-profile families continuing to choose her for their wedding wardrobes.
ALSO READ: First Photos Out! Rashmika Mandanna, Vijay Deverakonda Share Pictures From Nuptials
Beyond the runway, her influence is widely acknowledged. She has appeared for several consecutive years on the global BOF 500 list, received major honours including Designer of the Year at the Vogue Women of the Year Awards and the Hello! Hall of Fame Awards, and has been invited to Buckingham Palace for the UK-India Year of Culture as well as to speak at international academic forums. Her couture shows have also helped raise funds for charitable initiatives, reflecting a commitment that extends beyond fashion.
Her design philosophy is simple — presenting Indian craft in a modern, wearable way through dhoti-style saris, layered silhouettes and constantly reinvented drapes that feel both timeless and contemporary.
With the VIROSH wedding now added to her long list of defining moments, Anamika Khanna has once again shown that her creations do more than dress a bride and groom — they shape how a generation imagines Indian celebration wear on a global stage.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
(1)7LBU.jpg?im=FeatureCrop,algorithm=dnn,width=350,height=197)
