Anamika Khanna

Anamika Khanna's eponymous fashion label is acclaimed in the industry for presenting India's rich craft in globally relevant silhouettes. The Kolkata-based fashion designer's philosophy is about experimenting with Indian style while keeping it relevant. For instance- the dhoti pant is now accepted as a modern high waist trouser worn with a dupatta. Anamika used soft fabrics with drapes while clinching it to the waist for structure. Worn with kurtas and capes, boots and shirts gives it modern relevance. Seen as highbrow and sartorial in equal measure Anamika Khanna has many firsts to her credit. From being the first Indian woman to showcase her collection in Paris Fashion Week to being part of the Business of Fashion 500 list Anamika Khanna has carved a niche on the global fashion map.

Self-taught in fashion designing- Anamika Khanna's rendezvous with style and fashion began by winning the Damania Fashion award in the year 1995. At a later stage she was inducted into the Damania Fashion Hall of Fame.

In 2003- as part of Bridal Asia- Anamika was invited to Pakistan along with two other "fashion gurus" to showcase their exquisite bridal collection there. In fact it was the first time that Indian designers were provided with an opportunity to showcase their collections in Pakistan. In 2004, she became the first Indian designer to launch her international label ‘Ana Mika’. In the same year she was awarded • The Exports Council Award 2004 • The Excellence Award for Outstanding Boutique 2004 • MTV Lycra Style Awards - Designer of the Year 2004 • Designer of the Year 2004 • The Kingfisher Designer of the Year Award 2004.

Following the success of her grand finale showing at Lakme India Fashion Week 2004 she received an overwhelming response at London Fashion Week 2005. This led to an exclusive contract with Harrod's and coverage in magazines like Glamour, Vogue and Vogue Best Buy. Back home, she wowed everyone with her collection presented at Will's lifestyle India Fashion Week titled 'The Botanist'. The year also witnessed her being nominated at the MTV Style Awards 2005 for Designer of the Year.

The year 2007 came with an invitation to showcase the brand at Paris Fashion Week- the first by a female Indian designer. The same year she was also presented Marudhar Gaurav Award 2007 from the Kolkata chapter of the Rajasthan Foundation. Her collection at India Couture Week 2008 was hailed as "one of the best collections seen on the ramp". She was also a part of Will's Lifestyle India Fashion Week Grand Finale AW 2008 edition. Once again FICCI Ladies Organization showed their reverence by presenting her with Woman of Substance Award 2008.

Anamika Khanna participated in Indian Premier London Fashion Week, organised by Idea Weavers, aimed at seamlessly presenting Indian craftsmanship blended with western silhouette to the British-Asian community there. The same year she was honoured with the prestigious Bharat Nirmaan Award. And why not? Sustainability is the pillar of the fashion brand. "Our clothes are handcrafted with the finest materials, dyes and embroideries and designed to be cherished for life. It reduces constant purchasing, and that is something I believe in" she tells Elle.

In 2013 Anamika Khanna helped raise a large sum in the London Fashion Fundraiser, where she showcased her collection during the inaugural Sparkle Gala. The Akshay Patra Foundation received huge support through fundraisers where the involvement was in the spirit of helping malnourished children. She also participated in Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2015, celebrating the theme of "equality" through a spectacular fashion show, honouring Indian cinema. The proceedings from the fashion show went to Royal Children's Hospital as aid to those under treatment.

The following year Anamika Khanna's design aesthetic combined with Bvlgari's modern-age jewellery expertise, left guests mesmerised. in 2015 Anamika Khanna put up an incredible fashion show for the promotion of Khadi, with cape-style jackets, fluid silhouettes and statement jewellery. The Gujarat State Khadi and Village Industries Board had organized this fashion show in collaboration with Fashion Design Council of India to promote Khadi under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Made in India' campaign.

2017 was an important year. Anamika was invited by the Queen of England and Duke of Edinburgh to Buckingham Palace. Reception at the palace was attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as well. Marking the close ties between the two nations, guests were invited from the world of sports, show-business, politics, fashion and the arts to be part of this occasion. Her star was rising. Anamika Khanna was awarded Designer of the Year at Vogue Women of The Year Awards. This was followed with her being listed on BoF 500 - a list that is hand-selected by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on hundreds of nominations received from current BoF 500 members, extensive data analysis and research. 

2019 was a landmark year which witnessed the launch of Anamika Khanna’s Limited Edition Ready to Wear Collection: AK-OK. An extension of Anamika Khanna's eponymous label, it is popular for its Indian streetwear vibe with an elevated aesthetic. The mix of homegrown textiles, denim, prints, handmade shibori and tie-dye is showcased beautifully, reflecting her ideology of breathing life into heritage textile craft with current design and cutting-edge construction. In 2021 Anamika Khanna opened her flagship store in Mumbai. The following year she was felicitated at FDCI Couture Hall of Fame. 

Anamika Khanna has been instrumental towards the modernisation of Indian heritage textile craft through her contemporary silhouettes handcrafted from Indian textiles. She has reinterpreted the Maharashtrian nine-yard sari to create dhoti-pants - the are dhoti style saris have become the signature creations of Anamika Khanna. Anamika Khanna has also set a new trend through her draped saris by introducing the tulip drape, the wavy drape and the two-pallu-in-dhoti drape.

Kolkata-based fashion designer Anamika Khanna's use of homegrown textiles, prints mixed with hand embroidery is showcased beautifully, reflecting her ideology of breathing life into heritage textile craft with current design and cutting-edge construction and her belief that sustainability is about timeless pieces the buyer will wear several times.

Couturier Anamika Khanna has been lauded time and again for retailing her signature capes, kaftans, dhoti pants and timeless separates crafted using homegrown textiles enhanced with hand embroideries, zardozi, gota, dori work, silver metal, tassels and beadwork. The use of homegrown textiles and prints enhanced with hand embroidery is showcased beautifully in all her collections, reflecting her ideology of breathing life into heritage textile craft with current design and cutting-edge construction.

The Kolkata-based designer's post-pandemic showing was a hit. Per Explosive Fashion: 'The digital show opened with artists painting white fluid outfits worn by models- live. The scene transformed into a catwalk with models showcasing hand-painted hand-embellished looks. Although classic in character and steeped in folklore, silhouettes were experimental and creative… I loved the beautifully hand-painted white dress with hand-embellished yoke; the hand-embellished fringed short dress with coordinated outerwear; the beautifully draped white dhoti pants; the warrior jackets; the sharp menswear. Also, not to be missed, the way she used gold hand embroideries to create fringe.'

Her recent Spring Summer 2024 showing of AK-OK at Lakme Fashion Week made headlines for its mastery of craft and astringent modernism. Drawing inspiration from the adventures of a nomadic biker hailing from Orissa's Bonda Tribe, the collection deftly blended heritage textile craft with a contemporary globally- relevant design vocabulary. Per Mid-Day: Renowned for celebrating India's vibrant culture through intricate weaves and motifs, Anamika Khanna elevated her signature approach by infusing Bonda colors, motifs and embroideries into ensembles suited for urban settings… Anamika Khanna ingeniously combined thick thread-work embroidery reminiscent of biker studs to reinvent the concept of urban wear, infusing each garment with rich detail and character.'