Monisha Jaising

Eponymous fashion brand Monisha Jaising is synonymous with timeless elegance. Simple and sophisticated, chic and classic, her pieces remain solid favorites through the years and are viewed worldwide as a symbol of good taste.

Mumbai-based fashion designer Monisha Jaising was interested in design from a young age. "I used to watch a show called Charlie's Angels and I absolutely loved the way the three angels were all uniquely styled. I think this sowed the seeds of my interest in fashion" she tells Magster. "Even in school, I used to revamp my own clothes by adding abstract art or embroidery to my tshirts to make them look different and stylish. My friends were so fascinated by it they would ask me to do the same for them as well!"

To pursue a career in fashion design Monisha Jaising undertook formal training. With an Honours degree in Fashion Illustration from Royal College of Arts in London and Bachelor of Arts from American College of Applied Arts in London, Monisha Jaising is one of Mumbai's most prominent fashion designers. The multi-dimensional label retails Luxe Sportswear- Resort Wear- Evening Wear- Bridal Couture and Kids Wear. With a color palette meant for the young ambitious modern woman, her evening wear is the most sought after for the red carpet as she constructs dynamic womenswear collections with an interesting blend of Western and Eastern detailing. 

Label Monisha Jaising stands for the philosophy that the fashion designer believes in, which is that of luxury fashion expressed through contemporary, fresh and edgy collections. The beautifully cut garments feature interesting prints and hand embroidery. Per Pernia's Pop-Up: "The ethos of the label lies in Redefining Luxury for people all over the globe. Monisha has always created for the young, sexy, modern and achieving woman. Her clothes have a character that is inherent, and not defined by either local aesthetics or global trends."

Monisha Jaising's couture showing at FDCI India Couture Week was a huge hit. Per Explosive Fashion: "Inspired by the Opera, she employed ancient Banarasi handloom weaving to craft a collection of evening gowns, concept lehengas, crop tops, ball skirts and cocktail saris with a draping technique dating back to the early 18th century Opera attendees. "Couture does not have bridal resonance. It is made-to-measure garments using quality fabrics and sewn with attention to detail and finish. I always keep wearability in mind while creating more and more individualistic pieces" she explained before the show."

This is territory Jaising has mined. It's a stronger outing each season with glamorous collections handcrafted with lamé, velvet, tulle, Italian organza, chikankari and brocade. Increasingly, the fashion designer keeps opulent embellishment restricted and focuses on sharp silhouettes accented with beautiful draping. Additionally, Monisha Jaising is also acclaimed for reinventing the traditional kurta- an Indian woman's wardrobe staple- into a shorter edgier silhouette for daily wear. 

In 2018 MXS- a luxury pret label- debuted as a collaboration between Monisha Jaising and Shweta Bachchan. “Our styles are meant for women of all ages and sizes. The brand believes that to pigeonhole a woman is akin to taking away from her right of expression and we pride ourselves in creating designs that complement any age and size.” Monisha Jaising tells Sunday Guardian. "It is not unusual for teenage girls to go into their mother’s closet and borrow something special for an occasion. With this at the back of our minds, we designed a collection that is fluid."

Monisha Jaising is an internationally acclaimed Indian designer whose brand philosophy is luxury expressed in a contemporary, fresh and edgy way. The ethos of the label lies in “Redefining luxury” for people all over the globe.

Considered one of the pioneers of Indian fashion, Monisha Jaising's collections are a reflection of luxury fashion presented with a modern edgy aesthetic, vivacious prints and intricate hand embroideries. The fashion designer has always created looks that are suitable for the global Indian woman and her sports-luxe couture is not limited to local design aesthetics or defined by global trends.

The multi-dimensional fashion brand retails luxe sportswear, evening-wear, bridal couture, resort wear and luxury kidswear.

The designer celebrated 25 years in Fashion at India Couture Week with a theatrical sailboat set, sailors and guests lounging on deck chairs. The models came out on the runway in draped sari gowns and lehengas handcrafted from silk organza, silk jersey, tweed, velvet, stretch nappa leather, crepe and tulle. Kriti Sanon- who closed the showing- wore a racerback top over a lehenga hand embellished with zardozi and velvet panels—with sneakers! Now that's 'Sailing Bride'.

Her couture showing in 2017 is another milestone. Inspired by the Opera, she used Banarasi handloom weaves to craft evening gowns, concept lehengas, ball skirts and cocktail saris with a draping technique dating back to the early eighteenth century. The glamorous collection handcrafted with lamé, velvet, tulle, organza, chikankari and brocade resulted in sculpted evening gowns, corseted blouses with ball top sleeves worn with leather pants and a stunning silk brocade evening gown with floral zari work.