Prashant Verma

Luxury label Prashant Verma captured the attention of the fashion elite with his combination of romantic historicism, technical textile skills and progressive design aesthetic. For the New Delhi-based fashion designer, the runway has always been a narrative medium steeped in inspiration from diverse sub-cultures and his own travels across the world.

Turning out edgy evening-wear since 2006, Prashant Verma specializes in a body of work that builds narrative portraying layers of his inner artistic complexities. The National Institute of Fashion Technology alumnus trained at the house of Alexander McQueen, Philip Treacy and John Galliano… and his debut collection at India Fashion Week created a stir in the Indian fashion industry, leaning towards a sleek modern, androgynous design approach, and subsequently making him a force to reckon with. 

Prashant Verma SS2016 was a milestone based on his stay in New York. Per Explosive Fashion: “Few know that the prints took form from photographs of graffiti and other New York scenes he clicked and edited on a mobile phone and sent to the printer… The black tailored suit—styled with carefully tousled hair and a red lip — made a strong style statement! Even the androgynous element was sensuous; the slim silhouette—one paired with a sequinned inner—will give less extroverted types a reason to add tailoring to their closets! For evening, there were draped tunics worn with slim pants and evening gowns, some with sequins, others with artistic prints…."

Yet he walked away from fashion for five years, explaining that he was exhausted from putting his life experiences onto the design board, and diversified into an acting career in New York. He tells IANS: "I went up to train myself as an actor, I went up to find myself and that's really what it was. I feel that whatever you do or pursue in life, you learn some new things about yourself and that was the most important thing that happened in last five years for me and I feel that it was needed… I clearly remember telling someone at my last show that I feel that I am exhausted."

His return to fashion with a fresh perspective after a five-year hiatus was with another landmark showing - India Fashion Week SS2019 - where critics praised him as an artist and not just a fashion designer and once again his designs influenced a generation of confident, unapologetically fashion-savvy women. Per Verve: "Victorian-inspired gowns, structured and oversized, and drapes in velvet, sheer, corduroy and tulle were some of the key elements of the show. Pushing the envelope, Verma showed us how we can envision a fashion show differently. The show blurred the lines between art and fashion further and even questioned the difference between the two disciplines."

Per Explosive Fashion: “The artist, actor and couturier more than satisfied those desires once again, taking his audience on a nostalgic trip to twentieth century fashion. Which other designer could handle voluminous, layered gowns crafted with yards and yards of tulle, chiffon, taffeta and organza — some accessorised with vintage veiled hats; others with brushstrokes, abstract and vintage watercolours — without once losing control…”

Luxury label Prashant Verma captured the attention of the fashion elite with his deft combination of romantic historicism, technical textile mastery and progressive design aesthetic. The bold, artistic collections are steeped in his experiences and several sub-cultures. His return to fashion design after a five-year hiatus exhibited modernisation of traditional garments for the lady who is not afraid to experiment with her style and make a statement on the red carpet anywhere in the world.

New Delhi-based fashion designer Prashant Verma envisions artistic, flamboyant evening-wear for the woman who is not afraid to turn heads and make a bold statement. Endorsed by star power, the timelessness of the collections makes each piece a collectible. 

Prashant Verma retails luxury pret and haute couture steeped in art and contemporary culture. His runway shows are often elaborate productions, with models dressed in extravagant costumes and walking down dramatic sets. The couturier is acclaimed for his storytelling approach to fashion, using his runway productions to explore captivating narratives.

Prashant Verma Spring Summer 2116 was intensely personal and steeped in inspiration from the time he spent in New York. Per Explosive Fashion: "His interest in art and travel marked the collection with poignant moments of beauty, eschewing drama and cliches for a stunning showing that married unlikely bedfellows — androgynous tailored looks and artistic prints. Few know that the prints took form from photographs of graffiti and other New York scenes he clicked and edited on a mobile phone and sent to the printer… the androgynous element was sensuous; the slim silhouette—one paired with a sequinned inner—will give less extroverted types a reason to add tailoring to their closets! For evening, there were draped tunics worn with slim pants and evening gowns, some with sequins, others with artistic prints."

Another milestone showing was Spring Summer 2019. “Which other designer could handle voluminous, layered gowns crafted with yards and yards of tulle, chiffon, taffeta and organza — some accessorised with vintage veiled hats; others with brushstrokes, abstract and vintage watercolours — without once losing control?” Per Explosive fashion. "Amid this grandeur, Verma added a few pantsuits and sleek ensembles. It was a touch that brought the fantasy within our reach."