Suneet Varma

With meticulous hand- craftsmanship, strong design aesthetic, artistry and love for sartorial research as the foundation, Delhi-based fashion designer Suneet Varma's aesthetic is about sensuality, sophistication and unabashed feminity.

One of India's foremost couturiers- Suneet Varma is synonymous with glamour and classicism. After graduating in Fashion Design from London School of Fashion he worked with iconic couturier Yves Saint Laurent in Paris to hone his design sensibility and artisanal skills. With meticulous craftsmanship, strong design aesthetic and love for sartorial research as the foundation.. Suneet Varma's design aesthetic is about sensuality, sophistication and unabashed feminity.

Per Vogue: ‘Varma reinstates that couture supposes the highest level of hand-craftsmanship, artistry and innovation.. making it seasonless. "Couture pieces can cost quite a penny. So people who invest in couture are always looking at something that is timeless."’

The only Indian fashion designer to have collaborated with Judith Leiber- an iconic luxury brand retailing bejewelled handbags- Suneet Varma has received appreciation from the world's prolific editors and fashion veterans. Suneet Varma for Judith Leiber minaudières are now being retailed across the world at Judith Leiber boutiques along with Harods in London and Bergdoff Goodman in New York. Per Vogue: "As glamorous as the final product looks, the designer begins many months in advance, researching techniques and coordinating with the Leiber design team. "I work at least 12-18 months ahead for each collection so timing is everything," he says. “My design has its own DNA but like the brand [Leiber] itself, it's sexy, feminine and playful.”"

Every season his collection is unveiled at Vandome Fair in Paris and his signature bags are carried by none other than Sarah Jessica Parker, Mariah Carey and Jenifer Lopez. Per Pernia's Pop-Up: "Known for his interpretations of intricate embroideries and 3D elements, Suneet Varma takes inspiration from exotic fruits and flowers, twigs and dragonflies, animals and palm trees to render painstaking craftsmanship on his colourful designs that are sheer pieces of art."

His designs are also popular amongst Bollywood luminaries like Aishwarya Rai bachchan- Priyanka Chopra Jonas- Kangana Ranaut and Preity Zinta. Associated with BMW Motors since 2007.. Suneet hosts all BMW events- car launches and foundation projects. He was also invited to design the interior for the BMW 7 Series in 2012. 

The brand ambassador for Moet and Chandon from the year 2000-2005 Suneet hosted their shows, corporate dinners and other promotional events in India and in South East Asia. Moet Chandon also partnered with him for his fashion events and formal dinners. In 1997 Suneet Varma conceptualised and hosted India's first International Fashion and style program: Suneet Varma's Style Guru for Star World: a weekly television program aired in South East Asia. Here he interviewed fashion luminaries including Tom Ford, Oscar De La Renta, Yves Saint Laurent and many more. 

Suneet Varma has also worked with Swarovski on apparel and interior projects. Every year he is invited to the head office at Wattens in Austria to develop Trend Forecasts for Swarovski’s products. His wedding projects with the company were culminated into the book "Unbridaled"- launched in 2009 in Paris. Suneet has also worked closely with the Bollywood film industry and dressed top actresses, socially and in movies. His costume for the award winning movie “Monsoon Wedding” was nominated for the Oscars. And he created the look for Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori in the movie, Kites. 

So it didn't come as a surprise that Suneet Varma has abeen awarded Designer of the Year by MTV. Retailing from his flagships in Delhi and Mumbai- Suneet Varma collections can also be found in multi designer stores in New Delhi, Mumbai, Dubai, Chennai, Bangalore and Chandigarh. Popular amongst the elite upper class, he has been chosen to dress NRI families for weddings and special occasions, like the prestigious Lakshmi Mittal wedding in Paris and shipping tycoon Chellaram’s wedding function in Vienna. In 2001 and subsequently in 2005 he was invited to The World Economic Forum to showcase his collection for the business community at Davos.

In 2005 Suneet collaborated with Indian menswear label Tuscan Verve for whom he designed a menswear collection.. establishing himself in the menswear segment. Time and again.. Suneet is invited to style advertising campaigns for the best companies in India including Airtel, Raymonds, Oberoi Hotels and a number of fine jewellery brands. Few know that he has also showcased a collection in the famous Hammer Museum in Beverly Hills. Subsequently he bagged two Hollywood films for costume styling and designing and later was appointed along with American supermodel Cindy Crawford to co-host the Indian launch of Omega watches.

Admired for his enigmatic work in India and the world, Suneet has been awarded the Designer of the Year award several times by the Bollywood Fashion council in NYC. As a consultant designer, Suneet has also developed designs for design houses in Europe and the USA, namely Donna Karan, Calvin Klein Caroline Heirara and Nicole Miller. The fashion designer was invited to Milan  to showcase his collections and he has also done shows in London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Berlin and LA. Back home Suneet has been commissioned several times by the Government of India to work with the textile sector and revive the handlooms of Benares and South India.

Diversifying into interiors.. Suneet Varma was appointed as Creative Director for Dusit Devarana chain of hotels in India. He has also worked with the prestigious interior architect company- Khun Lek Bunnag. 

Embracing meticulous craftsmanship, strong design sensibility and love for sartorial research, Indian fashion designer Suneet Varma's mission is to design collections that evoke fantasy and sexy sophistication.

Handcrafted celebration wear made with satin, organza, taffeta and silk liberally enhanced with hand embroideries, appliqué, mirror work, crystals and sequins.. Suneet Varma's design aesthetic is unapologetically maximal and glamorous. And creates a new generation of a modern, futuristic, sophisticated and luxurious woman.

From statement sari blouses for bridal and occasion wear to glamorous draped evening gowns and dramatic capes.. Suneet Varma retails Indian celebration wear peppered with modern edginess. The opulent designs are born for the red carpet and for the most beautiful, glamorous bride.

Suneet Varma's showing for India Couture Week in 2019 was a standout. Per Explosive Fashion: 'the opulence of textiles, hand embroideries and craftsmanship combined with modern precision was woven into each piece to create a new vocabulary of design. Varma trimmed the volume and focussed on weightlessly constructed lehengas, shararas and sarees crafted with the finest tulle, satin, silk and georgette. Mirror work, Swarovski, beading and theatrical ruffles amped up the glamour quotient.'

The following year witnessed another critically acclaimed couture outing. ‘Varma showed saris and voluminous lehengas with youthful halter neck, off-shoulder and open-back blouses, some with a corsage, others with a short cape’ per Explosive Fashion. 'Swarovski, floral thread-work, mirror-work, glass beading, zardozi, sequins and ruffles amped up the glamour quotient… 'Timeless by Suneet Varma' is a collection for the Indian bride who will now carefully curate ensembles for her bridal engagements.'