5 of Chennai's Hottest Fashion Designers

From bold Indo-Western fusion to re-imagined vintage beauties, Chennai’s fashion scene is an amalgamation of styles. The city’s haute couture has made its way onto global runways and the aspiring young designers are here to make their mark in this mammoth of an industry. Here’s a list of Chennai’s top fashion designers you should watch out for.

With a flagship store in Chennai and outlets across the globe, Rehane is a brand by designer Begum Rehane Yavar Dhala, launched officially in 1996. A regular at fashion shows, Rehana has had her line displayed at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week and in Lakme Fashion Week. She has a way of playing with fabrics and her designs are very suave and chic. Rehane is one of the most sought-after fashion labels from Chennai.

Chaitanya Rao rose from the unknown to where he is now with patience, perseverance, and swag. Known for dressing top stars of the Indian film industry, Chaitanya has carved a niche for his brand in ways that have marked his unique style. His collections have been featured in top fashion magazines like Vogue, Harpers, Grazia, and Elle, to name a few. His designs are sleek and chic with subtle, muted colors and he plays with materials like silk, shiffon, and georgette.

This Chennai based designer believes in minimalism and edgy designs. Vivek Karunakaran works with handloom fabrics and his curated collection titled Seabiscuit was highly inspired by an unusual combination—horses and kalamkari. With contemporary silhouettes and bold, edgy designs, Vivek has always had heads turning his way.

Siddharth launched his brand, Hangar Atelier, in 2009 and has displayed his collection in various international fashion shows. His designs are very versatile and he believes in creating classic and elegant ensembles that stand the test of time.

Nigerian-born designer Sidney Slayden celebrated his 10th year in the fashion industry in 2015. His collection majorly includes cocktail wears, indo-western fusion, and bridal lehengas. Sidney has dressed several South Indian movie stars and has also designed costumes for cinema. From breezy, flowy couture to studded and sequined numbers, Sydney’s line has them all.