Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla are well-known names in the Indian fashion industry, designing couture, bridal, formal and casual wear for both women and men since the mid ’80s, and in recent times they have attracted international attention too, with A-listers such as Beyoncé and Gigi Hadid wearing their pieces. 

The design duo’s relationship with Bachchan goes back to the early aughts, and in 2007, she famously wore a pastel lehenga with sequins and brocade embroidery by the brand for her sangeet ceremony, as part of her wedding celebrations. More recently, in September 2023, both Bachchan and her daughter were seen wearing salwar sets from the same label while attending a Hindu festival.

Neeta Lulla is a celebrated costume designer, whose career in the Bollywood movie industry has spanned over three decades, covering more than 300 movies. 

Bachchan first began working with her in the ’90s, with one of their most memorable projects being the Bollywood film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), for which Lulla created some iconic looks for the actress, including a bright red sari which Bachchan wore in one of the movie’s most pivotal scenes. She has since worn Lulla’s garments from her eponymous line to events such as the 2003 Cannes Film Festival, as well as for her own wedding in 2007—for which Lulla had draped her in a traditional kanjeevaram silk sari with real gold threads.

Sabyasachi Mukherjee has been bringing traditional Indian garments under his namesake label to an international stage since 1999, and has received praise for his meticulous work from the likes of British fashion editor Suzy Menkes and publications including The New York Times and Vogue. 

As a result, he’s developed an international clientele that includes Bachchan, who wore a gold-embroidered sari designed by Mukherjee to the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. He’s also dabbled in costume design, working with Bachchan to design resplendent attires for the Bollywood action film Raavan (2010). 

Bachchan is one of Manish Malhorta’s muses, which was why she was the showstopper for the fashion show he hosted in Hong Kong in 2018. A longtime friend, he has dressed her for multiple occasions including red carpets, movie premieres and family events.  

Malhotra began as costume designer for Bollywood films in 1990, and has worked on more than 1,000 films, earning him India’s famous Filmfare Awards for his outstanding contribution to Bollywood fashion. Intricate embroidery, metallic embellishing, lustrous silks and volume are some of the design elements he is known for since he launched his eponymous brand in 2005.

NOW READ

Sari, not sorry: From Cannes to Met Gala, the Indian sari goes global in the fashion scene

Zendaya looked stunning in a custom Rahul Mishra at the NMACC opening gala in Mumbai—here are 5 other Indian designers you should know

Meet London Fashion Week’s Asian designers who brought fun, florals and inclusivity to the runway