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The top 10 fashion stylists in India are the ones that shape Bollywood’s most iconic red carpet as well as editorial looks. They act as the The latest list of the top 10 fashion stylists gives us a set of people who act as the creative icons that give life to the industry.
The 10 stylists that make it to the list are: Anaita Shroff Adajania, Rhea Kapoor, Tanya Ghavri, Eka Lakhani, Mohit Rai, Allia Al Rufai, Ami Patel, Sanam Ratansi, Priyanka Kapadia, and Manish Malhotra.
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Key Takeaways
- Anaita Adajania: India’s top stylist, 25+ years in editorial, film, celebrity work.
- Rhea Kapoor: Cannes 2025 made her India’s most visible global fashion mind.
- Tanya Ghavri: 15+ years styling for Cannes, BAFTAs, Oscars parties.
- Many top stylists started in magazine editorials, then moved to celebrity styling.
- Manish Malhotra: began as costume stylist, now a top designer.
- Indian styling grew via social media and global collaborations.
- Styling is now formal education: Pearl Academy and NIFT offer B.Des/M.Des.
- Top rule: authentic dressing – style must reflect personality, not trends.
At a Glance: Top 10 Fashion Stylists in India
| Stylist | Specialty | Key Celebrity Clients |
| Anaita Shroff Adajania | Cinematic Glamour & High Fashion | Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan |
| Rhea Kapoor | Editorial Innovation & Red Carpet Drama | Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Kareena Kapoor Khan |
| Tanya Ghavri | Celebrity Bridal & International Red Carpet | Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday |
| Eka Lakhani | Effortless Celebrity Styling | Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Wamiqa Gabbi |
| Mohit Rai | Dramatic High-Volume Silhouettes | Kiara Advani, Disha Patani, Tara Sutaria |
| Allia Al Rufai | Minimal Chic & Luxury Brand Collaborations | Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma |
| Ami Patel | High-Impact Wearable Looks | Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Katrina Kaif, Kangana Ranaut |
| Sanam Ratansi | Feminine Elegance with Modern Twists | Rajkummar Rao, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari |
| Priyanka Kapadia | Editorial Thinking in Everyday Dressing | Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sara Ali Khan |
| Manish Malhotra | Costume Styling & Classic Luxury | Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt |
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Begin Your Fashion Career Today!The 10 Icons as the Top Fashion Stylists
The job of a fashion stylist does not merely confine to dressing up the clients. They work in crafting the narratives that build global personas. It simply means that they shape the way India is presented on the world stage be it at Cannes or Met Gala.
The criteria for this selected list involves
- innovation
- representation
- execution
- range
- impact
They were selected by a jury of senior fashion editors, cultural observers, and runway directors.
Anaita Shroff Adajania
Anaita Shroff Adajania blends editorial fashion with Bollywood costume design and global red-carpet glamour. This brings her into becoming India’s leading celebrity and costume stylist.
Starting as a junior editor at Elle India in 1996, she rose through L’Officiel to Vogue India. This gave her enough opportunities to shape modern Indian fashion.
She has been a costume designer on 35+ Bollywood films. This includes Dhoom 2, Cocktail, Dear Zindagi, and Gehraiyaan. Her signature red-carpet moments include styling
- Alia Bhatt’s mint-green Sabyasachi saree at the 2024 Met Gala, and
- Isha Ambani Piramal’s custom Schiaparelli saree at the 2025 Met Gala
In 2024 she joined Istituto Marangoni Mumbai as a styling mentor. There she happened to teach the next generation about Indian styling evolution.
| Attribute | Details |
| Career Start | Elle India, 1996 (Junior Fashion Editor) |
| Past Editorial Roles | Fashion Director, Vogue India; Editor, L’Officiel; Fashion Editor, Elle India |
| Key Celebrity Clients | Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif |
| Film Credits (Costume) | 35+ Bollywood films including Cocktail, Dhoom 2, Dear Zindagi |
| Awards | IIFA Best Fashion Stylist of the Year (2005 & 2006) |
| Styling Philosophy | “Styling is not just about reading people — it’s about reading the room.” |
Rhea Kapoor
Rhea Kapoor blends film-production instincts with sharp fashion storytelling. She is the creative force behind Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s rise as a global style icon.
Her Cannes 2025 looks grabbed international headlines. It worked in cementing her career and making her one of India’s most talked-about fashion voices.
Her signature is fusing couture with high-street pieces. With this Rhea makes aspirational style feel refreshingly relatable.
| Attribute | Details |
| Primary Role | Film Producer & Celebrity Stylist |
| Key Celebrity Clients | Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Kareena Kapoor Khan |
| Notable Work | Veere Di Wedding styling; Cannes 2025 global coverage |
| Styling Mantra | “Break the rules, but know them first” |
| Signature Style | High-end couture mixed with accessible high-street finds |
Tanya Ghavri
Tanya Ghavri brings 15+ years of experience and a stellar client roster. She is thus Bollywood’s go-to for celebrity bridal and international red carpets.
She has styled stars at Cannes, the BAFTAs, the SAG Awards, and Vanity Fair’s Oscars party. ELLE India named her among the most powerful stylists.
She began assisting Pernia Qureshi on Aisha and later founded Dhoom Dhaam Weddings. Her signature is context-first styling. She simply tailors each look to the event’s unique energy.
| Attribute | Details |
| Specialisation | Celebrity Bridal & International Red Carpet |
| Company | Co-founder, Dhoom Dhaam Weddings |
| Key Celebrity Clients | Kareena Kapoor Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Shanaya Kapoor |
| Styling Mantra | “Personal style over seasonal trends” |
| Career Start | Assistant to Pernia Qureshi on the film Aisha |
| Signature Tip | Invest in impeccably tailored basics |
Eka Lakhani
Eka Lakhani moved from Bollywood costume design to high-profile styling. She is one of India’s most formally trained celebrity stylists (NIFT, FIDM Los Angeles).
She builds looks around one statement piece. While she does so, she keeps the rest minimal and thereby champions comfort as the foundation of confidence.
| Attribute | Details |
| Education | NIFT; FIDM, Los Angeles |
| Career Background | Bollywood costume design before celebrity styling |
| Key Celebrity Clients | Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Wamiqa Gabbi, Rakul Preet Singh |
| Styling Philosophy | “Comfort is the foundation of confidence” |
| Signature Approach | One statement piece; minimal supporting elements |
Mohit Rai
Mohit Rai translates editorial precision into unapologetic glamour. He is a former fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar India.
As the founder of The Wedding Style Project, he champions a “more is more, own it” mantra. There he specialized in high-volume as well as high-drama moments. Kiara Advani, Disha Patani, and Tara Sutaria are his clients who hold command of the room they walk in with his style.
| Attribute | Details |
| Previous Role | Fashion Editor, Harper’s Bazaar India |
| Current Venture | The Wedding Style Project |
| Key Celebrity Clients | Kiara Advani, Disha Patani, Tara Sutaria |
| Styling Mantra | “More is more — own it” |
| Signature Style | Dramatic, high-volume silhouettes |
Allia Al Rufai
Allia Al Rufai champions clean cuts and timeless neutral palettes. He is a beacon of minimalist luxury in Indian celebrity styling.
Collaborating with houses like Louis Vuitton, she proves restraint is powerful. She leaves her signature with icons such as Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma with effortless elegance.
| Attribute | Details |
| Specialty | Minimal Chic & Luxury Brand Collaborations |
| Luxury Collaborations | Louis Vuitton |
| Key Celebrity Clients | Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma |
| Styling Belief | “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” |
| Signature Choice | Timeless neutrals and clean cuts |
Ami Patel
Ami Patel brings an image-first, editorial sensibility to celebrity styling. She was the former Creative Director at L’Officiel India and Harper’s Bazaar India.
She crafts high-impact yet wearable looks for stars like Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Katrina Kaif, Madhuri Dixit Nene, and Kangana Ranaut, Kangana Ranaut credits Patel with keeping her signature authenticity.
| Attribute | Details |
| Previous Roles | Creative Director, L’Officiel India; Creative Director, Harper’s Bazaar India |
| Key Celebrity Clients | Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Katrina Kaif, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Kangana Ranaut |
| Styling Mantra | “Wear your confidence as your best accessory” |
| Signature Tip | Statement earrings to instantly elevate any look |
| Style Focus | High-impact yet wearable looks |
Sanam Ratansi
Sanam Ratansi blends feminine elegance with modern twists to keep looks fresh and current. She is a rare stylist fluent in both menswear and womenswear.
Dressing Rajkummar Rao, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Taapsee Pannu, she elevates outfits with one distinctive accessory that anchors the whole look.
| Attribute | Details |
| Styling Philosophy | Feminine elegance meets modern experimentation |
| Key Celebrity Clients | Rajkummar Rao, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Taapsee Pannu |
| Styling Mantra | “Balance comfort with chic — it’s a lifestyle” |
| Signature Tip | One distinctive accessory to set any look apart |
Priyanka Kapadia
Priyanka Kapadia brings top-tier editorial pedigree to celebrity styling. She is the former Fashion Director at Vogue India.
Her mantra is “editorial thinking in everyday dressing”. It turns magazine visuals into wearable with intentional looks. Closely associated with Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sara Ali Khan, she delivers layered, culturally relevant outfits that feel effortlessly curated.
| Attribute | Details |
| Previous Role | Fashion Director, Vogue India |
| Key Celebrity Clients | Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sara Ali Khan |
| Styling Mantra | “Editorial thinking in everyday dressing” |
| Signature Technique | Layering textures for depth and visual interest |
| Strength | Making high fashion feel accessible and wearable |
Manish Malhotra
Before he was a couture legend, Manish Malhotra made his name as Bollywood’s most influential costume stylist. This is indeed a foundation that still shapes his work.
He has exhibited a deep sense of how clothes perform on screen and in life throughout his career. This informs every creation and the passionate stylists who follow him.
Dressing icons like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Alia Bhatt, he designs with one rule: clothes should make you feel like your best self. This is a belief that has stood strong for three decades.
| Attribute | Details |
| Primary Identity | Couture Designer & Stylist |
| Career Start | Bollywood costume styling (1990s) |
| Key Celebrity Clients | Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt |
| Guiding Belief | “Clothes should make you feel like the best version of yourself” |
| Signature Approach | Classic cuts and luxurious fabrics that never date |
Pursuing a Career in Fashion Styling in India
| Aspect | Details |
| Entry Path | Assist established stylists; start in fashion magazine editorial roles |
| Key Skills | Trend forecasting, cultural sensitivity, artistic vision, market knowledge |
| Formal Education | B.Des or M.Des in Fashion Styling (Pearl Academy, NIFT) |
| Career Growth | Social media visibility has significantly expanded opportunities for new stylists |
| Career Opportunities | Celebrity styling, editorial fashion, costume design, personal styling, brand consulting |
| Industry Trajectory | Growing demand globally; Indian fashion has increasing presence at Cannes, Met Gala, and international fashion weeks |
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Conclusion
India’s top fashion stylists are doing so much more than just picking outfits for shoots and red carpet appearances. They are actually helping to shift cultural perceptions, building on those visual identities that make Indian fashion stand out on the global stage.
From Anaita Shroff Adajania’s decades of redefining fashion in Bollywood to Rhea Kapoor’s show-stopping looks at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, you get a sense of just how much talent and vision there is to tap into in this industry.
If you find yourself obsessing over sketching out outfit combinations, staring at red carpet pictures or just kind of instinctively knowing what looks good, then fashion styling might be the career for you.
But you need to start by understanding who these pros are, how they honed their craft and what makes them tick creatively – that’s a pretty important first step.
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Begin Your Fashion Career Today!Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a top fashion stylist in India?
Well, a good starting point would be to assist some established stylists or get your foot in the door with a good editor – basically, get as much practical experience as you can. Formal courses (like NIFT or Pearl Academy) can really help accelerate your skills & give you more credibility in the industry.
Who styled Alia Bhatt at the Met Gala?
That was Anaita Shroff Adajania, she styled Alia in that amazing mint-green Sabyasachi saree at the 2024 gala, and we’re told it involved months of prep, video fittings, and a ton of fine tuning.
What makes Allia Al Rufai's style all about?
She’s a big fan of minimal chic – clean lines, timeless neutrals & that overall quiet luxury vibe. Her thing is keeping things super simple, but executing it all with super high-end craftsmanship.
What is The Hollywood Reporter India’s Top 10 Stylists list?
That’s a curated list they published in February 2026, chosen from 25 nominees by a team of five experts. The selection criteria is pretty strict: they’re looking for people who are pushing boundaries, innovating, executing really well, making a real impact & showing a lot of range.
What skills do you need to be a fashion stylist in India?
Well, you’re going to need to be able to forecast trends, be sensitive to different cultures & be able to translate your clients’ personalities into visuals as well as work with colour & silhouette. And then there’s just the regular stuff like having a good eye for what looks good, staying on top of the market & being able to communicate clearly.
Can fashion styling actually be a full-time career in India?
Yeah, there are definitely opportunities in celebrity styling, editorial, film & TV costumes, brand campaigns & personal styling. Social media & brand work have actually really opened up a lot more full-time opportunities for stylists.
