Top 10 Fashion Designers in Chennai (2026)

At the top of the fashion scene in Chennai are the likes of Vivek Karunakaran, Chaitanya Rao, Rehane Yavar Dhala, Tina Vincent – and about a dozen others doing some pretty amazing things. They are: Vivek Karunakaran, Chaitanya Rao, Rehane Yavar Dhala, Tina Vincent, Ekta Nahar, Swathi Purushothaman, Archana Karthick, Muthukumaran, Nazia Syed and Bandana Narula.

Together they cover the whole fashion spectrum in Chennai, from menswear that draws on ancient veshti designs through to film costumes, plus-size fashion and just about any other style under the sun. Their rise to fame is largely thanks to the incredible textile heritage of Tamil Nadu.

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Key Takeaways

• Chennai designers excel in menswear, bridal couture, celebrity styling and inclusive sizing.
• Vivek Karunakaran reimagines the veshti through Idam.
• Chaitanya Rao, Ekta Nahar and Rehane lead in film and editorial fashion.
• Swathi Purushothaman, Archana Karthick, Muthukumaran and Nazia Syed specialise in bridal and ethnic couture.
• Tamil Nadu’s textile clusters support Chennai’s design ecosystem.

Why is Chennai a Major Fashion Hub?

Chennai is such a big deal in the fashion world because it sits right at the centre of India’s best textile value chain – from the raw yarn right up to the finished garment.

The city throws in its own cultural twist with beautiful Kanjeevaram silk, intricate zari work and the stunning bridal traditions of South India.

And there are those busy retail districts like T. Nagar and Anna Nagar, the constant demand for Kollywood style and of course the Chennai Fashion Week.

Tamil Nadu has also been assigned a USD 21 billion share of India’s USD 100 billion textile-export target for 2030, signalling sustained growth for local fashion businesses.

Top 10 Fashion Designers in Chennai at a Glance

Meet the Top Fashion Designers in Chennai

1. Vivek Karunakaran

Vivek Karunakaran is one of Chennai’s most recognised designers, celebrated for clean, structured and minimalist menswear with a proud South Indian identity.

Working from his Neelankarai studio for nearly two decades, he has made the veshti feel global rather than regional. His 14-piece capsule Idam debuted at FDCI India Men’s Weekend 2025 in Jaipur, and one of his striped veshtis made it to a GQ cover.

2. Chaitanya Rao

Chaitanya Rao is a South Indian designer who has carved out a name for himself with his fashion and costume work on Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films. You could say his style is quite unique. He mixes soft pastel colours with delicate fabrics like chiffon, georgette and sheer linen, and shapes them into feminine, modern silhouettes.

It is also worth noting that his outfits have been featured in some of the top fashion mags – Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia and Elle – and people like Nayanthara and Shruti Haasan have worn his designs.

3. Rehane Yavar Dhala (REHANE)

Rehane Yavar Dhala runs the pretty impressive REHANE label, which is one of Chennai’s go-to fashion houses for a modern take on Indian design. What is different about her approach is that she’s not just stuck on traditional textiles.She likes to mix things up by incorporating a bit of European haute couture.

Since 1996, she has built up a loyal following with her work at Chennai and she even showed off her designs at some of the biggest fashion weeks in the country – Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week and Lakmé Fashion Week.

4. Tina Vincent

Tina Vincent was one of the first people to champion larger size fashion in India and she is the designer behind the label XXL.

She was way ahead of the curve when it came to extended sizing – body positivity wasn’t even a mainstream thing in Indian retail yet, let alone inclusive design. Her customised womenswear is all about boosting confidence and she’s a benchmark for inclusive fashion in Chennai.

5. Ekta Nahar

Ekta Nahar, founder of Studio 9696, pairs traditional fabrics with modern drapes and geometric detailing. Her work spans garments, editorial styling, bridal trousseau design and high-fashion advertising curation.

A regular at Chennai Fashion Week, she has designed for Taapsee Pannu, Dulquer Salmaan and Vijay Sethupathi.

6. Swathi Purushothaman

Swathi Purushothaman is the woman behind Chennai’s luxury bridal and couture label, Studio 149. She is really known for her hand-painted collections and her bridal silhouettes are a cut above the rest – structured, modern and effortlessly chic.

She has won some big awards for her work too – she has been feted at the WVCONNECT Fashion Awards for Best Bridal Designer and Best Special Occasions Outfit Designer of the Year.

7. Archana Karthick

Archana Karthick is a bridal couturier who launched Archana Karthick Couture in 2017. She balances heritage craft with modern comfort, making her work ideal for today’s brides.

Her pieces use Kanjeevaram and Sambalpuri silks, zardozi, crystals and raw kemp stones, and have been worn by Keerthy Suresh and Anukreethy Vas.

8. Muthukumaran

Muthukumaran is the founder of Muthukumaran’s NF Studio, which is all about creating custom ethnic wear and intricate bridal blouses that really stand out. He has got a real knack for blending traditional Indian craft with Western styles.

And his creations aren’t just strictly for the big day. They also make it into fashion shoots, ad campaigns and onto the shoulders of some pretty big celebrities from the Kollywood scene.

9. Nazia Syed

Nazia Syed specialises in bridalwear, traditional wear and styling, with a retail footprint in both Chennai and Dubai. Her brand serves local brides as well as NRI customers seeking Indian ethnic fashion abroad.

She runs Nazia Syed – Bridal Wear & Blouse Studio, along with ByNaziaSyed and Hazelblooms in Dubai.

10. Bandana Narula

Bandana Narula is known for chevron patterns, bold prints and contemporary womenswear. Her aesthetic is print-led and playful rather than bridal or purely traditional.

She has presented a collection at Lakmé Fashion Week, and her designs have been worn by actor Gouri G. Kishan.

How to Choose the Right Fashion Designer in Chennai

When it comes to picking the perfect fashion designer for your occasion, first you need to match up your needs with their speciality. It is pretty simple – a bridal couturier isn’t going to be any good for your everyday fusion wear, and a minimalist menswear label probably won’t be able to knock up the heavily embroidered lehengas.

Make sure you book a consultation with your chosen designer at least 3 to 6 months before your big day and always ask for fabric swatches. Also, double check how many fittings are included in the deal.

Always book a consultation 3 to 6 months before a wedding, ask for fabric swatches, and confirm the number of fittings included.

Fashion Trends Shaping Chennai in 2026

Chennai’s fashion scene in 2026 is really all about heritage revival, going green and pushing the boundaries of traditional Indian wear. Designers are teaming up with digital-first business models, and the state is getting behind it with some seriously targeted funding.

• Heritage reimagined:

We are seeing traditional crafts like veshtis, Madras checks and Kanjeevaram weaves appearing in all sorts of modern, tailored silhouettes.

• Gender-fluid Indianwear:

Collections like Idam are reimagining the veshti and sari through an entirely new lens – one that is all about being truly unisex.

• Sustainable production:

The 2025-26 textile policy is throwing its weight behind integrated processing units with proper effluent treatment and shuttleless loom upgrades – which is great news for the environment.

• Technical textiles:

The Tamil Nadu Technical Textile Mission opens doors to athleisure and performance wear.

• D2C and NRI retail:

Labels are using Instagram, online stores and Gulf outlets to reach customers beyond Chennai.

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Conclusion

Chennai’s top designers are showing us just how amazing South Indian craftsmanship can be – even when it is turned into modern luxury, bridal couture, celebrity styling and fashion that is all about being inclusive.

We love what we are seeing from the likes of Vivek Karunakaran and Archana Karthick, proving that there are many paths to success.

And if you are thinking of joining their ranks – getting into fashion designing with a proper course and turning your passion into a career is the way to go.