Biography

Anamika Khanna is an Indian fashion designer famously known for her designer brands Anamika Khanna (Indian) and Ana-Mika (international). Her designs are famous globally and have been worn by famous celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Arianna Huffington, Tichina Arnold, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Kiara Advani and many more. A quote said by Anamika Khanna, There is enough noise in the world; my clothes dont need to add to it. My clothes are for people who are okay to follow the slightly unbeaten path and yet find their own space..She was a painter and classical dancer before making her career into fashion designing. She had no professional degree or experience when she entered the fashion industry, but she attended workshops which were hosted by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London during early days in her career.Her career took a flight after she received the Damania Fashion Award in 1995. Her first six garments were made for the Damania Fashion Award. She launched her clothing brand Anamika Khanna in 1998. In an interview, she talked about the experience of her early days in an interview, This award thing came (Damania Fashion Awards), I sent my sketches, I won the award, they asked me to make six garments that was a panic attack because I had never made clothes before! But when it came to me, I was like I love the idea. So then it struck me that if I have to do it Ill have to really do this well. I said let me not go to the market and buy fabric and go to the tailor to make garments, let me figure out how to create something which has not been thought of or done. I bought a book on African textiles, then I started creating textures looking at those Shuar textiles. Once that happened I started thinking of shapes, different things. I dont know how it all started.Her first garment was sold from the collection which she made for Damania Fashion Awards, this collection was seen by Yashodhara Shroff (fashion designer) who is the owner of apparel brand ffolio in Banglore, and she decided to sell Anamikas collection through her brand ffolio. She was invited to Bridal Asia exhibition held in Pakistan in 2003 to showcase her collection.According to Anamika, she considers fashion designers Prasad Bidapa, Ritu Kumar and Monapali as her mentors who helped and guided her in her careers early days. In an interview, she was asked about the best part of her job, to which she replied, The day I am going to be able to make the simplest garment perfectly without a single piece of embroidery or work it needs to be flawless, needs to feel like butter on the body that day I will be like I have done it. I am not ready for it yet. What we do is endless this constant learning, this constant movement is a beautiful thing. And brides its such a beautiful moment somebody told me recently that so many parents must be giving you blessings every day when the daughters feel so happy on their special day such a nice thing to say, it touched my heart.In 2004, she launched her international brand Ana-Mika, which became one of the few Indian brands to be launched in an international market. She was among 33 designers who were given an invitation to participate in Indias first Lakme India Fashion Week which was held in New Delhi. She was approached to do a three-designer show, where she had a booth that she had to share with the other two designers to showcase her apparel collection. She opened her first clothing store in Kolkata. Her flagship store at 2/1 Outram Street, at a lane off Theatre Roadways, was started in 2004.In 2007, Anamika Khanna became the first Indian woman to showcase her designer collection at Paris Fashion Week. In an interview with Vogue, she said, I showed in Paris Fashion Week (2007). So it was my biggest learning ever itni pitai hui hai na mentally you cannot imagine, Ive had my clothes thrown out, Ive been told what do you think youre doing. And then to think of pricing, deliveries it was a very big learning on how to professionalise what are seasons, what are collections.In 2010, after her participation in the London Fashion Week, 2010, her global brand Ana-Mika was offered an exclusive contract by British Retail Giant Harrods.In 2013, she was a part of the BOF (Business of Fashion) 500 list. Her signature look is cowl-shaped dresses that closely resembled the dhoti worn by Mahatma Gandhi and couture which gives a blend of traditional and modern in her every collection. [3]Business Of Fashion.In 2015, Simi Garewal (an Indian actress and a talk show hostess) gifted a 10 kg velvet lehenga to Lady Gaga, designed by Anamika Khanna, when Lady Gaga came as her celebrity guest at her talk show: Simi Selects- Indias Most Desirable. The lehenga was studded with pearls, gold and silver. [4]Hindustan Times.