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Bollywood's favourite desi designers
From Versace to Vera Wang, Bollywood's fussy fashionistas wear it all.
But their craze for Indian fashion designers is just as compelling if not more. With a growing number of stylists coming on the scene, here's a peek at the ones they particularly favour.
Manish Malhotra
From Kajol to Kareena Kapoor, Manish Malhotra has been weaving his magic on the numero unos of tinsel town for quite a while now.
While some may crib his designs are too filmi, his target customer is more than satisfied.
Prominent clients: Urmila Matondkar, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Sabyasachi Mukherjee
After Rani Mukerji caught a fancy for Sabyasachi's earthy, classy designs; there's been no looking back.
Besides lending his organic aesthetics to a bling-driven industry, he's single-handedly transformed Vidya Balan's look from 'Oh, God!' to 'Oh, Wow!'
Prominent clients: Vidya Balan, Rani Mukerji and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Vikram Phadnis
Though Vikram Phadnis doesn't hold any degree in fashion studies, his demand among the who's who of Bollywood substantiates his credibility in the field.
Prominent clients: Priyanka Chopra, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta and Katrina Kaif.
Tarun Tahiliani
There's enormous drama and grandeur about Tarun Tahiliani's creations.
And we all know how Bollywood digs all things larger-than-life. That explains why Shilpa Shetty opted to fill her trousseau with his designs.
Katrina Kaif is another star who swears by his sequin-filled saris.
Prominent clients: Katrina Kaif, Shilpa Shetty.
Neeta Lulla
Discounting the Ash-in-Cannes fiasco, the three-time National award winning dress designer -- best known for gorgeous work in Lamhe, Devdas and Jodhaa Akbar remains a reliable name in the business.
And so when it comes to traditional outfits, actresses ranging from Hema Malini to Isha Koppikar, Neeta Lulla is what Bollywood recommends.
Prominent clients: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Hema Malini, Sridevi, Juhi Chawla, Isha Koppikar.
Anamika Khanna
Khanna's edgy and out-of-the-box imagination fits very well with Sonam Kapoor's idea of dressing up.
Together they are an unbeatable combination.
Prominent clients: Sonam Kapoor
Gauri and Nainika
The vibrant designer duo of Gauri and Nainika have quickly acquired a reputation for their elaborate gowns that seem to understand red carpet needs almost instinctively.
Proof: their A-list clientele.
Prominent clients: Deepika Padukone, Preity Zinta, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Bipasha Basu.
Surily Goel
Spunky, young and full of beans, Surily Goel's clothing line is irresistibly vivacious.
That explains its popularity among the likes of Preity Zinta and Malaika Arora.
Prominent clients: Preity Zinta, Soniya Mehra, Malaika Arora.
Anita Dongre
Kudos to Anita Dongre for understanding the fashion needs of women from all walks of life. While her clothing brands -- AND and Global Desi cater to the aam aurat, the designer knows how to make heads turn on the red carpet as well.
Remember Mallika Sherawat's too-hot-to-handle lehenga number at Cannes 2005?
Prominent clients: Mallika Sherawat, Isha Koppikar, Gul Panag.
Shantanu & Nikhil
Brothers Shantanu and Nikhil Mehra have been in this business for a decade now.
Their ravishing, feminine collection makes them an instant choice for sizzling cover shoots.
Prominent clients: Neha Dhupia, Dia Mirza and Deepika Padukone.
Rocky S
The man understands glamour and goes after it till he's got killer results.
Little wonder all Bollywood hotties clamor for his offerings.
Prominent clients: Bipasha Basu, Dia Mirza and Shilpa Shetty.
Swapnil Shinde
What do Mandira Bedi, Mugdha Godse, Amrita Rao and Priyanka Chopra have in common?
They've all worn Swapnil Shinde's sexy numbers at some point.
Prominent clients: Mugdha Godse, Vidya Malvade, Shazahn Padamsee.