8 designers who did India proud in 2016

From powering a cause to taking a bold social stand, these designers have proved that fashion can indeed impact many lives.

It wasn't just the beautiful models who did India proud this year.

A bunch of desi designers also did their bit to put India on the global map in 2016.

Scroll down to find out how Archana Kochhar, Anita Dongre, Suket Dhir and others made Indians swell with pride.

1. Archana Kochhar

IMAGE: Mumbai-based designer Archana Kochhar took fashion to another level when she got two iconic showstoppers -- Sunny Leone and acid attack survivor Reshma -- for her show at New York Fashion Week.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Pearl Media Communications

The acid attack survivor who walked the ramp in New York

2. Vaishali Shadangule

IMAGE: Vaishali S also made her debut at the New York Fashion Week promoting Indian weaves on the ramp. Like Kochhar, she also did her bit by walking alongside Reshma amidst thundering applause from the audience.
Photograph: Paresh Gandhi

3. Manish Arora

IMAGE: Manish was awarded the 'Knight of the Legion of Honour', the highest French civilian distinction, for his contribution to the world of fashion this year.

Photograph: Parivartan Sharma/Reuters

10 reasons why we love Manish Arora

4. Naeem Khan

IMAGE: Naeem Khan has been a favourite of the Obamas for a while.
Earlier this year, Michelle Obama made a fashion statement in a Kashmiri embroidered creation with Indian floral motifs, designed by Khan at a state dinner for Cuban President Raul Crasto.
For their last White House Christmas Card, daughters Malia and Sasha Obama wore gowns created by the Indian-American designer.

Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Can you spot the Indian connection?

5. Anita Dongre

IMAGE: The Dutchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton's India visit would have incomplete without help from this Indian designer. Remember the charming tunic dress, with Jaipur inspired motifs? Well, it reportedly caused designer Anita Dongre's site to crash, because of all the attention from the press.
Photograph: Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Kate Middleton's wardrobe for India tour

6. Waris Ahluwalia

IMAGE: New York City declared October 19, 2016 as Waris Ahluwalia day in recognition of the Sikh-American designer for countering ignorance and advocating for religious understanding and tolerance.
Here, Waris Ahluwalia, centre, accepts the honour from New York City Mayor Bill de Blassio and his wife Chirlane at Gracie Mansion.
Phptograph: Kind courtesy Mayoral Photo Office

Why New York honoured this Sikh designer!

7. Suket Dhir

IMAGE: Suket Dhir received 'The International Woolmark Prize' for his menswear collection on January 13, 2016 in Florence, Italy.
He is second designer from India, after Rahul Misra, to win the Rs 48.5 lakh (Australian $ 100,000) worth prestigious prize. Dhir was selected from among 70 designers from across the world.
Photograph: Stefania D'Alessandro/Getty Images

Indian designer wins International Woolmark Prize

8. Rachel Roy

Rachel Roy

IMAGE: Rachel (third from right) was the most googled designer of 2016. Wondering why?
While some believe it could be Beyonce's song 'Sorry' that mentioned her as 'Becky with the good hair', we'd like to give the designer more credit for her talent.
Roy was one of the panellists on The International Woolmark Prize team alongside Troy Costa and Manish Malhotra among others.
In November, the designer who's dressed Michelle Obama and Melania Trump spoke on diversity at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Next Gen Summit in Laguna Niguel, California.

Photograph: Rachel Roy/Instagram

9. INIFD graduates

IMAGE: This year, 10 Indian students from the International Institute of Fashion Design, Mumbai, got to showcase their collection at the London Fashion Week.
Here Priya Gaikwad, one of the graduates is seen walking the runway at Fashion Scout during London Fashion Week Spring/Summer collections 2017.

Photograph: Tabatha Fireman/Getty Images