Raakesh Agarvwal

Raakesh Agarvwal, in the short span of three years, has established his signature style, and has steadily garnered admirers and aspirants. His training at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi – India’s premier fashion institute – along with an early exposure to the rigours of the Smirnoff International Fashion Awards, Crespi International Design Competition and the Makuhari Grand Prix design contest, helped shape his vision. Following this, his experiences with fashion events in London, Paris, Milan, New York, Moscow, Dubai and Tokyo, bring him in touch with the pulse of international fashion and emerging trends. His sensibilities were further refined while working with prestigious international labels like Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Boston Proper and Monsoon through leading Indian buying houses. That said, his expertise with local techniques, as well as material and surface innovations, expand his design scope tremendously.

After garnering experience as head designer and exposing himself to the domestic and international markets for over five years, Raakesh launched his eponymous label in 2005. His debut collection saw him emerge as a unanimously acclaimed talent and emerge as a talent to keep an eye on as India’s best bet for the international ramps on national television.. And as the Lakme Fashion Week Spring Summer 2008 wound to an end, Raakesh’s creations had garnered rave reviews.

Retailing across the cosmopolitan cities of India, Europe and the Middle East, Raakesh aims at dressing the liberated and powerful women of today, albeit with a hint of old-school glamour and a definite sense of class. He merges experimental and classic surface embellishments with ultramodern pattern-cutting techniques, using them in diverse silhouettes – T-shirts, cocktail dresses, evening separates, cruise-inspired lounge wear, structured classics to traditional Indian- and occasion-wear.

Joining the ranks of Armani, D&G, Luca Luca, and many other established fashion houses, Raakesh presented his Spring/Summer ’08 collection at the prestigious St. Andrews Fashion Show in Scotland on 22^nd March. Now, with the Spring/Summer ’09 collection, Raakesh makes a foray into the expansion of his Atelier with the launch of the signature Raakesh Agarvwal Limited Edition line, amidst experimenting with international outsourcing and retail. This year will also see the Raakesh Agarvwal label debut at the prestigious Tranoi and Coterie..

Rated as the most promising young talent by leading fashion publications , and many others including newspapers and e-newsletters, Raakesh moves steadily and consistently from the league of emerging talents into the circle of established Fashion Houses. Raakesh is the creative and design head of the Raakesh Agarvwal Designs Studio, and is backed up by the impeccable business management of his partner, Apurbe G. Tewary.

You can view his latest collection in the April/May 09′ PRINT edition of Rivaaj Magazine.