For those unfamiliar with Bollywood, one of the most striking aspects of Hindi films are the colourful costumes worn by the cast. This is in evidence most notably during the song and dance extravaganzas, where the perfectly turned out stars jiggle their hips, accompanied by a host of similarly dressed dancers. Tabasam Haseen tells us more.

To make Bollywood stars look like Indian Gods and Goddesses, top fashion designers are recruited to give the stars the most glamorous look. Think Asian versions of Beverly Hills 90210 or Footballers' Wives and you'll get the right idea. Indeed movies are often seen as a way of showing off the latest creations from a popular designer. All this inevitably means that working in costume design is a glitzy affair.

Like with any career in Bollywood, it is important to be in the right city – Mumbai or failing that, certainly in the right country – India. It is only by impressing Bollywood insiders that you stand any chance of getting that elusive break. To illustrate this we only need look at the career of top costume designer Manish Malhotra.

Malhotra began his career at the boutique Equinox where he gained hands-on experience designing, before being given his first break in Bollywood by director David Dhawan. He was the one and only recipient of the Filmfare Award (the Bollywood equivalent of an Oscar) for Costume Design in 1995.

Since then, Malhotra has worked on numerous productions and his designs have spawned millions of copies all over Asia. He is now so respected in the industry that he is about to make a leap into film directing.

Whereas Malhotra did not gain any design qualifications, other Bollywood designers have. Current hot property Anna Singh attended the renowned JJ School of Arts and studied colour history, textile scripture and commercial art before obtaining an MSc in master textile cutting.

British designer Chand Ahmed himself began designing when he was still a teenager. "I've always had an interest in fashion, so it seemed perfectly natural to take the next step into designing."

Although not formally qualified he began working in his fathers clothes store before taking over the day to day management of the business. He now finds himself opening another outlet and designing for the likes of Archie Punjabi, who wore one of Ahmed's creations for the premiere of Bend It Like Beckham.

"I'd advise anyone who's interested in designing to gain as much work experience as they can. The more time you spend in the fashion industry, the more you'll learn." Ahmed did not gain any design qualifications but he does not advise against it. "Bollywood designers such as Rocky S have studied fashion at college, so if others feel that this is the way forward for them, then they should go for it."

As for Bollywood, Ahmed remains cautious. "To get into the industry, it's crucial you impress the right people in India. I'm currently very happy with my work in the UK."

< Back to top