Designers or Influencers: Who’s Defining Indian Style Now?

#Fashion Trends

Designers or Influencers: Who’s Defining Indian Style Now?

08 Aug 2025

2 Mins read

DESIGNERS OR INFLUENCERS: WHO’S DEFINING INDIAN STYLE NOW?

In India’s ever-evolving fashion landscape, the lines between designers and influencers are beginning to blur. Designers have traditionally held the creative reins, crafting garments rooted in technique, heritage, and vision. Influencers, on the other hand, today, are reshaping the conversation entirely. They are curating trends, building communities, and offering immediate access to style inspiration that resonates with millions. Social media has democratized fashion. A single reel can propel a new silhouette into national consciousness, bypassing the runway altogether. Many influencers now collaborate with brands, launch fashion lines, and even dictate trends, often with more reach than legacy fashion houses. This shift raises an important question: where does that leave the designer?

DESIGNERS OR INFLUENCERS: WHO’S DEFINING INDIAN STYLE NOW?

“Fashion is no longer about being exclusive. It's about being accessible and still maintaining the soul of your design.”

Masaba Gupta, a designer who has seamlessly straddled both worlds, puts it aptly:

Rather than a rivalry, what we are witnessing is a recalibration. Designers are adapting, engaging directly with audiences, embracing content, and sometimes taking cues from influencer-led micro trends. Meanwhile, the most impactful influencers are recognizing the importance of craft, collaborating with established labels, and speaking more responsibly about consumption.

Indian fashion is not losing its edge. It’s expanding its definition. The future lies in synergy—a space where the artistry of the designer meets the immediacy and relatability of the influencer. For the discerning fashion enthusiast, this convergence offers the best of both worlds: storytelling with substance, and style with staying power. In a market as layered and expressive as India’s, fashion will thrive not by choosing sides, but by embracing evolution.