Established in 1990, Anju Modi has been an integral part of the Indian Fashion industry, playing a vital role in the revival of traditional crafts and textiles.

In a bid to preserve handicraft practices from extinction, keeping its rich history alive, and empower local rural communities, each season of Anju Modi’s couture and ready-to-wear collections are built around themes showcasing the extraordinary skills of Indian artisans.

Age-old techniques that were long forgotten have been revived, where the designer has created an extensive library of research and development techniques for weaving, vegetable dyeing, block printing, and traditional embroidery.

1990 to 1993 - Developed a new blended fabric in Varanasi, by reviving the classic tradition of working with zari. (Real silver thread)

1993 to 1995 - Improved variations in the Bandhani tie and dye techniques, by introducing alterations through geometrical patterns and neutral colorways.

 

1995 to 1999 - Nurtured modern interpretations to the Kota Doria fabrics, Sanganeri block printing techniques and Bagru textile crafts originated from Rajasthan by collaborating with local artisans and coaching the application of these crafts in innovative designs.

 

2000 to 2001 - Contributed to the modernization and improvement of Chanderi weaving and patterns. Developed the lurex yarn weaving technique for Chanderi silk.

 

2001 to 2002 - Cultivated a new range of rich khadi, by coaching the development of slub-yarn techniques for a new line of modern luxury silhouettes.

 

2003 to 2004 - Worked with UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) under a cluster development programme with 1500 craftsmen and artisans; developing skills and innovative techniques for the Kota Doria craft.

 

2005 - Worked in collaboration with craftvillage.org and FDCI for a ‘development center project’ that offers a trans-disciplinary approach towards the improvement of the quality of life of craftsmen and provides them with formal design and product development education.

 

2006 - Developed ‘boiled wool’ techniques for a new range of woolen angrakha coats which were selected for presentation at the Hyères fashion festival in Paris. Also, presented the collection at the Miami Fashion Week.

 

2008 - Nominated for Marie Claire’s Made in India awards - special honors category “Best Craft Revival”.

 

2009 - Collaborated with India’s Ministry of Tourism and showcased a collection during the international event ‘India Calling’ at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

 

2010 - Nominated for Marie Claire’s ‘Best Indian Designer’ award and showcased a collection at the Handloom Week organized by the Indian Ministry of Textiles.

 

2012 - Honoured with PCJ Excellence Award and ELLE Style Award; acknowledgments for the designer’s contribution to the Indian Fashion Industry.

 

2013 - Researched and developed costumes for the movie ‘Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela’ by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. She bagged the ‘LIFE OK Screen Award’ and The ‘Star Guild Award’ for the same. Also, earned a nomination for the ‘Filmfare - Best Costume Designer’ award.

2014 - Honoured by ICUNR (Indian Council for UN Relations) with the ‘Excellence in Fashion’ Award.

2015 - Researched and developed costumes for the vivid period drama ‘Bajirao Mastani’ by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Bagged the ‘Filmfare - Best Costume Designer’ award for the same.

2016 - Designed and developed a special woven fabric in Banaras for ‘Neelambar’ collection. Neelambar poetically uses sona and rupa for a prosaic collection of traditional techniques. An architecture-inspired collection that has organic elements with structural silhouettes and design details of the minarets, Neelambar is an outtake of our rich textile legacy; an attempt to weave the traditional knowledge and skills of our master craftsmen with threads of modernity.

 

2017 - Rajasthan, is the inspiration behind the collection ‘Sunehri Kothi’. The miniature art, that found its genesis in Rajasthan, emblazoned through the palaces narrates the splendor of yesteryears not only through the imagery but also with the fine meenakari craftsmanship, the intricate and detailed brush-work, and the remnants of the colors - handmade from minerals, vegetables, indigo, conch shells, and embellished with precious stones, pure gold and silver.

A tribute to the patriotic flavor of Indian clothing and its journey to the present day, the ‘Swadeshi’ collection is inspired by one of the most pivotal movements in our history - The Swadeshi Movement.

 

2018 - In an attempt to pay tribute to an era that holds eminence pride with an attitude is the inspiration behind the collection - Victorian Era. The collection is a symphony of exaggerated silhouettes with copious amounts of fabric, grandiose sleeves and fancy collars inspired by the ostentatious fashion, aesthetically pleasing art & architecture, classic literature and music from the Victorian era.

 

2019 -Our Spring Summer 2019 collection “Masakali”which is inspired by the Architecture of Pinkcity, wholeheartedly embraces the aesthetic of handcrafted, natural and homespun clothing. It isn’t meant for those who get swayed away by relentless routines

“Japanese Boro” – Summer luxury pret isinspired by the tradition of an inner, intuitive experience of enlightenment in Zen Buddism. what makes this collection special is the wabi-sabi-like approach that we’ve taken with Satori.

Our recent collection “Parnika” is an all-white collection — serene, somber and stylish — is metamorphosed by our ethereal prints.

2020- Sunheri Kothi- Inspired by the practice of detaching oneself from the attraction to worldly things in order to gain the spiritual bliss, the practice of striving to purge away all forms of temptation and sins from one’s self, practice of purification of the soul to gain divine forgiveness.

2021- The Eternal Story-
A story as old as time itself is woven through each moment of life.
A seed transforms into a tree that grows to bear seeds again.
A cloud that bursts with raindrops, forms again with the water it sheds. A mother who sees a reflection of herself in her daughter.
Traditions passed down through time become heirlooms, nurtured from generation to generation.
This is the story of life... eternally true.