Hyderabad-based designer Anand Kabra has spent nearly two decades building a fashion identity that he says has never been centred on celebrity dressing or films.
Looking back at his early years in the industry, Kabra acknowledges that attention came to him quickly. He says the sudden visibility inevitably influenced him when he was younger and shaped how he approached his career as a designer.
Over the years, Kabra has also moved in and out of the fashion-week circuit while continuing to evolve his approach to design. Rather than making celebrity associations the foundation of his label, he has maintained a focus on his own design language and creative direction.
One celebrity connection that holds particular significance for Kabra is Aditi Rao Hydari. The designer says their association is meaningful because of Hydari's own connection to Hyderabad and the Deccan.
For Hydari's wedding, Kabra reimagined an archival piece from his collection, bringing an older design into a new context. The collaboration reflects the cultural connection that he associates with the actor and the region.
Kabra's journey also reflects the influence of place and personal evolution on fashion. His connection with Hyderabad forms an important part of his identity as a designer, while his work over the years has continued to change with experience.
His latest collection and ongoing design work come against the backdrop of this long evolution—one in which he has sought to build a label based on design rather than celebrity visibility.