Aki Narula has been in the fashion business for many years. He is also the recipient of the Damania Fashion Designer Award, Narula`s designs are understated and he stresses on drapes and texture.
Known for his crazy and whacky style, his clothes are always fun, bright, and cheery and cool with an accent towards leisurewear. His designs are available at India`s premier design salons - Ensemble (Delhi, Mumbai), 1 MG Road, You Grasshopper, Ogaan (Delhi, Kolkata), Melange (Mumbai), Ffolio (Bangalore), Cinnamon (Bangalore), Sosas (Goa), Kali (Calcutta) Zingra in Cannes and St Tropez. He designs for both men and women in the Indian and western wear.
Having worked as a stylist for various fashion shoots and ad campaigns, Narula has also designed costumes for theatre and a national award winning Bengali film. In recent months, Narula has also taken to designing lifestyle linen, candle stands and screens. He is currently the Design Director for Sheetal Design Studio; he retails under his label under `Aki Narula for SDS` and also works on his main label `AKI` from his studio in Delhi.
Fashion Shows
LIFW 2003
Aki Narula`s collection was innovative, wild and humorous. His collection amazes you and one is surprised by his unconstrained and free flowing work. His cutting, draping, surface techniques are unique and bring forward his refusal to be bound by convention. Many contemporary motifs were shown here. He showed football shorts in sari fabric, and chain mail and bondage with crochet. He even showed camouflage combat gear, like no one has ever seen before. There were bondage details, which looked stylish and humorous but never vulgar. Aki took Chinese brocades, Kimono cuts in a different direction. A high point of this stunning show was the button detailed parachute silk collection: a trench coat, a deep aubergine and a brown skirt, a pair of grey pants. Aki Narula was striking with his exclusive designs on the ramp. Aki has once again proved his excellent combination of fashion with colours in the Lakme India Fashion Week (LIFW) 2003. The collection was very much appreciated by all the visitors. He exploits the texture of polyester and various lace fabrics. The garments are accompanied with numerous and funky embellishments like satin ribbons, multi utility pockets, tough chains, belts and buckles adding that pungent essence to the overall look. This show was a huge success.
LIFW 2004
Aki Narula was selected to present the Lakme Grand Finale. The Lakme Fashion Statement was interpreted by Aki Narula as "Fruit Shock". Here Aki concentrated on the theme of "Crush``. A riot of colours - inspired by the theme - the ramp saw some innovations in terms of silhouettes and cuts. Carrying forward the mood to the beat of some heavy techno music was Aki Narula`s collection, "Crush". Dominated by snazzy prints and textured fabrics, Aki`s collection was playful and lively and was inspired by juicy fruits.