Suneet Varma

Summary

With meticulous hand- craftsmanship, strong design aesthetic, artistry and love for sartorial research as the foundation, Delhi-based fashion designer Suneet Varma’s design aesthetic is about sensuality, sophistication and feminity.

History

One of India’s foremost couturiers- Suneet Varma is synonymous with glamour and classicism. After graduating in Fashion Design from London School of Fashion he worked with iconic couturier Yves Saint Laurent in Paris to hone his design sensibility and artisanal skills. With meticulous craftsmanship, strong design aesthetic and love for sartorial research as the foundation.. Suneet Varma’s design aesthetic is about sensuality, sophistication and unabashed feminity.

Per Vogue: ‘Varma reinstates that couture supposes the highest level of hand-craftsmanship, artistry and innovation.. making it seasonless. “Couture pieces can cost quite a penny. So people who invest in couture are always looking at something that is timeless.”’

The only Indian fashion designer to have collaborated with Judith Leiber- an iconic luxury brand retailing bejewelled handbags- Suneet Varma has received appreciation from the world’s prolific editors and fashion veterans. Suneet Varma for Judith Leiber minaudières are now being retailed across the world at Judith Leiber boutiques along with Harods in London and Bergdoff Goodman in New York.

Per Vogue: “As glamorous as the final product looks, the designer begins many months in advance, researching techniques and coordinating with the Leiber design team. “I work at least 12-18 months ahead for each collection so timing is everything,” he says. “My design has its own DNA but like the brand [Leiber] itself, it’s sexy, feminine and playful.””

Every season his collection is unveiled at Vandome Fair in Paris and his signature bags are carried by none other than Sarah Jessica Parker, Mariah Carey and Jenifer Lopez. His designs are also popular amongst Bollywood luminaries like Aishwarya Rai bachchan- Priyanka Chopra Jonas- Kangana Ranaut and Preity Zinta. Associated with BMW Motors since 2007.. Suneet hosts all BMW events- car launches and foundation projects. He was also invited to design the interior for the BMW 7 Series in 2012.

The brand ambassador for Moet and Chandon from the year 2000-2005 Suneet hosted their shows, corporate dinners and other promotional events in India and in South East Asia. Moet Chandon also partnered with him for his fashion events and formal dinners. In 1997 Suneet Varma conceptualised and hosted India’s first International Fashion and style program: Suneet Varma’s Style Guru for Star World: a weekly television program aired in South East Asia. Here he interviewed fashion luminaries including Tom Ford, Oscar De La Renta, Yves Saint Laurent and many more.

Suneet Varma has also worked with Swarovski on apparel and interior projects. Every year he is invited to the head office at Wattens in Austria to develop Trend Forecasts for Swarovski’s products. His wedding projects with the company were culminated into the book “Unbridaled”- launched in 2009 in Paris. Suneet has also worked closely with the Bollywood film industry and dressed top actresses, socially and in movies. His costume for the award winning movie “Monsoon Wedding” was nominated for the Oscars. And he created the look for Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori in the movie, Kites.

So it didn’t come as a surprise that Suneet Varma has abeen awarded Designer of the Year by MTV. Retailing from his flagships in Delhi and Mumbai- Suneet Varma collections can also be found in multi designer stores in New Delhi, Mumbai, Dubai, Chennai, Bangalore and Chandigarh. Popular amongst the elite upper class, he has been chosen to dress NRI families for weddings and special occasions, like the prestigious Lakshmi Mittal wedding in Paris and shipping tycoon Chellaram’s wedding function in Vienna. In 2001 and in 2005 he was invited to The World Economic Forum to showcase his collection for the business community at Davos.

In 2005 Suneet collaborated with Indian menswear label Tuscan Verve for whom he designed a menswear collection.. establishing himself in the menswear segment. Time and again.. Suneet is invited to style advertising campaigns for Airtel, Raymonds, Oberoi Hotels. Few know that he has also showcased a collection in the famous Hammer Museum in Beverly Hills. Subsequently he bagged two Hollywood films for costume styling and designing and later was appointed along with American supermodel Cindy Crawford to co-host the Indian launch of Omega watches.

Admired for his enigmatic work in India and the world, Suneet has been awarded the Designer of the Year award several times by the Bollywood Fashion council in NYC. As a consultant designer, Suneet has also developed designs for design houses in Europe and the USA, namely Donna Karan, Calvin Klein Caroline Heirara and Nicole Miller. The fashion designer was invited to Milan to showcase his collections and he has also done shows in London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Berlin and LA.

Diversifying into interiors, Suneet Varma was appointed as Creative Director for Dusit Devarana chain of hotels in India. He has also worked with the prestigious interior architect company- Khun Lek Bunnag.

Mission Statement

Suneet Varma’s brand mission is to create timeless celebration wear that merges craftsmanship with design sensibility. His collections are crafted with commitment to sartorial research, ensuring that each piece evokes fantasy, sensuality, and sophistication. By incorporating luxurious fabrics and intricate embellishments, Varma designs garments that make women feel empowered and glamorous.

Vision

Suneet Varma’s vision is to create handcrafted celebration wear that embodies sensuality, sophistication, and glamour. Drawing inspiration from India’s rich artisanal traditions, his designs are meticulously crafted using luxurious fabrics such as satin, organza, taffeta, and silk, which are often enhanced with intricate hand embroideries, mirror work, crystals, and sequins. His collections are unapologetically maximalist and exuberant, creating bold and dramatic pieces that cater to the modern, sophisticated, and luxurious woman.

Through his designs, Suneet Varma seeks to evoke fantasy and timelessness, offering pieces that can transcend seasons and trends, ensuring they remain iconic and cherished for years to come.As one of India’s leading couturiers, he has always believed that couture should be timeless, with each piece representing the highest level of craftsmanship and artistry. His design philosophy focuses on celebrating femininity with a strong sense of style and drama. His vision extends beyond fashion into interior design, consulting for luxury hotels and prestigious brands.

Suneet Varma’s commitment to pushing boundaries is evident in his evolution. By combining his expertise in couture with modern precision, he has shaped a distinctive design language that caters to both traditional and contemporary tastes. Whether dressing Bollywood’s elite or designing for red carpets globally, his creations are synonymous with glamour and sophistication. His vision for the future remains centered around crafting designs that stand the test of time and sets a standard in fashion, inspiring a new generation of women to embrace boldness and femininity.

Key Team

Suneet Varma (Founder)

Recognition and Awards

Indian luxury fashion brand Suneet Varma is acclaimed for celebration-wear collections with a strong sense of femininity, style and drama. One of India’s foremost couturiers, today the New Delhi-based designer is synonymous with glamour and classicism.

Products and Services

From statement sari blouses for bridal and occasion wear to glamorous draped evening gowns and dramatic capes.. Suneet Varma retails Indian celebration wear peppered with modern edginess. The opulent designs are born for the red carpet and for the most beautiful, glamorous bride. Suneet Varma’s showing for India Couture Week in 2019 was a standout. Per Explosive Fashion: ‘the opulence of textiles, hand embroideries and craftsmanship combined with modern precision was woven into each piece to create a new vocabulary of design. Varma trimmed the volume and focussed on weightlessly constructed lehengas, shararas and sarees crafted with the finest tulle, satin, silk and georgette. Mirror work, Swarovski, beading and theatrical ruffles amped up the glamour quotient.’

References

• Official website Suneet Varma
• Suneet Varma: “I don’t think bridal couture will lean towards minimalism” Vogue
• Facebook profile of Suneet Varma Facebook
• Suneet Varma’s to-die-for royal minaudière Vogue
• Suneet Varma: I find that when you collaborate you succeed Vogue
• Couture comes calling Hindustan Times
• Designers Suneet Verma and Ravi Bajaj’s collaborative show Vogue
• Suneet’s musical rendition of Kamasutra Times of India
• Suneet Varma: Flight of fancy Elle
• “We haven’t done anything brave. I married my lover, that’s all.” Vogue
• Suneet Varma at India Couture Week 2021 Vogue
• Suneet Varma at India Couture Week 2020 Vogue
• Suneet Varma at India Couture Week 2019 Vogue
• Twitter profile of Suneet Varma Twitter
• Instagram profile of Suneet Varma Instagram
• 5 bold looks from Suneet Varma’s opulent fashion show Elle
• Wikipedia profile of Suneet Varma Wikipedia
• Suneet Varma’s ‘Mogra’ collection Hindustan Times
• Suneet Varma’s new collaboration will be part of your bedroom Vogue
• Suneet Varma’s ‘Elixir of Youth’ Style Monger