NIFT Famous Alumni List: Notable NIFT Passouts

       If you’ve got a creative spark, NIFT might just be the place to turn it into fame! The National Institute of Fashion Technology isn’t just India’s top fashion and design school. It’s also a launchpad for careers in fashion, entertainment, and digital media. Over the years, NIFT has nurtured some incredible talent who’ve not only dominated Indian runways but also left a lasting impact globally. Think big names like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Manish Arora.

But it’s not just fashion designers, NIFT alumni are making waves in cinema and digital content too, with stars like Gulshan Devaiah and Kusha Kapila. These creative minds have carved out their own unique paths, inspiring the next generation of aspirants. In this blog, we take a closer look at some of the most famous NIFT graduates whose stories continue to motivate and impress.

NIFT Alumni List: Notable Names

The NIFT has a legacy of attracting creative minds from across the country due to its creatively inclined courses. Many NIFT alumni have become globally renowned fashion designers. Whereas others have carved out successful careers in acting and Bollywood, or in digital media and content creation. Here’s a look at the most celebrated names that make the NIFT alumni network truly extraordinary:

Sabyasachi Mukherjee

Image Credit: Sabyasachi’s Facebook Fan Page

When you think of luxury Indian bridal wear, one name instantly comes to mind: it’s Sabyasachi Mukherjee. A graduate of NIFT Kolkata, Sabyasachi Mukherjee has redefined Indian fashion. He is known for his rich textiles, intricate embroidery, and timeless traditional aesthetics. Moreover, he’s among the pioneers in creating temporary silhouettes. Also, thanks to Bollywood’s leading ladies like Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt, who have added to the hype for Sabyasachi. But it’s all worth it for this coveted designer.

Sabyasachi first came into the limelight for costume design in the movie “Black”. He gained critical acclaim for his work in the film. His work has also garnered admirers worldwide, from Hollywood celebrities to international icons such as Oprah Winfrey. Collaborations with brands like H&M and Christian Louboutin have further cemented his global reputation.

Rohit Bal

Image Credit: Rohit Bal’s Facebook Fan Page

Known as the “Bad Boy of Indian Fashion,” the Late Rohit Bal is one of NIFT’s most flamboyant and creative alumni. Famous for his love for opulent fabrics, detailed craftsmanship, and motifs like lotuses and peacocks, this famous NIFT alumni has helped transform the Indian fashion game. A NIFT Delhi graduate, Bal has dressed Bollywood stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, for ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ for years. He also collaborated with Khadi Gram Udyog and has significantly helped the organisation with his flamboyant designs.

His bold vision has helped put Indian fashion firmly on the global map. Rohit Bal’s stellar career spanned more than two decades. He has won countless awards, including the Designer of the Year award in various International Fashion Awards. Moreover, in 2012, at the Lakme Fashion Week, he was awarded the ‘Grand Finale Designer’.

Gulshan Devaiah 

Image Credit: Gulshan Devaiah’s Facebook Profile

Not all NIFT alumni choose the design runway; some tread to the silver screen as well. Gulshan Devaiah is next on the famous NIFT alumni list. He transitioned from design to acting and has since established a name for himself in Bollywood with his versatile performances. Gulshan has delivered notable performances in films such as Shaitan, Hunterrr, Ramleela, Badhaai Do, and more. 

His performance in the movie ‘Shaitan’ earned him the Filmfare Best Debutant Award as well. Gulshan is proof that NIFT’s creative environment nurtures talent that can shine in multiple creative fields. 

Manish Arora

Image Credit: Manish’s Facebook Page

Next in the NIFT alumni list is Manish Arora, bright, bold, and unapologetically vibrant. Manish is a NIFT Delhi passout, and his designs are recognised for a burst of colour and creativity. He began in 2002 with the Indian Fashion Week in Mumbai. His next pit stop: the London Fashion Week in 2005. Two years later, in 2007, he performed a catwalk show in the prestigious Paris Fashion Week. Arora is among the few Indian designers to do so. 

However, the designer suffered a setback in 2020, and The New York Times also penned a 4,000-word article about this designer. His avant-garde style and quirky detailing have made his collections a global favourite. 

Kusha Kapila

Image Credit: Kusha Kapila’s Instagram Profile

From NIFT classrooms to Instagram stardom, Kusha Kapila has become one of India’s most loved digital creators. Kusha came into the limelight for her witty sketches and relatable characters on social media. The NIFT Delhi passout has gone on to appear in OTT shows, reality TV, and also Bollywood films. Kusha’s journey shows how NIFT’s alumni are breaking boundaries beyond fashion.

Devoleena Bhattacharjee

Image Credit: Devoleena’s Instagram Profile

Devoleena Bhattacharjee is next on the famous NIFT alumni list. Television fans know her best as Gopi Bahu from the hit serial ‘Saath Nibhaana Saathiya’. Apart from this, she’s also a trained Bharatnatyam dancer and has auditioned for ‘Dance India Dance’. Her acting career spans daily soaps, reality shows, and web series. She continues to be one of the most recognised faces on Indian television.

Prabal Gurung

Image Credit: Prabal Gurung’s Facebook Profile

Now comes Prabal Gurung, born in Nepal, raised in India, and educated at NIFT Delhi. He is now a celebrated designer based in New York. The Nepalese-American fashion designer’s modern yet elegant designs have been worn by powerful women. His list includes Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Deepika Padukone. With his brand making waves in the luxury fashion space, Gurung is one of NIFT’s most successful international exports.

Nikita Anand

Image Credit: Nikita’s Facebook Profile

In this NIFT alumni list, now comes Nikita Anand. She was crowned Miss India Universe 2003. Apart from winning pageants, she has also worked as a model, TV presenter, and actress. Her journey demonstrates how NIFT and fashion design serve as an extension of the fashion and Bollywood industries.

Nikunj Malik

Image Credit: Nikunj Malik’s Facebook Profile

Nikunj Malik is known for her appearances in TV reality shows and daily soaps/serials. She is a NIFT Chennai alumnus and an actress and television personality. She represents the versatility of NIFT passouts. These creative lads continue to find success across diverse creative domains.

Other NIFT Alumni

Some NIFT alumni dominate the spotlight. On the contrary, many other NIFT passouts have built successful careers in fashion, media, and beyond. Here are a few more famous NIFT alumni who continue to inspire: