Buying Indian designer clothes online was, until recently, a leap of faith. You could not feel the fabric, examine the embroidery, or try the garment on before committing. But the landscape has shifted dramatically. Most Indian designers now sell online — either through their own websites or through curated multi-designer platforms — and the experience has matured to the point where buying a handcrafted lehenga or an embroidered kurta set from your phone is genuinely practical.
The question is no longer whether to buy Indian designer clothes online. It is where. This guide covers the major options — multi-designer platforms, direct-from-designer websites, and marketplace platforms — along with what to look for before placing an order.
Multi-Designer Platforms
Multi-designer platforms curate garments from dozens or hundreds of designers in one place. They are useful for discovery — if you do not yet know which designer suits your style, these platforms let you browse broadly and compare.
Pernia's Pop-Up Shop — India's leading luxury multi-designer platform, curating over 500 designers ranging from established couture houses to emerging labels. The editorial curation is a genuine strength — outfit guides, occasion-based edits, and trend features help narrow your search when the volume of options feels overwhelming. Pernia's stocks labels across the full spectrum of Indian fashion, including Rashika Mittal.
Aza Fashion — A luxury multi-designer destination with both a strong online presence and physical stores in Mumbai. Aza carries a wide selection of Indian designer wear — from bridal couture to occasion wear and pret. Their physical stores are worth visiting if you are in Mumbai and want to see garments before purchasing. The online experience mirrors the in-store curation.
Ogaan — A Delhi-based luxury multi-designer boutique known for its considered, taste-driven curation. Where larger platforms cast a wide net, Ogaan is selective — favouring designers with strong craft credentials and design integrity. This makes it particularly good for discovering emerging talent and craft-forward labels. Stocks Rashika Mittal.
Aashni + Co — Based in London, Aashni + Co curates Indian designer fashion specifically for the international audience. If you are in the UK, Europe, or anywhere outside India and want access to Indian designer clothing with reliable international shipping, this is one of the most established platforms for it. Stocks Rashika Mittal among other designers.
Carma Online — A curated multi-designer platform that stocks Indian designer wear across occasion categories. The selection tends toward celebration and festive wear — lehengas, sarees, and kurta sets from a range of designers.
Buying Directly from the Designer
Multi-designer platforms are useful for browsing, but there are real advantages to buying directly from a designer's own website — advantages that are especially significant for handcrafted Indian wear.
Full collection access: Multi-designer platforms stock a selection from each label, not the entire range. When you shop directly, you see every piece the designer offers — including newer collections and pieces that may not be listed on third-party platforms.
Direct communication: For made-to-order garments, the ability to speak directly with the designer's team about sizing, customisation, and styling makes a meaningful difference. This is particularly important for occasion wear — wedding lehengas, reception outfits, or celebration pieces where fit matters enormously.
No middleman markup: Multi-designer platforms take a commission. When you buy directly, more of your purchase goes to the designer and, in the case of handcraft labels, to the artisans who made the piece.
Supporting the brand: If you value a designer's work and want to see them continue, direct purchases are the most impactful way to support them — especially for smaller, independent labels that operate without external funding.
Rashika Mittal — rashikamittal.com
Every piece at Rashika Mittal is fully handmade by karigars in Jaipur — artisans whose families have practised embroidery techniques like zari, gota patti, Mukesh, aari, zardozi, bandhani, and chikankari across generations. Founded by Rashika Mittal, who comes from Tinsukia in Upper Assam — a small town with no fashion industry connections — the label is now stocked at Pernia's Pop-Up Shop, Ogaan, and Aashni + Co, and has been featured in Grazia and nominated for Elle Graduate 2024.
All garments are made to order, with a standard production time of four to five weeks. This is not a limitation — it is what genuine handcraft requires. Free shipping within India, international shipping available, and WhatsApp support for sizing, customisation, and styling questions.
While you can find select pieces on the multi-designer platforms mentioned above, buying directly at rashikamittal.com gives you access to the full collection — over 220 pieces across three collections: Intizaar (longing), Ishq (love), and Ruhaniyat (seasons of the soul). Browse the full collection or take the outfit quiz to find your match.
The MASTANI, LEYLA & NALINI is an emerald cheniya bandhani jacquard silk set — a one-shoulder cape, strap bustier, and sharara with hand-embroidered floral motifs and intricate sequin work. The AMYRA & ADYA is a pink mulberry brocade silk kurta and pant set with a V-neckline adorned with silver hand-embroidery. And the EILA & RIYA is an ivory and gold embroidered kurta in silk cotton jacquard with intricate floral and vine motifs, paired with a silk cotton zari stripe pant.
Marketplace Platforms
Larger e-commerce marketplaces have expanded into luxury Indian designer wear, offering a convenient but more limited option.
Nykaa Fashion Luxe — Nykaa's luxury fashion section stocks designer Indian wear alongside their beauty and pret offerings. The convenience of an established platform with unified checkout is the primary advantage. Selection is curated but narrower than dedicated multi-designer platforms.
Tata CLiQ Luxury — The luxury arm of Tata's e-commerce platform carries Indian designer wear in its fashion section. Backed by the Tata brand, it offers reliability and trust, particularly for customers who prefer established corporate platforms.
These marketplaces work well for straightforward purchases — a designer kurta set for a festive occasion, for example. However, for bridal wear, heavily embroidered pieces, or anything requiring customisation, dedicated designer platforms or direct purchases offer a better experience. The personalised guidance and sizing support that independent designers and boutique platforms provide is difficult for large marketplaces to replicate.
What to Look for When Shopping for Indian Designer Clothes Online
Buying designer Indian wear online — particularly handcrafted pieces — requires a different set of considerations than buying off-the-rack fashion. Here is what to check before you order.
Authenticity: Buy only from the designer's official website or authorised stockists. Counterfeit designer Indian wear is widespread, particularly on general marketplaces. If a price seems dramatically lower than expected for a supposedly handcrafted piece, it almost certainly is not genuine. Check the designer's own website to confirm where their pieces are officially sold.
Return and exchange policy: Handcrafted Indian designer clothes are often made to order — meaning they are produced specifically for you after you place the order. Most made-to-order labels do not accept returns for this reason. Read the policy before ordering, and if you are uncertain about sizing or style, contact the designer's team first. A quick WhatsApp message or phone call can save considerable trouble.
Fabric and care information: Handcrafted garments in silk, chanderi, organza, and tissue require specific care — most need dry cleaning, and embroidered pieces should be stored flat with acid-free tissue between folds. A good designer will provide this information with the garment. For a detailed reference, see our fabric care guide.
Sizing guidance: Indian designer clothing often does not follow standardised sizing. The best approach is to reach out to the designer's team with your measurements before ordering. Most Indian designers — including Rashika Mittal — offer WhatsApp or phone support specifically for sizing questions. Use it. Made-to-order pieces can be tailored to your exact measurements, which is one of their greatest advantages.
Delivery timeline: Mass-produced fashion ships in days. Handcrafted fashion takes weeks. A hand-embroidered lehenga or a zardozi kurta set involves weeks of artisan work — four to five weeks is standard for most handcraft labels. Plan ahead, especially for weddings and celebrations. If a "handcrafted" piece claims to ship in two days, the craft claim deserves scrutiny.
Online vs In-Store: When Each Makes Sense
Online shopping works exceptionally well for Indian designer wear when you know the designer, understand the sizing, and are comfortable with the fabric. It is particularly practical for:
- Repeat purchases from a designer you already own pieces from
- Made-to-order garments (sized to your measurements regardless of where you buy)
- Customers outside major metros who do not have access to designer boutiques
- International shoppers buying Indian designer clothing from abroad
In-store shopping remains valuable when you are investing in a high-value piece for the first time and want to see the embroidery up close, feel the fabric weight, or try silhouettes you have not worn before. If you are in Mumbai, Delhi, or Jaipur, visiting a multi-designer store like Ogaan or Aza can help calibrate your preferences before you shop online with confidence.
Many designers now offer a hybrid approach — browse online, reach out via WhatsApp for questions, and order with confidence. This is how most customers shop at Rashika Mittal: browse the collection online, take the outfit quiz to narrow options, then connect on WhatsApp for sizing and styling guidance before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy Indian designer clothes online?
Yes, when you buy from the right sources — the designer's official website, authorised multi-designer platforms like Pernia's Pop-Up Shop, Ogaan, or Aashni + Co, or verified luxury marketplace sections. Avoid unauthorised resellers and deals that seem too good to be true.
What is the return policy for designer Indian wear bought online?
It varies by platform and designer. Ready-to-wear pieces from multi-designer platforms typically have a return window of seven to fourteen days. Made-to-order pieces — which are handcrafted specifically for your measurements — generally cannot be returned. Always check the policy before ordering, and contact the designer if you have any doubt about sizing or style.
How do I get the right size when buying Indian designer clothes online?
Most Indian designers provide size charts on their websites, but the best approach is to contact the designer directly with your measurements. Made-to-order labels like Rashika Mittal craft each piece to your specific measurements, so a quick WhatsApp conversation about your sizing ensures the garment fits perfectly.
How can I tell if designer Indian clothing sold online is authentic?
Purchase only from the designer's official website or platforms they explicitly list as authorised stockists. Genuine handcrafted pieces will have detailed production timelines (weeks, not days), specific craft technique information, and pricing consistent with handmade artisan work. When in doubt, check the designer's own website for their list of official retailers.
How long does delivery take for designer Indian clothes ordered online?
Ready-to-ship pieces from multi-designer platforms typically arrive in five to ten business days within India. Made-to-order pieces take longer — four to five weeks of production time is standard for handcrafted labels, plus shipping. International orders add additional transit time. For a capsule wardrobe approach, plan your purchases well ahead of the occasions you are dressing for.
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