International Conference on Fashion and Textiles
12th & 13th March 2015
Keynote Address on
“Evolution of textile in contemporary Indian fashion”
Mr. Narendra Kumar Ahmed
Director - Narendra Kumar Designs
Brand Ambassador for Swiss International Airlines
Creative Director for Amazon India.
Narendra Kumar was part of the second graduating class from National Institute of
Fashion Technology (NIFT) New Delhi in 1990, while it was still being run in
conjunction with FIT, New York and Trent Polytechnic, UK. Upon graduating he started
his fashion career designing for Ensemble and for the Indian veteran designer Tarun
Tahiliani.
A Founding Fashion Editor of ELLE India magazine in 1996, Narendra was intrinsically
involved in the conceptualization of India's pioneering foreign fashion publication.
After acquiring a vast experience in the Fashion business and being associated with
magazines like ELLE and VERVE and collaborating with some of India's foremost
textile companies like Reid & Tailor, Raymonds, Grasim etc. Narendra launched his
eponymous line in 2000 with a complete range of western wear for men and women.
Narendra Kumar's company, Arenah Design Studio, undertakes various corporate
identity-clothing projects such as Marriott Group of Hotels, HSBC Bank, Kotak
Mahindra Bank, Unilever and most recently involved in re-imaging the uniforms of the
30 New Vivanta Branded Hotels for the Taj Group – India.
Narendra has also worked with many Bollywood and cricket celebrities and is currently
creating Mr. Amitab Bachan's look for the current season of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'
As part of his contribution to the fashion business and to encourage young talent
Narendra takes up lecturing capsules at fashion institutions such as NIFT & SNDT. He is
also on the board of the Lakme Fashion Week.
Narendra has won many fashion related awards such as GQ designer of the year, a
number of MTV Style Awards, Kingfisher Designer of the Year. For the last 6 years he is
also has been the ambassador for Swiss International Airlines. His label is the only Indian
label to be listed in Esquire's list of best menswear stores in the world. In addition to
having his own design company, Narendra is also the Creative Head for Amazon India.
Narendra Kumar has also been assigned to design the uniform for Fly Easy Airline
Bangalore.