When Suneet Varma debuted his collection twenty-five years back, the fashion press declared him a success. Pulsing with artistic energy, Varma donned several creative hats… costume designing for films including the Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori blockbuster 'Kites', associations with Swarovski, BMW India, Moet and Hennessey and a tie-up as a designer on board with luxury accessories brand Judith Leiber resulting in 'Suneet Varma for Judith Leiber' accessories retailed at Judith Leiber boutiques worldwide. Whether it's Sarah Jessica Parker carrying the 'Jali' clutch or 'Starburst' dangling from Jennifer Lopez's arm, Varma has put India on the global fashion map.

There is a lot of hard work that underlines his success story. After graduating from the London School of Fashion in 1986, the Delhi native spent years working in other Houses including Nicole Farhi and Yves Saint Laurent and a similar easy glamour infiltrates his designs. Among his signature looks are saris embellished with intricate embroidery lifted with Swarovski. Since then Varma has been involved with different aspects of fashion including the revival of weaving and embroidery… researching and developing garments for Donna Karan, Carolina Herrera and Nicole Miller… costume designing for film and styling campaigns… and starring in 'Suneet Varma: Style Guru' on television… apart from showcasing and selling his collections worldwide.

Though everything he does makes news, the charming designer was in the headlines lately for entering the Limca Book of Records by creating the world's longest embroidered sari which is all of 55 meters... and he has been invited on board by the BMW Munich head office to design the interiors of the new BMW 7 Series car to be launched towards the end of 2012.

— Jasmeen Dugal
Photographs — Explosive Fashion