Neeta Lulla

Neeta Lulla is an Indian costume designer and fashion stylist who has worked on over 300 films.[2] She has been designing wedding dresses since 1985. Her name became inseparably associated with Bollywood after actresses Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit wore her costumes in Devdas (2002 Hindi film), the trend-setting Bollywood film.

Neeta Lulla
Lulla in 2012
Born (1965-03-05) 5 March 1965
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation
  • Costume designer
  • couturier
  • fashion stylist
Label(s)
Neeta Lulla Fashions
Spouse(s)Shyam Lulla
Children1[1]
AwardsNational Film Awards for Best Costume Design
Websitewww.neetalulla.com

Career

Her first big client was jewelry designer Varuna Jani, though Jani hadn’t started her business at the time. After that Lulla fully committed to a Bollywood client base when she designed for actor Spana who was prominent in the Bollywood community in South India. This success was followed by her designs for actresses Salma Agha and Sridevi.

A notable creation from later in her career was a dress she designed for Aishwarya Rai's wedding to Abhishek Bachchan. She crafted Rai's pearl-encrusted lehenga for her mehendi ceremony and an additional dress for her South Indian wedding ceremony. The designer has claimed her favorite actress for whom she has created pieces was Divya Bharti. Neeta Lulla has designed for Shilpa Shetty, Aishwarya Rai, Sridevi, Sapna, Salma Azad, Isha Koppikar and Juhi Chawla. Courtesy of reality TV show Tahul, Lulla also designer for Dimpy Ganguly, Rahul Mahajan's young bride.[3]

After successfully completing the challenge of designing for films like Mohenjo Daro (2016),[4] she plans on trying her hand in Tollywood again with Gautamiputra Satakarni.[5]

Neeta Lulla has been known to utilize Paithani, the ancient technique of tapestry that combines multiple threads of different colors and incorporates gold and silver threads woven together to create a dynamic piece of silk. One of her most notable Paithani collections was shown in February 2016 at the Make In India initiative. At this show she showcased a wide range of pieces including flowing lehangas, long kurtas, jackets, dhoti pants, sarong skirts — all of which were embroidered according to the Paithani style. In regards to the collection and show held in Maharashtra, Neeta commented:

“Maharashtra has always held a special place in my heart; this has been home to my whole life and art. I have chosen to showcase the intricacies, elaborateness and immaculacy of Paithani, a legacy of Maharashtra.”[6]

In 2013, Lulla opened The Whistling Wood International Neeta School of Fashion in her home city of Mumbai.[7] The institute offers a selection of courses in fashion, merchandising and online marketing. The school is currently owned by Subash Ghai who has worked with Lulla on several films.[8] Neeta comments:

"I have been teaching fashion for the last 26 years. As an extension to my teaching I joined a venture which is part of Whistling Woods International that belongs to Ghai. It seems that Indian film industry really does see the fashion industry as an extension of their own business."

Social Activism

Neeta Lulla has been vocal about combating gender based violence and has used her work as a platform for promoting the issue. Her 2016 collection "#SheIsMe" simultaneously communicated both gentleness and resilience in the face of abuse. The collections debut at Lakme Fashion Week included a dance recital that spoke against women abuse. Lulla comments:

"This collection in its entirety speaks about a woman's characteristics. You see the vibrancy of the Cherry Blossom and the Osmanthus transition into the colours of dried flowers and cracked mother Earth. Just as these magnificent miracles of nature respond to tenderness and care but can also just as easily dry away with neglect, a woman's spirit begins to wither under any physical or emotional abuse. We need to raise our voice against this."[9]

Personal life
Neeta Lulla at Esha Deol's wedding reception

Neeta Lulla grew up in Mumbai, India and spent significant time in Filmcity, a film studio within the city.[8] She is now married to Dr Shyam Lulla who is a psychiatrist.[10] Neeta, along with her husband Shyam and Amrita (Divyas maid) were with late Bollywood actress Divya Bharti at her house in Tulsi, Versova, Mumbai when Divya died late night on 5 April 1993.

Collections
  • Make in India: showcased an exclusive Paithani collection made of contemporary separates on 17 February 2016
  • #SheIsMe: showcased at Lakme Fashion Week, collection focused on combating gender based violence, 6 April 2016[9]

Awards
Further information: List of awards and nominations received by Neeta Lulla

References
  1. "Designer Neeta Lulla With Daughter Nishka Lulla At The Wedding Reception Of Ahana Deol In Mumbai". Rediff. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  2. Assomull, Sujata (15 November 2015). "Bollywood favourite, designer Neeta Lulla talks shop while in Dubai". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  3. Pinto, Rochelle (22 October 2010). "Neeta Lulla's Bollywood brides". Hindustan Times.
  4. Varma, Lipika (25 July 2016). "Styling for the era not easy: Neeta Lulla". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  5. "Neeta Lulla to work in Tollywood again". Deccan Chronicle. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  6. "Make in India Week: Neeta Lulla to exhibit Paithani line". The Indian Express. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  7. Bureau, Our. "Neeta Lulla, Subhash Ghai to launch fashion school". @businessline. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  8. Bakshi, Asmita (24 February 2014). "Mumbai exudes a lot of style, says Neeta Lulla". India Today.
  9. "We need to raise our voice against abuse: Neeta Lulla". Times of India. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  10. "Celebrity Designer Neeta Lulla's Daughter Nishka Lulla Ties The Knot With Businessman Dhruv Mehra". BollywoodShaadis. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  11. "Top Entrepreneurs in Business & Iconic Stars in Cinema shined at India Leadership Conclave 2016 's ILC Power Brand Awards 2016 – Indian Affairs". Retrieved 29 July 2016.
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