{{Short description|Indian costumer designer and fashion stylist (born 1965)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}} {{Infobox fashion designer |name = Neeta Lulla |image = Neeta Lulla at India Resort Fashion Week 2012.jpg |caption = Lulla in 2012 |birth_place = Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1965|3|5|df=y}} |death_date = |death_place = |education = |label_name = Neeta Lulla Fashions |awards = National Film Awards for Best Costume Design |known_for = |occupation = {{Hlist | Costume designer | couturier | fashion stylist }} |spouse = Shyam Lulla |children = 2<ref>{{cite news | url=http://pages.rediff.com/photoalbum/preview/rediff-bollywood-photos/top-bollywood-celebs-and-politicians-at-wedding-reception-of-ahana-deol/5835591/40457401/202510/36/designer-neeta-lulla-with-daughter-nishka-lulla-at-the-wedding-reception-of-ahana-deol-in-mumbai | title=Designer Neeta Lulla With Daughter Nishka Lulla At The Wedding Reception Of Ahana Deol In Mumbai | date=3 February 2014 | publisher=Rediff | accessdate=5 November 2018 | archive-date=7 May 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507235043/http://pages.rediff.com/photoalbum/preview/rediff-bollywood-photos/top-bollywood-celebs-and-politicians-at-wedding-reception-of-ahana-deol/5835591/40457401/202510/36/designer-neeta-lulla-with-daughter-nishka-lulla-at-the-wedding-reception-of-ahana-deol-in-mumbai | url-status=dead }}</ref> | website = {{URL|http://www.neetalulla.com/}} }} '''Neeta Lulla''' is an Indian costume designer and fashion stylist who has worked on over 300 films.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/in-the-city/bollywood-favourite-designer-neeta-lulla-talks-shop-while-in-dubai|title=Bollywood favourite, designer Neeta Lulla talks shop while in Dubai|last=Assomull|first=Sujata|date=15 November 2015|work=Khaleej Times|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref> She has been designing wedding dresses since 1985. She is famed for designing costumes in ''Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari'', ''Khuda Gawah'', and ''Devdas''.
== 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 Sapna 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 Neeta's 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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Neeta Lulla's Bollywood brides|last=Pinto|first=Rochelle|date=22 October 2010|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
After successfully completing the challenge of designing for films like ''Mohenjo Daro'' (2016),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/250716/styling-for-the-era-not-easy-neeta-lulla.html|title=Styling for the era not easy: Neeta Lulla|date=25 July 2016|newspaper=Deccan Chronicle|first=Lipika|last=Varma|access-date=5 November 2018}}</ref> she plans on trying her hand in Tollywood again with Gautamiputra Satakarni.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/170716/neeta-lulla-to-work-in-tollywood-again.html|title=Neeta Lulla to work in Tollywood again|date=17 July 2016|newspaper=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=5 November 2018}}</ref>
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:<blockquote>“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.”<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/fashion/make-in-india-week-neeta-lulla-to-exhibit-paithani-line/|title=Make in India Week: Neeta Lulla to exhibit Paithani line|date=13 February 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref></blockquote>In 2013, Lulla opened The Whistling Wood International Neeta School of Fashion in her home city of Mumbai.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Neeta Lulla, Subhash Ghai to launch fashion school|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/neeta-lulla-subhash-ghai-to-launch-fashion-school/article23105607.ece|website=@businessline|date=16 July 2013 |language=en|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=Mumbai exudes a lot of style, says Neeta Lulla|last=Bakshi|first=Asmita|date=24 February 2014|work=India Today}}</ref> Neeta comments:<blockquote>"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."</blockquote>
== 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:<blockquote>"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."<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/fashion/shows/We-need-to-raise-our-voice-against-abuse-Neeta-Lulla/articleshow/51711874.cms|title=We need to raise our voice against abuse: Neeta Lulla|date=6 April 2016|work=Times of India|access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref></blockquote>
==Personal life== [[File:Nishka Lulla, Neeta Lulla at Esha Deol's wedding reception 05.jpg|thumbnail|Neeta Lulla at Esha Deol's wedding reception]] Neeta Lulla was born in Mumbai, India in a Sindhi family and grew up in Mumbai and Hyderabad.<ref name="ti">[https://www.telegraphindia.com/7-days/i-don-t-think-there-is-a-single-designer-who-has-never-made-a-faux-pas/cid/1535254 I don't think there is a single designer who has never made a faux pas]. ''Telegraph India''.</ref> She spent significant time in Film City, Mumbai, a film studio and completed her education from SNDT Women's University.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="ti"/> She is now married to Dr Shyam Lulla who is a psychiatrist.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
== 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<ref name=":1" />
==Awards== {{see|List of awards and nominations received by Neeta Lulla}} *National Film Award for Best Costume Design 2012 for ''Balgandharva'' *National Film Award for Best Costume Design 2009 for ''Jodhaa Akbar''. *IIFA Best Costume Design Award 2009 for ''Jodhaa Akbar''. *Kingfisher Fashion Award 2005 for Contribution to ''Fashion'' *Bollywood Movie Award – Best Costume Designer 2003 for ''Devdas''. *Zee Cine Award for Best Costume Designer 2003 for ''Devdas''. *National Film Award for Best Costume Design 2002 for ''Devdas''. *Bollywood Movie Award – Best Costume Designer 2001 for ''Mission Kashmir''. *IIFA Best Costume Design Award 2000 for ''Taal'' *Fashion Designer of the Decade at Satya Brahma founded Indian Affairs India Leadership Conclave 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianaffairs.tv/top-entrepreneurs-in-business-iconic-stars-in-cinema-shined-at-india-leadership-conclave-2016-s-ilc-power-brand-awards-2016/|title=Top Entrepreneurs in Business & Iconic Stars in Cinema shined at India Leadership Conclave 2016 's ILC Power Brand Awards 2016 – Indian Affairs|date=3 July 2016 |access-date=2016-07-29}}</ref> *Cannes Film Festival 2023 – Best Costume Award for ''Shaakuntalam''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-30 |title=Samantha’s costume designer Neeta Lulla wins the Best Costume Designer award at Cannes for ‘Shaakuntalam’ |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/samanthas-costume-designer-neeta-lulla-wins-the-best-costume-designer-award-at-cannes-for-shaakuntalam/articleshow/100593380.cms |access-date=2024-08-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> *National Designer Award – Best Ethnic Elegance Award (2023).<ref name="NDTV2023">{{cite web |title=World Designer Forum 2023: Neeta Lulla gets the Best Ethnic Elegance Award |url=https://ndtv.in/bollywood/world-designer-forum-2023-neeta-lulla-gets-the-best-ethnic-elegance-award-these-stars-attended-the-event-4831105 |website=NDTV India |date=9 January 2024}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website|http://www.neetalulla.com/}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lulla, Neeta}} Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century Indian designers Category:20th-century Indian women artists Category:21st-century Indian designers Category:21st-century Indian women artists Category:Artists from Mumbai Category:Best Costume Design National Film Award winners Category:Indian fashion stylists Category:Indian women fashion designers Category:Indian fashion designers Category:Women artists from Maharashtra Category:Indian Sindhi people Category:SNDT Women's University alumni