Akbar Shahpurwala

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Akbar Shahpurwala
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Born17 December 1943
Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, India
Died21 May 2022
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Cause of deathParkinson's
NationalityIndian
Alma materSt. Xavier's College, Mumbai
OccupationFashion Designer
Spouse(s)Batul Shahpurwalla
Children3
Parent(s)Abbas Akbarali Shahpurwalla Zubeida Abbas Shahpurwalla
AwardsNational Film Award for Best Costume Design (1991) for Lamhe

Akbar Shahpurwala (17 December 1943 - 21 May 2022) was a National Award-winning Indian Fashion Designer and the founder of Gabbana by Akbar. He has designed for many Bollywood celebrities, including his dear friend, the Star of the Millennium Amitabh Bachchan, along with Rishi Kapoor, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Govinda, and many Notable films like Sholay (1975), Don (1978), Mr. Natwarlal (1979), Yaarana (1981), Agneepath (1990), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) and many more in his career that spanned over 50 years

Whilst in Kachins, his contribution also won him the prestigious National Film Award for Best Costume Design[1] for Lamhe in 1991.

In 1993, Akbar Shahpurwala founded Gabbana, wherein he brought well-known Italian brands to India and made fine Italian tailoring accessible.

Akbar Shahpurwala died of Parkinson's on 21 May 2022, aged 79.

Early life & family

Akbar Shahpurwala was born on 17 December 1943 in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh. But he was brought up in Mumbai along with an elder sister and a younger brother (who unfortunately died at a very young age). He studied at St. Mary's School, Mumbai, and later at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Akbar Shahpurwala was an avid reader and a great admirer of the works of Russian-born American author and philosopher Ayn Rand. He also loved playing cricket and watching movies.

He grew up dreaming of being the best-dressed person in an era when clothing was considered a mere necessity. He had a passion for learning about the latest fashion and dressing trends, which led him to travel to Europe to study fashion and practice at a leading clothing store in Piccadilly Circus, London.

Akbar Shahpurwala's father passed away of a heart attack while he was quite young after which his paternal uncle took him under his wings. He joined his family retail business ‘Elegant’ which was then situated in Mohammed Ali Road, Mumbai.

Personal life

In 1963, following his mother's wish Akbar Shahpurwala married Batul, at the mere age of 20. They had three children, two daughters Tasneem, and Sameena, and a son Abizar.

Career

Akbar Shahpurwala’s zeal and passion for creativity made him a self-taught tailor even prior to the opening of formal Institutions like NIFT and he perfected himself to work with the eyes rather than with measurements.

Akbar Shahpurwala started his career by joining his family business shop named ‘Elegant’ in 1960, which eventually led to the launch of ‘Kachins’ in 1973.

Later in 1993, Akbar Shahpurwala founded Gabbana. He brought well-known Italian brands like Pal Zileri, Gian Franco Ferre to India and made fine Italian tailoring accessible. He opened the first showroom in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai, and a second one 10 years later in Khar, Mumbai. He also launched in-house labels such as British Khakis & Aqis in 1995 followed by Akbar & Akbar Sports in 2009, engineered to provide comfort, style, and fit in the world of readymade.

Mr. Akbar Shahpurwala and bollywood

Akbar Shahpurwala’s popularity kept multiplying and he soon became the Fashion Icon of Indian Cinema and a thick friend of the Star of the Millennium Amitabh Bachchan, and a phrase rolled out “Amitabh made Akbar and Akbar made Amitabh.”

In the later years of their career, both did a ramp walk together at a Golden Jubilee celebration of BR Chopra Films, complimenting the role in each other’s lives.

Mehmood had introduced Amitabh Bachchan to Akbar Shahpurwala during the filming of their movie Bombay to Goa (1972)

Akbar had designed almost of Amitabh fil costumes for his films.[2]

Akbar Shahpurwala made his costume designing debut with the film Bobby (1973), starring Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia. Wherein he designed costumes for Rishi Kapoor.

Costume design filmography

Year Film Designed For
1973 Bobby Rishi Kapoor
1975 Sholay Amitabh Bachchan
1977 Zamaanat
1978 Don Amitabh Bachchan
1978 Chowki No.11
1979 Mr. Natwarlal Amitabh Bachchan
1979 Lok Parlok
1980 Premika
1980 Dostana
1980 Insaaf Ka Tarazu Men’s Costume
1981 Waqt Ki Deewar
1981 Khoon Aur Paani
1981 Pyaasa Sawan
1981 Yaarana Amitabh Bachchan
1981 Kaalia Amitabh Bachchan
1982 Teri Kasam Kumar Gaurav
1982 Deedar-E-Yaar Gents Costume
1982 Raaste Pyar Ke
1983 Prem Tapasya
1983 Nishaan
1983 Bekaraar Sanjay Dutt, Mohnish Bahl
1983 Pukar
1984 Mera Faisla
1984 Zakhmi Sher
1984 Karishmaa
1985 Saagar
1985 Mard
1986 Aag Aur Shola
1986 Dharm Adhikari
1987 Loha
1987 Apne Apne
1987 Jaan Hatheli Pe
1987 Insaf Ki Pukar
1988 Tezaab
1989 Joshilaay
1989 Asmaan Se Ooncha
1989 Aag Se Khelenge
1990 Agneepath
1990 Taqdeer Ka Tamasha
1990 Amiri Garibi
1990 Swarg
1991 Ranbhoomi
1991 Lamhe
1991 Maa
1993 Khalnayak
1995 Zamaana Deewana
1996 Prem Granth
1996 Tere Mere Sapne
1997
1998 Prem Aggan
2001 Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
2002 Hera Pheri
2003 Kucch To Hai
2004 Aan: Men at Work

About gabbana

Akbar Shahpurwala's dream was to make Gabbana[3] a brand that epitomized the best of Indian tailoring, yet offered a global outlook. He worked towards providing exceptional personalized tailoring solutions to his clients. Gabbana created designs that better suited a particular individual. From fabric to the innermost workings and complexities of a suit.

He institutionalized his caliber and shaped the largest Fashion Studio in Mumbai as Gabbana to provide personalized Dressing Solutions for the elites of Progressing India, be it from the Trade Industry, Politics, Bureaucracy, or Artists from the creative world.

After Akbar Shahpurwala’s death, his legacy is now carried forward by his daughter, Tasneem Shahpurwala, and her cousin Umaima.

In 2018, Rishab World[4], a leading diversified textile and garment conglomerate, collaborated with Gabbana and moved the city store at Mahalaxmi, Mumbai, to a new location at Hughes Road, Mumbai, in 2022, providing exceptional customer experiences.

Awards and achievements

1991 – National Award for Best Film Costumes for 'Lamhe'[5]

In the later years of their career, both Amitabh Bachchan and Akbar Shahpurwala did a ramp walk together at a Golden Jubilee celebration of BR Chopra Films, complementing the roles in each other’s lives.

Death

Akbar Shahpurwala was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Which was unfortunately diagnosed when it had reached its last stage, due to his good exercise routine. He died on 21 May 2022, at 79 years old.

His aura pulled many people into his life, including Karigars, Tailors, Masters, Designers, Stylists, and Artists who loved to remain his students forever.

Akbar Shahpurwala will forever be remembered for triggering the Look Smart, Feel Good, Do Well culture in aspiring Indians and thus participate in building a strong Nation!

After his death, many Bollywood celebrities mourned his demise as he was a renowned Bollywood Suit Stylist.[6][7]

Abhishek Bachchan who was then at the Cannes received this news upon his arrival and the actor mourned his demise[8][9] with a long, heartfelt note on Instagram[10]. Many celebrities started pouring love into the post. Filmmakers like Karan Johar and Farah Khan also wrote heartfelt messages expressing their grief. Among others who commented were Bobby Deol, Nimrat Kaur, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Dabboo Ratnani, and Manish Malhotra.

Media

References

  1. "39th National Film Awards", Wikipedia, 2023-04-24, retrieved 2023-11-18
  2. "Akbar Shapurwalla". The Times of India. 2002-10-11. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  3. "Premium Bespoke Men's Fashion - Shirts | Trousers | Suits | Tailoring". Gabbana India. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  4. "Rishab World - Home". Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  5. "39th National Film Awards", Wikipedia, 2023-04-24, retrieved 2023-11-18
  6. "Akbar Shapurwalla". The Times of India. 2002-10-11. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  7. "Abhishek Bachchan mourns the death of Akbar Shahpurwala who stitched his first suit". filmfare.com. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  8. "Abhishek Bachchan 'returned home to very bad news', mourns death of friend". Hindustan Times. 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  9. "Abhishek Bachchan returns from Cannes 2022 to bad news, mourns loss of friend Akbar Shahpurwala". India Today. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  10. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-11-18.

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