Akbar Shahpurwala

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 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.
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 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, 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' ===
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.
Abhishek Bachchan who was then at the Cannes received this news upon his arrival and the actor mourned his demise with a long, heartfelt note on Instagram. 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==
Category:1943 births
Category:2022 deaths
Category:Indian people
Category:People from Neemuch