Meena Bindra, an 83-year-old entrepreneur and the founder of the ethnic wear brand BIBA, has been recognised as the leading fashion entrepreneur in the 2026 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List. This annual compilation, released by Candere in collaboration with Hurun India, acknowledges the achievements of 117 women in various sectors. It was unveiled on Wednesday and highlights the contributions of women across twelve categories.

In the Fashion and Lifestyle sector, Bindra secured the top spot, primarily attributed to BIBA’s impressive annual revenue of Rs 758 crore. This achievement places her ahead of renowned fashion designers and entrepreneurs in the country.

Leading Figures in the Indian Fashion Ecosystem

Meena Bindra established BIBA in 1988, starting from her home in Delhi. The brand has since evolved into a household name throughout India, known for providing affordable yet desirable ethnic wear. Following Bindra in the rankings is Lavanya Nalli, vice chairperson of Nalli Silks, who is in second place with annual revenue of Rs 622 crore. Notable designer Anita Dongre ranks third, having recorded a revenue of Rs 368 crore for her House of Anita Dongre.

The list also features Ritu Kumar, a veteran couturier at age 81, in the fourth position, while Simran Lal of Nicobar rounds out the top five. Other notable names include Anita Lal of Good Earth, Shivani Poddar and Tanvi Malik of Indya, fashion designer Masaba Gupta of House of Masaba, and couturier Anamika Khanna. This selection reflects the rich diversity within India’s fashion industry, encompassing ethnic wear, luxury lifestyles, and contemporary fashion.

Acknowledgement of Legacy and Emerging Leadership

The Candere Hurun list is significant as it showcases both legacy and next-generation leadership in the fashion domain. Notably, Meena Bindra is the oldest individual recognised in the Fashion and Lifestyle category, while Masaba Gupta, aged 36, represents the younger generation. Gupta recently made her debut at the India Couture Week 2026 held in New Delhi, where her collection garnered praise from the fashion community.

Additionally, the broader findings from Hurun indicate a growing presence of women across various industries. The 2026 list includes 117 women, marking a 21 per cent increase from the previous year. Within this framework, the Culture pillar, which encompasses fashion, literature, and achievements in sports, has the highest number of honourees, with 42 leaders acknowledged.

Of particular note in the report is the fact that 98 out of the 117 women featured are self-made, underscoring the rise of entrepreneurial leadership among women in India. This trend highlights the evolving landscape of women’s influence in the business and fashion sectors, promoting a narrative of empowerment and innovation in contemporary society.

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