Bibhu Mohapatra

born in the indian state of orissa, fashion designer, bibhu mohapatra, earned a masters in economics from utah state university. but his love of fashion never wavered during these studies. with the encouragement of friends and family, he decided to pursue his dream and moved to new york city to attend the fashion institute of technology in 1996. he graduated one year later, having received the prestigious critic’s award for best evening wear designer of the year. in 1998, while at f.i.t., bibhu was offered a position as an assistant designer at halston. there, he developed his design skills and in 1999, when gilles mendel, ceo of the iconic french furrier j. mendel, sought to repackage his label into a more youthful brand and expand into ready-to-wear, he hired bibhu to help realize his vision. bibhu was appointed design director, and he transformed j. mendel into one of the most sought-after luxury fashion labels. the brand appeared regularly in the press and on the red carpet with an