13 April 2023, Mumbai 

India's leading fashion company, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL), has partnered with 1M1B to launch the Green Jobs and Sustainability Accelerator program.

The program aims to raise awareness among young people about climate change and encourage their participation in the fight against it. The initiative, which involves a seven-day program for students from over 25,000 schools and colleges, seeks to mobilize one million young people by 2030 to contribute to climate change action.

The program includes internship and workplace experiences at ABFRL and is designed to equip students with valuable skills and perspectives to make a positive impact on the environment.

The top student team will be invited to present their work at the UN headquarters in New York this year. ABFRL aims to support 20 students through the initiative, which is a significant step towards promoting sustainability and social responsibility in the long term.

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The fashion and apparel category is projected to have the highest share, at 25%, of the estimated overall online retail spends of $140 billion to $160 billion by 2025, according to a report by Boston Consulting Group and Matrix Partners India. This growth is expected to replace the mobile devices category, which is expected to fall to 23% in 2025 from 32% in 2021.

The report also suggests that as affluence in the country increases, discretionary spending will drive growth in categories beyond food and clothing. High-affluent households are expected to spend a lower percentage of their income on food and clothing and more on discretionary purchases such as transportation, communication, leisure, education, and more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the fashion industry in India, accelerating the shift towards e-commerce. To sustain growth in the fashion sector, the report recommends maximizing customer lifetime value by expanding offerings, driving loyalty through customer retention, and focusing on cross-selling and up-selling.

The adoption of AI and analytics across the value chain, alongside expanding distribution across channels and geographies, will also be essential for driving sustainable growth.

30 March 2023, Mumbai 

Indian retailers are expected to lease 5-6 million sq ft of space in 2023, almost reaching pre-COVID levels of 2019, according to property consultant CBRE.

Fashion and apparel, homeware, and department stores are expected to lead the leasing activity as they look to open more stores this year to overcompensate for slow expansion during the first two pandemic years.

Top companies including Reliance Retail, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, D'Mart, Tata's Trent, and Starbucks continue to add stores, while many brands are in search of bigger spaces. Retailers in India leased almost 4.7 million square feet of space across top cities in 2022. CBRE predicts that India’s strong domestic consumption will continue to strengthen the retail sector, which will see a strong supply pipeline in 2023, driving leasing activity.

Retailers are increasing store size by 30-40%, and some have even doubled their store size to give shoppers a better experience despite rising rentals. Consumers are increasingly looking for unique experiences, and retailers are adopting innovative concepts to draw crowds. The trend is mostly prevalent among food and beverage retailers, but other categories are also likely to adopt this approach to expand their footprint and existing customer base.

Indian consumers have remained confident about their personal economic situation despite the current global outlook, and although household spending has held up so far, consumers are likely to keep a close eye on inflationary pressures and their impact on commodity prices going forward.

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12 April 2023, Mumbai 

The India in Fashion exhibition, currently underway in Mumbai, is showcasing the country's traditional dress, textiles, and crafts, and how they have influenced international fashion since the 18th century.

The exhibition, curated by English fashion editor Hamish Bowles, opened on April 1 at the newly-opened Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and was attended by some of India's biggest celebrities, fashion designers, and influencers, making it a grand affair.

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The exhibition features ten sections with each having its own grand setting designed by multi-disciplinary artist Patrick Kinmonth in collaboration with Mumbai-based architect and designer Rooshad Shroff.

The exhibition is a blend of the past and present, showcasing Indian chintz, muslin, and other fabrics, and how they have been used in Indian and international clothing cultures.

The exhibition also highlights the journey of Indian textile and crafts traditions to the West, which have faced many socio-political and economic challenges. The exhibition showcases vintage gowns, traditional Indian ensembles, and contemporary Indian brands, demonstrating the impact of India on Western fashion and couture.

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05 April 2023, Mumbai

Zodiac, a leading fashion brand, has launched its summer collection with Linen fabric, recognized as the world's strongest natural fiber.

The summer collection's color palette reflects the mesmerizing sight of Positano, a quaint town situated at the Amalfi Coast on the Italian Riviera. The collection features beige, pink, yellow, and terra cotta colors, reminiscent of the town's cascading houses on the hillside to the crystal blue Mediterranean waters.

The Linen shirts become more comfortable with every wash and wear, and the sophisticated, naturally wrinkled appearance adds to the elegance of the summer look. The collection is available in a wide range of solids, stripes, and checks in both short and long sleeves and can be paired with ZODIAC Linen Jackets, Trousers, and Bandhgalas for a very sophisticated ensemble.

Linen, woven from the stem of the Flax plant, is one of the oldest fibers used in textile weaving. The unique weave of the Linen fabric ensures air moves freely, making it an ideal summer garment.

Zodiac uses Linen that is woven from Flax grown in the Normandy region of France, known for its exceptional quality. The soil and climatic conditions of this region, coupled with generations of expertise inherited by the local Flax growers, result in taller, more slender flax plants, which produce high-quality Linen fabric.

Salman Noorani, Vice Chairman & M.D. of ZCCL, commented on the launch, saying, "For almost two decades, we have brought to the discerning Indian male arguably the finest collection of ready-to-wear Linen. In fact, our customers make it a point to refresh their summer wardrobe every year given the harsh temperatures that we see across India."

The Zodiac summer collection is now available in stores and online, offering a luxurious yet comfortable wardrobe option for the hot summer months.

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 29 March 2023, Mumbai 

Luxury fashion brand Dior is set to make history by holding its pre-fall 2023 show at the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

The show, which will take place on March 30, marks the first time a major European luxury brand has held an official calendar show in India. The collection will feature stunning evening coats, silk dresses, and skirts inspired by desi silhouettes, according to a report by Business of Fashion.

The show is a collaboration between Maria Grazia Chiuri, the creative director of Dior, and Mumbai-based atelier Chanakya School Of Craft, which celebrates India’s embroidery culture and empowers women artisans.

India is a prime market for fashion brands due to its young population, with 65% of people under the age of 35, and a growing number of millionaires. The country’s digital revolution has made luxury brands more accessible to affluent fashionistas in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, resulting in a boost in sales for international luxury companies. The Euromonitor predicts that the Indian luxury market will grow from $5.9 billion in 2022 to $6.1 billion in 2023.

Dior has a long history with India, having been inspired by the country’s intricate embroidery for its autumn-winter 1955 haute couture collection. The off-white dress with patterns of gold and peacock motifs, known as ‘Soiree de Lahore’, is vintage elegance personified and featured a shoulder drape inspired by the Indian pallu.

Dior’s decision to hold a standalone show in India highlights the commitment to empowering women artisans and celebrating India’s rich embroidery culture.

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 10 April 2023, Mumbai 

The Government of India's Central Wool Development Board is planning to establish a Pashmina Wool Bank in Kashmir, aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the Changthang community, which relies on the production of Pashmina wool.

The Director of Handicrafts and Handloom in Kashmir held a meeting to discuss the implementation of the Pashmina Wool Development Scheme (PWDS) and to ensure that the proposed Pashmina Wool Bank will provide certified/graded Pashmina wool for weavers and artisans in the region.

The Pashmina Wool Bank is expected to create a more competitive Pashmina wool sector by procuring bulk raw Pashmina wool at suitable prices or MSP from Changthang communities, as well as by providing critical marketing support to stakeholders involved in the production and processing of Pashmina fiber.

The department is exploring possible areas for private-public partnerships with major stakeholders to ensure a result-oriented output while preserving the ancient craft of Pashmina production.

The initiative recognizes the economic and cultural importance of Pashmina in providing livelihood opportunities to breeders, artisans, and traders across Kashmir and Ladakh regions.

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 04 April 2023, Mumbai

Lee has opened the largest store in India, located in Bengaluru. Lee already operates about 40 exclusive brand outlets across India, and with the opening of 40 new stores this year, the brand is set to expand its reach further.

Spread over 4,200 square feet, the new flagship store is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including electronic shelf talkers, smart mirrors for personalized recommendations, and customization sections. The store in Bengaluru is expected to offer customers an unparalleled shopping experience with its cutting-edge technology and personalized services.

The popular denim brand globally, has been expanding its footprint in India through Ace Turtle's omnichannel platform. The platform leverages data to optimize the entire supply chain, from design to manufacturing, resulting in efficient operations and improved customer experiences. As the official licensee for Lee in India, Ace Turtle has been instrumental in driving the brand's growth in the country.

The new flagship store in Bengaluru is expected to be a significant milestone in Lee's expansion strategy and its focus on technology and customization is expected to appeal to a broad range of customers.

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 27 March 2023, Mumbai 

In a momentous event, Eli Bitton, the Israeli fashion house, has launched its flagship store in West Patel Nagar, New Delhi.

The brand's objective was to offer a range of contemporary apparel designs for women, including evening and casual wear, as well as leisure wear. The newly launched 'Brilliant Pop Collection' was among the display of the brand's most promising designs.

Having been in Israel for more than 30 years, the brand has been making efforts to establish its presence in India with unique designs and a range of size options for women. It is noteworthy that Eli Bitton is among the first designer labels to have a dedicated embroidery studio. The collection includes a variety of ready-to-wear, including embroidered evening gowns, mini dresses, lehengas, and other contemporary apparel.

The launch of Eli Bitton's flagship store in India is a significant step towards achieving its objective of offering unique designs and contemporary apparel options for women.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the brand expanded its design departments to cater to a more extensive audience, with considerable growth in sales observed in the casual-wear and leisure suit section.

Eli Bitton is now planning to open more outlets in India, particularly in Delhi, while maintaining the quality and exclusivity of its designs. With these expansion plans, the brand is set to become a significant player in the Indian fashion industry.

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