The Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards, held in Mumbai on October 19, honoured outstanding women across various industries. Esteemed fashion designer Anita Dongre was named Best Fashion Designer, recognizing her contributions to empowering women through fashion.

In her acceptance speech, Anita Dongre spoke about the early aspirations that shaped her career, emphasizing the importance of her work in empowering women. She reflected on how her journey began with a desire to create designs that boost women's confidence and expressed gratitude for being able to live that dream today.

Dongre also highlighted the responsibility she feels in influencing so many lives and encouraged women in India to overcome limiting beliefs and pursue their dreams with determination.

The award was presented to Dongre by Avani Lekhara, Paralympic gold meda llist, making the moment even more special for the designer. Dongre expressed admiration for Lekhara’s determination and grit.

This year’s awards introduced a ‘chain of empowerment,’ with each winner presenting the next category’s award, symbolizing the power of women lifting one another. The event showcased resilience, achievement, and the spirit of unity among women leaders.

21 October 2024, Mumbai

Actor Sanjeeda Sheikh turned show stopper for designer Royal Ally by Salina Samal on the inaugural day of the Bombay Times Fashion Week, with her presence representing the designer’s vision of modern royalty.

Showcasing a collection featuring rich fabrics and intricate detailing, Sheikh captivating looks stole the limelight at the show. She showcased a collection featuring designs that blended tradition and contemporary style, making them a true testament to the artistry involved in creating modern couture.

Another standout was the collection titled Chiraiyaa, which celebrated Odisha's handloom heritage while incorporating the opulence of Banarasi textiles. This exquisite collection of sarees was a perfect fusion of time-honored craftsmanship and modern glamour. Including shells and mirrors, these intricate embellishments showcased traditional techniques reimagined with a fresh, contemporary perspective.

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Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL) is partnering with UK-based Mothercare plc to establish a joint venture aimed at expanding the Mothercare brand across South Asia. Under the agreement, Reliance Brands Holding UK Limited (RBL UK), a subsidiary of Reliance Brands Limited, will hold a 51 per cent stake, while Mothercare will retain 49 per cent.

The joint venture will oversee Mothercare’s operations in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, serving as the franchisor for the brand. RBL UK will acquire the stake for £16 million.

Reliance currently operates 87 Mothercare stores across India, having first acquired the brand’s Indian rights in 2018. This partnership will strengthen the brand’s presence across the region and offer new growth opportunities.

Reliance Brands Managing Director Darshan Mehta expressed enthusiasm for the venture, emphasizing Mothercare's trusted reputation among Indian parents. Clive Whiley, Chairman of Mothercare, praised the agreement for reinforcing the brand's operations and highlighting its market strength in South Asia.

The partnership aims to further integrate both companies' expertise in the region while capitalizing on Mothercare's established brand appeal.

Manoj Kumar, Chairman, KVIC, along with KN Srivasta, Director, India International Centre (IIC), inaugurated the exhibition, ‘KhadiFor Fashion,’ in New Delhi. Based on the theme ‘Khadi: The Fabric of Freedom, The Language of Fashion’ (Khadi: The Cloth of Freedom, The Language of Fashion), the exhibition has been organised in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Khadi (COEK) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). It urges visitors to explore Khadi's remarkable journey—starting from hand-spun fabric during India's freedom movement under Mahatma Gandhi to its current status as a symbol of sustainability and modern fashion.

The exhibition showcases khadi clothes, sarees, home textiles, and contemporary designs developed by COEK's design team, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics. Having played a key role in the freedom movement under Gandhi’s leadership, Khadi has now become a fashion icon, and is currently known as the 'New Khadi of New India,’ Kumar said. Under Prime Minister Narender Modi’s leadership, Khadi’s business turnover increased from Rs 31,000 crore ten years ago to over Rs1.55 lakh crore in the FY 2023-24 he added.

Further Kumar said, PM Modi's popular 'Mann Ki Baat' program has made Khadi garments a new status symbol among the youth. Innovative products developed by COEK have also played a crucial role in popularizing Khadi. Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan in Connaught Place, Delhi, sets new sales records every year on Gandhi Jayanti, with this years’ sales surpassing Rs2 crore, he added.

Kumar appealed to all citizens to purchase more Khadi products this festive season, helping spread the joy of festivals to the homes of artisans and craftsmen who work tirelessly to produce high-quality goods. KVIC and NIFT officials and employees attended the event.

The Retailers Association of India (RAI) has reported a 5 per cent growth in the retail sector for September 2024, compared to the same period last year, according to its 55th Retail Business Survey. The survey indicates that consumer spending is selective, with hopes for improved performance during the upcoming festive season following a sluggish April-September period.

RAI CEO Kumar Rajagopalan noted that the September figures highlight an opportunity for retailers to adapt to consumer trends as they prepare for the holiday season. He emphasized the importance of energizing consumer demand to drive long-term success, as the economic landscape remains positive.

Regional growth varied, with North India leading at 7 per cent, followed by West and South India at 5 per cent each, and East India at 4 per cent. Among retail categories, food and grocery saw the highest growth at 12 per cent, while jewellery grew by 8 per cent compared to September 2023.

Despite the cautious spending, consumers are willing to invest where they perceive value, offering a promising outlook for retailers as the festive season approaches.

To retail their labels exclusively in the United States, internationally acclaimed Indian designers Anamika Khanna and Rahul Mishra have teamed up the American luxury retailer Saks.

These partnerships make the latest collections from Khanna’s AK|OK and Mishra’s AFEW labels available on Saks website and select Saks Fifth Avenue stores in the US.

Tracy Margolies, Chief Merchandising Officer, Saks, says, by partnering with Mishra and Khanna, Saks is able to offer a refreshing take on timeless, everyday dressing. The collaboration also celebrates Indian heritage and artistry through the launch of these brands brands on the Saks website.

Khanna adds, having a presence at Saks provides the label with an opportunity to reach a wider, more diverse audience and further inspire shoppers with the free spirit that embodies AK|OK. The luxury retailer hosted a launch event in New York City with both designers unveiling their women’s ready-to-wear collection. Talking about the collaboration, Mishra says, the label AFEW Rahul Mishra at Saks embodies a vision of effortless, easy-to-wear luxury tailored to the modern woman’s wardrobe.

Apparel Group plans to expand the retail footprint of its lifestyle fashion brand R&B to 250 stores by 2025-end. The group recently opened two new stores of the brand at Burjuman Mall in Dubai and Mazyad Mall in Abu Dhabi.

Known as one of the fastest growing lifestyle fashion brands in the UAE, R&B currently operates over 135 stores in the region. The brand aims to not only open new stores but also create a vibrant, customer-focused omni channel environment for its customers. The brand’s new stores feature over 10,000 styles of apparel and fashion accessories designed to cater to a wide variety of consumers.

Nilesh Ved, Founder and Chairman, AppCorp, the brand’s new stores at Burjuman Mall &Mazyad Mall help provide customers witha convenient access to trendy and affordable fashion.

A leading name in high-street fashion, Azorte has entered into the Punjab market with its first ever store in Jalandhar. This is the brand’s 29th store across India and offers a unique blend of contemporary Indian and international fashion that empowers self-expression.

Through its stores, Azorte provides on-trend styles and reinvented classics to its customers to future-proof wardrobes. Shoppers can expect an expansive selection of western wear, Indian wear, kids' clothing, footwear, fashion accessories, and beauty products, all curated to reflect an uncompromising take on style.

Each of Azorte’s store features smart trial rooms, mobile-enabled ‘scan and go’ technology, fashion discovery stations, and self-checkout kiosks, ensuring that customers enjoy convenience along with a modern and immersive shopping experience.

Zara launched its maiden collaborative collection in India in partnership with multi-hyphenated artist Jayesh Sachdev. The global fashion brand has unveiled a limited-edition capsule collection titled 'Reverie' that aims to make high fashion accessible to all, irrespective of their background.

At the core of this collaboration is a stunning 10-ft sculpture of a tiger, which serves as the pièce de résistance of the project. Displayed at Zara’s flagship store in Phoenix Palladium, Mumbai, this sculptor will also feature in the special corners of the brand’s stores in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, and Gurgaon.

The collaboration highlights Zara’s commitment to celebrate cultural diversity and foster creativity within the fashion industry. By partnering with Sachdev, a celebrated artist known for his innovative approach, Zara not only enhances its product offering but also enriches the shopping experience for its customers.

This launch also sets the stage for the brand’s future collaborations in India that blend art and fashion in meaningful ways.

A wedding and occasion wear brand by Aditya Birla Fashion Retail (ABFRL) launched in collaboration with Tarun Tahiliani, Tasva unveiled its Autumn/Winter 2024 Wedding Collection, ‘Baaraat by Tasva,’ at the Travancore Palace in Delhi.

Featuring actor RanbirKapoor as the showstopper in a blush pink sherwani, the collection included kurtas, Indo-western outfits, footwear, and accessories. The ollection allows grooms to express their individuality while honoring tradition, emphasizes Kapoor. It redefines menswear with its unique blend of luxurious textures with bold silhouettes, redefining menswear and making every groom’s journey unforgettable, he adds.

The event also featured notable figures like Vihaan Samat, Anubhav Singh Bassi, and digital influencers who added a youthful energy to the show. Their presence underscored Tasva’s ethos of blending tradition with modernity.

Inspired by diverse influences such as Romanesque architecture, baroque opulence, and abstract art, the Baaraat collection boasts of intricate embroidery, mirror work, and pearl embellishments, with a color palette ranging from soft pastels to deep jewel tones. The collection’s contemporary silhouettes, including sherwanis and tailored jackets, offer a fresh take on traditional wedding wear.

The collection is available Tasva’s exclusive stores across India and online at www.tasva.com.

Asics Sportstyle has re-launched its SkyhandOG sneakers range that was discontinued inthe year 1994.

Based on the original design of the Skyhand handball shoes, the range has been updated for everyday lifestyles with modern materials and cushioning properties.

The reimagined range of Skyhand OG sneakers is endorsed by Bollywood actress, Shraddha Kapoor and highlights her fluid style as she showcases the classic yet versatile shoes, which provide both style and comfort.

Retainingits traditionally slim and low-profile aesthetic, the reimagined sneaker range has been updated with the Flytefoam™ Propel cushioning and an EVA heel wedge. The application helps provide a comfortable experience while preserving the shoe’s minimalist design DNA.

For their first season, the shoes have been launched in two different materials. One of these with the original design from 1994 as it featuresa synthetic leather paneling that’s offset with suede details on the eyestay.

The other material used is suede paired with Asics Stripes and heel tabs made from synthetic leather. Priced between Rs8,999 –Rs9,999, the Skyhand™ OG sneakers are currently available across select Asics stores as well as online platform.

Joining a growing list of companies tapping the busy capital market, Indian budget supermarket chain Vishal Mega Mart has launched a $952 million (Rs 80 billion) IPO.

The company received approval for its public offering from the Securities and Exchange Board of India last month after a confidential filing earlier in the year.

Kotak Mahindra Capital, Jefferies India, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley are some of the companies vying for the IPO.

Starting off as a small clothing store in 2001, Vishal Mega Mart has expanded to 600 stores, mainly in smaller cities, that sell clothes and grocery items. It competes with Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Tata Group's Trent and grocery retailer Avenue Supermarts.

This year, Indian stock markets grown sharply, attracting over 260 companies to raise more than $9 billion, more than double the amount raised via IPOs last year, as per data from LSEG.