Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) is returning to Mumbai's Jio World Convention Centre from March 13-17, 2024 in partnership with FDCI. Promising to be bigger and better than ever, this edition upholds its commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and showcasing the latest trends in Indian fashion.

Established in 1999, LFW has become a biannual landmark event, attracting designers, models, celebrities, and fashion enthusiasts from across the globe.

Renowned for its diverse platform, the show embraces models of various ages, sizes, and ethnicities, challenging traditional beauty standards and setting an inclusive example for the industry.

The dedicated "Gen Next" platform provides a launchpad for budding designers to showcase their talent and collections. This initiative has introduced renowned names like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Masaba Gupta, fostering innovation and propelling fresh perspectives into the fashion scene.

This year's edition will focus on eco-conscious collections and initiatives promoting responsible fashion practices. It will celebrate beauty in all forms through its diverse representation on the runway.

Department store giant Shoppers Stop has finally set foot in Rajasthan, opening its first store in Kota on Jhalawar Road. The new store boasts of a diverse selection of over 500 international, national, and exclusive brands across fashion, beauty, home decor, and lifestyle categories.

Catering to the city's young trendsetters, CEO Kavindra Mishra emphasized the store's focus is on Kota's vibrant student population, known for their fashion-conscious spirit. To cater to their needs, the store offers a dedicated personal shopper lounge and the coveted Citizen Club membership, Shoppers Stop's loyalty program.

For those seeking an elevated experience, the store introduces The Black Card Membership, offering exclusive perks like reimbursed parking, early access to sales, event invitations, and a year-long exchange policy.

Established in 1991, Shoppers Stop has grown into a retail powerhouse with over 106 stores in 56 cities. The Kota store marks their latest foray into a new market, further solidifying their position as a leading lifestyle destination.

Designer Vidhi Singhania has launched her new winter collection ‘Pashmina’, a line that celebrates the rich legacy of Pashmina weaving and artistry of Kashmiri hand embroidery.

Offering luxurious Pashima sarees, the collection has been created using the centuries-old heritage of Pashmina weaving techniques and handcrafted by skilled artisans from the region.The newly launched collection will be available of the designer’s website and select stores.

Vidhi Singhania is known for her handwoven heirlooms that embody India’s rich cultural heritage. She has been showcasing her collections for 25 years across the country. Known for aesthetic and dexterous detailing of rich, textured weaves and couture emanating elegance, grandeur and quality; Singhania has an undying passion for Indian textiles, its heritage and culture, and has over two decades spent for the betterment of weavers.

Multi-brand luxury Indian fashion retailer Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop organised a ‘meet the designer’ event for men’s and women’s occasion wear brand DiyaRajvvir at its Hyderabad boutique on January 11. The event also launched the brand’s latest designs in the city. 

Run by designer duo Diya and Rajvir, DiyaRajvvir sells menswear and womenswear from its direct to customer website as well as on multi-brand platforms. Established in 2015, the brand plans to infuse western sensibilities into traditional Indian garments such as lehengas and shararas. 

Launched by designer and entrepreneur Pernia Quereshi, Pernia’s Pop-Up Shop holds regular events at its stores across India’s metros to offer engaging experiences for shoppers and drive footfall offline. The retail store organises events like designer meet and greets as well as themed shopping fairs. Owned by Purple Style Labs, the business is currently being operated by entrepreneur Abhishek Agarwal.

Despite festive season sales offering discounts up to 65 per cent, shoppers remain unmoved, leaving retailers in a predicament. The usual end-of-season clearance, advanced two weeks to December in hopes of a pre-Republic Day surge, has fallen flat.

Brands like Pepe Jeans, grappling with ‘stress’ in the mass value segment, pinned their hopes on the EOSS to revive sales. However, Manish Kapoor, Managing Director, confesses, ‘growth is tepid.’ The industry anticipates a rough quarter ahead, with any potential recovery shimmering only after April. Experts point to a combination of factors. Inflation has squeezed disposable incomes, pushing priorities towards leisure and travel.

Brewing since January 2023, fashion retail slowdown has further dampened spirits. As per the Retailers Association of India, overall retail growth, once vibrant at 9 per cent in August and September, dipped to 7 per cent by November.

Muhammad Ali, CEO, Forum Malls acknowledges while restaurants are still buzzing, fashion retail is under stress. He attributes the slowdown to store expansions masking the demand slump. However, he remains optimistic, believing in the enduring appeal of physical retail and the need for brands to constantly reinvent themselves.

ICICI Securities' survey reveals aggressive discounting, with Shoppers Stop leading the pack at 66 per cent, compared to its peers hovering around 40 per cent. But even these deep cuts haven't lured customers back. The value fashion segment, particularly hard hit, struggles to reclaim pre-pandemic sales per square foot.

The story unfolding in India's apparel retail landscape is a cautionary tale. Discounts, once a magic wand, have lost their charm. Consumers, conscious of value and prioritizing experiences, demand more. The future lies in understanding these shifting preferences, innovating offerings, and creating experiences that go beyond price tags. Only then can the aisles of fashion stores reclaim their lost vibrancy.

The International Fashion Design Council (IFDC) has joined forces with Global India Couture Week (GICW) for a highly anticipated runway show in Jaipur from February 10 to 11. In a recent Jaipur launch event, the dates were unveiled alongside a model audition, signaling an exciting lineup of Indian brands.

GICW's focus for the upcoming season is to unite established brands with emerging designers, creating a platform for showcasing diverse Indian design talent. The model audition drew over 50 participants from cities like Jaipur, Gurugram, Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune, offering a valuable opportunity for aspiring models to elevate their fashion careers.

With India's commitment to sustainable fashion, the event aims to reach unprecedented heights, building on the success of GICW's fourth season, which featured designer Neeta Lulla and actor Palak Tiwari as the showstopper.

09 January 2024, Mumbai

WHY India

2023 witnessed a captivating fashion revolution in India. Like a vibrant runway show, global brands strutted into the market, leaving a trail of designer handbags and stylish threads.

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From luxury giants like Balenciaga under the Reliance umbrella to e-commerce favorites like BoohooMAN on Myntra, international names across segments flocked to this booming market. But what fueled this fashion invasion, and who are the next stars likely to grace the Indian stage in 2024?

Reliance Takes the Spotlight

Reliance Industries, the retail behemoth, orchestrated a breathtaking performance. Its subsidiary, Reliance Brands Ltd. (RBL), became the grand couturier, bringing in coveted luxury brands like Sandro, Maje, Valentino, and Balenciaga. These designer titans found a new stage in India, further solidifying RBL's position as a fashion-forward force.

"India's rising disposable income and evolving consumer preferences present a unique opportunity for luxury brands," stated Darshan Mehta, CEO and MD of RBL, in one of his reported interviews, highlighting the strategic logic behind his acquisitions.

E-commerce Catwalks onto the Scene

But the runway wasn't solely dominated by brick-and-mortar giants. E-commerce platforms like Myntra played a starring role, onboarding names like BoohooMAN, Anne Klein, NEXT, Oasis, and Parfois. This diverse bunch catered to a range of styles and budgets, making Myntra an international fashion hotspot for Indian shoppers.

"We are constantly working to expand our brand portfolio and offer curated experiences to our diverse customer base," explained Amar Nagaram, CEO of Myntra, emphasizing the platform's commitment to providing global options.

Beyond E-commerce and Reliance: More Players Join the Party

The fashion fiesta wasn't limited to these two titans. Birkenstock, the iconic sandal brand, announced plans to open 10 franchisee outlets through Varun Bagadiya, Director of Element Retail, bringing its comfort and style to a wider audience.

Social commerce also stepped onto the catwalk. Trell, a leading platform, partnered with Bestseller India to introduce European brands Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, and Only to its influencer network. This strategic move leveraged the power of social media to connect these brands with millions of fashion-conscious consumers.

What fueling this fashion invasion?

Several factors fueled this global fashion invasion. India's rapidly growing middle class, rising disposable income, and increasing internet penetration created a lucrative market for international brands.

Enablers

Additionally, the government's efforts to simplify FDI norms and foster a startup-friendly environment further strengthened India's appeal as a fashion destination.

"India's young and aspirational population, combined with its strong economic growth, makes it a highly attractive market for global brands," commented Abhishek Agarwal, Managing Director of Alchemy Capital, a private equity firm focused on consumer brands.

Who's Next on the Runway? Brands to Watch in 2024

With its young and evolving market, India promises to attract even more international names in 2024. Brands like Roberto Cavalli, Dunhill, Armani Caffe, and Foot Locker are reportedly in talks to enter the Indian market, potentially through Reliance and other major players.

Additionally, European and Turkish brands like Kiabi, Mavi, Damat, and Dufy are eyeing expansion into India.

The Future of the Indian Fashion Scene

This influx of global brands promises to have a lasting impact on the Indian fashion landscape. It will lead to increased competition, a wider variety of styles, and improved product quality. Additionally, it will expose Indian consumers to international trends and sensibilities, refining their tastes and preferences.

Quotes

"The Indian fashion market is poised for further growth and diversification," predicted Ritu Bansal, Founder and CEO of Ritu Kumar, a leading Indian fashion designer. "We can expect to see a unique blend of global trends and Indian sensibilities emerge in the coming years."

Narrative

As the Indian fashion story continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the future promises to be bold, stylish, and full of surprises.

This market, once a spectator on the global fashion stage, is now taking center stage, captivating audiences with its own vibrant narrative.

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