Premium men’s and women’s apparel brand S&N by Shantnu Nikhil launched a new travel collection at its newly opened exclusive brand outlet at the Inorbit Mall in Hyderabad. For this campaign of this collection, the brand collaborated with the luxury resort Raffles Udaipur. Named, ‘Corbett’, the safari-style collection is the brand’s first linen range, designed for comfort during the monsoon season.

Shot on the 21-acre island resort, the campaign for this collection features a curated selection of accessories and highlights the influence of Indian landscapes on the collection. The Corbett line is now available across all brand outlets and online.

By incorporating elements of vintage Indian travel and blending them with contemporary designs, the Corbett Luxe collection aims to offer pieces that not only reflect elegance and sophistication but also capture the adventurous spirit inherent in every traveler. The serene and opulent backdrop of Raffles Udaipur perfectly complements our vision, making this collaboration a remarkable journey through luxury and nature, say designers Shantanu& Nikhil Mehra.

With sales increasing by 130 per cent compared to the previous fiscal, D2C fashion startup Snitch’s share in the men’s fashion e-commerce market has escalated to 2.4 per cent.

The brand has witnessed overwhelming growth in the past four years. Marked by numerous milestones, the brand’s journey so far reflects its commitment to excellence and innovation, says SiddharthDungarwal, Founder, Snitch.

Currently operating 12 stores in cities such as Vadodara, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Surat, and Ahmedabad, Snitch also sells products online through its website. The brand recently enhanced its offline retail presence by opening a flagship store in Pune’s Amanora Mall, marking its 12th store.

Founded in 2020 in Bengaluru, fashion and lifestyle brand Snitch sells 15 units per minute across online and retail channels, offering a diverse product portfolio that includes men’s clothing, shoes, perfumes, and sunglasses. The brand recently raised Rs. 110 crore in its series A funding round.

Looking ahead, Snitch plans to open 40 more stores by the end of this fiscal year, targeting major metro cities such as Mumbai and Delhi.

AnujKejriwal, CEO & Joint Managing Director at Anarock Retail, remarked on how the Covid-19 pandemic catalyzed a seismic shift in India's retail landscape, elevating e-commerce to a cornerstone of consumer shopping habits. What began with irresistible discounts evolved into a lasting preference for online shopping, solidifying e-commerce's share of India's retail market. rising from 4.7 per cent in 2019 to 7.1 per cent by 2023, e-commerce is poised to breach 10 per cent by mid-2024.

Key to this transformation is the rise of omni-channel retailing, now indispensable for brands navigating the new consumer terrain. This strategy seamlessly integrates physical stores with digital platforms and mobile apps, ensuring a unified shopping experience. Originally pioneered abroad, India adopted omni-channel practices in 2017, with major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru leading the charge through brands like Levi’s and USPA.

Statistics underscore the strategy's efficacy: Over 70 per cent of Indian consumers research online before buying offline, reflecting a preference for integrated shopping experiences. Brands like Fabindia, Lenskart and Nykaa have thrived by combining online convenience with in-store engagement, achieving impressive conversion rates and customer loyalty.

Even as e-commerce booms, physical stores retain their allure, crucial for nurturing trust and enhancing brand prestige. In 2023, a 60 per cent surge in direct-to-consumer brands opening physical outlets highlights their enduring relevance.

Navigating this landscape demands seamless inventory management, innovative fulfillment options like click-and-collect services, and personalized customer interactions. By embracing omni-channel strategies, brands not only meet but exceed the expectations of today's Indian consumers, ensuring sustained growth in this dynamic retail environment.

Sustainable fashion brand Virgio has been recognised for its commitment to cruelty-free clothing by PETA, the world's largest animal rights organisation.

The brand’s dedication to ethical fashion has earned them the prestigious ‘PETA Approved Vegan’ certification. Amar Nagaram, Co-Founder and CEO, Virgio, says, the certification reflects the brand’s core values of ethics, transparency, and responsibility towards the environment and all its inhabitants. It's a major step forward in its mission to create eco-conscious fashion that respects animal welfare.

The fashion industry has long been criticised for its reliance on animal-derived materials like fur, leather, and wool, often obtained through unethical practices. Virgio is taking a stand against this by embracing sustainable and green practices. Their clothing utilizes vegan materials like natural fabrics, recycled materials, and plant-based alternatives.

The PETA certification signifies that Virgio's products are entirely free of animal-derived materials. PETA meticulously evaluated Virgio's supply chain, materials, and manufacturing processes to ensure they meet their stringent vegan standards.

In addition to womenswear, ethnic and fusion wear brand Suta has ventured into menswear with the launch of the ‘Adam Me’ collection. This line includes breezy, earthy-toned shirts that mirror the fusion style aesthetic of the brand's womenswear, all crafted from 100 per cent cotton.

Founded by Sujata and Taniya Biswas, Suta blends traditional craft techniques with modern, artisanal clothing and lifestyle goods. The brand's retail footprint includes stores in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Kochi, Kolkata, Thane, and Pune. Suta’s products are also available at various multi-brand stores such as Go Native, Chintz, Ladu, Anaarsakti, and The Common Good, among others. The brand recently launched a new brick-and-mortar store in Chennai. Located at The Croft, this outlet offers a range of dedicated product segments including kurta sets, dresses, viscose garments, sarees, and blouses.

Featuring the brand’s diverse collection of fusion-style jewelry designed to complement its apparel range, the boutique boasts a minimalist yet natural interior, highlighting Suta’s vibrant garments. The store launched with the brand’s latest collection, ‘Atrangi,’showcasing technicolor sarees with patterned borders suitable for both everyday and occasion wear.

Reliance Retail will host an exclusive wedding exhibition-‘The Wedding Collective’ from Aug 23-25, 2024, at the Jio World Convention C-entre in Mumbai.

The three-day exhibition will be attended by India’s leading wedding couturiers, luxury jewelry brands, beauty brands, wedding planners, etc. Over 100 brands will participate in the event.

Some of the designers participating in the event include Abu Jani-SandeepKhosla, Anita Dongre, , Arpita Mehta, Ekaya, Faabiiana, Gaurav Gupta, , KshitijJalori, KunalRawal, ManishaMalhotra, PayalSinghal, Rahul Mishra, Ritu Kumar, Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna, SangeetaKilachand, Krésha Bajaj, Shantnu& Nikhil, Delhi Vintage, Roseroom and SurilyGoel.

IshaMukeshAmbani, Director, Reliance Industries, says, the Wedding Collective promises to be the perfect showcase.The event will be supported by AjioLuxe, HSBC India, the Natural Diamond Council, and Tira Beauty.

As a venue for standout weddings, the JWCC has been designed to cater to events—both intimate and immense, Ambani adds.

Inspired by the popular Netflix series Bridgerton, luxury womenswear brand Madame has launched a new capsule collection that fuses the elegance of Regency-era fashion with Madame's signature modern touch.

The collection caters to fans who adore the show's regal aesthetic. It includes embroidered dresses, empire waists, sparkling embellishments, and flowy silhouettes – all reimagined for the contemporary woman. From luxurious fabrics to statement corsets, each limited-edition piece exudes a sense of historical grandeur with a modern twist.

Ideal for parties, events and soirees, the collection boasts a range of A-line dresses in premium fabrics and delicate florals. It also offers t-shirts with gold-colored lettering and rhinestone accents for Gen-Z customers, allowing them to add a Bridgerton flair to their casual outfits. Even workwear gets a sophisticated upgrade with shirts featuring ornate buttons.

This collection seamlessly blends the elegance of the past with contemporary style, says ParikaRawal, Design Head, Madame. It allows customers to escape into the world of Bridgerton's aristocracy, without sacrificing the brand's modern identity. This launch reinforces Madame's commitment to providing its global audience with the latest fashion trends.

Nykaa Fashion has launched a new campaign featuring actor JanhviKapoor and social media influencer KushaKapila to expand its customer base.

Kapoorsays, the curated collection of brands offered by Nykaa Fashion in its Global Store along with the designs from the House of Nykaa Fashion are incredible.

Nihir Parikh, CEO, Nykaa Fashion, adds, the curated collection from over 650 international brands and beloved homegrown favorites enables the e-commerce company to offercustomers everything they need to stay ahead in the game of fashion.

One of the fastest-growing fashion platforms in India, Nykaa Fashion houses over 3,200 brands across women, men, kids, luxe, and home categories to appeal to every consumer.

To increase the company’s business to Rs 1,000 crore by 2027, ABFRL plans to open 300 new stores of its brand Reebok in India over the next three years.

As per a report by India Retailing, ABFRL recently expanded Rebook’s presence in South India by opening two new stores in Chennai. Located in Anna Nagar and Phoenix Markettcity, Valechery, these stores offer a variety of apparel, footwear, and accessories that cater to different sports and fitness activities.

ABFRL acquired the exclusive licensing and distribution rights to sell Reebok products in India and South Asia after it signed a long-term agreement with the brand’s owner, Authentic Brands Group (ABG), in 2021. The agreement allows ABFRL to sell Reebok products through various channels including company-branded outlets, wholesale, and online.

A part of the Mumbai-based Aditya Birla Group, ABFRL manages brands such as Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Pantaloons, Allen Solly, and Peter England. Its international brand portfolio includes The Collective, Ralph Lauren, Hackett London, Ted Baker, Fred Perry, Forever 21, American Eagle, Reebok, and Galeries Lafayette. As of March 31, 2023, the company reported revenues of Rs. 12,418 crore and retail space spanning 10.8 million sq ft.

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) proudly announces the upcoming Hyundai India Couture Week, in collaboration with Reliance Brands, from July 24 to July 31, 2024, at the Taj Palace, New Delhi. This event is set to be a grand celebration of Indian fashion, highlighting the union of tradition and modernity through exceptional craftsmanship.

Celebrating artisanal excellence

This year’s edition focuses on the rich cultural heritage of India, showcased through the intricate designs of the country's top couturiers. Fourteen renowned designers, including Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Amit Aggarwal, and TarunTahiliani, will present collections that emphasize the artistry and handcrafting skills integral to Indian couture. Each designer's work will narrate stories that honor India’s cultural tapestry, blending traditional and contemporary elements.

FDCI's vision and commitment

Sunil Sethi, Chairman of FDCI, expressed his enthusiasm for the ongoing partnership with Hyundai and Reliance Brands. He highlighted that the event showcases the rich heritage and exceptional craftsmanship of Indian fashion. This edition of Couture Week aims to celebrate the visionary artistry of designers and emphasize the timeless beauty and cultural significance of handcrafted couture.

Hyundai's dedication to culture and creativity

TarunGarg, COO of Hyundai Motor India Limited, shared similar sentiments, highlighting Hyundai’s dedication to supporting artisans and promoting India's diverse cultural heritage. He emphasized that this partnership with ICW aligns with Hyundai’s vision of 'Progress for Humanity' and showcases the blend of Hyundai’s exceptional product design and engineering with the creativity of Indian fashion.

Reliance brands' support for Indian designers

JaspreetChandok, Group Vice President of Reliance Brands Ltd., emphasized the importance of the event in nurturing talent and advancing Indian couture. He noted that the event celebrates the rich tradition and contemporary evolution of Indian fashion, providing a platform for esteemed designers to showcase their exceptional craftsmanship.

A week of fashion extravaganza

The Hyundai India Couture Week 2024 promises an eight-day spectacle featuring the finest in Indian fashion. With a lineup of eminent designers and a commitment to celebrating both innovation and tradition, the event is set to inspire and set new trends in the fashion industry.

German sports footwear and apparel brand, Adidas plans to set up its first Global Capability Centre (GCC) across 45,000 sqft in Chennai. This is the company’s first center in Asia outside of China. Located in the Smartworks-managed Olympia Pinnacle on Old Mamallapuram Road, the facility accommodates 700 seats.

The GCC will handle functions such as planning and analysis, invoice-to-cash, record-to-report, and source-to-pay in India. Led by AkhilKapoor, Vice President of GBS Global Procurement and Head of GBS in India, the ‘state-of-the-art office’ represents a significant upgrade in infrastructure, facilities, and accessibility, reinforcing Adidas's position as a global GBS powerhouse.

Smartworks, which leased 200,000 sqft in Olympia Pinnacle last year, hosts the new Adidas office. The establishment of the GCC highlights India's appeal, offering cost efficiencies and a skilled talent pool. Global multinationals are increasingly leveraging GCCs in India for high-tech capabilities and innovations that drive their operations globally. As of FY23, India had around 2,740 GCCs, according to CBRE India.

While Bengaluru hosts majority of GCCs, Chennai accounts for approximately 9 per cent of the total GCCs in India. In FY24, Chennai leased 3.5 million square feet of GCCs compared to over 9 million square feet in Bengaluru and over 5 million square feet in Hyderabad. Notably, in December last year, Bank of America leased 1.1 million square feet in Chennai’s OMR zone, one of its largest captive centers outside the US.