Captivating the audience with a vibrant display of traditional occasion wear, fashion maestro JJ Valaya unveiled his latest collection, ‘Char,’ at the Blenders Pride Fashion Nxt event in Hyderabad.

Themed around red carpets and radiating glamour, the runway show featured celebrity showstoppers Mrunal Thakur and Jim Sarbh, who walked the ramp in stunning monochrome ensembles.

Showcased under his ready-to-wear diffusion line, Valaya's ‘Char, ’collection featured sarees and lehengas in abstract animal prints and sepia floral motifs, while the men's wear featured geometric patterns.

A collaborative effort with the Fashion Design Council of India, Blenders Pride Fashion Nxt allows Indian designers to showcase their creativity in unique and conceptual ways.

Ashish Soni, Curator-in-Chief, Blenders Pride Fashion Nxt, the show brings high fashion and glamour to new audiences in an unprecedented way. It caters to the aspirations of young Indian consumers by tapping the ever-evolving pulse of fashion, he adds.

With its bold graphics and traditional silhouettes Valaya's ‘Char’ collection left a lasting impression on the audience and solidified the brand’s position as a leading force in Indian fashion.

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.

08 February 2024, Mumbai

Move over smartphones; fashion is the new focus of Indian consumer spending. While traditionally dominated by necessities like food and household items, the share of apparel and fashion in Indian consumer’s baskets is witnessing a dramatic rise.

Evolving landscape

The consumer's wardrobe is undergoing a metamorphosis, with fashion and apparel claiming a large share of their spending.

This shift, however, isn't uniform across segments, sectors, or locations. However, it presents exciting opportunities for brands and retailers and also demands a closer look at the driving forces behind this trend.
Growing share of fashion and apparel

Many factors have worked in synchronization to drive this change among consumers. With economic growth, household budgets see more room for discretionary spending, with fashion becoming a priority for many.

Also, the growing urban population and evolving lifestyles are pushing demand for trendy and comfortable clothing. Social media too has had an influence, with Instagram and YouTube fueling fashion consciousness, especially among younger generations.

Then there is the e-commerce boom, with online shopping offering convenience, a wider selection, and competitive prices, making fashion more accessible.
Metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru lead the fashion charge, accounting for 40 percent of spending.

Bharat i.e. India

However, Tier II & III cities are witnessing explosive growth at 25 per cent CAGR, fueled by rising incomes and internet penetration.

In fact, the share of fashion spending is growing faster in Tier II, III cities and rural areas compared to metros. Even though metros have a large share of fashion spend (refer table). Perhaps this is being driven by Tier II & III cities’ desire to emulate metro trends, creating a distinct growth opportunity.

Quotes

"The rise of Tier II & III cities presents a massive untapped potential. Brands that understand the unique needs and aspirations of these consumers will be well-positioned for future growth," predicts Rajesh Gupta, CEO of a retail consultancy firm.
Metros vs small cities

Even among segments, it’s the premium segment that has seen the most growth (refer to the table) at 25 per cent followed by mid-price and then economy
Segment growth

Among categories, menswear and women’s wear are neck-and-neck, each contributing around 45 per cent of the market and growing almost at similar levels. Kid’s wear is following swiftly behind at 10 per cent, driven by rising disposable incomes and brand awareness among young parents.
Category growth

Changing retail patterns
While online fashion sales are booming at a staggering 35 per cent CAGR, physical stores still hold a 70 per cent market share.

However, the lines are blurring with omnichannel strategies gaining traction. Myntra, the leading online fashion platform, saw a 50 per cent increase in active users in 2022 compared to 2021.

New paradigms

Moreover, rural markets, traditionally focused on essentials, are witnessing a surge in fashion spending, driven by rising disposable incomes and internet penetration. Ethnic wear brands are experiencing a revival, with consumers seeking a blend of tradition and contemporary styles.
Opportunities for brands and retailers
With changing spending patterns, it does throw up many opportunities for apparel brands and retailers. They need to strategies and focus on value and affordability to cater to the diverse needs of Indian consumers across income levels and regions.

Embrace omnichannel strategies and blend online and offline experiences to provide seamless shopping journeys.

Green products; With consumers increasingly conscious of their environmental and social impact, offering sustainable and ethically sourced products can be a differentiator.

Forward guidance

Personalization and customization to cater to individual preferences and styles through targeted marketing and product offerings will be another plus.
The changing share of fashion and apparel in Indian consumer spending presents a unique opportunity for the industry.

By understanding the driving forces, embracing the trends, and catering to the evolving consumer, brands can unlock significant growth potential in this dynamic market.

Latest Textile Events

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.

Popular legwear brand Balenzia has partnered with WWF India to launch a special socks collection called ‘Love for Wild.’ This initiative harnesses the power of fashion to support wildlife conservation efforts and spark meaningful conversations about environmental stewardship.

Rahul Gupta, Director, Balenzia, says, going beyond just design, this collection reflects the brand’s shared commitment to protect wildlife and their habitats.

The "Love for Wild" range features vibrant, organic cotton socks for both men and women. They are adorned with eye-catching prints of iconic Indian animals like the Bengal tiger, Indian one-horned rhino, and Asian elephant.

Kaveri Jain, Director-Marketing and Communications, WWF India, adds, conserving wildlife requires collaboration from all sectors, and this partnership is a great example of how businesses can make a positive impact.

The ‘Love for Wild’ collection will be available online and in Balenzia's brick-and-mortar stores across India.

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.