Kadambini Devi- was the woman who brought the "Bombay Style" of wearing saree among the then conservative Bengali women. It was her independent ideologies and ecstatic fashion sence which helped her to take such a step.
Since then we have travelled a long way. In fact, Indian fashion has explored a lot many destinations. Today the textile industry is the single largest foreign exchange earner for India. Currently it accounts for about 8% of GDP, 20% of the industrial production and over 30% of export earning of India and it has only 2-3% import intensity. Abount 38 million people are gainfully employed with the industry making it the second largest employment providing sector after agriculture. Infact, India has the second highest spindleage in the world after China. Currently it contributes about 15% of world cotton textiles.
Many corporate firms are also entering the fashion world. Gujrat based Arvind Brands has eight brands under it like Wrangler, Excalibur etc. ICICI ventures holds 54% stakes in Arvind Brands and hence is no longer a subsidiary of the Lalbhai Groups. Tommy Hilfiger was launched by Arvind Brands in India.
Brands like Color Plus, Parx, Park Avenue is owned by Gautam Hari Singhania of Raymond Limited.
It can be said that India's fashion has reached its zenith in the last 10 years. One striking reason for this can be considered as the influence of the western countries. International labels like Vogue, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana is gradually swallowing the Indian market.
As a result, the youth of India is getting more inclined towards fashion. Infact, this is also creating a great impact on the mass. India fashion is also getting appreciated on International ramp. Thanks to Ritu Kumar, who for the first time exhibited her collection on International ramp. And this trend was taken forward by Ritu Beri, Manish Arora, Rohit Gandhi, Rajesh Pratap Singh et. al. and most recently by Sabyasachi Mukherjee and others.
Not only apparel, but India is also reaching new heights in jewellery and accessory designing. Indian jewellery designer like Rosily Paul, Sabina Batra, Ruhee Nanda and many others are trying to give an western touch to Indian designer jewelleries.
But one fact is very significant that besides western cuts and pleats, designers are also using Indian embroideries. So, the age old Ikats of Orissa, Patolas of Gujarat, Pithanis of Maharashtra or Kota Dorai of Rajasthan have not yet faded away in the shadows of tanktops and low waist jeans. Infact, they are presented in new forms. Its like "old wine in new bottle".
Since then we have travelled a long way. In fact, Indian fashion has explored a lot many destinations. Today the textile industry is the single largest foreign exchange earner for India. Currently it accounts for about 8% of GDP, 20% of the industrial production and over 30% of export earning of India and it has only 2-3% import intensity. Abount 38 million people are gainfully employed with the industry making it the second largest employment providing sector after agriculture. Infact, India has the second highest spindleage in the world after China. Currently it contributes about 15% of world cotton textiles.
Many corporate firms are also entering the fashion world. Gujrat based Arvind Brands has eight brands under it like Wrangler, Excalibur etc. ICICI ventures holds 54% stakes in Arvind Brands and hence is no longer a subsidiary of the Lalbhai Groups. Tommy Hilfiger was launched by Arvind Brands in India.
Brands like Color Plus, Parx, Park Avenue is owned by Gautam Hari Singhania of Raymond Limited.
It can be said that India's fashion has reached its zenith in the last 10 years. One striking reason for this can be considered as the influence of the western countries. International labels like Vogue, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana is gradually swallowing the Indian market.
As a result, the youth of India is getting more inclined towards fashion. Infact, this is also creating a great impact on the mass. India fashion is also getting appreciated on International ramp. Thanks to Ritu Kumar, who for the first time exhibited her collection on International ramp. And this trend was taken forward by Ritu Beri, Manish Arora, Rohit Gandhi, Rajesh Pratap Singh et. al. and most recently by Sabyasachi Mukherjee and others.
Not only apparel, but India is also reaching new heights in jewellery and accessory designing. Indian jewellery designer like Rosily Paul, Sabina Batra, Ruhee Nanda and many others are trying to give an western touch to Indian designer jewelleries.
But one fact is very significant that besides western cuts and pleats, designers are also using Indian embroideries. So, the age old Ikats of Orissa, Patolas of Gujarat, Pithanis of Maharashtra or Kota Dorai of Rajasthan have not yet faded away in the shadows of tanktops and low waist jeans. Infact, they are presented in new forms. Its like "old wine in new bottle".
