News and Views About Fashion and Lifestyle in India

Weekly news updates on lifestyle trends in India

International brands are increasingly making their presence felt in Indian markets. After Mumbai and Delhi, Bangalore is the hot destination for opening shops. Luxury mattresses, branded clothes, cosmetics, exotic fruits are all headed for Indian shores. At the same time, Indian designers are making their mark on the global fashion stage and royal Indian weddings are a happening phenomenon with the rich and famous.

- Chillibreeze Business Research Team

Bangalore: Haute spot

All the possible international brands are setting up shop in Bangalore.

This includes the likes of The Body Shop, NEXT, MAC, Guess, Mango, Boss, Mont Blanc, Esprit, Marks and Spencer, Kipling, Kappa, Bossini and Springfield.

Versace, Carrera, Esprit, Pierre Cardin, Mexx, Cerruti 1881, Tanya Rossi and Puma are planning to market their watches and accessories under ‘Watches and More’ (WAM).

Jun 9, 2007
Deccan Herald

Be Indian, Dress Western

The best clubs in the country including the Delhi Gymkhana Club, Bombay club and Bangalore Club have western formals as the dress code.

Indian clothes including kurta-pajama, churidar kurta, kolhapuri chappals or dhotis are not allowed. The colonial hangover continues and there are few who protest.

Jun 9, 2007
CNN IBN via IndiWo.com

Sinking into luxury

Two international players bring hitech and comfortable mattresses in the Indian market. Tempur Pedic and Royal Pedic are two brands in the Indian market, which sell mattresses that cost anywhere between from Rs 50,000 to Rs 3,30,000.

Tempur Pedic, has its distributor tie-up with Delhi-based Springwel Mattresses and Royal Pedic sells through Mon Chateau, a high end furniture store in Bangalore.

June 9, 2007
Business Standard

Indian designers to shine in Rome
Fashion designers Neeta Lulla and Pria Kataria Puri will showcase their autumn-winter collection at the Rome Fashion Week in July. Narendra Kumar Ahmed and Wendell Rodricks will present their creations on the runways of PAPP (a fashion show in Paris) in September.

This is part of an exchange programme for designers between the Lakme Fashion Week and Alta Roma, the promoters of Italian style.

Alta Roma will provide Indian designers with services at the venue, models, hair and make-up expertise, casting and fitting assistance, backstage aid and media relations free of cost.

June 8, 2007
Hindustan Times via PTI

Ludhiana loves foreign fruits

Fad for exotic fruits is high in Ludhiana, especially because NRI guests are common in homes.

New Zealand's kiwi, Washington’s apples, California's purple grapes, and Australian pear are easily available in Punjab. Ludhina has the largest fruit market in Punjab.

Foreign fruits are competing with India's guavas, oranges, sapatos, grapes and apples in the fruit markets.

June 8, 2007
ANI via Hindustan Times

Canadian firm Faces Cosmetics set to enter Indian mkt

Canadian firm Faces Cosmetics is planning an "aggressive roll out" of its franchise stores across India to sell its branded cosmetics, skin care and anti-ageing products.

Apart from offering an extensive range of cosmetic, skin care and anti-ageing products, Faces Cosmetics is now concentrating on offering aesthetic treatments through the stores it is opening within shopping centres

Faces product line comprises of over 1,000 individual items in different product categories sold through 56, mainly franchised, retail outlets in four countries like Canada, Mexico, the US and Ireland and the next key area of focus is definitely India

Market experts believe that Indian beauty market has huge growth potential. Presently, India's beauty market is barely 10 per cent of the global market of over USD 36 billion.

Jun 8, 2007
Economic Times

Work-wear raises the ceiling for women

Western work wear has become the norm in Indian metros. Men’s Western wear brands like Blackberrys, Scullers and Allen Solly have launched women’s lines to meet the demand. Accessories for women are another thrust area. Van Heusen is coming up with a line of bags, cufflinks, stoles, shoes and jewellery.

June 07, 2007
MSN India

Star & Style

Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Moss and Madonna are examples of celebrities launching their own fashion labels. This trend is catching up in India. Nisha Jamval, John Abraham, Shobha De have been recently in the news for the same reasons. Creativity may or may not be a forte, but there sure is a brand value to the names.

June, 2007
Indian Express

Fashion Designs with Oomph

The annual fashion bonanza Oomphs 2007 at Dubai showcased creations of Indian designers using the cuts, designs, fabrics and embellishments inspired and derived India’s rich textile heritage.

Designers on show included Rohit Verma, Mohit Falod and Mumbai-based label Inaara.

June 7, 2007
XPRESS

Ritu Kumar's 'Label' for the Monsoon's

Ritu Kumar's 'Monsoon collection hits the stores this month and has a wide variety of dresses in porcelain prints.

Jun 5, 2007
Indiwo.com

Royalty flaunts its selling power

Heritage tourism is not just about five star rooms.

Royalties and hospitality specialists are engaged in giving the ‘royal experience’ to travelers. Weddings are one feature which popular with Indians too. Several Indians opt for royal weddings with all fan fare and at the best heritage locations in the country.

Jun 3, 2007
Economic Times