Luxury brands offer limited editions

TAG, Dior, Zegna, Pal Zileri set the ball rolling

The lifestyle scene in India looks all set for a change. International fitness brands and make up giants are entering the Indian market. Also, this is the time for customised services and limited edition goods. Global investors and business houses are increasingly buying heritage properties in India. Style wise, its going to be all organic and SEWA shows us how. Bollywood continues to lead as far as fashion is concerned.

-Chillibreeze Business Research Team

Organic and Traditional

SEWA Trade Facilitation Centre (STFC) has launched its organic cotton collection and herbal dyes through its flagship store Hansiba. The collection goes by the name Varakh and it seeks to give traditional artisans a shot in the arm. The dyes are eco-friendly and biodegradable making it a huge draw for environmentally conscious persons who also believe in pursuing the cause for women’s empowerment. This collection includes evening wear as well as sarees that are inspired by the traditional embroidery of Gujarat.

June 28, 2008
Source: Hindustan Times

Happy Feet

It’s not enough to only protect your face and arms this summer. The feet are vulnerable areas and need UV protection just as much. Infact not doing so makes them open to skin cancer and acral melanoma i.e. cancer of the feet and hand. In fact those with fair skin need to be especially on guard. Keeping feet covered and introducing UV protected clothing may just work as well.

June 28, 2008
Source: Hindustan Times

Estée Lauder enters India

Estée Lauder, one of the biggest giants in the cosmetic industry has finally entered the Indian market through its flagship store in Galleria at Trident, Mumbai. There is more in store for Bangalore and Delhi. Estée Lauder has brought out a whole slew of beauty products for the Indian skin tone. There is also a colour palette created by Aerin Lauder called Jewels of Summer and has all the shades that Indian women love and which suits them. There are bridal services too which apart from the commonplace includes an airbrushing service for flawless makeup. Personalised consultations on skin health and make up guidelines are also provided in these stores.

June 28, 2008
Source: Mint

Movies and their Magic

Style borrows a file from the movies and going by their popularity, apparel houses are looking ride on this wave. Clotheslines inspired by Tara Rum PumPum and Om Shanti Om have already brought back retro prints and snazzy prints and lines bang into the vortex of fashion. It also reiterates the brand and repositions it in the eyes of the audience. So the timing as well as the movies must be got right by the brands themselves.

This time, the round belongs to Sarkar Raj, essentially the corporate, high powered look which Aishwarya Rai sports in the movies. Jackets in tweed, cotton, denims, leather and even polyester are doing well in the fashion market. Bollywood is providing the trends that a celebrity struck audience are willing to follow and brands seem to have got it right when they take the cue from here.

June 28, 2008
Source: Times of India

Half in Demand

Half saris are back and this time far removed from their traditional avatars, they have made a svelte, sexy, sleek, non-conventional and glamorous come back. It’s gone beyond festival attire and is gracing social occasions, even cocktail parties. From nets to brocades, to gota patti work, half saris have got a total make over with newer colours, fabrics and interesting cuts. It’s also moved across terrains. From South Indian shores it has moved up North and this time the colours are bright and glitzy. The half sari has gone up the fashion ladder and has easily made an entry into high powered social events.

June 26, 2008
Source: Times of India

Jewellery Designs

Fashion designer Rohit Bal has been retained by Delhi-based Jewellers, Kirtilals for creating exquisite gold and diamond pieces. The company will be launching two jewellery series designed by him during the year as also men’s fashion accessories as cuff links. The idea is to create jewellery pieces that go well with intricately embroidered garments. Bal was already in-house designer for their bridal line and this venture is just taking the business association forward. The first collection is expected to be out by September.

June 25, 2008
Source: Hindustan Times

Heritage Hungama

There is much more up for grabs than just a 2 or a 3 BHK home. Own a piece of history and heritage by buying off one of the 100 forts up for sale in Rajasthan. These properties that have been left to decay and crumble by the royal lineages who no longer have the means or the convenience to look after it are being sought after by buyers from Europe, America, Singapore and the Middle East. Business houses and NRIs are buying off these properties to reuse them by way of making them into heritage hotels or by selling them off at a profit. This comes at the toe of India pitching itself as a heritage destination and just about everyone wants to have one in their list of investments.

June 25, 2008
Source: Times of India

Fitness Upswings

Singapore-based $5 billion OSIM International Ltd is planning to set up another 100 exclusive brand outlets (EBO) in India. The healthy lifestyle product major already has 22 EBOs in the country, 62 points of sales (PoS) including shop-in-shops. It’s already made its presence felt in India with an enviable range of health and fitness products. Fitness equipments like the foot reflexology products, hand held massagers, eye care massagers and foot massagers are the company’s biggest contributions to the health and fitness sector. It plans to launch 4-5 new products this year.

June 25, 2008
Source: Financial Express

Birthing Style

The maternity market is reinventing itself through stylish, customised hospital services for the new parents which promise to erase severe hospital experiences and replace them with wonderful tender moments. The pioneer in this area is Apollo’s fancy birthing quarters called Cradles which attempts to ‘celebrate motherhood’ with a slew of lifestyle services like a vibrant delivery room, fine, upholstered beds, hidden medical equipment that swirls into focus only when needed, TV, DVD players and unlimited visiting hours.

All this plus flowers and chocolates on discharge, candle lit dinners and champagne and even a chauffeur driven car. The staff is friendly and at hand round the clock. This is still an urban phenomenon, targeted to the affluent since the hospital does charge wholesomely for the set of services.

June 25, 2008
Source: Financial Express

Price on Request

Most of the luxury brands have launched their limited edition items which are being bought off the shelves by the rich and the famous as away to outdo their peers and also to save the items as heirlooms. Limited editions are those 100 to 1000 odd pieces that are exclusive and brought out in the market.

TAG launched its Grand Carrera Rose Gold Edition and a Kimi Raikonnen Limited Edition; Dior atches have a limited edition launched which includes the 27 lakh Dior Christal Starlight and La D de Dior Pink Diamond and the The Christal Red Full Set. In apparel there is Pal Zileri where a suit is pitched upwards of Rs.90,000 which makes it very exclusive and limited in outreach. Zegna alligator shoes and watches too are aged and polished by hand and gold inlaid and it is this refined craftsmanship that makes the price outrageous to say the least. So also are the six bottles of Dom Pérignon Rosé vintages by Karl Lagerfield that are shaped like a gitar case. Very rare and very high in terms of pricing. Companies do not let out the price which means that it’s out of reach for most.

June 24, 2008
Source: Hindustan Times