India’s richness goes beyond GDP. It is time for the world to take note of our inherent understanding of luxury
After 25 years in the fashion industry, this is certainly one of life’s full circle moments for me. The luxury league is a culmination of the strength of our empowered skill and talent. The force of our charged capability. The might of our dynamic diligence. The power of our persuasiveness. The potency of our past and the intensity of our faith in the future. I believe, we are empowered today to project to the people of the world an India they don’t know.
An India they don’t even know exists, an India they have never seen. An India resplendent with colour soaked in the fabric of its soul. When I think of projecting my country, I think of her as a powerful woman wrapped in tissue woven with the threads of our rich ethnicity. I give her a modern flavour so that she bridges the centuries rooted in the past with her face enthusiastically anticipating the future.
I celebrate our mystified diversity. Our collaborated unity of ethnicity and modernity that enables us to remain seeped in Indian traditions with our sight relentlessly looking forward.
India is sublime luxury. India enables us to use luxury as an art form to reflect all that is truly Indian and truly unique. In my view India’s richness goes beyond GDP. India is a real treasure trove. It personifies the majesty of our prosperous culture and celebrates a prolific history of luxury. My vision for the future of the Indian luxury industry is infinite. I urge our talented craftsmen, designers and artisans to develop corporate houses and establish strong brand identities by focusing on niche aspects of Indian culture.
A case in point is that of several Japanese designers who have today established successful international brand names while respecting the spirit of the Japanese culture in their design. This has enabled them to carve out a niche for themselves in the competitive international world. And I see this dream with open eyes, everyday!
As we stride forward in the seventh decade of India’s independence, each one of us is obliged to be that cusp of change, in order to experience a major transformation that we all dream of and so deserve. We need to be that radical change. Specially today, India, a young nation, with a vibrant democracy, a sixth of the humanity with our intellect, energy and creativity is poised to grow rapidly. These vivacious Indians, have rising aspirations. They are empowered to demand change.
India is asking for change! India is ready for change! The Indian luxury market is a potential gold mine. Today, it is estimated to be about $5 billion — therefore, developing and promoting this segment is mandatory. The luxury league is a not-for-profit foundation launched to promote the concept of luxury, dynamism, creativity and innovation in India. The main intent is to promote an environment conducive to creative thinking in the luxury sector of India.
To initiate an effective global movement through mutual learning and interactions, to create opportunities by initiating new conversations that lead to long-term winning strategies and solutions of growth.
The luxury league is a rallying point for those who believe, that strengthening commercial ties amongst nations is not only good for business. It is good for global living standards. It is good for peace. There are world-wide opportunities. Now is the time to make the luxury movement of India an international force to reckon with. I know it is possible. I know together we can do it. Here’s to the power of Indian luxury... for culture and creativity!
The writer is an international fashion designer