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As the year concludes, we can’t help but reflect upon how 2017 was a fruitful year here in the Images BoF base camp. Early in the year we launched the first ever book on Women’s Fashion Lifestyle in India . This was followed by the India Business of Fashion Report 2017 that was launched at the IFF. On the magazine front, a few special issues come to mind— The Brands in India Special (Januar y), Women Fashion Leaders (March), Meet The Masters (April), and the big Denims Special (July). We worked round-the-clock for these ones; and justifiably they brought back the most overwhelming response from readers.
In this, our final work of the year, we embark upon a roundup of some significant events that occurred in the Indian fashion this year. The 2017 Fashion Wrap Up encapsulates all the global brands that were launched in India along with the major brand launches and extensions by domestic players. We also begin the wrap up with an special overview of the best that came from the Indian independent designer’s fraternity.
The year proved to be significant in terms of global brand launches although the economy was still reeling under the effects of the government’s demonetization move. A long list of brands like Simon Carter, Bally, Under Armour, Miniso, Steve Madden, Kate Spade New York, Fruit of the Loom, Springfield, Women’s Secret, etc., all launched themselves in India thanks to the relaxed policies and increasing confidence in India partners. The success of Bestseller’s Indian subsidiary has encouraged the launch of more brands from their stable like Selected Homme and Junarose into India. Even brands like Mango and Espirit that had earlier exited the Indian market have been assuaged by belief in Myntra to relaunch themselves. We also look at which brands can be expected to come in next by looking at the entry applications that were made to the government. There was vibrant action in the domestic space too with a profusion of organizations launching new brands and established brands extending themselves. This is a healthy reflection of the Indian consumers’ new-found fashion awareness and penchant for branded apparel. All in all, there is now a concoction of new names including – Alcis, Berleigh, Game Begins, Glamour Mafatlals, Lingerie Shop, OPT, Rock, Steele, Wooba, XYXX, etc. The need for well positioned and focused brands was even felt on-line with Flipkart launching three brands of their own. Myntra chose to promote some. At Images BoF, our attempt was to present the launches and extensions is such a way so-as-to showcase what is critical to creating a fashion brand in India today. Apart from this, we also have a special feature that outlines why more and more online players are now choosing to establish themselves in the physical retail.
Another recent phenomenon in India is that celebrities no longer just appear in the advertisements but have begun taking active stake in our fashion industry. Do read the special feature to know what our divas like Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma, Shraddha Kapoor, Rhea and Sonam Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and our most loved heroes like Sachin Tendulkar, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, and Karan Johar, are up to, even as we welcome them into our fold.
I thank and congratulate all the contributors, participants and the entire Images BoF team for bringing out not just this mammoth December issue but for all their support throughout the year. I hope our readers enjoy this issue, as much as we enjoyed making it for you.
Here’s wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
