Luxury, Made In India

Drawing on a fine historical legacy and a wealth of traditions, homegrown brands are shaking up the luxury market

- Prachi Bhuchar

PICTURE THIS. There is a long queue outside a store in Tokyo as patrons await the launch of a particular upscale bag that’s been talked about in hushed tones. Cut to New York, where the Sex and the City sisterhood have made Manolo Blahniks a household name (so what if a pair costs an irreverent $1,000); or to the Champs Elysees in Paris where luxury is the norm and brands like LV and Gucci part of the city’s glamorous ethos. If you look for Indian-made luxury in this chic clutter, chances are you will draw a blank. Some Indian luxury brands are making their way to big markets across the world, but it would be premature to say the Indian luxury market has come into its own.