Style, Fashion and the Future

A brief summary on the evolution, sustenance and future of indian fashion industry.

- Anish Shankar

The India Fashion Summit 2016 held at Kochi was the first-of-its-kind forum where key players from the Indian fashion ecosystem met to discuss the journey of the fashion sector so far, the challenges faced by the industry and its future in the global market. Here we give a rundown on what was said and by whom.

Indian Fashion, in a contemporary sense, has evolved over time to become a melting pot of inspired design and craftsmanship. Talking at the Summit, Narendra Kumar, Creative Head, Amazon Fashion recalled how Indian fashion has evolved into its current stage from the early days. A time that saw people like Mike Kripalani or designer studios like Ensemble set off fashion trends and establishments like National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) playing alma matter to India's budding designers. It was also when fashion magazines and fashion weeks stimulated India's role in the global fashion industry.

While major brands and fashion destinations are struggling under bouts of recession, India is prepping its journey to the next best fashion destination. Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee speaking at the event said that India is the only destination with the ability to offer people authentic real-time experiences. "People are moving away from the concept of consumption-oriented fashion to one based on wellness. Wellness will be the new luxury and there is no better place to start than Kerala, God’s Own Country”, he expressed.

LOCAL TRENDS AND GLOBAL BRANDS