tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50223572470310361672012-02-16T18:34:15.125+05:30Everything you need to know about India's lust for luxeXarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.comBlogger1141100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-26284081610992328282009-02-10T15:35:00.004+05:302009-02-10T15:58:03.303+05:30

Online retail newsletter Retail Angle says that Tata's retail arm Trent Ltd has formed a 51:49 JV with the Spanish Inditex Group, which owns Zara.As part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Inditex will hold 51% in the JV, while Trent Ltd will hold 49%. The first of the stores will be opened in 2010 in New Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities of India. The agreement was inked at the Inditex

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-7362641698636430282008-12-01T11:45:00.003+05:302008-12-01T11:55:11.258+05:30

Due to the horrible terrorist attacks in Mumbai last week, the IHT Luxury Conference (scheduled to take place on December 2-4, 2008 at The Imperial Hotel, New Delhi) has now been postponed to next year. An article in Reuters confirmed: "We had already put in place security measures but we are, of course, sensitive to the safety concerns of all our conference participants following the terrorist

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-56739384160941895782008-10-14T12:35:00.003+05:302008-10-14T12:57:56.311+05:30

Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani have finally opened shop in Mumbai. On Monday (Oct 13), the two stores were launched at the Emporio Mall in Delhi. According to an article in DNR, the stores are managed through a joint venture between Armani and real estate firm retail arm, DLF Retail Brands Pvt. Ltd. John Hooks, commercial and marketing director of the Armani Group, said the company is "playing

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-90817372335990111252008-10-07T18:31:00.000+05:302008-10-07T18:33:34.604+05:30

One of India's top economic policymakers said the government would consider lifting a law that limits foreign brands from owning more than 51% of their operations in India."We are considering it, seriously," India's Trade Minister, Kamal Nath, told a meeting of French luxury executives in Paris. Reuters says that in addition to inadequate infrastructure and excessive red tape, luxury brands

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-59949515126569930532008-09-09T20:25:00.004+05:302008-09-09T21:07:40.677+05:30

After Paris, Moscow, Istanbul, Dubai and Hong Kong, the International Herald Tribune will hold the eighth edition of its annual Luxury Conference in New Delhi, India. The topic for this year's conference is 'Sustainable Luxury' and will take place at the Imperial Hotel from December 2nd to 4th. The focus will be on three key areas: how to sustain brands in an increasingly crowded market, how to

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-68669081833722859222008-09-08T14:36:00.004+05:302008-09-09T20:25:26.544+05:30

Kenzo, the luxury label of Japanese origin now owned by LVMH, opened shop in India at the luxury mall Emporio last week. And Jean Keller, the brand's wholesale commercial director, was at hand to launch the store and spin stories about how Kenzo wants to permanently endear itself to the Indian woman.In an interview to Business Standard, Keller said, "We are in discussion to start a range of saris

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-63302034914223337752008-08-28T12:29:00.011+05:302008-08-28T12:50:39.786+05:30

INDIA NEWSMolton Brown magic in MumbaiThe British luxury lifestyle and beauty brand Molton Brown, one of the original au naturale companies, has opened shop in Mumbai. Step into Good Earth at Raghuvanshi Mills to enjoy the Molton Brown experience, infused with products created through unexpected combinations of natural elements and creativity. From black peppercorns to kaffir lime leaves and

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-22424116840494600612008-08-28T11:54:00.013+05:302008-08-28T12:28:06.851+05:30

INDIA NEWSHermès readies for Indian launchLegendary French luxury house Hermès is all geared up for its first store in India at The Oberoi in New Delhi. The luxury marquee held a soft launch at the store in the last week of May, and will soon be open for business. Promoted in India by Neelam Khanna of Khanna Specialty Retail Pvt Ltd, the Hermès store is spread over 120 square meters and will

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-80237112011583884892008-08-24T16:28:00.022+05:302008-08-24T17:20:42.964+05:30

INDIA NEWSIndia will soon wear PradaIts IPO plans may have been delayed yet again, but that hasn’t stopped the Prada Group from planning an entry into the Indian market. Thanks to the current boom in the country’s luxury sector, Sebastian Suhl, CEO, Prada , Asia Pacific has said that there’s tremendous potential for the brand in the subcontinent. “We’re continuing our search for the right

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-87444845739309909612008-04-07T13:47:00.010+05:302008-04-07T14:48:54.276+05:30

Hey there,As usual, am pasting the news and stories from this month's Luxeletter for you guys. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, drop me an email and I'll do the needful.Cheers,Indian Luxist---------------------------------------INDIA NEWSStella McCartney’s India plansThose who love Stella McCartney’s signature style and animal-friendly ethos are in for a treat. The British brand

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-76383140402706666622008-02-12T17:43:00.000+05:302008-02-12T17:52:18.698+05:30

Discover India in luxuryIf you've always wanted to travel across exotic India independently but with expert guidance, the Oberoi Hotels and Resorts now offer various itinerary options through a luxury travel service, called India in Luxury. This includes a visit to the colourful state of Rajasthan, with stops at palaces, forts and temples, and the Ranthambhore tiger reserve. You then move on to

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-4736051942596663682008-02-08T18:46:00.000+05:302008-02-08T19:21:58.875+05:30

The jewel in Gucci’s crownMeet Tomas Maier, the man responsible for turning Bottega Veneta into the star horse of the Gucci Group’s stable By Zahra KhanWhat happens when a brand marries anonymity with exclusivity? The result is a stunningly simple success story called Bottega Veneta. Founded in the Italian town of Vicenza in 1966, Bottega Veneta was the accessory du jour of the Studio 54 era (

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-90007238232834920912008-02-08T18:33:00.000+05:302008-02-08T18:45:12.669+05:30

Is India the next China for luxury brands?Author Radha Chadha emphatically responds to this burning question Retail space crunch. Sky high rentals. Stiff tariffs and taxes. Steep expenditure on décor. Lack of trained staff. The ground realities of India’s nascent luxury industry are daunting.A nd while China marches sure-footedly on its way to becoming the world’s number one luxury market in just

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-33475336736378543392008-01-29T21:09:00.000+05:302008-02-08T16:31:59.593+05:30

A resort on the seasYachting is the pinnacle of luxury. After all, one buys a yacht only after achieving all of life's conforts and a bit more, write Sujay ChohanLuxury boating gives the rich and famous the freedom to take their castles with them wherever they go. Their luxurious super yachts dot the seaside in the South of France, the Mediterranean and Australia’s Gold Coast, depending on the

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-15969064299250569212008-01-29T21:07:00.000+05:302008-01-29T21:08:53.189+05:30

Luxury: A connection to the past, a guide to the future By Maharana Arvind Singhji Mewar The word luxury comes from the word ‘excess’, signifying something that you did not need, but wanted.Personally, I do not believe we can restrict the definition of luxury only to ‘things we do not need, but want’. I believe luxury encompasses ‘the beautiful which is as useful as the useful’. We need luxury to

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-89776332907440267162008-01-29T20:55:00.000+05:302008-01-29T21:07:22.494+05:30

INDIA NEWSLauding LanvinCharu Sachdev of TSG International is adding another feather to her already fashionable hat. The stylish entrepreneur will soon be representing one of the oldest French couture houses, Lanvin, along with her roster of luxury fashion labels. Sachdev currently promotes Jean-Paul Gaultier, Alberta Ferretti and Moschino in India. The first Lanvin store is slated to open at DLF

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-9033443513016481212007-12-11T13:01:00.000+05:302007-12-11T13:05:44.265+05:30

Rewriting the fashion briefLawyer-turned-high fashion retailer Charu Sachdev is gearing up to bring Jean-Paul Gaultier to India By Zahra KhanA lawyer by education and now CEO of TSG International Pvt Ltd, 28-year-old Charu Sachdev is no stranger to high fashion and luxury. A scion of the New Delhi-based India Export House family, Charu has been responsible for successfully launching the Italian

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-81923858948978842282007-12-11T12:40:00.000+05:302007-12-11T13:06:33.876+05:30

The high-end Indian consumer has never had it better. If you thought 2007 was the year of luxury brand launches, Ruchika Mehta says things are set to get bigger and better in 2008Pierre Cardin may have kick-started the entry of Western luxury brands in India nearly a decade ago, but no one could have predicted the potential the country holds for luxury goods and services today. The new darling of

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-48246253805102031762007-12-11T12:23:00.000+05:302007-12-11T12:39:56.722+05:30

As you all know, I co-edit a luxury newsletter for my company, and am pasting news from the December issue below. If you would like to receive the newsletter in your inbox, drop me an email and I'll add you to our subscriber's list.***Breaking the iceYou no longer have to go to New York to enjoy a breakfast of diamonds at Tiffany, for the legendary American jeweller is ready to make its way to

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-81962480159021601812007-11-30T13:34:00.000+05:302007-11-30T13:41:52.184+05:30

According to Business Standard, DLF, India's largest realty firm, is eyeing the Indian franchise rights of the Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo.The Italian brand's original franchise partner, Sports Station India, has decided to exit the business and instead concentrate on premium brands such as Levi's and Dockers. Sources close to the development confirmed that the franchise rights were

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-48305851986364034742007-11-30T13:07:00.000+05:302007-11-30T13:30:23.529+05:30

I'd previously written about how retail space at India's airports was a gold mine waiting to be excavated. Now, DNA says that DFS Group, a part of French luxury house LVMH, has been awarded the duty-free retail development contract for Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL). So now, Indian travellers can buy some of the world's leading luxury brands at the airport on your way to Paris, London,

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-76516870064623390562007-11-27T16:56:00.000+05:302007-11-27T17:34:22.458+05:30

Prada did it first, then Porsche. Soon, Armani announced plans of launching a stylish mobile phone in the recent past.Now, Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer is the lastest high-end brand to jump the bandwagon, by announcing on Monday that it has licenced its name to French customised design manufacturer Modelabs for a series of luxury mobile phones to be launched in 2008.Personally, I think luxury

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-36951625121838927012007-11-23T16:08:00.000+05:302007-11-23T16:16:11.995+05:30

...if you can afford the price tag, that is. Alongside the Jimmy Choo store opening a day before, Bottega Veneta's famed intrecciato weave bags are now on display at its store at the Galleria, Nariman Point. Opened on November 22, Bottega has been brought to India by the Murjani Group, which has also brought in Gucci, Jimmy Choo and soon La Perla.The Bottega store offers luxury enthusiasts a

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-22549361453773929302007-11-23T15:45:00.000+05:302007-11-23T16:07:20.051+05:30

British luxury label Jimmy Choo opened its doors to India with its first store in Mumbai, at the Hilton Towers' Galleria in Nariman Point on Wednesday. The store shares the neighbourhood with Gucci, which is also the largest single-brand luxury store in India yet. Both brands have been brought to India by the Murjani Group, and an exclusive launch event will take place for Jimmy Choo lovers on

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-73095110595428277472007-11-22T18:44:00.001+05:302007-11-22T19:02:13.616+05:30

The Luxe Chronicles has an interesting post on how the weakening dollar is affecting the luxury industry. In fact, no less than Hermès president Patrick Thomas has voiced his concerns about the repercussions for the sector.Writes Helene:It's estimated that the Euro could potentially reach $1.50 USD in 2008. This represents a double whammy for European luxury houses. French and Italian luxury

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-52502855111135000182007-11-07T17:41:00.000+05:302007-11-07T17:58:47.150+05:30

A November 5 article in The New York Times on luxury brands moving to the internet makes an interesting point: that luxury brands are no longer holding on to the notion that selling online means a loss of face to their exclusive tags.According to the article:"We've begun to see that the e-commerce shopper is indeed someone who has really quite a level of sophistication, and is older than was once

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-2319854886722346652007-11-07T17:02:00.000+05:302007-11-07T17:27:10.993+05:30

For those of you who have a fetish for high-heeled shoes, here's an interesting blog post from Laura Goldstein of Fashion Inc, who tells us what's the key to Prada's success in this difficult-to-crack market:Currently Prada controls between 9 and 10 percent of the luxury shoe market. What's their key to success? Here's a bit of trivia: C.E.O Patrizio Bertelli had his shoe factory and produced

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-65833952168563456342007-11-07T15:55:00.000+05:302007-11-07T16:02:54.057+05:30

On Tuesday (November 6), Louis Vuitton announced the launch of its third store in India in the garden city of Bangalore. The store will be housed at UB City - The Collection, the UB Group's luxury mall set to open by mid-2008.LV also has plans to open additional stores in Mumbai and New Delhi, and is considering making a foray into cities like Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.The French companym

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-43708011196371516422007-11-07T15:36:00.000+05:302007-11-07T15:51:42.196+05:30

Hot on the heels of the story I wrote on Indian developers going on the fasttrack to luxury retail development recently, the UB Group has announced its plans to open UB City - The Collection in Bangalore by mid-2008.A joint venture between UB Holding and the Prestige Group, UB City will house the 1.25 lakh sq. ft. luxury mall with international luxe labels like Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Alfred

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-55500543022113701342007-11-05T17:30:00.000+05:302007-11-05T18:50:14.237+05:30

Sorry for having been away for so long. New job and everything, lots to do, very little time. Additionally, I'm now Deputy Editor of Luxeletter, a monthly newsletter on all things luxury in India. The following is news I've collected for the newsletter, as also an article I wrote for it. If you'd like to be added onto the mailing list, drop me a line with "Add to Luxeletter" in the subject line.

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-72893333360606813162007-10-15T18:20:00.000+05:302007-10-15T18:26:41.353+05:30

Ahead of Gucci's official flagship store launch in Mumbai on Saturday (October 13), CEO Mark Lee said in an interview to Mint:Where does India fit into the larger scheme of things at Gucci?India will no doubt in the future, in five, 10, 15 years—it is a question of time and remains to be seen—become one of the important countries in the word for luxury and for the Gucci brand. We are at the

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-34125269130960942302007-10-11T20:12:00.001+05:302007-10-11T20:29:12.444+05:30

It looks like luxury companies are finally smartening up to the genius that is Web 2.0. Luxury Briefing, the online business publication on the luxury industry, is hosting a conference called Web 2.0: Are you on Board? to "find out what premium brands should be doing on the web" on Novermber 14, 2007 in London.Speakers include Natalie Massenet of Net-a-porter.com, Brent Hoberman of Lastminute.com

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-47175120412219646482007-10-11T20:00:00.000+05:302007-10-11T20:10:18.380+05:30

Indian designer Manish Arora will be a speaker at this year's World Luxury Congress in London starting October 22.Arora holds the distinction of being the first Indian designer to be invited to show his collection at the Paris Fashion Week this year, after showing for four consecutive seasons at London Fashion Week.Pic courtesy: Elle UK

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-80342091479994432352007-10-11T19:40:00.000+05:302007-10-11T19:46:15.837+05:30

Telegraph India is reporting that the Rs 18,000 crore Mahindra group is entering the retail business, under the Mahindra Retail brand.Raghunath Murti, executive vice-chairman of Mahindra Intertrade, said, "The group believes that this is the opportune time to extend its business to direct retailing, when the organised retail market is expanding in India."Mahindra Retail is planning multiformat

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-83450446148856767762007-10-10T21:40:00.000+05:302007-10-11T19:46:44.887+05:30

Llyod Grove of Portfolio.com recently did an interview with Lynn Forester de Rothschild, CEO of EL Rothschild, the holding company she owns with her third husband to manage investments in the Economist and various enterprises in India. Those include FieldFresh, a startup that will grow and export Indian fruits and vegetables for markets in Europe and Asia, and a soon-to-be-announced retail

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-90002822949819192672007-10-10T20:57:00.000+05:302007-10-10T21:18:59.865+05:30

Sorry for being out of action for a while, but here's some news that's brightened up my day. Reuters reports that LVMH's investment fund L Capital Partners is to launch a fund targeting brands in emerging markets in Asia, and aims to spend US$ 560-700 million in India."We are looking to invest in retail and brands of Indian origin," Business Standard's website cited Ravi Thakran, group president

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-44007748444702392642007-09-30T17:30:00.000+05:302007-09-30T17:53:27.413+05:30

Just wanted to write a quick post on Vogue India's first issue. First things first: I didn't think much of the cover. Technically it was perfect, but I found it a tad boring. Also, it seemed to be channeling Vogue China's 2005 inaugural cover. In fact, I liked the China cover better as the clothes had texture and made the cover interesting, where as the Indian cover looks like an ad for L’Oreal.

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-8606369726860728792007-09-24T18:49:00.000+05:302007-09-30T17:55:02.050+05:30

In July, I'd written about how Samsung was considering an arrangement with Giorgio Armani to develop a line of fashionable products like mobile phones. Now, the news has been confirmed.Mint reports that Armani and Samsung have tied up to design a television and mobile phone, along with other consumer products. In fact, Armani is all set to unveil the phone at the Milan Fashion Week today, where

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-58215200207890742632007-09-21T18:47:00.000+05:302007-10-01T21:05:07.944+05:30

Here's a look at the inaugural issue cover of Vogue India. The magazine is all set for a grand launch at the Umaid Bhavan Palace in Jodhpur (Rajasthan) tomorrow, and features Bollywood stars Preity Zinta, Bipasha Basu and Priyanka Chopra on the cover, along with models Monikangana Dutta and Laxmi Menon.The Business of Fashion reports that French photographer Patrick Demarchelier especially got

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-60885939174916969582007-09-21T18:08:00.000+05:302007-09-21T18:35:14.270+05:30

The Economic Times is currently holding a Dialogue on Luxury in New Delhi, and Neelesh Hundekari of AT Kearney gave a highly-anticipated presentation on 'Indian Luxury Industry - Opportunities and Challenges'. One of the surprising findings of the study, aided by the Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB), was the demographic profile of the Indian luxury consumer. According to their research, 52

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-51283646044298639182007-09-21T17:22:00.000+05:302007-09-21T17:58:42.982+05:30

Indian advertising agency JWT and French business school ESC Rennes have entered into a partnership to understand how international luxury labels can leverage business opportunities in the Indian market. This collaborative study is expected to provide both parties a first hand insight into India’s evolving luxury consumer and pathways to drive luxury consumption here. According to a Technopak

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-86703440911788792142007-09-19T19:01:00.000+05:302007-09-19T19:34:24.754+05:30

French luxury label Louis Vuitton is looking to construct its first factory outside Europe and the US, near the Indian city of Pondicherry.A person familiar with the company's plans said the factory would attach soles to the uppers of Louis Vuitton shoes, which sell for hundreds of pounds a pair. However, he added that the shoes would still bear the prestigious 'Made in Italy' label because the

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-69987279798480164452007-09-17T19:00:00.000+05:302007-09-17T19:07:23.131+05:30

This story has got to be the 'OMFG moment' of my day today:Harrods, a London department store, went to great lengths to protect a luxury shoe collection - with the help of a live cobra!The slippery security guard was on duty for the September 12 launch of exclusive footwear, including a $152,000 pair of ruby, sapphire and diamond encrusted Rene Caovilla sandals! According to the story, the snake

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-35456040682181325492007-09-16T20:58:00.000+05:302007-09-16T21:09:54.164+05:30

After getting Cavalli in their camp, the Wadia Group has added Italian luxe label Furla to their cache as well. The franchisee agreement will have them stocking accessories from the brand, with the first of the stores opening in Delhi next March.Buzz is that crystalware brand Lalique too has signed an MOU with the Wadia Group.

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-91681807484814893922007-09-16T20:33:00.000+05:302007-09-16T20:49:33.237+05:30

Lots of action happening from the Murjani Group in the coming months. While they've partnered with Gucci and opened the country's first store in Mumbai last week, an official launch party for the brand will take place on October 13 next month.Welcoming the high profile guests will be the low profile and ultra-dynamic Mark Lee, CEO of Gucci. The evening will begin at the store and be followed by

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-82934098240071583012007-09-16T20:18:00.000+05:302007-09-16T20:32:24.156+05:30

Italian luxury label Gucci has finally opened its doors to India, with the help of its Indian distributors, the Murjani Group. The brand's first flagship store opened in Mumbai on September 13 and, at 3,500 sq ft, is the largest single-brand luxury store in the country. Check out the story I did for my paper here.

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-9978735031064024222007-09-16T20:15:00.000+05:302007-09-16T20:32:49.598+05:30

Italian shoe and handbag company Tod's is the latest name to be added to India's growing luxury brand cache, with a store coming up in Delhi's Emporio by the end of the year.***Fashion forward filmmaker Karan Johar had added yet another brand to his luxury endorsement kitty. This time it's for the watch brand Timond. The association will include advertising appearances, promotions and in-film

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-45521955964867793242007-09-09T18:41:00.000+05:302007-09-09T18:53:43.172+05:30

Time magazine recently conducted a Global Luxury Survey and had this to say about India:For years foreign brands have been put off by this country's high import taxes (up to 50% for watches) and its shabby retail environment (there are no upscale shopping streets and few malls). But today India is experiencing a mall-building boom, perhaps a response to the sharp rise of newly affluent

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-75256028108208487392007-09-09T17:39:00.001+05:302007-09-09T18:36:18.026+05:30

Gucci Leather Jacket ($17,995)Gucci's 2007 Fall Fashion Week featured models in head-to-toe ostrich, with items ranging from purses to this fox-fur-trimmed leather jacket.It's something I've been wondering about for a while now. And this week, Portfolio.com did a fun piece on how "the bumpy skin of a gangly bird" has gone "from overlooked to center stage".Says the article:In 2004, ostrich

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-63441121272981686142007-09-07T19:30:00.000+05:302007-09-07T19:49:52.961+05:30

Fashion Inc's Laura Goldstein Crowe is my new hero. She's ably articulated what I've been thinking about ever since I read stories about Dana Thomas's book Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster. In her second post about defending conspicuous consumption, she says:I'm going to read Dana's book sooner or later (she gave me a copy), but so far I can't see exactly what her point is. "Luxury has lost its

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-60903408344420598992007-09-07T17:53:00.000+05:302007-09-09T17:38:10.378+05:30

According to Business Standard, Kenzo and Marc Jacobs will soon hit the shelves in India. That apart, Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) is expected to roll out half a dozen luxury brands in India over the next one year to keep up with an increasing demand from elite consumers, including Berluti (shoes), haute couture brands Givenchy, Loewe, Celine and Pucci. Ravi Thakran, group president, South

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-78395084191139594742007-09-06T19:56:00.000+05:302007-09-06T20:29:00.070+05:30

Fabulous article on the democratisation of luxury in Fortune magazine. I just had to reproduce the entire article here.****The next time you're waiting for your bags to arrive at O'Hare, ponder this: In Milan there's a leather goods store called Valextra, just down the road from the famed La Scala opera house, whose signature product is a line of exquisite luggage quite unsuited to modern life.

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-53469535442752105342007-09-06T16:16:00.000+05:302007-09-06T16:36:22.721+05:30

After yesterday's speculative post about who would take over Valentino, The Business of Fashion is reporting that Alessandra Facchinetti will replace Valentino Garavani after the January 2008 couture shows. However, the site's not all happy-happy-joy-joy over the news.Says writer Imran Amed:Not only has Valentino Fashion Group lost the star designer behind the Valentino brand (apparently after

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-66906083682419245642007-09-05T20:36:00.000+05:302007-09-05T21:21:33.778+05:30

Even as people are sounding the death knell for fashion magazines, here's news that business is still booming for top guns like Vogue. And it's all thanks to luxury brands. An article in Guardian says:Luxury goods, once the preserve of the rich and famous, seem to be everywhere. Confirmation that the premium product market is booming and reaching more shoppers than ever before comes next week in

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-11453693614065041792007-09-05T20:30:00.000+05:302007-09-05T20:34:34.898+05:30

Ending months of speculation, The Business of Fashion reported yesterday that Valentino Garavani and his long-time business partner Giancarlo Giammetti will step down from Valentino. This comes months after the British private equity group Permira Advisors bought a stake in the company in May 2007.It's rumoured that negotiations for the buyout happened without so much as consulting the brand's 75

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-56063154809662166522007-09-03T19:46:00.000+05:302007-09-03T20:18:11.589+05:30

In last Friday's Mint, Condé Nast India managing director Alex Kuruvilla speaks about why Vogue has taken so long to come to India. He says:Condé Nast has been looking at the Indian market for a while now. Typically, when Vogue enters a market, it signals that the market has, in a sense, arrived—at least from a luxury and fashion point of view. A good case in point is that Condé Nast and Vogue

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-38627403774939993312007-09-03T19:06:00.000+05:302007-09-03T19:44:42.873+05:30

Designers Manish Arora, Anamika Khanna and Rajesh Pratap Singh are getting ready to set the Paris Fashion Week ablaze this year, reports Hindustan Times. While Arora and Khanna will showcase their designs at the event starting September 30, Singh will roll out his collection at next year's event. Nothing unusual about this really, other than the fact that for the first time Indian designers will

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-24737346853884392532007-08-30T18:15:00.001+05:302007-08-30T18:24:34.635+05:30

Marc Jacobs really likes going that extra mile with his artistic vision, and so he's guest edited the 52nd installment of the fashion-forward quarterly magazine Visionaire. He has collaborated with photographers Mert Alas and MArcus Piggott as artistic director on a series of intimate portraits of celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johanssen, Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney, among

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-87776049622335789502007-08-29T20:27:00.000+05:302007-10-01T21:08:11.035+05:30

Seven years is a long time to be thinking about selling luxury and fashion online, but it seems the reputed business genius Giorgio Armani has finally seen the light. In a quote to WWD in early August, he said about Emporio Armani's e-commerce launch in the USA:"In the last seven years, I have seen mounting enthusiasm for online fashion shopping in the United States through the growing success we

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-43335410132628462842007-08-29T18:32:00.000+05:302007-10-01T21:16:14.106+05:30

My case for promoting luxury on the web continues. Here's an interesting article from Brandchannel, that talks about how luxury brands can catch up and cash into Web 2.0 (for those who came in late, Web 2.0 refers to second generation internet applications like blogs, wikis, podcasts, social networking platforms like Facebook, etc, denoting a clear shift from using the internet for information to

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-39534362865634089772007-08-28T20:02:00.001+05:302007-08-28T20:40:22.219+05:30

A little late in the day to post about this, but I've been meaning to write about what Louis Vuitton could gain by picking up a 20 per cent stake in the decidedly middle-range Indian leather hangbag and accessories brand Hidesign.Now that I've given it some thought, I've realised this: In a market that is growing increasingly spendthrift (plenty of young, single men and women with high disposable

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-64927565592181854192007-08-28T19:34:00.000+05:302007-08-30T18:03:47.770+05:30

You've got the perfect Chanel dress and Christian Louboutin peep-toe pumps for that fancy evening out, but can't find the right handbag or jewellery to accessorise the ensemble with. If you're living in America, you can log on to Bagborroworsteal.com and rent it for a small fee. As simple as that!The Seattle-based company stocks authentic luxury accessories from over 100 labels, including Louis

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-41503240946737345842007-08-24T20:51:00.000+05:302007-08-30T19:18:32.533+05:30

There's a hot new book about the luxury goods industry and it ain't pretty. I've been reading a lot about Dana Thomas's Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster and its turning out to be something like this summer's Fashion Babylon.The opening paragraph of a New York Times book review reads:Back in the late 1980s, the Prada backpack — made out of black or tobacco-brown parachute fabric trimmed in

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-67814250864368861762007-08-24T19:25:00.000+05:302007-09-16T21:01:10.690+05:30

Buzz is that the latest luxury brand to make a foray into India is Roberto Cavalli. The label is rumoured to be making an entry here via a JV with the Bombay Dyeing Group. The Italian designer, known for his over-the-top creations and flamboyant prints, already has something of a following among India's 'bling'tastic swish set. Personally, I think it's bound to do well in an ostentatious market

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-24163796519247810512007-08-21T19:25:00.000+05:302007-08-21T19:54:56.385+05:30

That's Blood Diamond star Djimon Hounsou in the new campaign for Calvin Klein Steel. Doesn't he look 'ab'solutely fab? Also check out the story I did on CKU for my newspaper here (with more drool-worthy pictures)!Did I forget to mention the brand's 25th anniversary this year coincides with it's arrival in India? Naturally, Djimon is going to be plastered on billboards and magazines from Manhattan

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-67468519037898973922007-08-20T20:29:00.000+05:302007-08-20T20:39:46.221+05:30

... or at least somewhat affordable. Chanel has always been one of the most expensive high-end labels, but now it's all set to produce an 'affordable' range of fashion accessories.Karl Lagerfeld SAS and Accessory Network Group (ANG) will design, manufacture and distribute Karl Lagerfeld handbags, small leather goods and luggage at pared down prices compared to the Chanel label. (That's still too

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-88252780580248179492007-08-19T20:36:00.000+05:302007-08-24T19:59:50.317+05:30

This isn't exactly luxe, but it's so unusual I just had to share it with the rest of you (ok, so it's got an element of creepy to it but it's also kinda clever, non?). It's called the Little Joseph candle holder from Qubus, and like the original writer of this post it seems I too am easily entertained (what else could explain why I've taken such a shining to this bald babe?). He starts out all

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-62173022611624577062007-08-19T20:16:00.000+05:302007-08-19T20:25:54.318+05:30

Here's an interesting (and rather sardonic, might I add) article on why people blows hundreds of dollars on luxury goods and services. From being status markers, they've now evolved into a mark of connoisseurship for its owners.As the writer says: When does an outrageous price for a product become acceptable and even desirable? When the item transforms us from consumers to connoisseurs.Products

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-9356385067874608702007-08-13T19:20:00.000+05:302007-08-13T20:41:51.571+05:30

I recently posted an entry about Anya Hindmarch's $15 'I'm Not A Plastic Bag' canvas tote and decided to check out how other luxury labels fared in this relatively affordable bag category. I'm an absolute sucker for canvas totes, so these designer ones really had me drooling. My favourite so far is the Jimmy Choo Keeya printed tote, with black leather trim. It's so colourful I'm perky just

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-773608218169353512007-08-12T17:18:00.000+05:302007-08-12T18:04:11.110+05:30

It seems luxury brands are finally warming up to the advantages of the internet. So far, most high end brands have stayed away from promoting/ selling their products online for fear that it diminishes the brand's exclusivity.However, an article in the Wall Street Journal says luxury companies are now designing high-tech sites to enhance their upscale appeal."Until a couple of years ago, brands

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-3879663813928813522007-08-10T18:52:00.000+05:302007-08-24T20:02:46.740+05:30

If you haven't heard of this bag yet, you've been living under a rock. That's British designer Anya Hindmarch's genius $15 'I'm Not A Plastic Bag' canvas tote that's being touted as a fashionable (and eco-friendly) alternative to the plastic bag.This humble bag created such a frenzy when it went on sale in England in April, that devotees lined up at 2 am outside humdrum supermarkets and all

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-29208000634224114712007-08-03T19:18:00.000+05:302007-08-03T19:47:00.735+05:30

Here's a look at Catherine Deneuve posing for the new Louis Vuitton campaign that I'd previously written about here. Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have posed for this campaign too, but I haven't been able to find a picture of them yet.Personally, I'm really liking this new campaign. From a consumer's point of view, it's helping LV shrug off its decadent image by using classy, real world people

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-53082527031999858222007-08-03T18:48:00.000+05:302007-08-03T19:11:09.017+05:30

The promoters of Hello Kitty, the mouthless cat-turned-global icon of cuteness, have gone into overdrive by pitching products targetted at the uber rich. Among the things I loved most is this oh-so-precious Hello Kitty diamond pendant by Kimora Lee Simmons. This nine-carat convertible pendant/brooch is priced at a whopping $50,000.Then there's the Hello Kitty guitar from Fender's limited edition

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-64816634219185957702007-08-01T19:15:00.000+05:302007-08-01T19:41:11.964+05:30

I'm a big champion for opening up the online space to luxury shopping, so I find this article in the Washinton Post extremely interesting. According to the paper, there's a growing demand for "certified, pre-owned" luxury goods in the online space. And so Portero.com, an auction site, has been offering luxury goods that are used but have been appraised and validated as authentic. The site aims to

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-86112052632502340972007-08-01T18:55:00.001+05:302007-08-01T19:07:38.093+05:30

While India is still grappling with shortage of space for luxury retail, Hermès has gone ahead and opened its second store in New York, this time targetting the men on Wall Street. So while the people who live in the financial district of Manhattan do not have a major supermarket to shop in, they can easily slip into the new Hermès store across the New York stock exchange to get a $47,000 limited

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-82825266415095301242007-07-30T16:41:00.000+05:302007-07-30T17:11:42.815+05:30

Has anyone seen Mikhail Gorbachev in the latest ad campaign for Louis Vuitton? On first glance, this has got to be the most unlikely pairing in the history of luxury advertising. But look closer at the luxury conglomerate's logic for including the former Russian premier in a promotional campaign and a clever strategy will emerge.As I'd previously written here, luxury companies are hailing

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-39090923812899509132007-07-27T18:31:00.000+05:302007-07-27T18:54:52.011+05:30

While I'm not an advocate for buying fake luxury goods, this article in the Daily Mail really had me laughing. The writer actually makes a very good case for why she loves stocking up on fake luxury goods. For those of you who came late, a recent report states that over 3 million Britons bought fake luxury goods last year and are not ashamed to admit it.The smart ones are those who can sniff out

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-40007813678256205482007-07-24T19:01:00.001+05:302007-07-24T19:08:24.411+05:30

It's shiny, it's happy, it's got bling and I'm in love! Sony has just announced the launch of the NW-E010 series mp3 player that can also be used as a USB memory stick. Available in five colours with Swarovski crystals, and 2GB and 4GB versions, the gadget will be available in Japan by September.Such coolness!

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-5385631443364526942007-07-24T17:49:00.000+05:302007-07-24T18:33:42.576+05:30

Business Standard reports that luxury marketers are now coming together to target seriously rich Indians. "There's strength in numbers, luxury marketers in India have realised," says the article, hence high-end fashion retailers like Kimaya (Pradeep Hirani), Ensemble (Sailaja Tahiliani), Samsaara (Sanjay Kapoor) and others have come together to announce the formation of the Indiluxe Retail

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-86020268606834310182007-07-24T17:29:00.000+05:302007-07-24T17:43:18.249+05:30

After the LG Prada phone, it might be the Samsung Armani handset next. South Korea-based Samsung has said today that it is considering an arrangement with Italian designer Giorgio Armani to develop a line of fashionable premium products. This effectively means mobile phones and/or television sets with the Italian designer's stamp all over it.Interestingly, Samsung's domestic rival LG Electronics

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-69544987201113940992007-07-22T17:27:00.001+05:302007-07-24T17:27:58.066+05:30

Even though it's something of a paradox as far as luxury retail is concerned, I think every luxury company must have a well-designed, user-friendly website that allows customers to buy straight off the vitual shelf. This is simply because a lot of potential (and discerning) customers are internet savvy and it's hard to beat the convenience of shopping from home vis-a-vis the 'luxury store

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-27549053139900592372007-07-15T20:13:00.000+05:302007-07-24T17:44:53.063+05:30

... an iPhone and a super luxurious case for it from Louis Vuitton. With the iPhone set to become the must-have gagdet of the century, it's no surprise that the luxury goods maker is one of the first to come out with a case to complement the phone.The cases, priced between $225 to $1,120 (they actually cost more than the iPhone!), come in materials from the classic monogram canvas to real

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-18392115227549424022007-07-15T19:36:00.000+05:302007-07-15T21:36:32.633+05:30

The Economic Times is going 'rah-rah' over India's surge in the number of wealthy individuals. And why not? After all, India (36 billionaires) has already taken over Japan (24 billionaires) as home to the most number of billionaires in Asia. Pretty soon, we'll take over the title of 'home to the maximum number of luxury consumers' as well!According to the 2007 World Wealth Report by Capgemini and

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-46766765181257958422007-07-11T20:28:00.000+05:302007-07-11T20:54:05.903+05:30

Kimaya's Pradeep Hirani is reportedly in talks with nine European brands, three of whom will sign a deal for an Indian presence with him in August. The first of the brands is Max Mara, which will launch in India in September.It will initially be retailed as part of Kimaya in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, and then through stand-alone stores by February 2008. Said Hirani in an interview to DNA, "

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-44620765039028165412007-07-11T19:49:00.000+05:302007-07-11T20:26:37.198+05:30

According to the recently released 2007 World Wealth Report by Merrill Lynch and Capgemini, 'investments of passion' (read: luxury collectibles like automobiles, aircrafts, race horses, jewellery, wines, antiques, etc) have become an important portfolio allocation for the world's 9.5 million High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs).The report reveals that luxury collectibles ranked first, accounting

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-64532337375225756042007-07-09T21:23:00.000+05:302007-07-09T22:20:26.215+05:30

Some time ago, I interviewed Sheetal Mafatlal (of Mafatlal Luxury - the franchisee and distributors of Valentino India) on retail therapy for my newspaper and asked her about Valentino's plans for India. Reproduced below are relevant excerpts:Why IndiaValentino is the ideal luxury brand for the Indian market because it caters to all age segments and has something for everyone - from the older and

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-43433535665234786212007-07-09T20:52:00.000+05:302007-07-11T19:45:44.032+05:30

Here's an idea that India could well adopt as far as paucity of luxury retail space is concerned. An article in Womens Wear Daily talks about how accessories brands are tapping into travel retail (read shopping at the airport) for growth.Airport retailers and brand executives said that even though they are weighed down by luggage, travelers are still willing to splurge on that extra bag,

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-18201363880413360882007-07-08T18:37:00.000+05:302007-07-08T18:50:07.045+05:30

How cool is this? A new internet auction site called Saveoo.com is hoping to become an eBay for big spenders by turning the traditional auction model on its head.Instead of shoppers bidding against each other for goods and pushing up prices, Saveoo.com gets sellers to compete by offering the lowest price to a potential buyer. The site's UK-based founders hope it will lead to savings worth

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-67021623474826801592007-06-24T17:50:00.000+05:302007-07-08T22:21:52.538+05:30

Well, not really. It's just that the luxury goods company is now looking at other revenue streams to expand. The latest is that it's in talks with Pearson Plc, the owner of Les Echos, to buy the French financial daily. By acquiring Les Echos, LVMH aims to develop the paper, its website and Enjeux magazine, but the proposed sale is raising concerns about editorial independence and job cuts among

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-80632822913789780332007-06-21T19:26:00.001+05:302007-06-21T19:51:28.882+05:30

French beauty giant Clarins may be the latest company in line for a takeover. On Wednesday (June 20), a French magazine claimed that luxury goods companies PPR and LVMH had shown interest in acquiring the prestigious cosmetic firm.According to a report from Challenges magazine, Clarins management told employee reps that PPR and LVMH had expressed interest, with L'Oreal also rumoured to be angling

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-19475285079990247382007-06-21T18:02:00.000+05:302007-06-21T19:20:51.637+05:30

While I'm not entirely gung ho about private equity firms taking over large fashion houses, here's a great argument for the cause. The stock market favours the luxury goods sector at this point, hence heavily indebted luxury houses are taking advantage of this situation to convert debt into equity.Take for example Versace. The clothes that once made the brand were struggling to make money. The

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-46101663048669350072007-06-05T18:28:00.000+05:302007-06-05T18:51:35.118+05:30

I've previously written about how leading fashion houses are going public and what this means for consumers of luxury goods. But seriously, what exactly is it that's making an increasingly large number of Europe's fashion houses rush for IPOs?A very interesting article in the Guardian has some answers.First down the catwalk is likely to be Moschino. Then, over the next few months a string of

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-24883285377137387072007-06-01T17:24:00.000+05:302007-06-01T17:35:14.670+05:30

After Hermès, another high profile luxury brand is set to enter the country through the single brand retail route. Christian Dior Couture has just received clearance from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to invest 51 per cent in an Indian company to retail goods under the Dior brand name.Dior, which is owned by LVMH Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton, had been operating through a

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-73959758061172295292007-06-01T16:54:00.000+05:302007-06-01T17:16:06.671+05:30

Yet another publication is talking about the newest darling of the luxury goods industry. This time, it's the Economist that's raving about India's growing prosperity and propensity to spend the big bucks.Like everyone else, the Economist too talks about the problems facing the luxury behemoths, but I find Luxury Marketing Council boss Devyani Raman's description of India's luxury market rather

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-79869588530760827982007-05-31T19:48:00.000+05:302007-05-31T20:03:06.327+05:30

Even as Ermenegildo Zegna, the luxury Italian suitmaker, is getting ready to open doors to the largest luxury store yet in Mumbai, group president Paulo Zegna is warning other companies that India is not everything it has been made out to be.He should know. After all, Zegna was one of the first few luxury companies to make a foray into the Indian market in 1999. It withdrew a few years later as

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-42447685319263910302007-05-31T19:26:00.000+05:302007-05-31T19:44:17.182+05:30

Mint is reporting that Hermès is finally coming to India. The Paris based luxury group has applied to India's Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), the government agency that regulates foreign investments in the country, for permission to sell Hermès products through retail and wholesale outlets. The company has formed an alliance with Khanna Specialty Retail and Distributors Pvt Ltd, a firm

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-85102066507278969282007-05-30T19:01:00.000+05:302007-05-30T19:47:01.720+05:30

This is what I would call smart marketing. An excerpt from an article in Mint:In the 2003 blockbuster Kal Ho Na Ho, Saif Ali Khan, playing an MBA student, trotted around with a Louis Vuitton briefcase. Three years later, in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, the lead stars Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherjee, all portrayed as imageconscious New Yorkers, were seen swinging Louis Vuitton handbags

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-36436998159625688752007-05-30T14:47:00.000+05:302007-06-05T19:01:19.379+05:30

Yet another Indian company is foraying into the luxury retail sector. On Tuesday, Ness Wadia spoke to NDTV Profit about about how his company Bombay Dyeing is planning to establish a luxury high street in Worli (Mumbai) and is also in talks with leading luxury companies for a franchisee arrangement.While he is not willing to divulge details yet, Wadia does admit that the expansion plans are

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-42175756939223446162007-05-28T20:46:00.000+05:302007-05-28T21:03:01.681+05:30

Here's an interesting piece of commentary from Wall Street Journal writer Christina Binkley, where she talks about how the new trend of private equity investors is affecting luxury goods companies. While she feels that "the jury is still out on whether these new investors will improve the luxury business", she does make some smart observations about the pros and cons of such partnerships and what

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5022357247031036167.post-78289072993017629672007-05-28T20:10:00.000+05:302007-05-28T20:22:04.897+05:30

Now that India is raking in the moolah and the millionaires, how can luxury car shopping not have a dream run of sorts here? According to the Economic Times, Mercedes and BMW have had to revise their yearly targets, while smaller-volume brands like Audi, Bentley and Rolls Royce are struggling to meet customer demand.Financiers say it's all because the demand elasticity at the top of the heap is

Xarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11799221272298557894noreply@blogger.com0