Mohit Dhanjal Joins Sephora as CEO

India's foremost fashion designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, revealed an art creation, designed to honor the beloved and iconic Mickey Mouse, as an integral contribution to the Create 100 initiative.

Create 100 is a worldwide commemoration of creativity, commemorating a century of Disney storytelling. Motivated by their personal affinity with narratives and characters spanning Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and 20th Century, Create 100 engages a selection of the globe's most distinguished creative visionaries, along with emerging talents across the domains of fashion, music, art, and various others. These individuals are generously contributing artworks, items, and experiences to support the charitable organization Make-A-Wish®.

Sabyasachi is celebrated for his distinctly modern take on traditional Indian clothing. The ace Indian fashion designer from Calcutta is known for his exquisite designer garments, jewelry and merchandise. He joins a collective of some of the world’s most esteemed creative legends who are coming together to benefit Make-A-Wish®.

Namaste Mickey
Sabyasachi Mukherjee

‘Namaste Mickey’ was conceptualised by Sabyasachi Mukherjee and hand painted by the Sabyasachi Art Foundation. The painting was made using earth colors in Tempera and digitally transferred on to handwoven cotton and embroidered using multi-media techniques. It’s appliqued and collaged with hand embroidered textiles and metal detailing from the ateliers of Sabyasachi. The artwork is framed with embroidered textiles on hard oak wood.

“I was born in 1974, a time devoid of the internet where television was the sole medium of entertainment. I used to eagerly rush home to catch episodes of Disney’s Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. It fills me with immense excitement to be part of Create 100, representing India alongside so many talented creators. I’m so happy to be collaborating with Disney that has brought boundless joy to audiences worldwide for a century," said Sabyasachi.

Speaking about the inspiration behind his artwork, he added, “My creation, known as 'Namaste Mickey,' draws inspiration from India's rich tapestry of traditional and miniature paintings. Crafted by the Sabyasachi Art Foundation, it begins with a digital print on handmade canvas, then adorned with the age-old, intricate embroidery techniques of India. This has resulted in a contemporary collector's piece. In the artwork, Mickey Mouse dons traditional Indian attire and jewelry, set against the backdrop of the iconic Taj Mahal, surrounded by India's captivating flora and fauna. This rendition weaves together the mystique of both East and West, creating a truly magical interpretation of the most beloved character, Mickey Mouse. As I represent India, I want to take the opportunity to encourage everyone in the creative industry to continue to inspire and be inspired, and be part of positive changes around the world.”

The Create 100 contributions feature everything from musical elements to comic books to recreations of iconic movie props and more from renowned talent such as global icon Beyoncé, famed French fashion designer Christian Louboutin, Italian Global Creative Director for Swarovski Giovanna Engelbert, Chinese virtuoso pianist Lang Lang, American fashion pioneer Tommy Hilfiger and celebrated Brazilian artist Vik Muniz. Global collaborators such as adidas, Pandora and Coach will also be contributing to the celebration.  

Disney100 commemorates The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary through an offering of unparalleled content, experiences, and collections. This once in a lifetime event celebrates the storytellers, fans and families who together spark the wonder and magic of Disney.

From textiles to sugar, the KK Birla empire stretches far and wide. Sutlej Textiles has been a force to reckon with in India's cotton yarn industry. A faction of the same and a brand for the young home owners is Nesterra with its offering of new-age fabric.

The core idea for Nesterra has always been incorporating unique personalities of buyers, said Smita Joshi, VP of Home Textiles and Design Expert, Nesterra. "I’d use a trim differently than you would. So, Trims incorporates personal preferences in the curtains category to enhance its appearance," she added. From the most simplistic to highly decorated embroidery, Nesterra shares a wide range of trims that are customisable via retail partners. 

Entering a highly cluttered market, that too in pandemic, was a daunting task for Nesterra, which differentiated it's offerings with lesser number of collections for retailers for ease of brand discovery by customers.  Customers, maintained Joshi, can use multiple ways such as sharing a color scheme, the price range, or even answer a 10-point questionnaire to get to the fabric of their choices. 

"A lot of our competition originate from brands in UK and Europe.  American brands, lesser in number, trends mostly on the casual side. Millennials, well traveled, need a pop of colors and a dash of style but also seek comfort. Nesterra brings in that casual, homelike feeling, as we design for the layers of your personality, and thus focus on emotional intelligence instead of obvious product specifics such as fabric," added Joshi.

Shouldering the responsibility of the KK Birla brand value, Nesterra always comes up with innovative ATL/BTL campaigns to tap into emotions. For instance their recent Raksha Bandhan campaign at Infinity Mall, Malad, held pillow fight contests for siblings that brought participants back to the road down nostalgia. To amp up the excitement, Nesterra kept it as a content also on social media with an attractive contest plan, thus spreading the campaign's reach beyond its headquarters in Mumbai. When it comes to social media, Joshi believes that Instagram is bang for the buck with its healthy reach and profitable arrangements with various influencers depending on at-home demonstrations or product displays by the influencers themselves. 

Beyond Mumbai, the brand has good presence across Ahmedabad in Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, the southern India and Jammu & Kashmir.  Acing the game of local communication for southern states on the own hand and choosing stocking options to duck logistical hurdles in J&K, the brand has nurtured the said markets masterfully. With about 550 mukti-brand retail outlets across the country, Nesterra now aims at the far East.

Mumbai, 17th July 2023: Strategic brand consultancy, The Better Collective, has created India’s newest luxury bath and body care brand—Earth Ritual—with a mood-based positioning and product bundling GTM strategy. The brand sells 16 SKUs covering body wash, lotion, scrubs, and mists through its e-commerce store and niche premium marketplaces.

"We are delighted to have partnered with Earth Ritual on this transformative journey. We combined thorough market research, strategic customer insights, and creative expertise to unlock the brand's full potential, transforming it completely from a micro-business to a luxury bath and body care brand,” said Radhika Butala, Founder, and CEO of The Better Collective.

 Traditionally, premium brand building has been reserved for facial skincare and beauty brands. As customers evolve and spend more on wellness and personalized products, this approach needs to transfer to bath and body care, which is set to witness tremendous growth in the months to come. The brand will appeal to urban consumers who are seeking joy, energy, balance, and calm in their hectic daily lives, and we are excited to have brought the founder’s vision to life," Butala added.

The Indian personal care and beauty category stands at 18 billion dollars and has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, with an expected market size of 25 billion dollars by 2025. The online personal care market already has 80 D2C players. To ensure the brand not only stands out but becomes a category leader, The Better Collective developed a brand strategy that transformed Earth Ritual's positioning, new product development plan, target customer, distribution, pricing, and brand storytelling mechanism. Additionally, the consultancy, which operates in a collective model, reimagined the brand identity, created luxurious packaging, and developed the brand’s e-commerce store in collaboration with design and technology partner Bokaap Design.

"Partnering with The Better Collective has been a game-changer for Earth Ritual. Their strategic guidance and design prowess enabled us to craft a compelling brand and luxurious brand experience for our customers. Every detail of the brand is a conscious, mindful, and unhurried choice, which is in line with our ethos. Together, we have built a brand that is differentiated, evocative, and authentic," said Rutuja Dandekar, Founder of Earth Ritual.

To ensure a successful go-to-market strategy, The Better Collective recommended that product bundling be the brand’s core strategy and advised distribution on niche marketplaces aimed at consumers seeking slow living brands. Omni-channel marketing campaigns focused on brand storytelling have been designed for digital and offline touchpoints, giving consumers every opportunity to try the product and experience the brand.
 

Patiala, 15th July 2023: Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha stole countless hearts in Patiala at the inauguration of Kalyan Jewellers' latest showroom, the seventh store by the brand across Punjab. The showroom promises a luxurious shopping experience with an ever-expanding array of classic and latest jewellery designs. 

The company has been consistently expanding its brand footprint and operations in the region to support its growth and provide easier access to patrons. Addressing the enthralled crowd, Sonakshi Sinha said, “I am delighted to be part of the launch celebrations in Patiala, a city known for its rich heritage and timeless charm. It gives me immense pride to stand here today as a representative of Kalyan Jewellers – a brand that has consistently revolutionized the jewellery industry in India. The brilliance of the brand’s exquisite jewellery designs lies in their intricate craftsmanship and graceful aesthetics, paying homage to the diverse cultural heritage of India. This magnificent showroom stands as a testament to the brand's unwavering dedication to provide best-in-class shopping experience to its patrons in the region. I am confident that patrons will wholeheartedly embrace and support Kalyan Jewellers.”

Commenting on the new showroom, Mr. Ramesh Kalyanaraman, Executive Director of Kalyan Jewellers, said, “As a company, we have achieved significant milestones and made great strides in creating a holistic ecosystem to enhance the customer shopping experience. We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new showroom in Patiala. As we embark on the next phase of our growth journey, consistently expanding our geographical footprint in the state of Punjab, we are committed to providing a best-in-class shopping experience to our customers while staying true to the company's core values of trust and transparency.”

The newly-launched showroom will feature an extensive range of designs from Kalyan Jewellers' jewellery collections, presented in a world-class ambience. Additionally, the “Kalyan Special Gold Board Rate”, the lowest in the market and standardized across all company showrooms, will be applied, ensuring a seamless and service-backed shopping experience. In celebration of the showroom launch, Kalyan Jewellers is offering a unique promotion of 0% making charges on half the purchase value for customers shopping for a minimum of Rs. 1 lakh. These offers are valid for a limited period only.

All the jewellery retailed at Kalyan Jewellers are BIS hallmarked and undergo multiple purity tests. Patrons will also receive Kalyan Jewellers' 4-Level Assurance Certificate, which guarantees purity, free lifetime maintenance of ornaments, detailed product information, and transparent exchange and buy-back policies. This certification reflects the brand's commitment to offering the very best to its loyal customers.

The showroom will also stock Kalyan's popular house brands, including Muhurat (Wedding Jewellery Line), Mudhra (Handcrafted Antique Jewellery), Nimah (Temple Jewellery), Glo (Dancing Diamonds), Ziah (Solitaire-like Diamond Jewellery), Anokhi (Uncut Diamonds), Apoorva (Diamonds for Special Occasions), Antara (Wedding Diamonds), Hera (Daily Wear Diamonds), Rang (Precious Stones Jewellery), and the recently launched Lila (Coloured Stones and Diamond Jewellery).
 

World’s richest man Bernard Arnault appointed his daughter Delphine to run Christian Dior, the second-biggest brand in his LVMH luxury goods empire.

Arnault, currently 73 is the chief executive, chair, and majority shareholder of the group, which owns a band of high-end businesses including Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Givenchy, Kering, and Moet Hennessy to name a few.

The announcement of the eldest daughter becoming Dior's chief executive and chair came as part of the revamping of the €382 billion (337 billion pounds) conglomerate.

Delphine Arnault, who is the executive vice president of Louis Vuitton and is in charge of its product product-related activities and will take up the new position in February.

An alumnus of the London School of Economics, the 47-year-old joined the family business in 2000 after two years at the management consultancy firm McKinsey. She then joined the LVMH board in 2003 - becoming the first woman and youngest person to serve on it.

"Under Delphine's leadership, the desirability of Louis Vuitton products advanced significantly, enabling the brand to regularly set new sales records. Her keen insights and incomparable experience will be decisive assets in driving the ongoing development of Christian Dior," said Bernard Arnault.

The appointment marks her return to the brand Arnault first worked for in 2001, where she started working on shoes before rising to become a deputy general manager and working directly with Dior's then-creative director, John Galliano.
 

When it comes to redefining the online retail space, one may look no further than Kapsons Retail Private Limited; a player backed by the three-decade-long retail legacy of its parent company, Kapsons Group. 

Apart from a wide array of global brands under its umbrella, KRPL’s warehouse operations stand out in 8 cities including Ambala and Mohali with total sq ft. area capacity of 25,000. Entrusted by giants like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra, the brand manages their warehouse functioning in Banglore, Kolkata, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Bilaspur, and Bhiwandi. Today, Kapsons Retail finds its mission in providing the necessary platform to small and medium enterprises to foster their growth in the e-commerce sphere ensuring a 0 percent cancellation rate, 0 percent SLA breach rate, and 0.03 percent order defect rate.

From cataloging to quality checks to inventory management, Kapsons Retail’s robust operations have a proven record in providing solutions to the modern expanding business. And a part of that system, the well-set-up Warehouse, gives KRPL’s portfolio an additional boost that the company proudly stands by. Retail giants, Jain Amar (Madame) and Bestseller are only two of the many that have entrusted Kapsons Retail, whose dedicated Warehouse concepts range from multi-user to in-house, whichever fits the need of the business best. Value-added services and digital solutions like warehouse management and integration systems have helped the company maintain a flawless streak of a 0 percent cancellation rate, 0 percent SLA breach rate, and 0.03 percent order defect rate and it doesn’t stop there.

With a thorough understanding of the trade and the dynamic changes it commands, Kapsons Retail Private Limited stays ahead of the game. The company boasts of one of the biggest Warehouses, spread across an area of over 60,000 sq. ft. Assured quality checks, a robust video-recorded returns process, 24*7 Physical security, CCTV surveillance inside and outside, approx 20 fire extinguishers in every zone, and smoke alarms in every section are only some of the many perks that come along.

While Kapsons Group continues to capture the market at full tilt with 24 stores across 20 cities, steadily emerging as one of the largest retail chains in the North, Kapsons Retail catches up as one of the biggest aggregators pan-India, representing top retail players, international and domestic alike. The company has set its eyes on yielding 3x more as it enters its 11th year in the industry.

Private-equity firm Carlyle Group has acquired a majority stake in Indian beauty care and wellness solutions provider VLCC for about $300 million, two sources told Reuters.

The equity for the transaction will come from funds managed and advised by entities affiliated with Carlyle Asia Partners, Carlyle said in a statement, without specifying a deal value.

VLCC's online sales - up from 7 percent of total sales to 22 percent in the past three years - would help the skincare and beauty products brand gain a distinct value proposition, Amit Jain, managing director and co-head of Carlyle India, told Reuters.

Private-equity firm Carlyle Group has acquired a majority stake in Indian beauty care and wellness solutions provider VLCC for about $300 million, two sources told Reuters. The equity for the transaction will come from funds managed and advised by entities affiliated with Carlyle Asia Partners, Carlyle said in a statement, without specifying a deal value.

VLCC's online sales - up from 7 percent of total sales to 22 percent in the past three years - would help the skincare and beauty products brand gain a distinct value proposition, Amit Jain, managing director and co-head of Carlyle India, told Reuters.

"In a crowded market, having a distinct value proposition with high product efficacy and an established brand is very valuable, and that's what VLCC has," Jain added.

Founded in 1989, VLCC has a network of 210 retail "clinics" in 118 cities across 11 countries in South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Founders Vandana Luthra and Mukesh Luthra will continue to hold a significant stake in the company, Carlyle said, without sharing further details.

India's beauty and personal care industry is expected to grow to $27.5 billion by 2025 from $17.8 billion in 2020, according to estimates by Indian financial services firm Avendus.

In December, the parent of Indian personal care products startup Mamaearth filed for an initial public offering. KPMG India was the adviser to VLCC and its founders.

French menswear brand Celio has announced the appointment of Stanton Ambrose as its head of marketing. According to the company, Ambrose has a proven track record for delivering innovation and growth to the brands he leads. At Celio India, Ambrose will spearhead the fashion label’s marketing department and overlook key function areas, it further added.

The brand has a strong presence in the country and looks to further strengthen its footprint and engage with Gen Z and millennials whilst increasing market share, Stanton Ambrose, head of marketing, Celio India, said, “I eagerly look forward to learning and growing with the brand and building a community of consumers who resonate with the brand’s ethos,” he added.

Ambrose has over 11 years of experience in brand management, marketing strategy (B2B and B2C), customer experience, and digital marketing in the retail Industry. Additionally, he has held key marketing roles across companies such as Reliance Brands, Bestseller, and Future Group.

Mohey, the bridalwear brand appoints the celebrated actress Kiara Advani as their new brand ambassador with their ongoing campaign #DulhanWaliFeeling.

Kiara is pictured celebrating the new era of a contemporary Indian bride while wearing a gorgeous lehenga from Mohey's most recent bridal collection. She is an epitome of a radiant, confident, self-righteous, and independent modern Indian bride

Reinforcing the new-age bridal swag, Kiara looks confident and joyous on her wedding day. The film depicts the era of a modern-day bride and how weddings are a big day for them. In the film, during her bidaai, Kiara is seen replacing all the gifts she got for her wedding with her most prized possessions. She gets her first doll, her racket that helped her win against her father, her old notebooks, and everything that holds more meaning and memories about her new home. 

With the help of her new husband and father-in-law, Kiara is able to replace all the new gifts that she finds meaningless in front of her old possessions. While leaving in the car her mother asks her why she is taking old items to her new house, to which Kiara joyfully answers “naye ghar ko apna ghar banaane”. The movie shows the cluster of emotions a bride experiences on her special day and how these old items hold a special place in their hearts. They want to carry their memories with them, it's her #DulhanWaliFeeling.

Vedant Modi, CMO, Vedant Fashions Limited said, “Kiara, whilst deeply rooted with her tradition, is also the new age Indian woman that brings out our powerful messaging in the most confident manner. Mohey has been conceptualized for the confident and bold Indian brides who live life to the fullest and we believe the essence of our #DulhanWaliFeeling has been beautifully portrayed by Kiara.”

Shreyansh Innovations, Founder, Director of the agency said, “In keeping with the spirit of Mohey, we have yet again celebrated the views of a modern bride. Kiara Advani delivers a message of freedom and choice in a very simple way where she chooses to carry some unexpected things with her as she leaves for her marital home. But these seemingly meaningless things are what hold priceless memories for her. This film shows a modern Mohey bride who decides to carry the love and comfort of her maternal home in her new house.”

The premium organic beauty brand Lotus Organics + has unleashed a new campaign with the vivacious actress Dia Mirza, for its Precious Brightening range of skincare products. As the brand ambassador for Lotus Organics+, Dia will appear in a new campaign that will run across various platforms. 

The high-voltage campaign revolves around the Lotus Organics+ Precious Brightening Range, with the film primarily focusing on the Precious Brightening Day Crème. Lotus Organics+ is a socially responsible brand with a strong commitment to the environment. It has found synergy with the spirited actress who is the UN Environment’s Goodwill Ambassador for India as well as a champion of the sustainability movement. 

The new campaign glows in its bright visual style with Dia Mirza’s strong presence furthering the message of how the Lotus Organics+ precious brightening range ensures bright and glowing skin. The brand film reinforces the message that Lotus Organics+ is 100 percent certified organic by highlighting the rare white peony flower extracts present in its Precious Brightening Range. In the film, Dia applies the Precious Brightening Day crème emphasizing how she needs something special for her glowing skin. She also highlights how the product is free from preservatives, and artificial fragrances and reduces blemishes and pigmentation. The film concludes by showcasing the entire Lotus Organics+ Precious Brightening range with Dia promoting the brand’s vision to ‘Live Organic’.

Nitin Passi, Chairman, and MD, Lotus Herbals said, “Lotus Organics+ is a brand that uses only 100 percent certified organic actives in its products.  We want our customers to be our ‘eco-responsible partner’ and adopt a sustainable lifestyle. In the new campaign, our Brand Ambassador Dia Mirza highlights the organic ingredients that go in our Precious Brightening Range, the potency of the organic ingredients in achieving skincare goals, and the message to all of our customers to ‘live organic’.”

The new campaign from Lotus Organics+ with their gorgeous brand ambassador Dia Mirza will play along with movie blockbusters across multiplexes PAN  India to attract maximum visibility. With an extensive media plan, the campaign will play out on the brand’s social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. 

The high-decibel campaign will also be aired on leading OTT platforms including Disney Hotstar where the brand film will be aired during the series ‘Moving in with Malaika’ in which actress Malaika Arora can be seen using Lotus Organics+ products. Through this powerful campaign, Dia will reach out to a youthful audience of millennials, Gen Z, and her large fan base many of whom are deeply concerned about organic beauty products and the environment.

Lotus Organics+ is a conscious and compassionate organic beauty and wellness brand whose products are crafted with 100 percent Certified Organic Actives. All its products are vegetarian, cruelty-free, and made without using parabens, sulfates, or artificial colors and come in packaging made of 100 percent recyclable material, which includes paper boxes, glass bottles, jars, and aluminum tubes.

Surya Brasil, a Brazil-headquartered multinational vegan personal care brand that forayed into India over a year back, has upgraded its product portfolio with the launch of a revamped Henna Cream range, crafted especially for Indian hair and scalp types. A pioneer in the global personal care space, Surya Brasil has engineered a unique line of products – Henna Cream Surya Brasil, Pre-Coloration Shampoo, and Post-Color Conditioner – with enhanced formulation and added value to come up with a natural, unique and easy way to color as well as treat the hair. 

Taking into account the prevalent hair, and scalp woes in the subcontinent, triggered primarily by harsh chemicals, the advanced shampoo is 96.2 percent natural while the conditioner in the pack is 98.8 percent natural. Surya Brasil has also declared that it intends to expand its footprint across the country and is currently on the lookout for exclusive distribution partners at both regional as well as national levels in India.

Clelia Cecilia Angelon, Founder, Surya Brasil said, “Having catered to consumers across all five continents, we are well acquainted with the varied skin and hair care-related requisites of different geographies and ethnicities. Our latest offering, based on Brazilian organic extracts, is created specifically to suit Indian hair and scalp types while ensuring adequate hydration and naturally shiny strands. The special formulation in the Henna Cream and allied products would not only color properly but also provide appropriate moisture. Besides the formulation, the packaging of Henna Cream is also revamped, and it now comes with advanced shampoo and conditioner that makes the color last longer.”

She added that the nature-oriented Henna Cream Surya Brasil comprises harmless ingredients such as sugarcane, beetroot, and special butter along with vegetal extracts from Amazonian rainforest and Ayurvedic herbs. Henna Cream Surya Brasil is also void of harsh chemicals or toxins like Ammonia or any of its byproducts – Ethanolamine, Diethanolamine, and Triethanolamine. Notably, the shampoo, consisting majorly of natural ingredients, deeply cleanses the hair without damaging them, yet prepare the strands to receive the color.

Slated to be available on leading online platforms such as Amazon, the all-new Henna Cream Surya Brasil, packed along with the shampoo and conditioner, has been launched at an introductory price of Rs 2320. On the sidelines of the Henna Cream Surya Brasil unveiling, the brand also announced that it would soon introduce a holistic skincare range in India comprising dermo cosmetics and organic products. This comes even as Surya Brasil has within a year swiftly surged as a global market leader in natural and vegan hair care products.

Bata India launched 3D OOH Billboard, becoming the first footwear brand in India to disrupt the advertising space with the format. 

The billboard utilizes an anamorphic image content creation format thereby making content appear in 3 dimensions which are visually compelling. Bata has used this innovative technology to highlight the variety of sneakers it offers with the Sneaker Studios launched across 300+ stores across the country.

The first-of-its-kind setup has been installed in Bengaluru. This hyper-realistic billboard is a visual treat for potential consumers and immediately commands attention. The advertising features sneakers from various brands like Power, that’s used for fitness, and NorthStar, the lifestyle sneaker brand from Bata. 

Made to engage with the youth audience, the 3D outdoor seamlessly marries various animations like a moving skateboard, sneakers popping out of a shoe box, and a train of multiple sneakers streaming from the billboard thereby creating a compelling story. 

“At Bata India, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to engage with our audience. We are elated to be one of the first few brands and especially, the first footwear brand in India to bring the disruptive format of 3D OOH advertising. As we offer over 300 sneakers styles from 9 international brands in our new Sneaker Studios, a shop-in-shop destination inside Bata stores, we thought of leveraging the new 3D emerging outdoor media to announce this launch. Consumers can experience Sneaker Studio in their neighborhood Bata stores and get to shop their favorite styles instantly or even order them via home delivery service,” said Anand Narang, VP, Marketing and Customer Experience, Bata India Limited.

Bata India has been integrating technology at every step of the consumer journey. 300+ stores have been renovated this year with new experiential elements like 3D Holographic Unit, Lift & Learn Technology, Digital LED screens, and the in-store radio Bata Jukebox. 

The Sneaker Studio at Bata includes over 300 styles from international brands like Power, NorthStar, Hush Puppies, Bata Red Label, Bata Comfit, Naturalizer, Weinbrenner, and more available in Bata stores and on its website. 
 

MakeUp Eraser is a leading brand when it comes to a reliable and sustainable solution to get rid of all the makeup particles on the face. A reusable and machine-washable product, it lasts for 3-5 years and effectively cleans your skin without the use of any oil, chemicals, or soap. Eliminating single-use wipes, the brand is dedicated to building a sustainable future. 

MakeUp Eraser, having a presence on the platform, Glow by Tressemart for over 2 years, has now launched its own website.

“The reason for doing so is to give the customers an easy user experience along with detailed information on the brand that is freely accessible. A brand-owned website increases the authenticity and dismisses distractions, keeping a one-dimensional focus on MakeUp Eraser and its quirky and fun variants,” said Sargam Dhawan Bhayana, Director, Tressmart Marketing Private Limited.

He further added, “Being an original and one-of-a-kind sustainable concept, there is a monopoly in the international market for MakeUp Eraser and we are trying to establish the same in the Indian market landscape.” 

An unparalleled skin-care experience, MakeUp Eraser is now dedicated more than ever to offering an effortless and one-step addition to your routine. Hassle-free products designed to uplift women, save time, and help the environment, makes MakeUp Eraser a one-stop solution. 

MyGlamm launched the Super Serum face makeup range, its first-ever serum-infused makeup range for all the ‘Super Women’ out there. The Super Serum face makeup range is multifaceted – with Hyaluronic Acid, it is makeup and a serum.

“We’re elated to announce the launch of our first-ever serum-infused face makeup range. The new MyGlamm Super Serum face makeup range has been created for the multifaceted woman who wants to look glam all day and seeks a multi-purpose product that offers benefits for her skin. Our makeup is rooted in innovation and created with the best skin-friendly ingredients,” said Sukhleen Aneja, CEO, Beauty and FMCG Brands, The Good Glamm Group.

The vegan-friendly and cruelty-free Super Serum face makeup range comprises a BB Cream with SPF 50 PA+++, a Compact, a Concealer, and a Foundation. The range is infused with Hyaluronic Acid, which holds 1000X its weight in water, to retain skin moisture, and add bounce and suppleness, along with antioxidants, that work to protect the skin from damage. The Super Serum range comes in beautiful and bold golden packaging to embody the super women using the products.

MyGlamm’s skin-perfecting serum BB cream with SPF 50 PA+++ UV protection comes in 3 shades. The BB cream is powered by Hyaluronic Acid, which retains skin moisture making it hydrated and supple. It is also infused with Niacinamide serum that helps fade dark spots and antioxidant-rich Kakadu Plum that gives the skin a natural glow. The cream formula provides a non-cakey, natural-looking, radiant finish, which is suitable for all skin types and is priced at Rs 449.

The Super Serum Foundation is a serum-infused, 8 Hour+ long-wear foundation that comes with medium to high buildability, and in 8 different shades. The foundation’s soft-focus complex effortlessly minimizes fine lines to deliver an even, no-shine finish. It is packed with Hyaluronic Acid, which adds moisture to the skin and maintains suppleness. This foundation is also water-resistant with SPF 30 sun protection, and is enriched with Vitamin E to protect the skin from free radical damage is priced at Rs 699.

MyGlamm’s new Super Serum Compact actively hydrates the skin for a radiant, even complexion, and is available in 6 different shades. The compact contains  Hyaluronic Acid, which keeps the skin hydrated, and Vitamin E which acts as an antioxidant and protects the skin from damage. The skin-perfecting compact ensures smooth coverage and evens out skin complexion effortlessly. It provides medium buildable coverage and is priced at Rs 499.

MyGlamm’s serum-infused concealer is available in 5 versatile shades and is enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and Hydra Fit technology for a lightweight and luxurious finish delivering the comfort of a second skin. Its creamy pillow-like texture effortlessly melts onto the skin and helps to camouflage imperfections & blurs blemishes. This formula also has Carica Papaya Extracts that are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants to protect the skin from free radical damage and is priced at Rs 475.
 

PUMA India has roped in Bollywood actor and entrepreneur Anushka Sharma as its new brand ambassador. The latest association with Anushka comes as part of PUMA’s ongoing commitment to the women’s business in India.

The actor will endorse the brand’s footwear, apparel, and accessories including select collections through myriad activities and brand campaigns throughout the year.

Abhishek Ganguly, MD, PUMA India, and Southeast Asia, said, “We are extremely excited to bring Anushka into the PUMA family. We will be creating unique opportunities with her to deeply engage with our consumers. We are confident that the association will further drive our approach towards fitness and lifestyle in the country and in turn inch us closer to our consumers across cohorts.”

PUMA on-boarded Anushka over a fun social media banter in a span of 48 hours. The brand had announced EOSS promotions on its social media featuring file images of the actor in its products. Anushka took to her social media and called out the brand, asking PUMA to use her imagery only after onboarding her as a brand ambassador.

In response, PUMA posted an image of a proposal to make the partnership official. Anushka accepted and sealed the deal at the PUMA’s Linking Road store. To make the announcement public, she hopped into a convertible car with the PUMA cat mascot and drove off flaunting a signage Just Said Yes.

The social media banter between the actor and PUMA India was staged. With this, the actor entered the PUMA family which also includes notable personalities such as Virat Kohli, MC Mary Kom, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Sunil Chhetri, and recently Harrdy Sandhu.

Anushka Sharma (34) is an award-winning Indian film actor, entrepreneur, and angel investor. She is a yoga enthusiast.

PUMA is a sports brand, designing, develops, sells, and markets footwear, apparel, and accessories. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf, and Stichd. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs about 14,000 people worldwide, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany.

Les Petits, the luxury fashion brand for kids, has come up with a premium collection from the leading international brands – Mayoral and Versace. With the new Mayoral collection, Les Petits has forayed into a sustainable offering in the Indian market.

By bringing the sustainable Mayoral collection, Les Petits is amping up the luxury kidswear segment with eco-friendly products. It aims to raise the bar with durable, comfortable, and high-quality clothing well complemented by unique designs in line with the latest trends. With this offering, the brand conforms to fashionable clothing that manifests functionality at the same time. It caters to the varied requirements of kids enabling them to comfortably don the attire while accentuating the look with the exclusive fabric underscoring delicate detailing of urban tone.

In recent years, sustainable clothing has been on the virtue of making inroads in the market. This phenomenon has translated into conscious purchasing habits among consumers. Even parents want to give their children the best fashion while making environmentally wise selections for their kids. Being a luxury kidswear brand, Les Petits diversified its collection with sustainable products to cater to the requirements of the parents while doing its bit as a conscious and responsible brand.   

The collection from Versace brings the opportunity to embrace the much-coveted Italian fashion in the most opulent and exuberant form. The premium collection is the depiction of the designer’s extravagant spirit that translates the sleek designs into the finest fashion statement. The striking designs can be a treasure for kids' wardrobes.     

Swati Saraf, President, Les Petits said, “Having set a benchmark by bringing leading international brands in the Indian kidswear market, we consistently want to broaden the scope of the industry. As a lot of conversation is happening around sustainable clothing, we thought of venturing into this terrain as well. Understanding that children are quite sensitive to varied materials, this was a much-needed move to provide them with safe and natural products. And being a responsible brand, this is also a positive step towards a sustainable future with a focus on durable and recyclable products.”

Kimirica a luxurious personal care brand that curates its products with the finest detail and care has partnered with Bollywood Celebrity Kiara Advani to allow patrons to purchase the products that have captured the celebrity’s heart.
 
Owing to the brand’s presence in numerous luxury hotels and resorts like Leela, Hyatt, Fairmont, Marriott Group, Radisson Group, and many more every 2 seconds, a Kimirica product is used somewhere across the globe. 

With retail stores in over 30 locations in India and a presence in over 25 countries across the globe, making it is easier for customers to experience these luxurious products.

“A few months ago, I was traveling to Mumbai from Hyderabad after a shoot and I came across this beautiful-looking store at the airport that had amazing products and ended up picking up a gift for my mum as she loves bath products and beautifully scented candles. The best part was that everything was 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free. Also, the store was so inviting. Soon after the brand reached out to me and have used the products I was sure this is a brand to watch out for,” stated Kiara Advani.

Kimirica’s focus on creating not just products but luxurious experiences means there’s a story in every bottle. Each collection offers a sensory escape, and with such a wide variety of products and fragrances, there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

The collection has been created with the utmost finesse and attention to detail in their state-of-the-art manufacturing plant like every other product Kimirica has to offer. Kimirica ensures all their products are 100 percent vegan, ethically sourced, and cruelty-free.

“We are pleased to announce our partnership with Kiara Advani. I couldn’t think of a better face to promote our brand. The story of Kimirica, in a true sense, is a Love Story, and I am elated to see that Kiara loves the brand as much as we do. Kimirica is redefining luxury. Our passion is to spread joy through natural, sustainable, luxurious experiences. And our partnership with Kiara aims to create awareness around how self-care is a way to shower yourself with love - something we could all do a little more of,” said Kimi Jain, Founder, Kimirica.

The collaboration between Kimirica and Kiara Advani allows one to get products that have been handpicked and endorsed by the Bollywood icon. Kimirica’s fragrant, soothing and skin-loving products elevate the bath into a luxurious experience. 

Arcelia launched a new range of lipsticks as a part of its expansion into color cosmetics. The Arcelia lipstick range across matte and creamy lines boasts a comprehensive range of 75 shades to suit every skin tone.
 
Arcelia’s recent launch demonstrates the brand’s commitment to cosmetics as it seeks to enter India’s rapidly growing beauty industry. The vitamin-infused lipsticks are available in a variety of colors, including pinks, reds, fuchsias, browns, and nudes to suit all Indian skin tones.

Matte lipsticks are a new rage as they are hyperlight, long-lasting, intensely pigmented, and transfer-proof. The long-wearing Matte lipstick has a plush, color-rich formula. It is enriched with almond oil, Jojoba oil, and Vitamin E that soothes, nourishes, and rejuvenates the lips and is also available in a creamy matte for women who prefer moisturizing textures. 

The Arcelia lipsticks are available in both regular and mini sizes. They offer one-stroke applications and extensive coverage. Customers can select from full matte liquid lipsticks, highly pigmented matte lipsticks, and very comfortable creme lipsticks. 

The new lipstick line is vegan, cruelty, and paraben-free, and without harmful chemicals and preservatives, providing customers with a safe and ethical beauty product.

“Beauty is one of our strategic growth pillars. We created and launched Arcelia to broaden our beauty portfolio with world-class beauty and personal care products. Arcelia is for the modern-day confident woman who owns herself and her victories. With the brand’s visible success, we now expand into lipsticks,” said Biju Kassim, Customer Care Associate and President, Beauty.

This new range highlights our ongoing product development efforts to create a portfolio of products you will appreciate. We are confident that both brand loyalists and new customers will enjoy this new collection.

The range will also witness the launch of eye pencils and eyeliners in the coming months, the new range of lipsticks is priced onwards of Rs 245   
 

Colorbar, a leading cosmetic brand launched its first-ever range of serums, for plump, youthful, and glowing skin. The formulas contain skin actives that revitalize dull skin and blur worry lines, dark spots, and pores.

The range includes eight power-packed variants catering to a wide range of skin concerns. Each is cruelty-free and free from irritants such as essential oils, drying alcohol, silicone, chemical screens, fragrances/dyes, and SLS.

“Colorbar has been redefining the beauty space in India with products and services that stand out and never fail to wow. The pandemic was a great disruptor for the skincare industry with a multitude of content everywhere that educated the consumers on the benefits of skin science,” said Samir Kumaar Modi, Managing Director, Founder, Colorbar Cosmetics.

He further added, “We believe in the magic of a daily skincare routine! It promotes self-love, happiness, and confidence. The new Serums are here to cater to individual concerns with formulas created in the best of facilities, with ingredients that are tried, tested and successful.”

The new range starts from Rs 599 and offers the following benefits:

• Hydrates skin and restores natural radiance  
• Boosts collagen production for glowing skin  
• Reduces blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles 
• Fights signs of aging 
• Promotes a soft, supple, and youthful skin 
• Improves overall skin health 
• Unclogs and clears pores 
• Prevents future breakouts 
• Takes care of acne, dullness, and damage  

Colorbar forayed into the beauty industry looking for creative formulas to bring an unparalleled experience to its consumers. The brand follows the belief of - change being the only constant, and ensures that it leads with quality every step of the way. With the essence of gender neutrality and inclusivity at its heart, Colorbar envisions a world full of beauty and originality.

The brand holds a strong geographical footprint in the country with over 100 exclusive stores, more than 1,300 multi-brand outlets, and partner chains like Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, New U, and Pantaloons and is also available on its own website while partnering with websites such as Nykaa, Amazon, Myntra, Purplle, Flipkart and more.

Jewelry brand BlueStone has elevated Sudeep Nagar, the chief operating officer as its co-founder. Nagar will be joining Gaurav Singh Kushwaha, BlueStone’s CEO as the omnichannel brand’s second co-founder.

An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, Sudeep joined BlueStone in December 2012, with extensive experience in software and luxury real estate and has been instrumental in making BlueStone a vertically and digitally integrated organization.

Initiatives under his leadership have strongly impacted the business - curtailing critical wastage, improving speed to delivery, and maintaining lean operations overall. According to the company, with his elevation to co-founder, Sudeep will continue to leverage the brand's proprietary technology ecosystem to ensure consumers have a seamless experience across the brand's various touchpoints like the D2C website, app, and stores, from design to delivery.

“It is no coincidence that Sudeep's elevation to co-founder comes just as he marks a decade of building BlueStone. In these ten years, his initiatives have impacted all possible functions like marketing, retail, sales, logistics, accounts and more. I can't think of a better person to share the mantle of co-founder,” commented Gaurav Singh Kushwaha, Co-Founder and CEO, Bluestone.

BlueStone was founded in Bangalore in 2011 and claims to have over 140 retail stores across 38 Indian cities. The company asserted that it has crafted over 8,700 contemporary creations across more than 100 collections.

As post-pandemic restrictions begin to ease, there is a reignited enthusiasm for dressing up and going out. The party revival is a mix of sensuality and nostalgia coming together to give a fresh take on the party for Cover Story this season. Introducing Cover Story’s all-new AW 2022 collection.

This party season, the Cover Story BFFs are here to show you that there’s so much more between poles apart. One is all sexy charm and the other is dark seduction. From night to day and pink to pastel, as different as they seem, together, they’re a fashion riot. Wear your difference this party season and make a statement.

Taking inspiration from international catwalks and street style trends, Cover Story is focusing on 3 major party trends this season. Modern Goth provides a more mature and sophisticated direction with black-on-black, velvet, and leather structured pieces. In stark contrast, the trend for the 90s and 2000s nostalgia shows no sign of slowing down. Hyper pink and co-ord sets are key with corset styling at the forefront. A pretty romantic trend with lingerie detailing and pretty floral jacquards give a more feminine look.  

This party season is all about fabrics and details. Consisting of rich velvets in solid colors and velvet floral burnouts, sequins, leather, and bright satins. For a sorter and more feminine look, Cover Story has floral jacquards and spot meshes. Taking the key trends for the season but adapting them in a commercial way, which is suitable for every consumer.

By having a pretty feminine, sophisticated and elegant, and striking bright range, Cover Story is offering a piece of the trend for every type of customer and occasion.

Archies, the forerunners in the social expression industry relaunched its most popular fragrant range ‘Parfum’ for both men and women. Archies Parfum is a premium and luxurious range of perfumes and deodorants curated in Turkey– all are packed with the goodness of essential oils to enhance a customer’s personality and complement their on-the-go lifestyle.

The Parfum range comprises Zeroone, Dream Boy, and Boyz Parfum, catering to the male segment along with Zeroone, Dream Gals, and Girlz Parfum for the female segment. The deodorant range comprises Zeroone Original, Dream Boys, and Boyz Deo catering to the male segment along with Zeroone Original, Dream Girls, and Gals Parfum for the female segment. 

UXR Original Parfum, Ghost Original Parfum and Zeroone Original Black Diamond range of exotic Perfumes and deodorants have been launched for the unisex range. The re-launched range of perfumes will be available in an all-new packaging of 100 ml at Rs 599 only, at the Archies online website.

Varun Moolchandani, Executive Director, Archies, said, “We are thrilled to re-introduce our most fragrant range Parfum and Deodorants for the consumers today. As a gifting brand, we love to introduce diversified products for end users. There has also been a major shift in the usage of gifting products from special occasions to everyday use. Therefore, we decided to focus on Perfumes and deodorants in our cosmetic range. We are also adding multiple new things to our online & retail stores so that we continue to retain the excitement for our customers.” 

Along with independent perfumes and deodorants, Archies has also launched a gifting range for customers that comprises both perfumes and deodorants together priced at Rs 849. The products can be purchased at the Archies online website and their retail stores.

RENÉE Cosmetics raised $25 million in a Series B funding round led by Evolvence India, with Edelweiss Group and existing investors Equanimity and 9Unicorns, through a deal facilitated with the support of Spark Financial Holdings.

The said amount has been raised towards building on the brand’s mission of making RENÉE Cosmetics a globally recognized Indian beauty brand. This also leads to creating a $100 million valuation for the brand within two years of its operations; this is inclusive of a total of $35 million across three rounds of funding.

The Series B funding will further enhance RENÉE’s continued Indian and international growth by allowing the company to develop more products, and marketing initiatives and grow its team; RENÉE has already proven to be one of the fastest beauty brands to breach the Rs 100 crore ARR mark in revenue, and the brand aims to grow 100 percent quarter by quarter.

“With RENÉE, our goal has always been to create a quality brand with innovative products that would change the perception towards using beauty products. We want to inspire our consumer’s creative side and help them celebrate their beauty through RENÉE. What Aashka, Priyank, and I have learned in the last over two years is that it is less about creating a brand that is simple to use, that is just the table stake, but more about redefining beauty in a way that consumers are open to embracing it. With this round, our priority is to extend our product portfolio to give our consumers the comfort to be at ease with being themselves,” said Ashutosh Valani, Co-Founder and Director, RENÉE.

“With our upcoming product portfolio, we want to unveil everyone's innate layer of beauty. We want RENÉE to be a part of every individual's journey towards loving themselves more and celebrating their beauty,” commented Aashka Goradia Goble, Co-Founder, and Director, RENÉE.

Priyank Shah, Co-Founder, and Director, RENÉE, concluded, “We want to extend and strengthen our presence more in-depth and steer RENÉE towards becoming a globally recognized Indian makeup brand that is relatable and accessible to all irrespective of the geographical location.”

Furthermore, Abhishek Chandra, Managing Director and Ajit Kumar, Managing Partner at Evolvence India, said, “RENÉE’s relentless focus on brand, omnichannel distribution, and product gives the company an edge for it becoming a disruptive force in the beauty landscape in India. We are excited to partner with Ashutosh, Priyank, and Aashka, all of them who come with a deep experience in this space, to accelerate the company’s already impressive growth trajectory.”

Ashish Agarwal, Managing Partner, Edelweiss Group, further added, "We are thrilled to partner with RENÉE Cosmetics. Their products have path-breaking packaging-form innovation that delivers convenience and quality. Under the leadership of Ashutosh, Priyank, and Aashka, RENÉE is well-positioned to become a leading cosmetics brand."

RENÉE Cosmetics today has over 200 products in its beauty and perfume divisions portfolio which are available on the brand’s website and across major e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, and Myntra, with several others, and also 650+ shop-in-shop stores across the country; additionally, they also have an online beta presence in the US, UAE, and Australia.

TMRW, an Aditya Birla Group venture, announced a partnership with 8 digital-first lifestyle brands. These partnerships with the new-age founders have been struck within a few months of the launch of the venture. TMRW is on a path to creating a leading technology-led Digital First ‘House of Brands’ business over the next several years. With these 8 brands on board, TMRW has achieved a revenue run-rate of Rs 700 crore+ and is on a path to cross an annual revenue rate of Rs 1,500 crore+ in the next 12 months.

The investment in these 8 D2C brands establishes a strong foundation with a diversified portfolio across several fashion sub-categories. With this portfolio, TMRW has established a presence across a broad spectrum of apparel segments ranging from Casual Wear, Kid’s Wear to Western Wear. The plan is to expand in related Lifestyle categories including Beauty and Personal Care. TMRW’s vision is to partner with new-age founders by bringing in strategic, operational, and technological capabilities in addition to growth capital. With synergistic investments that will power multiple brands, TMRW will enable blitz scaling and brand building. 

Ashish Dikshit, MD, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd, said, “ABFRL has a distinctive heritage of building marquee Fashion and Lifestyle brands. By tapping into ABFRL’s fashion capabilities and category expertise, TMRW is on the path to replicate the success in the Digital First space by building the next generation of memorable brands that will drive India’s E-Commerce growth.”

Prashanth Aluru, CEO and Co-founder, TMRW, said, “We are excited about partnering with these amazing entrepreneurs that are disrupting multiple Lifestyle categories. With our investment and deep value-addition, we are confident in scaling existing leading brands to become category leaders as well as be the category creators in several emerging categories. We will also leverage our deep partnerships within the E-Commerce and D2C ecosystem to be a force multiplier in the brand’s growth journey.”

This Wedding-Festive season, Gargee Designer’s is presenting 'Ekaa', a curation of unique and versatile traditional pieces with a touch of modernity to celebrate the spirit of togetherness and joy. A small endeavor to carve the mesmeric moments of the tantalizing wedding of pure souls with the promise of eternal love that never fades away. Gargee Designer’s- leaders in dressing Indian masculinity with the blended flavors of conventional and contemporary for every special occasion of very existence.

The brand's latest collection - Ekaa features flowy and fusion garments crafted in the finest material and threadwork to capture the heart of a man who wants to make a statement. The collection includes sherwani, Bundi sets, Bandhgala, Kurta sets, Indo western, and tuxedos with unique enchanting thread work, embroideries, and mirror work. 

Ekaa is a curation of unique and versatile traditional pieces with a touch of modernity to celebrate the spirit of togetherness and joy. The newly launched collection is synonymous with the brand's continuous strides in high-quality, innovative, futuristic Indian-wear designs.

The brand invites the groom and his team of best men to relish royal craftsmanship for the wedding festivities. Gargee Designer’s have been compassionately working for decades to consistently fill the gap for men's traditional and celebrations clothing. 

Ravi, Director, Gargee Designer’s said, "Occasions are not just mere rituals that we follow but a celebration of love and bonds which keep us together till eternity. Gargee Designer’s philosophy is about being rooted in our culture and heritage, all with the comfort that a modern man seeks. Our new collection, Ekaa, aims to spread the idealogy of experiencing the culture with comfort in style."

Alessandro Michele, the creative director who turned Gucci into a hit brand with younger generations, is leaving the Italian label.

Kering SA, which owns the brand, announced Michele is stepping down in a statement Wednesday. Gucci’s design office will oversee the label’s direction until a new creative organization will be announced, the company said. 

“There are times when paths part ways because of the different perspectives each one of us may have,” Michele said in the statement. “Today an extraordinary journey ends for me, lasting more than twenty years, within a company to which I have tirelessly dedicated all my love and creative passion.” 

Michele, 49, helped turn the Florence, Italy-based brand into a fashion behemoth that neared €10 billion ($10.3 billion) in sales in 2021, up from about €3.5 billion in the year before he took over creative leadership at the start of 2015. Gucci is Kering’s biggest brand and main profit contributor, generating three-fourths of its recurring operating income last year.

Michele’s fashions, recognizable for their flamboyant, bohemian-chic designs, have been worn by celebrities such as Jared Leto, Harry Styles, and Florence Welch. Under him, Gucci also engaged in collaborations with other brands and companies, notably Adidas AG and North Face Inc.

Despite some progress, however, Gucci’s growth has lagged behind rival brands such as fellow Kering label Yves Saint Laurent since the lifting of most Covid-19 restrictions.

The brand is particularly exposed to China, which has been slower to loosen pandemic rules because of its Covid-zero approach. Earlier this year, Gucci named a former Tiffany and Co. executive, Laurent Cathala, to head the fashion unit in China and Hong Kong. Kering Chief Financial Officer Jean-Marc Duplaix told investors last month that Cathala may not be able to change performance overnight, and that the goal to boost sales there was long-term.

Michele slowed the pace of creation when the pandemic struck, putting out fewer collections and fewer fresh designs. The brand plans to return to six collections next year, Duplaix said last month. Kering shares closed 0.6 percent higher in Paris Wednesday following news of Michele’s exit, which was first reported by WWD.

“It may well be time for a change,” RBC Europe Ltd. analyst Piral Dadhania wrote in a note to clients. The role at Gucci requires a designer willing to focus on the archives of the brand and rebuild its heritage, he added. 

Gucci was founded in Florence in 1921 as a maker of luggage and other leather goods, and over the next several decades expanded in Italy, Europe, and the US. In 1999, Pinault Printemps Redoute, as Kering was formerly known, bought a 42 percent stake and later took it over completely. The acquisition of the Italian brand heightened the rivalry between Francois Pinault, the founder of Kering, and French luxury mogul Bernard Arnault, founder of LVMH.

Michele’s departure follows the surprise exit of Daniel Lee a year ago from Bottega Veneta, another Kering brand. Lee left for undisclosed reasons after a successful run, and recently joined Burberry Group Plc, where he’s scheduled to unveil his first rainwear collection in January.

Earlier this month, Estee Lauder Inc. announced the purchase of Tom Ford’s beauty line, a business Kering had also considered as the group seeks to expand its cosmetics and fragrance offerings, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News.

Separately, Balenciaga, another Kering label, was forced to apologize Tuesday after a campaign drew accusations the brand headed by creative designer Demna tried to sexualize children in ads. Balenciaga subsequently withdrew the controversial ads.

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited (ABFRL) enters into a strategic partnership with Galeries Lafayette, renowned globally for its flagship location at Boulevard Haussmann in Paris, to open luxury department stores and a dedicated e-commerce platform in India. The flagship stores in Mumbai and Delhi will bring more than 200 luxury and designer brands under one roof. 

The 90,000 square feet flagship store in Mumbai is expected to be operational by 2024. It will be housed across two historic buildings that recently heralded their century at the heritage precinct of Fort, the leading commercial and cultural hub of the city. The building is currently being designed by the architectural firm Virgile and Partners, which has worked extensively on storied department stores globally. Pike Preston is the advisor on record for this collaboration.

The 65,000 square feet store in Delhi, expected to be operational in 2025, will be at DLF Emporio, one of India’s largest luxury malls. Galeries Lafayette, Delhi will complement the current offering at the mall with a set of young, exciting designer brands across multiple categories.

Ashish Dikshit, MD, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited said, “This is a coming-of-age moment for Indian luxury. India is now home to a generation of young and affluent consumers with global exposure, who are willing to spend on the finer things in life. This is visible in the boom and dynamism of the luxury market. The partnership with Galeries Lafayette is a ringing endorsement of India’s significance as a global luxury market and a future engine of growth for luxury brands. Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail’s deep and nuanced understanding of the Indian landscape on the back of our portfolio of designer brands, combined with Galeries Lafayette’s global experience, will enable us to create a world-class destination for Indian consumers and global luxury brands.”

Nicolas Houzé, CEO, Galeries Lafayette, and BHV Marais said, “We are proud to expand our international footprint in such a prestigious and refined market as India, where we believe our brand can benefit from a strong potential. It is also a new illustration of our ambition to reach 20 stores abroad, with a primary focus on China, Asia, and the Middle East by 2025.  We are very pleased to be working with Aditya Birla Group on this project, with whom we share the same values and vision on retail, and are convinced that they are the right partner to enable us to meet the expectations of Indian customers.”

Galeries Lafayette’s experience-focused design and proposition around entertainment, technology, and engagement will be brought to life through installations, pop-ups, innovative events, and food and beverage explorations. Backed by personal stylists and Omni-channel-enabled connected shopping, the stores will provide a 360-degree retail experience that speaks directly to customers’ needs. 

Lux Industries Limited announced the expansion of its kids’ innerwear range, Lux Cozi Boyz with new products and styles. The Indian market for kids’ innerwear range is worth Rs 2,000 crore and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9-10 percent.

“The kids’ innerwear segment in India expanded the most as compared to the overall clothing industry in 2021. This segment is still dominated largely by unorganized players and the branded segment is still at a nascent stage which provides organized players to establish a firm foothold. Lux Industries has been one of the leading brands in the kids’ innerwear segment for boys and with this further expansion of our range, we hope to dominate the market and meet the growing demands of our consumers” said Saket Todi, Executive Director, Lux industries.

The new array of products will include white, color, and sports vests, semi-long and long drawers available in plain and various prints, interlock drawers and briefs available in plain, print, and stripe patterns, and both designs, i.e, inner and outer elastic.

The garments are mostly made of premium combed cotton making them extremely comfortable to wear and suitable for the Indian climate. Every Lux Cozi product, especially the kids’ innerwear range, is crafted to ensure the perfect balance of snug comfort and effortless style.

The products are made with quality sewing thread used for adjustment of stretch so that kids can play and move around without any discomfort. The price of the products will range between Rs 50-90 and the products will be available at over 45,000 retail stores across the country, Cozy World, an EBO strategic initiative from Lux showcasing all brands from the House of Lux and leading e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra.

Lux Industries has always been proactive in adopting newer methods of production developing innovative products and targeting the right audience through first-of-its-kind branding and promotional activities. Its customer-centric approach has helped the brand to expand its visibility and created strong brand equity for the entire brand portfolio across 47 countries. With a strong assortment of 15 brands offering mass, mid-premium, and premium products across demographics, it has helped the brand outperform the market and generate a pricing premium.

Trent Ltd a part of Tata Company witnessed a drop in net profit marginally to Rs 78.94 crore in Q2 FY23 in comparison to a profit of Rs 79.99 crore in the same period last year. Trent’s total income rose to Rs 2,022.66 crore in Q2FY23 in comparison to Rs 1,225.52 crore for the corresponding period last year.

On a standalone basis, the company’s net profit increased to Rs 185.85 crore in Q2 FY23 as compared to Rs 125.62 crore in the same period in the last fiscal. A significant rise in expenses was witnessed at Rs 1,899.49 crore (Rs 1,116.57 crore).

On a consolidated basis, revenues at Rs 1,952 crore, grew 66 percent over Q2FY22 and 128 percent over Q2FY20. Profit after tax (attributable to equity shareholders) was at Rs 93 crore for Q2FY23.

Trent Ltd operates Westside, Zudio, Trent Hypermarket, Star banner, and Landmark stores.

“Our fashion concepts have once again displayed encouraging growth momentum in Q2FY23. We have been a company that makes strategic bets/ business model choices that in many cases involve standing away from the predominant and proximate market practices of the time. Completely own branded offerings, entirely direct-to-consumer reach, not discounting in season and not advertising are all cases in point,” said Noel N Tata, Chairman, Trent Limited.

Offline Growth

Westside registered an LFL growth of 20 percent in Q2FY20. At Westside, Trent continues to focus on the curation of the store portfolio to achieve an elevated brand experience even as it pursues its store expansion and improvement program.

Across Westside and Zudio, Trent has over 500 stores. Moreover, across concepts, the performance of new stores added in the last 12 months is encouraging and in line with its expectations, the performance giving Trent a reason to double down on the growth agenda over the medium term.

Online Growth

Online revenues through Westside.com and Tata platforms contributed over 6 percent of Westside revenues, registering a 32 percent growth in Q2FY23 over the corresponding quarter.

The brand stated it continues to invest significantly in resetting the technology stack across the entire value chain to make it commensurate with the growing scale and the growth agenda.

“We continue to expand our reach with vigor and reinforce our lifestyle offerings across concepts, categories, and channels. The growing acceptance of our brands demonstrates the attractiveness of our platform and the tremendous potential to address opportunities that lie ahead,” Tata added.

Luxe brand Armani Exchange has seamlessly positioned itself as the most accessible Armani brand and is the full embodiment of urban spirit and street style chic. 

Staying true to the brand’s youthful, offbeat and young spirit, the Fall Winter 22 YOU.ME.US collection is both democratic, inclusive, and most importantly universal. There is no better way to express oneself than through the clothes we wear. At Armani Exchange, everyone can wear the Armani Dream. This collection is an ode to genderless garments that is for everyone without any distinctions because everyone is important.

The A|X Armani Exchange DLF Mall of India, Noida flagship store is characterized by its minimalistic design. The store sprawls over 147.30 sq ft and is both vibrant yet modern, striking passers-by with its corner façade and two large windows adorned with the illuminated letters A and X.  A black LED screen runs around the upper perimeter of the store displaying graphic information and logos that add a cool quotient to the entire store.

The capsule carries statement garments that define the essentiality and contemporaneity of a ‘post-pandemic style’ emphasizing quality and sustainability. Every silhouette has been designed to elevate functionality and style across all genders, embracing fashion freedom and expression- where everyone can feel their absolute best while wearing the products. The elevated collection uses qualitative and sustainable fabrics like Premium Recycled Nylon, Organic Denim, Viscose, and sustainable Wool mix with distinctive and special squared patch A|X logos and big A|X logo graphics for jersey clothing. 

The collection's edgy and playful ensembles answer every fashion need effortlessly allowing everyone to have fun with the styles and fabrics. The apparel is laden with a special foil print that creates a shiny design and plays around with graphics hitting the right note with millennials. 

The capsule also uses Recycled Nylon and has created a Reversible Padded Windbreaker, a large part of this fabric.YOU.ME.US doesn’t just stop at clothing. The brand inspired by the iconic Paris Cup Sole has created a sneaker that boasts new calfskin leather characterized by a black tab complete with a 3-D effect logo branding applied with metallic gold color. Look out for the Pool Slide which has been reinterpreted and updated with 3-D branding featuring matte gold details.

Shop these exciting ensembles now at the flagship store in the DLF Mall of India, Noida. The brand is also opening a flagship store at the Infinity Mall, Malad Mumbai.

Apparel manufacturer Page Industries Ltd reported a marginal increase in its net profit at Rs 162.12 crore in the second quarter that ended September 2022. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 160.48 crore during the July-September period a year ago, Page Industries Ltd (PIL) said in a BSE filing.

Its revenue from operations during the quarter under review was at Rs 1,255.01 crore, up 15.77 percent. PIL's revenue from operations in the July-September quarter of FY22 stood at Rs 1,084.01 crore. Its total expenses in the September quarter were at Rs 1,045.14 crore, up 19.5 percent.

V S Ganesh, MD said, "We are pleased to report that historically, this has been the best Q2 for the company in terms of revenue. We are well in line with our guidance of delivering robust growth on the back of strong levers such as an increased shift in organized retail, increased branded innerwear demand, and growing aspirations for global brands." 

Meanwhile, in a separate filing, PIL said its board at its meeting held on Thursday has declared a second interim dividend of Rs 70 per equity share for FY23.

Page Industries is the exclusive licensee of Jockey International Inc (USA) for manufacturing, distribution, and marketing in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Maldives, Bhutan, and the UAE. It is also the exclusive licensee of Speedo International for the Indian market.

The recently concluded quarter has been yet another positive one for Kalyan Jewellers India Limited. The company recorded consolidated revenue of Rs 3,473 crore for Q2FY23 as against Rs 2,889 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, a growth of 20 percent.

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) were recorded at Rs 266 crore compared to Rs 228 crore in the same quarter of the previous year, a 17 percent growth. Consolidated PAT for the quarter was at Rs 106 crore as against a PAT of Rs 69 crore for the same period of the previous year, a growth of 54 percent. 

The consolidated revenue of the company for the first half (H1FY23) was Rs 6,806 crore, compared to the consolidated revenue of Rs 4,525 crore for the same period during the previous financial year, a 50 percent growth. The company recorded Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of Rs 530 crore for the first half compared to Rs 297 crore in the same period of the last financial year, recording a growth of 79 percent. Consolidated PAT for H1FY23 was Rs 214 crore as against a PAT of Rs 17 crore in H1FY22. 

Riding on strong demand recovery, the standalone revenue of the Company (India) for Q2FY23 was at Rs 2,841 crore, as against Rs 2,503 crore in Q2 of the previous year. 

The India operations recorded Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of Rs 222 crore for the quarter, compared to Rs 201 crore in the same quarter of the previous year. The standalone PAT (India) for the quarter was Rs 95 crore compared to a PAT of Rs 68 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. 

The e-commerce division, Candere, recorded a revenue of Rs 37 crore for the quarter versus Rs 32 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The quarter recorded a loss of Rs 3 crores as against a profit of Rs 54 lakh for the corresponding quarter of the previous year. 

In the Middle East, total revenue from operations during Q2FY23 was at Rs 601 crore as against Rs 360 crore in Q2 of the previous year.

The Middle East region contributed approximately 17 percent to the overall consolidated revenue of the Company. The Middle East operations recorded Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of Rs 47 crore for the quarter compared to Rs 26 crore in the same quarter of the previous year. PAT for the quarter was at Rs 14 crore compared to a PAT of Rs 35 lakh in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. 

Retail expansion of the brand continued in the recently concluded quarter, with the launch of 5 new showrooms – all in the non-South markets in India. This includes the launch of the first physical experience center of its e-commerce platform - Candere. As of September 30, 2022, Kalyan Jewellers' store network across India and the Middle East stood at 163. 

Ramesh Kalyanaraman, Executive Director, Kalyan Jewellers India Limited said, “We are satisfied with the performance during the recently concluded quarter and are extremely excited with the way the current quarter has started despite last year’s high base. We have witnessed revenue growth of approximately 25 percent for the festive period of 31 days approaching Diwali, when compared to the same period last year, and are looking forward to a strong end to the quarter.”

Baozun Inc., an e-commerce solution provider and digital commerce enabler in China announced it has signed definitive agreements to acquire Gap Greater China. The acquisition is said to be an all-cash transaction with a primary consideration worth $40 million and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.

Gap Greater China is wholly owned by Gap Inc., one of the largest American specialty apparel companies offering comfort-casual wear, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children.

Gap Greater China has achieved vigorous expansion since its first China store in 2010, amassing broad brand awareness with close to 30 million loyalty members in the region.

Since December 2018, the company has served Gap Greater China as its e-commerce service partner and successfully enabled it to expand its e-commerce business, delivering solid growth.

As a part of its strategic plan to drive sustainable growth, Baozun has established Baozun Brand Management (BBM) as a new business line that intends to leverage its dominant portfolio of technologies at the service of brands, to engage in longer and deeper relationships with brands. The substantial size and scope of Gap Greater China make this acquisition a significant step in developing BBM.

Baozun believes that the combination of its China-for-China strategy and technology and data-driven approach in product and consumer operations will empower Gap Greater China for sustainable future growth.

“This acquisition accelerates our evolution into a technology-driven, omnichannel commerce player. Technology is at the center of our strategy, and it is our competitive advantage. With Gap’s brand equity and significant size in Greater China, BBM will start at a higher point to bridge the digital commerce/ brick-and-mortar divide at scale and do what few have done in retail,” said Vincent Qiu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Baozun.

“Baozun Brand Management is a strategic addition that naturally flows from existing core e-commerce services business. We aim to leverage our leading technology portfolio and develop into a holistic, all-rounded partner for global brands to further unlock business potential in China. Meanwhile, we will also accelerate the establishment of our retail talent pool, supply chain capabilities, and IT systems to build an ecosystem and better serve our other brand partners,” he further added.

“We are deeply committed to our customers in Greater China and know that it is a market with enormous potential for our brand. The growth that we are unlocking through local partnerships with market experts like Baozun is allowing us to not only connect with new and existing customers but to provide them with personalized, service-oriented experiences. With its best-in-class omnichannel technology and deep expertise in data management and digital business, Baozun has helped drive impressive results in our online growth and penetration of the Greater China market in the past four years, and we feel confident about our partner’s future value-creating China-for-China plans for Gap Greater China,” commented Mark Breitbard, President and CEO, Gap.

The Indian arm of the British multinational retailer Marks and Spencer said that it has robust growth plans to ramp up stores in India amid reports of outlet closure back home due to challenging times. Marks and Spencer in India is a 51:49 JV between UK's M&S and Reliance since 2008.

The company denied reports of foraying into the food business in India, terming them as speculative, and said, it will focus on the home category, launched recently.

Ritesh Mishra, MD, M&S Reliance India, said,"We will turbocharge our growth in India. We want to make sure customers get value in our apparel and home products."

The company has plans to open one store a month, he added. 

Mishra was in the city to open the company's 95th store and third in Kolkata. All stores in India are company owned and it does not have any franchise stores. M&S UK has 427 stores in international operations including franchisees and JVs.

M&S UK recently informed investors it is highly likely that conditions will become more challenging in FY'24 across all markets. Mishra said that with the inclusion of home category products, the retailer was focusing on larger store formats like 15,000 square feet in tier I cities and about 12,000 sq ft in tier II cities.

Positioning the brand in the mid-to-premium segment, the company said it remains open to evaluating new categories like furniture in the home front besides more products for women and winter wears.

"There is opportunity and potential in the furniture segment but right now we are working on strengthening our existing product portfolio in the home segment which includes kitchen, bathroom, bedding, and home accessories. We may look at furniture and lighting moving forward," he said.

Lingerie and women's wear account for 60 percent of the company's sales in India. Without going into financial numbers, Mishra said M&S India is the second largest international operation in terms of revenue for M&S outside the UK. M&S India expects nearly one-third of its business to come from digital channels in the future from the current 25 percent.

Leading textile manufacturer Arvind Ltd reported an increase of 79.07 percent in its consolidated net profit of Rs 125.02 crore for the September quarter helped by gains from exceptional items. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 69.58 crore in the year-ago period, it said in a regulatory filing.

Its revenue from operations was up 2.93 percent at Rs 2,169.81 crore compared to Rs 2,107.97 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. "Profit After Tax from continuing business and before the exceptional item was Rs 85 crore. Accounting for one-time items, PAT was reported at Rs 125 crore," Arvind said in its earning statement.

Arvind had a gain of Rs 40.52 crore from exceptional items, which includes profit on the sale of a subsidiary and provision from the value of land in Gujarat. Its total expenses were at Rs 2,072.45 crore, up 3.50 percent in the September quarter of FY23 against Rs 2,002.31 crore a year ago.

Its revenue from textiles was up 1.88 percent at Rs 1,758.98 crore from Rs 1,726.49 crore in the July-September period of the last year. Revenue from Advance Materials rose 5.07 percent to Rs 313.43 crore in the second quarter of FY 2022-23 over Rs 298.28 crore.

"Overall textile revenues grew by 3 percent as Woven and Knits volumes held steady. Higher price realization helped hold unit margins, though it suffered in percentage terms. Advanced Materials clocked 5 percent growth for the quarter, though on H1 basis revenues were up 21 percent as many orders have spilled over from Q1 to Q2 in the previous year," it said.

Schwarzkopf, with a legacy of 120+ years, has been at the forefront of innovation – combining quality ingredients with the latest hair-focused technology. Known for its professional quality and science-backed hair innovations, the brand launched a superlative assortment of best-in-class home hair coloration solutions with two exciting new product lines.

The ranges ensure they cater to every kind of modern beauty consumer with their distinct properties. Colour Specialist, a permanent, fashion-forward hair color infused with Hyaluronic acid, provides extra hydration and moisture retention, along with the unique OmegaPlex technology to deliver 90 percent less hair breakage. 

With Simply Color, enjoy the easy way to color your grays and get that fashionably tinted hair without ammonia and silicone, with this super clean formula. This revolutionary hair color which is dermatologist-tested, and PPD and PTD-free, breaks all the norms to deliver color without compromise. Gentle on the scalp and visibly healthy hair, make your hair shine with the color you want.

Both ranges consist of diverse shades covering the entire Black, Brown, Blonde, and Red families and are specially curated with formulations that give long-lasting permanent hair color while keeping your tresses shiny, healthy, and nourished at the same time.

Lotus Make-Up has appointed Bollywood Actress Vaani Kapoor as the Brand Ambassador for its range of skin-friendly natural makeup products. As the face of the brand, Vaani Kapoor will appear in a high-voltage multimedia campaign spanning Digital, OTT platforms, OOH, social media, and at multiplexes PAN India. 

During her two-year association with the brand, Vaani will endorse the Lotus Makeup Proedit and Ecostay range of high-performance daily usable vegan make-up that is easy on the skin, non-toxic, paraben-free, and cruelty-free

The key communication of the campaign is #MyMakeupMyWay in which the brand film talks about breaking stereotypes on how makeup can be carried guilt-free throughout the day. In the film, Vaani is seen using Lotus Makeup products at a get-together during the day, on a road trip, and at an evening party. The stunning actress who readily connects with millennials and GenZ resonates with today's modern consumers, who are charmed by her beauty, flawless complexion, and personality. Lotus Makeup plans to leverage her extraordinary popularity, to reach out to aspirational consumers PAN India.

Nitin Passi, Chairman and MD, Lotus Herbals, said, “We are delighted to have Vaani Kapoor endorse the Lotus makeup brand since she resonates with our brand’s commitment towards clean and non-toxic beauty. We launched Lotus Makeup in 2011 and were the first Indian vegan makeup brand to hit the market. Today’s discerning consumers are eco-conscious and are on the lookout for makeup products that provide safety, efficacy and ethical practices. The high-performance product offerings from Lotus makeup tick all the boxes and appeal to a wide spectrum of consumers who wish to use only natural products for their makeup regime."

As the new face for Lotus Makeup, the gorgeous Vaani Kapoor will appear in a high-voltage campaign spanning leading OTT platforms, digital, in-store, POP, and Out-of-home. With an extensive media plan, the brand will run a digital video campaign which will play out on the brand’s social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. In addition, Lotus Makeup will run the brand film at leading multiplexes across the country, to grab eyeballs for maximum visibility.

Go Fashion India Ltd which owns the popular women’s wear brand ‘Go Colors’ has recorded a 3.76 percent rise in its profit after tax for the second quarter ending September 30, 2022, at Rs 19.3 crore, the company said.

The company had registered a profit after tax at Rs 18.6 crore during the corresponding quarter previous year. Total revenue during the quarter under review stood at Rs 165.8 crore as against Rs 112.1 crore registered corresponding quarter last fiscal, the company said. The cash flow from operations for the half-year period ending September 30, 2022, stood at Rs 36 crore as compared to Rs 8 crore recorded in the same period last year.

In a statement, the company clarified that the second quarter and half-yearly performance in the last financial year was impacted due to the COVID-19-enforced lockdown.

Gautam Saraogi, CEO, Go Fashion (India) Ltd, said, “Despite a challenging environment, the company has performed well in Q2 and first half of FY2022-23. Our revenues for the second quarter grew by 48 percent year on year to Rs 166 crore highest ever quarterly revenues at Go Fashion. EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) grew by 250 percent to Rs 102 crore and PAT stood at Rs 44 crore (for the half year ending September 30, 2022). This has been on the back of high volume growth and improved product portfolio by continually adding new products across all bottom wear categories.”

“We continue to invest in brand-building initiatives which will help us to gain visibility and also to focus and grow our online sales channels to benefit from evolving customer trends in our market,” he said.

Saraogi noted that the company was moving ahead with its expansion plans by opening 120-130 new stores every year.

“We are also looking at omnichannel engagements for a seamless consumer experience, building on a technology-driven growth strategy to reach consumers across all cities,” he said.

The company during the quarter ending September 30, 2022, opened 36 new stores and in the first six months of the financial year, it added 66 stores. “This is in line with the growth strategy to open more doors closer to the consumer,” he said.

Libas, one of the leading ethnic wear brands for women expands its offline presence via exclusive stores with a total of over 9000 sq feet of retail space across Lulu Mall, Lucknow, Lajpat Nagar and Amar Colony, New Delhi, and Phoenix Mall, Pune.

Each store is curated with a vision to offer a sensorial shopping experience to its customers, thoughtfully designed with Indian influences in modern architecture that resonates with Libas’ new identity, bringing freshness to the brand. Libas understands the evolving ethnic wear needs of an Indian woman and focuses on becoming a one-stop shop to provide 360-degree wardrobe solutions covering all facets and occasions. With an endeavor to blend the indigenous crafts of India with contemporary design, the stores offer the brand’s most iconic collections, exclusive occasion wear, wedding styles, ready-to-stitch fabrics, and plus-size clothing along with the brand’s core range of everyday ethnic wear Libas Basics.

Having successfully leveraged its many years of e-commerce experience and data to identify key locations and markets to undertake strategic expansion, within the first year of its shift from pure e-commerce to omnichannel, Libas has opened 10 stores across the country through the insights gained from its strong consumer database developed via the website.

Sidhant Keshwani, CEO, Libas, said, “The ethnic wear market for women is extremely cluttered. Novelty in the offering is what makes one stand out and at Libas we have been able to bring freshness to the discerning consumer with new merchandise every 10-15 days. We are thrilled to launch our exclusive store at prime locations. While Libas was conceptualized as an e-commerce brand and we have had immense success with the same, traditional brick and mortar was always on our radar for a holistic omnichannel presence. After New Delhi, Lucknow and Pune, we will open doors to Libas in cities such as Pune, Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bangalore.”

“Our robust website coupled with the physical stores are expected to see an overall 70 percent growth as compared to the previous year. We’re absolutely geared to cater to the festive demand with the latest collections and trends that work well for the season both online and at our stores,” he added.

Libas’ constant endeavor has been to provide great value to the customer along with elegant And upbeat collections of ethnic and fusion wear carefully curated in line with emerging fashion trends both in India and abroad. With this growth trajectory and consumer sentiment towards its offerings, Libas is confident of making greater inroads across key cities in India.

Colorbar, one of India's leading cosmetics brands, has recently launched Co-Earth, a one-of-a-kind personal care brand born For Our Planet. The brand firmly believes in co-existence with the Earth and its offspring, promising sustainable, performance-driven products both gentle on you and the environment. Its products come with the Clean Beauty Promise - 100 percent naturally derived, 100 percent vegetarian, 100 percent cruelty-free, and zero toxins. 

Co-Earth cares for personal beauty as well as that of nature! In ties with Wildlife Trust of India and Wildlife SOS, two major conservation organizations, the brand will give back to nature, protect key habitats, and ensure animals live the life they truly deserve. A significant part of each sale will be contributed towards conservation efforts of endangered species including the Asiatic Elephants, One-horned Rhinos, Leopards, Bears, and the majestic Bengal Tigers. 

Samir Kumaar Modi, Founder, MD, Colorbar Cosmetics, said, “Beauty is born in our actions. How we care for ourselves and the world around us. Today, the world needs us to step up our efforts and make a radical difference for nature to thrive again. We are serious about this cause. The Co-Earth vision includes building a future in which we humans live in perfect harmony with nature and its creatures. All our products are created to benefit your body and admire the nature and wildlife as you buy. We have tied up with leading wildlife organizations in India to bolster rescue efforts for endangered animals.. Each day we  look for more wildlife species to take under our wing. Taking the pledge to co-exist ‘For Our Planet’, Colorbar wishes to create a magical change for mother Earth witho Co-Earth.” 

Co-Earth products combine the knowledge of modern science, Ayurveda, aromatherapy, and traditional skincare rituals. Each is formulated using state-of-the-art and ethical manufacturing practices and is Paraben free, Sulphate free, Silicone free, Mineral Oil free, and Formaldehyde free. The brand has curated 67 products catering to hair, skin, and body and ranging from Rs 349 to Rs 799.

TASVA, the men's Indian wear brand announced Ranbir Kapoor and Ananya Panday as its first brand ambassadors, adding glamour and style to all your celebrations.

Ranbir Kapoor is seen promoting the brand’s range of ethnic clothing with Ananya Panday in a festive campaign film, released across media platforms for the upcoming festive season.

Ranbir Kapoor and Ananya Panday represent the changing mindset of modern India. Launched in 2021, TASVA aims to infuse fresh energy into the Indian celebratory experience for the male consumer with its traditional and fusion Indian apparel that is high on unmatched quality, comfort, and style. Its ethos of freedom to be oneself and let individuality shine through is in perfect sync with that of Ranbir Kapoor and Ananya Panday.

Tarun Tahiliani, Chief Design Officer, TASVA said, “Who better than Ranbir Kapoor and Ananya Panday to bring alive the vision of TASVA and its contemporary styles. Like TASVA, they have a natural sense of style that’s effortless and a perfect representation of new-age India. I am thrilled to have their charming and youthful energy, fuel the brand appeal for our standout and fast-growing menswear brand.”

Sandeep Pal, CEO, TASVA added, “We are extremely pleased to have Ranbir Kapoor and Ananya Panday join the TASVA tribe. The brand was conceptualized with a view to changing the way India thinks about ethnic menswear for festive occasions and weddings. It is all about expressing one’s individuality and a beautiful balance of modern tastes, rooted in tradition. Ranbir and Ananya are a perfect match for TASVA’s brand ideology.”

Elitty, India’s first teen beauty brand launched its line of exclusive Coloured Pop Eyeliners, featuring matte and metallic range. The one-of-a-kind, teen-oriented colored eyeliners are available in 10 highly pigmented shades, bringing different moods and enthralling appearances. 

The liquid eyeliner is easy to apply, specifically designed to glide smoothly, and makes for effortless application to guarantee a precise uninterrupted look. The weightless eyeliners last for up to 12 hours and are smudge-proof and water-resistant. The Pop eyeliners are enriched with the goodness of Amla, Vitamin E, and Witch Hazel and are dermatologically safe, from artificial fragrances, and toxic ingredients. It is also suitable for the eyes and can be worn by those who wear contacts. Embedding the brand’s philosophy, the beautiful shades talk to the teen’s individuality to the eyes, are beneficial for the skin, and are at an accessible price point for the young teen! 

Valina Tulsani, Co-founder Elitty said, “We care about teenagers and Elitty is a brand that is dedicated to teens, and how they perceive themselves. Our Pop Eyeliner range is a bold yet beautiful expression for our teen spirit, which is accessible easily, safe to use, and appeals to the eye. We have put immense thought into curating these shades, driven by how teens are experimentative and curious. The customer response for our eyeliners has been fantastic and overwhelming, and we are hopeful that this trajectory continues.”

Pranali, Janbhandu, Co-founder, Elitty also added, “We are also thankful how parent groups have accepted us and are recommending it for their teens. Our focus is not just on the teens, but also look out for their parents' acceptance, who encourage them to go ahead with Elitty’s makeup products. It is heartening to see that we are on the right path here for brand success.”

Muskaan Wason, Elitty’s Premium Customer, further exclaimed, “A one-of-a-kind smudge-proof, water-resistant Coloured Pop Eyeliner is worth every dime. I have two shades - A lilac matte shade (Lilac Dreams) and a silver metallic shade (Cloud Nine) - I absolutely love both these gorgeous offbeat colors, they are easy to apply and they last forever if I don't wash them off with soap. I feel All Elitty Eyeliner shades are super hard to find in the market at this price point and quality.” 

Elitty’s Pop Eyeliner range has been extensively tested and has delivered excellent results on parameters such as dense pigmentation, sustenance, lightweight, ease, and smudge-proof applications. Enriched with natural A-ce ingredients such as Amla, Almond oil, Castor oil, and Chamomile oil, it is absolutely and 100 percent cruelty-free which makes it extremely safe to use.

Khadi India outlet at Connaught Place in New Delhi marked a sale of Rs 1.34 crore on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 this year and broke its own record of Rs 1.01 crore set on October 2, 2021.

Earlier, the highest single-day sale of Khadi stood at Rs 1.29 crore which was recorded on October 30, 2021.

Manoj Kumar, KVIC Chairman, attributed the increase in the sales of Khadi to the continuous backing of the Prime Minister. He further stated that due to the appeal of the Prime Minister, a large number of people, especially the youth, have been inclined to buy Khadi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed on several occasions from national and international forums to buy Khadi and Village Industries products and has mentioned promoting this sector.

Post the new Government took over in 2014, there has been tremendous growth in the sale of Khadi.

Since October 2016, the one-day sales at Khadi India's flagship outlet in New Delhi's Connaught Place have crossed the Rs 1 crore mark on several occasions.

Officials said that the Prime Minister's message of adopting Khadi and strengthening the poor spinners and weavers financially has reached every nook and corner of the country through the radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the impact of this was seen on this Gandhi Jayanti sales.

Bioreva Dublin, a brand of Bioreva Sciences Limited, recognized for its unique skincare solutions, has entered the Indian market in collaboration with Zee Laboratories Limited, launching products such as Eye Repair Cream with patented Mulitsal Delivery System, Retinol with Hyaluronic Acid Serum infused with Ashwagandha, Vitamin C Serum powered with Amazonian Buriti Oil, Brightening Serum with patented compounds, and SPF 50 with skin mimicking technology, are of its greatest and top-selling skincare products. 

This also marks Zee Labs, a well-known name in pharmaceutical and affordable medicine, entry into the aesthetic dermatology segment in India, which in India is by far the fastest growing therapy segment.

Designed by dermatologists and German formulation experts, Bioreva Dublin is a skincare brand that strives to offer a scientifically proven, highly efficient range of skincare solutions, with an unrivaled concentration of active ingredients that are targeted to heal skin concerns like acne, pigmentation, eye puffiness, dark circle reduction, dry skin, and more. At Bioreva Dublin we want to fulfill your desire for flawless skin, maximize your beauty, and boost the youthfulness of your skin. Our skincare solutions are precisely targeted to correct and perfect the individual needs of your skin.

Bioreva Dublin brings you the world of Smart Ageing. The idea is simply to offer products that work on your key skin issues and to break the clutter by bringing in targeted and hyper-concentrated ingredients. We believe that it doesn't matter what our age is, we humans age every day! In today's day and age, we are exposed to an array of external and internal stresses, and all these factors accelerate the aging of our skin cells. Our skin is aging faster than it did for our parents and grandparents. So, it doesn't matter if you are a young and hip person in your 20s or a wise soul in your 50s, we all need something to help stop and hopefully reverse this 'aging'. To age normally and gracefully.

Forever New, the highly admired, fashionable, and aspirational women’s western apparel brand, has revealed its new brand ambassador in India – Actor Pooja Hegde.

Forever New, founded in Melbourne, Australia is considered one of the most desirable global brands in the western luxury pret wear category. Forever New has always believed in blending modern and contemporary feminine trends with flattering silhouettes, and classic styling backed by impeccable quality. 

Pooja’s alluring and elegant personality, her distinct signature style, and her celebrity status resonate with Forever New’s brand handwriting and market leadership. The association with her is unique and special as she embodies the values of the Forever New woman. The partnership with her will enable Forever New to showcase some of the most elegant products from the world of fashion, style, and glamour to a much larger audience of women in India aspiring to wear high fashion, high quality, and on-trend clothing. 

Designed in Melbourne, Forever New’s women’s clothing collection is famous for its timeless wardrobe staples as well as trending pieces. A Forever New woman dons a style that marks a moment and projects a stylish and classic statement every time she is out to attend a gathering or enjoy herself. From classic knitwear and workwear tops to luxe evening dresses, the brand has something to suit every style and every body type. 

The Forever New’s A/W '22 collection is destined to be the most favorite pick for the season’s celebratory occasions, hi-octane parties, and trendy getaways to exotic holiday destinations around the world. Hot pink reinvigorates your occasion wear look, while glamorous dresses in vivid blue, dark florals, and ravishing red add a dash of joy to your everyday go-to outfits. For a night out with the girls choose a fun mini dress with a bold gingham print or sleek ruched detailing. For a more casual get-together opt for a vintage-inspired floral dress, while luxe velvet or cut-out midi dresses are perfect for high glam parties making it a night to remember.

Dressing up differently for every occasion has been a global phenomenon and depicts its global dominance in the world of fashion. Forever New’s latest campaign ‘The Best Time Ever’ connotes the new brand ambassador in myriad fashionable looks for the women of today. From getting ready for an intimate rendezvous to playing dress-up for a gala evening; from a glamorous fashion moment to dressing up for an elegant ballroom; from power dressing for events to creating a statement on the red carpet; from a glam editorial shoot to an after party, throughout this campaign, Pooja will be seen meandering through the many moods of the modern woman. 

Carolyn Mackenzie, Founder, and MD, Forever New Clothing, said, “We are very excited to announce Pooja Hedge as our new brand ambassador for Forever New India. She is a dynamic woman whose confidence, elegance, positivity, and ambition, resonate with our brand and customers. We look forward to working with Pooja as the new face of the brand.”

Dhruv Bogra, Country Manager, Forever New, India and South East Asia, said, “We are a fashion-forward, classic, warm, inclusive, and innovative company and brand in India. Our narrative has always been to deepen and strengthen our connection with over half a million repeat consumers who have been with us on our journey for over 14 years in India and to continue to aspire women consumers across the spectrum, irrespective of age or profile to embrace the brand. Pooja’s high fashion and youthful aura are strengthened by her genuine warmth, friendliness, and down-to-earth, strong personality. She is the perfect fit as the new Forever New brand ambassador.”

United Colors of Benetton India has announced the appointment of Kaveri Nag as the new Head of Marketing and PR, India. In her role, she will lead Marketing strategy and PR for the brand and work to strengthen Benetton’s vision of a global lifestyle project and revolutionize the canons of fashion and sales. One of her key responsibilities will include engaging with consumers and reconnecting in a more contemporary way to make the brand more desirable and aspirational in India. 

She brings with her more than 12 years of experience in marketing – launching and scaling consumer-facing brands across the lifestyle retail, luxury auto, and advertising sectors. A majority of her work lies in leading diverse stakeholders to leverage technology for future-ready initiatives and drive digital transformation and innovation towards business growth and customer-centricity. During her last stint with BMW India, leading marketing for MINI, she directed a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy with a 100 percent digital mindset, mapping customer journeys to augment brand resonance and equity. 

She is an alumnus of Delhi University and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Communications from the National Institute of Advertising. 

Ramprasad Sridharan, CEO, United Colors of Benetton India said, “Throughout her career, she has accumulated vast marketing leadership experience and has relentless energy and curiosity to understand consumer behavior, which is ever so dynamic in the fashion industry. This is her second stint with Benetton and we are confident that she will be a driving force in bringing our new brand vision to life through world-class creative, digital and omnichannel marketing strategies, and play a leading role in building the next generation of Benetton customers.”

Kaveri Nag, Head of Marketing, United Colors of Benetton India said, “Benetton has always been a brand that’s ahead of the curve, and I’m excited to embark on this new journey with the team amid an ever-evolving consumer landscape. Together, we will meet these new realities head-on, with a digital-first approach toward creating and engaging with relevant brand experiences for customers across different categories. I look forward to strengthening Benetton’s iconic positioning as a premium casual wear brand by pushing cultural and creative boundaries.”

Levi Strauss & Co. released a new slate of sustainability goals, demonstrating its commitment to a holistic definition of sustainability and progress across its key pillars of climate, consumption, and community.

The 16 goals cover focus areas including greenhouse gas emissions, water stewardship, circular economy and new business models, worker well-being in the supply chain, diversity, equity and inclusion, and social issue advocacy.

They signal the company’s commitment to working in partnership with others throughout its value chain, its intent to accelerate the development of circular products and the broader circular economy ecosystem, and its determination to enhance a longstanding company value of treating all people with dignity and respect.

“These goals are crucial to the future of our business, by doubling down on sustainability and ESG reporting at Levi Strauss & Co., we are creating a more resilient business while also signaling to our full range of stakeholders, including our consumers, that we are committed to being transparent about our progress on ESG matters and working to create the scale necessary to address the most pressing challenges of our time,” says Chip Bergh, Chief Executive Officer and President of Levi Strauss & Co.

Community:

• Continually improve apparel worker health, satisfaction, and engagement
• Ensure competitiveness and equity in total rewards
• Ensure that LS&Co. remains a dynamic and inclusive career destination
• Leverage the leadership of the Levi Strauss Foundation and invest in our communities to advance pioneering social change
• Drive societal impact in communities where LS&Co. operates through advocacy, grantmaking, employee giving, and volunteerism

“Sustainability, ESG, and business performance go hand-in-hand at LS&Co, addressing the material impact areas of our business and the industry is not the provenance of any one team but the collective responsibility of the entire company. We are all partnering on the actions and resources needed to address our goals, and we see a great opportunity to deliver new financial innovations and vehicles to accelerate and create impact at scale,” says Harmit Singh, LS&Co. Chief Financial Officer.

Across all goals, the company will continue to pilot new solutions, develop partnerships for impact and accelerate successful tactics to achieve the goals, and play its part in addressing climate change.

One theme that cuts across all the goals is the need for increased partnership across the industry to meet common challenges. It is evident that companies across sectors, and particularly those with shared supply chains, can have a deeper, more lasting impact by working in close alignment with each other and their suppliers.

LS&Co. is aligning with other brands to collaborate with manufacturing partners and other organizations on climate solutions, from cotton cultivation to circular design, and has joined industry efforts with partners like Fashion for Good, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the United States Cotton Trust Protocol and, most recently, Organic Cotton Accelerator to help move the industry toward more sustainable, circular-ready production.

EVA, India’s first women’s deodorant brand with a non-alcoholic ingredient base, announced nationwide crush, actor par excellence, Rashmika Mandanna, as its brand ambassador. Celebrating every woman’s unique personality, EVA launched its all-new brand film, featuring Rashmika and reiterating its tagline, 'With EVA, Special Happens'. 

The brand boasts about its robust product attributes and the all-new brand film encapsulates the most essential phase in a young girl’s life where she is beginning to fulfill her dreams with immense enthusiasm. Rashmika Mandanna, the national sensation, has gained success on both critical and commercial fronts as she has starred in several successful projects, elevating her benchmark with every character she so confidently enacted. With a diverse line-up of films, there has been a growing fanbase showering their affection not only from a specific region but across the country. 

Representing this young, everyday girl that comes with her share of moments of self-doubt, the film opens with Rashmika seated on the outdoor campus, noticing a theatrical performance by her friends as they practice choreographed dance moves. Just as she is about to join the fun and frolic, Rashmika is overcome with a wave of self-doubt and demotivating thoughts, that are voiced by her own conscience, representing thoughts that crop up to every young ambitious girl, ready to conquer the world and stand out, however, is overly conscious about her looks and how she conducts herself.

Relying on the mesmerizing floral, fruity, and woody fragrances that leave a long-lasting scent, EVA uplifts the mood and brings positivity with each spritz. The campaign subtly highlights the superlative features of the product through the representation of what positivity and confidence truly look like with EVA deodorants, reiterating the ideology that With EVA, Special Happens.

Metro Brands Limited (MBL), one of India’s leading footwear retail chains, has partnered with ECCO, a Denmark-based brand that manufactures and retails premium leather shoes and accessories across 101 countries. Metro Brand’s partnership with ECCO will allow Indian consumers to access the premium range of innovative, high-quality, and ultra-comfortable footwear starting in September. 

Metro Brands will retail ECCO’s formal collection for both men and women in strategically selected Metro and Mochi stores located across India. ECCO footwear will also be accessible to consumers in India through the Metro and Mochi websites. 

The ECCO range celebrates the understated, distinct, and contemporary Scandinavian style that is recognized the world over. With innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability lying at the heart of each pair, ECCO constantly aims to disrupt the footwear and leather industry across the globe. The range available with Metro Brands targets their luxury customer, seeking classic silhouettes with advanced technology to provide ultra-comfort.

Nissan Joseph, CEO, Metro Brands Limited said, “We are delighted to partner with a globally loved brand like ECCO as this allows us to create a premium footwear experience for our Indian consumers and in the process, helps us further expand this segment. ECCO and Metro Brands share several common ideologies — perfection, excellence, craftsmanship, innovation, and technology — and we can’t wait to jointly elevate Indian footwear choices with this collaboration.” 

The family-run ECCO founded in 1963 by Birte and Karl Toosbuy, makes leather at its gold-rated tanning facilities across Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Far East. The brand has a rigorous focus on craftsmanship, quality, and driving innovation and is constantly seeking to disrupt and provide improvements for the footwear and leather industry.

Among ECCO’s revolutionary innovations are its water-saving DriTan™technology that paves the way for sustainability in the leather tanning industry and its direct comfort technology FLUIDFORM™ which puts comfort in motion as the material takes the shape of the natural contours of the foot. 

Casper Gram Hvejsel, Regional Managing Director, Asia Pacific, ECCO said, “We are elated to expand into the Indian market with Metro Brands, which, with its pan-India reach and omnichannel approach makes them an ideal partner for us. We are looking forward to introducing customers to the world of fine, uniquely-crafted, pure-leather luxury footwear and accessories made with the latest technological innovations.” 

Metro Brands Limited has successfully launched and established globally-renowned brands in India like Crocs, FitFlop, and Biion.

Noted footwear brand Walkaroo International Ltd is setting up a new greenfield manufacturing facility in Rajasthan at an investment of Rs 70 crore as it plans to strengthen its presence in the northern market, according to a company official.

With two-thirds of the revenue contributed from the southern region, the company expects to garner a topline of Rs 2,100 crore during the current financial year, Walkaroo International Ltd Director Rajesh Kurian said.

According to him, the Coimbatore-based company reaches out to 1.5 lakh retail outlets through its 750 distributors. 

“We have close to 5 percent market share in the footwear market and we are at the bottom of the pyramid market. What we manufacture is polyurethane synthetic. In our new factory in Rajasthan, we will be producing rubber hawai (slippers) which will cater to markets like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh," he said.

Elaborating, he said, "The new factory is under process. We will be manufacturing rubber hawai products there. Already, we have a facility in Haryana where we make polyurethane synthetic products."

The new facility will see investments worth Rs 70 crore and the company is expected to create about 600-700 new jobs in Rajasthan through the unit, he said responding to a query. On group financials, he said the firm registered revenues of Rs 1,850 crore last year and this year has set a target of garnering Rs 2,100 crore.

"We are also exporting our products to the Middle East and we have a facility in Dhaka to serve the Bangladesh market. We are also planning to enter the African market...," he said.

On the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the company witnessed a drop in sales in April 2021 as only 50 percent of the business was done while in May last year it further dropped by 25 percent.

"However, in June 2021 we could see demand. Again in January, there was the introduction of GST which was increased from 5 percent to 12 percent for footwear products sold below Rs 1,000. Then, we had the Ukraine-Russia conflict. So, we were forced to increase the price of our products back then," he said.

In the last three months, the increase in prices began to drop and the company along with the organized players in the market were 'well-stocked' to cater to the forthcoming festival demand, Kurian said.

The domestic organized footwear market was valued at Rs 55,000-Rs 60,000 crore, he said.

This festive season, immerse yourself in the sheer magic of untold tales about Indian art and celebrate its golden lineage with glory. Tanishq, India’s largest jewelry retail brand from the house of Tata has announced the launch of its festive collection ‘Alekhya’. Reminisce the beauty of age-old, rich Indian art forms as the magnificent ‘Alekhya’ collection takes its inspiration from the most notable Miniature and Pichwai paintings. 

The stunning festive collection reimagines royal splendor and showcases the inspiration from Indian paintings which have been designed into stunning contemporary jewelry pieces. This year’s, Tanishq festive collection is a one-of-a-kind that exudes intricate craftsmanship and vivid hues, much like the ancient art form. Alekhya is a seamless blend of intricacy, heritage, and traditional designs with modern sensibilities by giving new life to craftsmanship. The beauty of this collection lies in its inspiration from intricate paintings of Pichwai that depict tales from Lord Krishna's life and Miniature Paintings – a notable tradition of Mughal, Rajasthani, and Pahari courts. 

The exquisite collection features stunning designs which are inspired by stylized flora, detailed ornamentation, intricate strokes, lotus pods, vibrant colors, and ornate frames of these paintings. Each piece has been crafted with the use of a variety of techniques like Piroi, Enamel; which adds a hint of modern glamour to these pieces, and Gold and Kundan techniques. The use of these techniques adds a touch of majesty as well as delicacy to these pieces. These works of artisanal wonder reflect gloriously on the canvas of an artist's imagination and are an embodiment of embellishment, adding to the grandeur of decking out for the holiday season.

Abhishek Rastogi, Head of Design, Titan Company Limited, said, “It’s always been our endeavor to bring to our customers beautifully designed products crafted to perfection. Our latest festive edit, Alekhya is beautifully crafted to elevate every moment of your glorious celebrations. Alekhya is a collection that takes its inspiration from the Indian art forms of Pichwai and Miniature Paintings and celebrated them through new-age meenakari motifs and colors. Every piece in this collection stands as an ode to the woman of today – celebrating her as the author of her own story, as the karigar of her life. The new collection features resplendent neckwear, earrings, and handcrafted jewellery pieces perfect for women who exude grace. On behalf of Tanishq, we wish all our customers a very happy and prosperous festive season.”

Professional skincare brand O3+ will be multiplying its annual revenue towards Rs 300 crore in the current FY and aims to grow over 20 percent by 2023-24. The brand aims to generate more revenue with a modified business model and its expansion in the D2C segment reaching out to its clientele in tier l and lll cities.

Since its inception in 2004, catering to premium customers through the salon industry, the brand has grown immensely in the beauty and personal care space. Starting with a humble beginning, O3+ has today captured major market share for its products across India moving towards an annual turnover of Rs 300 crore.

With a mission of Skin solutions and empowering beauty therapists, O3+ was initially introduced to beauty parlors and salons. Later, the brand decided to expand itself in the retail segment to make its economical, as well as premium ranges available to its consumers even in non-metro cities. During the pandemic phase, a boom in D2C (direct-to-consumer) platforms was seen, resulting in a major increase in its demand. The brand has even worked rigorously to position itself online as a direct-to-consumer brand giving enough importance to social media channels with almost half a million followers on Instagram. The brand has grown with its tremendous fan following, word of mouth, and trust without any brand ambassador which makes the brand unique in the salon industry.

Vineet Kapur, Founder, and MD – O3+ shared, “Entering into retail accelerated our growth, given the shift towards high quality and trusted wellness products, and larger presence of e-commerce globally, we have been able to capture the majority of beauty and personal care market. We analyzed and scaled the numbers of our annual sales post our expansion in the D2C platform covering majorly all regions across the country. With a strong consumer base and focused business strategies our annual turnover saw a bigger jump in recent years, in fact, our 25 -30 percent revenue generation is garnered from the Retail segment and we aim to grow more than 20 percent by 2023-24.” Along with the same, the brand is now focussing on empowering beauty advisors with its advanced range of products and skincare solutions."

Vidur Kapur, Director O3+ commented, “We not only deal in professional range of treatments and products but also give hands-on training and education for the same. Working on the principle of ingredient technology, along with a team of chemists, cosmetologists, and dermatologists, O3+ possesses a complete understanding of how ingredients interact with the skin to help their clients get the best result. Today, O3+ is one of the most trusted brands for more than 1,00,000  beauticians across India for its product ranges right from facial kits to serums, masks, face packs, toners, bleach, peels, eye care, and hair care range, and a lot more with a price segment  starting from Rs 155.”

Having its own massive production facility, the brand has gained an extensive presence across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, and is also seeing traction in Dubai and Canada. O3+ is also set to introduce more premium ranges for its customers and add unique services with premium salons for its product offerings.

Owing to the rising woes of apparel waste management globally and how they contribute to a whopping 10 percent of global carbon emissions due to the fast fashion trend, Harbour9 – a homegrown premium apparel brand in India is investing mindfully to make its apparel range increasingly sustainable. 

Introducing a range of sustainable outdoor casual apparel for the whole family, Harbour 9 is using recycled, tailoring-scrap-made yarn to make sweatshirts and tees for men, tops for women, and solid and patterned tees for kids between 0-12 years.

Not just using organic cotton fabric from regenerated yarn, the futuristic fashion brand is even devising a way to turn polyester fibers from discarded PET bottles into new-age clothes. Given the harm that plastic microfibres cause to the biodiversity in oceans, Harbour9’s new approach will pave the way to put to use plastic microfibres to the tune of 50 bn dumped plastic bottles from the oceans to be used ethically.

Made by using conscious amounts of recycled materials, the finished products from the house of Harbour9 are pre-dyed to ensure minimal environmental impact while being in line with the current fashion trends. Inclusive in their approach, Harbour9 is also making available its sustainable clothing range in plus-size options. Breathable and trendy in design, the brand will introduce premium and cost-efficient eco-friendly clothing ranging from casual outdoor wear to performance gear for fitness aficionados.

Manoj Jain, Director, Harbour9, said, “Climate change due to global warming is a big reason to worry for mankind to get back to basics and transition their lifestyle to being sustainable. One of the basic needs of humans, i.e. clothing has kept evolving so quickly in recent years that has led to the adoption of fast fashion and its negative impact on the environment by involving in animal cruelty and quickly mounting landfills. To avert the negative impact of wastage and its impact on climate change, we at Harbour9 have come up with this range of sustainable clothing which is ethically sourced.”

As the next step of further cementing its narrative about the continued focus on its private brands as an important strategic pillar, Shoppers Stop has launched its newest campaign for Kashish – ‘Har Jashn Mein Kashish’ with Sanya Malhotra. 

Kashish is an Indian occasionwear brand that blends ethnic styles with modern sensibilities. The brand gives an edge to the consumer through modern interpretations of ethnic ensembles. In their ‘Har Jashn Mein Kahish’ campaign with Sanya Malhotra, the brand has found the perfect voice to showcase the brand that is ethnic and contemporary.

Sanya’s expressive, passionate yet rooted-in, in Indian traditions personality, is the perfect vehicle to tell the Kashish story. A story that comes alive in Kashish moments. A story that encapsulates the brand’s central theme of Kashish being the center of attraction of every celebration. 

The film showcases Sanya surprising her family at home during the festivities. She makes a glamorous entry, flaunting her new outfit for the occasion. Celebrations get more fun and exciting, as Sanya enters in her gorgeous Kashish outfit. The modern feminine touch of Kashish ethnic wear enhances the uniqueness and style quotient of her festive look! Her infectious energy is captured beautifully as she reunites with her friends and her playfulness comes alive as she applies rangoli on her mother’s cheek during the festival of lights. The film celebrates elegance in every festival saying, ‘Jashn koi bhi ho. Har Jashn main Kashish Honi Chahiye’.

Shwetal Basu, Customer Care Associate and CMO at Shoppers Stop said, “Shoppers Stop’s private brand, Kashish interprets tradition with a modern attitude to create an effortlessly contemporary look. Sanya’s cheerful and vibrant personality of a young modern Indian girl, who loves to celebrate every occasion in a modern way, connects with the persona of the Kashish girl. Sanya’s playful personality, which brings cheer to every occasion in style is the core of the campaign. Our film, ‘Har Jashn Mein Kashish’ tries to fuse the values of brand Kashish with Sanya’s persona.”

Narayan Jewellers the modernist traditional luxury designer brand unveiled their new e-commerce website with Mira Rajput, wife of actor Shahid Kapoor. Gorgeous and inspiring Mira Rajput Kapoor looked beautiful in their new Elegance collection of chic stackable bracelets “Be You” and layered chains ``Layered You” and One-in-a million Taj Mahal-inspired neckpiece which is now available globally for everyone to buy from its Estore. 

With the launch of Narayan Jewellers e-commerce website, Narayan Jewellers has also introduced a new category of jewelry “Elegance”, where they will be introducing limited edition collections with multiple pieces of the same designs. Keeping their USP of not creating another piece of the same design, Narayan Jewellers One-in-a-million category will showcase their exclusive high jewelry, cocktail, and bridal designs. Narayan’s e-commerce website is very different from what is available in the Indian market. While Elegance range can be browsed freely, the One-in-a-million range needs a special membership to browse the exquisite designs and purchase, given the exclusivity. 

Redefining global luxury from Elegance to One in a Million, Narayan Jewellers every piece is unique. Well appreciated for trust, purity, and artisanship for over 80 years across India, Narayan Jewellers commitment to quality and designs are hallmarks of their excellence. Their new Elegance range showcases two new collections “Be You” of stackable Bracelets and “Layered You” including layered chains, both being every girl’s best friend these days. 

Mira Rajput said: “Many congratulations to Narayan Jewellers, Ketan, and Jatin Chokshi for the launch of their new e-commerce website. It’s amazing to see how Narayan has blended their over 80 years old legacy with the newest technology with its designs and aesthetics. I loved wearing their jewellery. Their new Elegance range is so easy to wear, its light makes you feel beautiful and you can take it from day to night & wear it almost everywhere! Wish them the very best for these new beginnings.”

Woodland, the country’s leading outdoor gear brand has elevated Pavandeep Singh into a much senior and strategic profile of V.P. – Growth Strategy reviewing outperformance during the unfortunate slow and transitional phase of Covid.

Having joined the organization as Head - Marketing and Strategy in 2019, he was able to quickly grasp the business model and took the brand to the next level with his ideas and hard work despite the pandemic. He played a key role in developing and getting implemented, one of the country’s very first Omni-Channel networks, connecting a complicated, well-spread network of over 500 exclusive stores on a common (Omni) platform. In his new stint, he will be looking after the expansion of the brand across the globe. With his vast knowledge of creating out-of-the-box marketing strategies, he will re-invent the brand’s identity and position in the market.

Pavandeep Singh said, “Taking charge of a legacy brand like Woodland is a huge responsibility and I have accepted it with a lot of excitement with an aim to take the brand to the next level. During the pandemic, we crossed new milestones by marking a very strong presence across various e-commerce channels. Other than this, we have also expanded our footprint in the export market. I aim to create a sustainable growth model for Woodland by capturing new markets while preserving our brand values.”

Pavandeep post graduated from the University of Southern California and studied Business Administration, Management, and Operations. He is a marketing maverick who has focused on Woodland's digital growth since joining in 2019. He is a strong believer in applying holistic strategies across production and his marketing division. Ever since Pavandeep joined, he has been a driving force of the team. Whether it has been brainstorming marketing strategies or campaigns. He has played a vital role in the expansion of the e-commerce space during the pandemic. He is innovative and a strategist at his heart.

Snapdeal has announced the onboarding of two new D2C fashion brands - Rangita and Urban Mark on its platform. Owned by Stellaro Brands, Urban Mark and Rangita focus on serving the affordable and aspirational fashion needs of men and women respectively.

Both brands have a target audience in the mid-income group, majorly living in Tier II and III cities. The brand targets value-conscious buyers who are fashion-savvy and understand trends and seek good quality products at price points that work for them. 

The Urban Mark range comprises chic, easy-to-maintain clothing including smart casual wear, the latest athleisure styles, and Indo-western apparel items for men while Rangita targets young women shoppers looking for contemporary Indian clothing options and accessories.

“While requirements and preferences vary from region to region and across seasons, there is an immense and growing demand for value fashion across the country. A large cohort of emerging buyers is looking for the reassurance and consistency of quality usually associated with premium brands, but at prices that meet their budgets,” said Saurabh Bansal, Chief Merchandising Officer, Snapdeal.

“Snapdeal is focused on bridging this by carefully integrating the two most important criteria for a value shopper - quality and price. Both Rangita and Urban Mark are aligned with this approach and we are happy to have them on board ahead of the festive season starting at the end of this month,” Bansal further added.

Focused on value, the entire collection of both brands is priced between Rs 249-499. Currently, available exclusively on Snapdeal, Urban Mark and Rangita’s festive collections will be available online in the coming weeks.

Over the last six months, Snapdeal has expanded the availability of good quality, value-priced options in mega categories like fashion, home, and beauty by onboarding other Stellaro brands like Hometales, Miyuki, Aragma, and Nord.

Skin Care brand O3+ plans to reach annual revenue of Rs 300 crore in the current fiscal year and aims to grow over 20 percent by 2023-24. The brand aims to generate more revenue with a modified business model and its expansion in the D2C segment reaching out to its clientele in Tier II and III cities.

Since its inception in 2004, the brand has grown in the beauty and personal care space. Capturing a major market share for its products O3+ is moving towards an annual turnover of Rs 300 crore.

“Entering into retail accelerated our growth, given the shift towards high quality and trusted wellness products, and larger presence of e-commerce globally, we have been able to capture the majority of beauty and personal care market. We analyzed and scaled the numbers of our annual sales post our expansion in D2C platform covering majorly all regions across the country,” said Vineet Kapur, Founder and MD, O3+.

With a strong consumer base and focused business strategies, the brand's annual turnover saw a bigger jump in recent years, with its 25 -30 percent revenue generated from the retail segment. O3+ aims to grow more than 20 percent by 2023-24.

The brand is now focussing on empowering beauty advisors with its advanced range of products and skincare solutions.

Vidur Kapur, Director, O3+ commented, “We not only deal in professional range of treatments and products but also give hands-on training and education for the same. Working on the principle of ingredient technology, along with the team of chemists, cosmetologists, and dermatologists, O3+ possesses a complete understanding of how ingredients interact with the skin to help their clients get the best result.”

Having its own production facility, the brand has gained an extensive presence across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, and is also seeing traction in Dubai and Canada.

O3+ is also set to introduce more premium ranges for its customers and add unique services with premium salons for its product offerings.

G.O.A.T Brand Labs, India's leading house of D2C brands, and Shoppers Stop, the nation's leading fashion and beauty destination, announced an exclusive partnership as a launchpad for success. 

This collaboration will enable G.O.A.T Brand Labs’ direct-to-consumer lifestyle brands to leverage Shopper Stop's powerful Pan India Omnichannel presence and its in-depth sector-specific expertise to assist young brands in scaling and growing at a faster pace. It will also enable the two entities to draw upon each other's strengths to effortlessly serve India's growing and evolved customer base.

Venu Nair, Customer Care Associate, MD, and CEO at Shoppers Stop Ltd. said, “This strategic partnership with G.O.A.T Brand Labs is in line with our brand purpose of fulfilling the lifestyle choices of our customers. G.O.A.T brands have a unique set of D2C brands that will appeal to a younger audience and help us, onboard new customers. This is a win-win for both the brands, and I look forward to this collaboration and how the synergies will positively work out.”

Rishi Vasudev, CEO, and Co-Founder of G.O.A.T Brand Labs said, “Even though G.O.A.T Band Labs acquires digitally native brands, our strategy has always been to adopt an omnichannel approach. And to do that, we have partnered with the best in the country, Shoppers Stop. Together, we have used customer insights and demand planning to decide the first cohort of stores to launch our brands in.” 

Shoppers Stop is a bridge to a luxury brand that ensures an impeccable shopping experience every time. It houses over 500 brands that cater to the aspirations of the customer. Shoppers Stop’s wide national footprint and effortless Omni-channel shopping experiences allow customers to gain access to a multitude of brands from anywhere. With a 30-year legacy and over 8 million loyal members, Shoppers Stop Ltd. continues to be the go-to fashion and beauty destination in the country. 

G.O.A.T. Brand Labs, on the other hand, focuses on creating a platform for creativity for young D2C brands, offering them a strategic business outlook, seamless data insights, and deep expertise in brand building, digital marketing, and product development. As part of this collaboration, lifestyle women's brands such as The Label Life and Abhisthi, will now be available at Shopper Stop stores and website, followed by trueBrowns and many more to follow.

Bioreva Dublin, a brand of Bioreva Sciences Limited, recognized for its unique skincare solutions, has entered the Indian market in collaboration with Zee Laboratories Limited, launching products such as Eye Repair Cream with patented Mulitsal Delivery System, Retinol with Hyaluronic Acid Serum infused with Ashwagandha, Vitamin C Serum powered with Amazonian Buriti Oil, Brightening Serum with patented compounds, and SPF 50 with skin mimicking technology, are of its greatest and top-selling skincare products. 

This also marks Zee Labs, a well-known name in pharmaceutical and affordable medicine, entry into the aesthetic dermatology segment in India, which in India is by far the fastest-growing therapy segment.

Designed by dermatologists and German formulation experts, Bioreva Dublin is a skincare brand that strives to offer a scientifically proven, highly efficient range of skincare solutions, with an unrivaled concentration of active ingredients that are targeted to heal skin concerns like acne, pigmentation, eye puffiness, dark circle reduction, dry skin, and more. At Bioreva Dublin we want to fulfill your desire for flawless skin, maximize your beauty, and boost the youthfulness of your skin. Our skincare solutions are precisely targeted to correct and perfect the individual needs of your skin.

Bioreva Dublin brings you the world of Smart Ageing. The idea is simply to offer products that work on your key skin issues and to break the clutter by bringing in targeted and hyper-concentrated ingredients. We believe that it doesn't matter what our age is, we humans age every day! In today's day and age, we are exposed to an array of external and internal stresses, and all these factors accelerate the aging of our skin cells. Our skin is aging faster than it did for our parents and grandparents. So, it doesn't matter if you are a young and hip person in your 20s or a wise soul in your 50s, we all need something to help stop and hopefully reverse this 'ageing'. To age normally and gracefully.

The beauty brand, L’Oréal Paris has announced actor Anushka Sharma as the newest brand ambassador in India. She will be the face of the science-backed and dermatologist-validated skincare innovations that L’Oréal Paris will be pioneering in the Indian market. The brand will soon release a campaign film, set in Paris, featuring Anushka Sharma, to announce the launch of their latest innovation in skincare – the Glycolic Bright Range. 

Divya Reddy, GM, L’Oréal Paris, said, “Sharma shares the mission of the brand L’Oréal Paris – to champion women empowerment and celebrate their beauty because they are all worth it. With science and innovation at the core, we at L’Oréal Paris, strive to create a difference in the Indian skincare market with our differentiated products which are validated by dermatologists and backed by science.” 

Apart from being a celebrated actress and entrepreneur, Anushka has always been a strong advocate for a more inclusive world, and it perfectly resonated with L’Oréal Paris’ core values and cause initiatives, the company said in an official statement. “She is also passionate about credible skincare and the value it can bring to the well-being and confidence of the women of today,” it added further. 

“I have always admired L’Oréal Paris for pioneering innovation in the beauty industry with superior and exemplary products backed by science that the women of today need. With this partnership, I look forward to making a positive impact in the beauty industry, making it more inclusive for women. It’s amazing to see an international brand supporting women to be the best version of themselves through unique initiatives and messaging. I hope to further support the brand’s vision by spreading the message of worth and empowerment to every beautiful woman out there,” Sharma stated on the association. 

Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL) acquired a controlling stake in Insight Cosmetics, a makeup and personal care brand, said two people aware of the deal. This marks the entry of the multi-billion Mukesh Ambani-owned company into the cosmetic industry.

The deal is said to be valued at $10-15 million, according to sources.

Insight Cosmetics reportedly has more than 350 stock keeping units and primarily sells nail polish, lipstick, mascara, eyeliners, eyeshadows, foundations, concealers, lip gloss, and makeup brushes, among other products. Moreover, it retails its products via more than 10 e-commerce portals.

Vaibhav Gems N' Jewellers Ltd, a leading regional jeweler brand in South India, has filed preliminary papers with capital markets regulator Sebi to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO). The public issue comprises a fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 210 crore and an Offer-for-Sale (OFS) of 43 lakh equity shares by promoter entity Grandhi Bharata Mallika Ratna Kumari (HUF), according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP).

Also, the company may consider a further issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 40 crore. If such a placement is completed, the fresh issue size will be reduced. 

Proceeds of the fresh issue will be utilized to finance the establishment of eight new showrooms costing Rs 12 crore and the purchase of inventory worth Rs 160 crore over FY23 and FY24, besides general corporate purposes.

Visakhapatnam-headquartered Vaibhav Jewellers offers a wide range of products in gold, diamonds, gems, platinum, and silver jewelry or articles. Its sub-brand Visesha caters to a premium segment of gold and diamond jewelry.

The company was founded in 1994 and is currently being led by Bharata Mallika Ratna Kumari Grandhi along with her daughter Grandhi Sai Keerthana. As per the Technopak report, in FY21, the company had an approximate market share of 14 percent of the organized market. Other key players that have a presence in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are-- Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Malabar Gold Pvt Ltd, GRT Jewellers, and Joyalukkas.

In FY 22 its revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,694 crore. Bajaj Capital Ltd and Elara Capital (India) Pvt Ltd are the book-running lead managers to the offer. The equity shares will be listed on BSE and NSE.

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRL) is confident of fortifying its market position further and surpassing the projected revenue of Rs 21,000 crore by 2026, said its chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla. ABFRL is leveraging technology and its execution excellence to build a strong, profitable, and future-ready brand portfolio, Birla told shareholders at the 15th annual general meeting of the company. 

"We had projected revenue of Rs 21,000 crore for the year 2026 during our annual investor day held in March 2021. I am very confident that we will be able to surpass that target and set even higher milestones for the business going forward," he said.

For the financial year that ended on March 31, 2022, ABFRL's revenue stood at Rs 8,136 crore, recording a growth of 55 percent.

"The strong revenue recovery resulted in improved profitability over the previous year. Several initiatives encompassing cost management, supply chain optimization, and smart procurement were taken up by the business teams that contributed to the sharp improvement in profitability," he said.

ABFRL is working on strategic alliances and is building a comprehensive set of iconic brands. As part of that, the Aditya Birla Group firm had entered into a partnership with Shantanu and Nikhil by forging new alliances in FY21 with two of India's most iconic designers -- Tarun Tahiliani and Sabyasachi. It had also entered into a tie-up with one of India's youngest next-gen designers Masaba Gupta.

"Both these partnerships will further strengthen our presence in the luxury wedding and designer wear market. Through such acquisitions and partnerships, your company now has one of the strongest and most comprehensive ethnic portfolios of brands in the Indian apparel industry and is now ready to expand exponentially," he said. 

In FY22, ABFRL also launched the premium ethnic wear brand Tasva in partnership with Tarun Tahiliani.

"The brand has received a stellar response so far. Six stores were opened in FY22, and the brand is expected to add around 70 stores in FY23, making it one of the fastest expansion stories in the premium ethnic space in the country," Birla added. 

ABFRL has in FY22 entered into a long-term licensing agreement with Reebok, getting exclusive rights to distribute and sell Reebok products through wholesale, e-commerce and Reebok branded retail stores in India.

It had also announced its entry into the D2C segment with its subsidiary TMRW. "This business will build and acquire a portfolio of digital-first brands to accelerate ABFRL's presence in the emerging digital ecosystem," he said.

To support this growth agenda in new emerging areas such as ethnic, athleisure, and D2C, ABFRL has announced an equity infusion of Rs 2,195 crore from Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, GIC, which signals the strength of the company's business model and its growth prospects.

ABFRL under Madura Fashion and Lifestyle business is a repertoire of leading apparel brands such as - Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, and Peter England.

While its international brand portfolio includes The Collective, India's largest multi-brand retailer of international brands, Simon Carter, and select mono-brands such as Forever 21, American Eagle, Ralph Lauren, Ted Baker, and Fred Perry. It also owns fashion retail chain Pantaloons having over 370 stores spread across 180 cities.

Dermatologist-recommended personal care brand Cetaphil, has unveiled three new baby products that are formulated for babies with sensitive skin. Designed keeping in mind the sensitive skin of babies, Cetaphil Baby’s newly launched products are clinically tested and proven to be a safe range for usage in newborns and onwards. 

The new products are introduced with an aim to expand the Cetaphil Baby portfolio and cater to all kinds of skin problems for babies with an array of offerings. The launch includes three products: Cetaphil Baby Moisturising Bath and Wash (230 ml, Rs. 680), Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wash with Calendula (230 ml, Rs. 690), and Cetaphil Baby Advanced Protection Cream (85 g, Rs. 630). 

Cetaphil Baby Moisturising Bath and Wash infused with aloe, almond oil, vitamins B5 and E, and glycerin is designed to pour directly into running water and create a rich lathering wash that gently cleanses the skin. Its caring formula helps nourish a baby's delicate skin, to support its healthy development. It is more hydrating than Wash and Shampoo as apart from the inclusion of aloe vera, the formulation contains 1/3rd of baby lotion to care for a newborn’s sensitive skin.

On the other hand, Cetaphil Baby Gentle Wash with Calendula promotes skin hydration by adding Calendula that shields the skin from damage due to irritants, cleanses, and soothes the baby’s skin without drying. In addition to the products catering to the bathing range, Cetaphil Baby has also launched the Cetaphil Baby Advanced Protection Cream, which is a multi-purpose cream that effectively combines deep hydration with a non-sticky, light feel to shield the baby's sensitive skin from irritation even in sensitive places like the cheeks, knees, and elbows.

G. Sathya Narayanan, MD, South Asia, Galderma India Pvt. Ltd said, “Cetaphil has consistently advocated the importance of hydrating and protecting the skin not only for adults but also for babies. The new trio launch is about reiterating the regime for babies to address sensitive skin issues. Our products are tear-free, hypoallergenic, and suitable for babies for everyday use. We are glad that, with these innovations, we are able to provide our tiny customers with effective, safe, and gentle skincare formulas that will keep their skin gentle and hydrated at all times. With this innovation, we look forward to launching even more innovative and helpful products for all babies across India.”

Today, Cetaphil Baby has a product line that includes cleansers, face and body moisturizers, adult care, sun care, and items for common baby skin problems. Cetaphil is dedicated to giving customers gentle, safe and Dermatologically tested skincare products that support and safeguard all skin types including sensitive skin across all of its various offerings. All Cetaphil Baby products are available at FirstCry, Amazon, Nykaa, and at leading pharmacies for purchase.

House of Sause, a young and premium streetwear brand from Tamil Nadu, had its global launch in Italy. Akhilesh Ashok, a 23-year-old youngster from Salem in Tamil Nadu, the brain behind the clothing line, held a street fashion show in Lombardy, Milan, Italy to launch his streetwear brand.

To herald its global launch, the brand showcased its designs and collection at a fashion show, choreographed by Pavithra Ramasubramanian, a fashion photographer based out of Los Angeles. The show drew the attention of fashionistas as leading models including Aashna Bisht, Melissa, Saphy Khanfar, Artur Montanari and others walked on the streets of Milan wearing House of Sause’s genderless, season-less, and Classique fits. 

The brand’s launch event happened at the Duomo Cathedral, located in the heart of Milan. The launch continued subsequently, in the Galleria, which is Italy's oldest active shopping gallery and home to various luxury fashion brands.

Akhilesh Ashok stated, “We are planning to establish House of Sause as a global brand with firm roots in India. Unlike the mainstream streetwear outfits, House of Sause’s clothing line allows you to lounge in their confident yet comfortable designs. The youthful energy that the brand emanates is emblematic of the current times; it is accommodative of all kinds of lifestyles. Our brand is loud, proud, and stands out of the crowd; and likes playing around with deconstruction and experimentation because we believe that unconventional is truly the new difference.” 

Asha Sreedhar, Avinash Athappan, Hari Nivas, Ram Ramasaamy, Design Director Shreya Dilip, Creative Directors Santhosh Kumar and G Kameshwaran are the key founding members spearheading the brand.

The first drop is titled ‘Generation 1: Prints of Epiphany’. The product line-up includes- oversized/drop shoulder tees, deconstructed hoodies, oversized hoodies, and exclusive collaboration merchandise. House of Sause sells on their website where customers can scroll through and choose from the different designs. 

The brand’s social media account garnered over 100k views within the first few hours of the launch without any reveal of the products.

Lux Industries Limited, one of the country’s largest innerwear and outerwear manufacturers, known for its innovative and customer-demand-driven product offerings, manufacturing more than 100 products across 14 major brands comprising a complete range of innerwear and outerwear for men, women, and children is aiming to double the market share of its brand, Lux Venus, in the Indian innerwear segment. 

To achieve the same, the company has repositioned Lux Venus and has rolled out a brand-new campaign “Sabko Maangta Hai”, featuring actor Salman Khan. Onboarding the new brand ambassador through the dramatic and exhilarating campaign is the brand’s latest stunt to revamp the leadership of the Lux Venus brand in the hosiery industry. Lux Industries Limited, which has achieved a turnover of about Rs 2,300 crore in FY22, is set to elevate its business operation across India with the new 360-degree campaign.

Lux Industries Ltd, with its oldest and best-selling brand Venus is establishing a strong foothold in India. Lux Venus has had a great brand ambassador relationship – from Amitabh Bachchan to Salman Khan, who has been recently roped in to cater to the young crowd. Lux Venus with its product portfolio of drawers and vests has a strong presence in the market due to its high brand recall for comfort, innovation, and a superior price-value proposition, currently enjoys a market share of 15-16 percent in the men’s innerwear market, which is expected to double in the near short-term future. Contributing around 28 percent to the topline, Venus achieved a turnover of Rs 640 crore in FY22, selling approximately Rs 12 crore. Pieces. Lux Venus is expected to grow at a good rate, which would strengthen the bottom of the Company’s brand pyramid.

The film featuring Salman Khan yields a high-action scene where the actor chases his Lux Venus vest through the busy streets of a city amidst heavy traffic and pedestrians and finally gets a grip of it with his powerful swag. The superstar’s impeccable delivery of the campaign tagline ‘Sabko Maangta Hai’ in his own trademark style evokes the desire to wear the vest at one’s best comfort and convenience.

Udit Todi, Executive Director, Lux Industries, said, "We wanted to reposition Lux Venus as India's highest selling and most loved vest brand – and who better to justify this positioning than India's biggest and most loved superstar, Salman Khan! We hope the campaign resonates with Salman Khan's fans and the greater audience at large. Lux Industries, which enjoys a premium reputation and trust among its existing and prospective consumers aims to reinforce the brand’s commitment to the core of quality and comfort while also expanding its business portfolio in Indian market over the next few years."

Another power brand of the group ‘Lyra’ is a leading womenswear brand having a diversified product portfolio of women’s outerwear and innerwear – it achieved a turnover of more than Rs 300 crore in FY22. High double-digit growth is expected to continue due to its strong brand recall, diversified product offering, and competitive pricing.

Lux Industries Ltd has always been proactive in adopting newer methods of production developing innovative products and targeting the right audience through first-of-its-kind branding and promotional activities. Its customer-centric approach has helped the brand to expand its visibility and created strong brand equity for the entire brand portfolio across 47 countries.

In terms of ad spending on the campaign, Lux will increase marketing spending on the brand, which is expected to range between 6-8 percent of the revenues – to enhance the strong brand presence. The campaign, conceptualized by Shreyansh Innovations and produced by Green Apple Entertainment, is being promoted across television, cinemas, and digital platforms, along with print and outdoor renditions across the country – giving ‘Sabko Maangta Hai’ the ultimate mass appeal.

Type Beauty Inc, a one-of-a-kind beauty brand that customizes makeup as per skin type, is expanding its product range with a massive launch of foundations in 24 shades. Recognizing the growing consciousness toward inclusive skincare and makeup in the Indian market, Type Beauty Inc is here to lead with a wide shade range, not offered by any other Indian brand, thus far. Scientifically formulated for varying skin tones and concerns, the brand is all about having smarter makeup routines for your skin type. 

A thoughtfully curated idea to introduce this vast shade range is not limited to inclusivity alone, but also to have something for everyone, and cater to a look preference as per one’s skin type. They concentrated on selecting the key ingredients that suit each skin concern. The foundation ranges are suited for very fair to very dark skin tones. 

Ananya Kapur, Founder said, “I have been often asked about the launch of new products and now here we are, with the largest foundation shade range by any Indian makeup brand. It took time because we do extensive research into each formula for each skin type, and bring a dermatologically-tested product that works perfectly on your skin. A lot of people who otherwise complain about not having a foundation for their skin or a darker shade will now have a variety of options. So, there’s no need to compromise with beauty. Our products are nourishing your beauty routines just the way you like it.”

Every skin type is different and Type Beauty Inc. is here to change the game for diverse skin needs, ingrained with a palette of makeup that brings out the best in you. Getting into the science of it, every product has considerable thought and research behind it. Customizing clean makeup that heals and a foundation that feels just as good as it looks, every ingredient that goes in, is beneficial for the skin, inside and out. They are formulated with collagen, peptides, amino acids, zinc, vitamins, and other active ingredients, all of which are super healthy and nourishing for your skin. 

With this new launch, Type Beauty will drive a revolution in the beauty industry with customized foundations infused with skincare for Indian skin tones and concerns. The foundation range is divided into 4 major categories as per skin type and is available in different finishes. 3 out of 4 variants of customized foundations come with an SPF 50, and all of them are lightweight and healthy for your specific skin. 

Style Baazar, one of India’s largest retail chains, has recently brought on board Tollywood star couple ‘Dev Adhikari & Rukmini Maitra’ as their Brand Ambassadors for the upcoming year. 

The brand is established across 7 states and has a constant focus on providing budget-friendly fashion choices. As stars that began their journey from the grassroots and built their way up the ladder in Tollywood, Dev - Rukmini are considered to be one of the most influential onscreen couples for today’s audiences.

Shreyans Surana, CMD, Baazar Style Retail Ltd said, “In the era of influencers and social media everyone wants to look their best. Keeping this and our audience in mind, we are presenting our latest Durga Puja collection of ethnic and western wear. We have chosen Dev and Rukmini as our brand ambassadors because of their connection with today’s youth.”

Siddhant Khemani, CMO, further elaborated and said, “Dev and Rukmini are the perfect representation of this generation& what our brand stands for. They are the perfect fit for our audience and I am sure it’s going to be a legendary journey ahead with them.”

Aurelia, one of the fastest growing ethnic wear brands by TCNS Clothing Co Ltd, has launched exclusive styles for the festive season under the ongoing campaign ‘Be Compliment Ready’, featuring International star and brand ambassador, Alia Bhatt. 

Through a series of three engaging videos based on festive occasions, the brand brings alive the idea of turning unexpected situations into your favor through Aurelia’s new festive collection.

The digital videos encapsulate short stories which are conveyed effortlessly through Alia’s myriad expressions and leave the viewer with an endearing feeling. The videos are an amalgamation of the vivacious personality of Alia and the signature styling of brand Aurelia making these videos relatable for the viewer.

The latest festive range inspires the modern Indian woman to be compliment ready in any situation. Product innovations for the festive season like Fairy Kurtas, Choker Drape Set and Insta Saree reflecting ‘style’ with ‘comfort’ have been introduced this season and are available across offline and online stores. These new styles are well established in the digital video series that showcases Alia as a regular girl caught unaware in unexpected situations and yet gets complimented.

Anant Daga, MD- TCNS Clothing Co. Ltd. said, “Our latest festive campaign with Alia highlights our new product innovations through a series of exciting and fun videos. The campaign aims to inspire women to be festive-ready and celebrate the festivities with aplomb. Aurelia stands for the fashion choices of the new age women looking for effortless styling at work as well as home.” 

Aurelia’s Festive’22 collection brings a specially curated collection with a wide range of interesting designs and colors for festive wear. The collection includes sets for those who want to be festive-ready and also stand out from others. The collection is perfectly suited for any woman who is looking for comfort and elegance, paired with a festive vibe. The entire collection brings sharpness to the overall look in a contemporary style.
 

Foot Locker Inc appointed former Ulta Beauty head Mary Dillon as its chief executive officer, succeeding Richard Johnson. Foot Locker announced that the board had opted to divide the positions of chair and CEO. Dona Young the company’s lead independent director, will become non-executive chair from February. 

New York-based retailer said Johnson will step down as president and CEO on September 1, 2022. As of September 1, Mary Dillon, former CEO of Ulta Beauty Inc., will take the position of president and CEO of Foot Locker as well as a member of the board. Johnson will continue as executive chairman of the board till January 31.

As soon as Dillon takes charge of the new duties, Foot Locker will be less dependent on mall sales, where foot traffic has decreased, and will be breaking away from one of its most important suppliers, Nike. Nike recently made a decisive push towards direct-to-consumer sales. In order to offset the declining presence of its largest supplier Nike in the retail chain, Foot Locker is concentrating on increasing sales of Adidas sneakers and other products at its stores at the time of the management shift.  

Between 2013 and 2021, Ulta’s market valuation tripled, and it doubled the number of its stores and loyalty members. She also served as a global chief marketing officer of McDonald’s from 2005 to 2010.

Biba Fashion Ltd, the Indianwear brand for women has signed Bollywood Actress Kriti Sanon as the Brand Ambassador for their contemporary Indian wear brand Rangriti. 

Siddharath Bindra, MD of Biba Fashion Ltd. stated, “We are delighted to have Kriti Sanon on board as our Brand Ambassador for Rangriti. With her effortless style, high fashion quotient, and free-spirited attitude Kriti was the perfect choice for a brand that has similar values. She is extremely popular amongst the youth across Tier l and ll cities and Rangriti is a fashion brand for the young and contemporary women who like to add a twist to their regular Indian wear.”

The new collection offers everyday, party, festive, and various accessories and bottom wear. With a wide range of elegant kurtis, dresses, suit sets, indie tops, slim pants, and palazzos the brand aims at bringing variety and style to every woman’s closet. Rangriti is retailed out of over 110 stores across India and is in 250 large format stores. The range is also available online at www.rangriti.com and across major online portals.

Want to look trendy while working out? Leading European fashion brand for young women - ONLY has forayed into athleisure clothing with the launch of a new category called ‘ONLY PLAY’. 

ONLY has always been at the forefront of bringing exclusive, differentiated, and trend-setting collections; and with the launch of ONLY PLAY, it further strengthens its position as a fashion-forward brand that caters to the complete wardrobe needs of today’s modern millennial girls.

The quintessential ‘ONLY girl’ is always on the move. Be it an energizing morning workout, a quick coffee run, or a fun girls’ night out, her life is dynamic and changes pace all the time. Enter ONLY PLAY that is for every kinda pace and every kinda play. Pegged as a one-stop shop for all things comfort and fashion, the category offers an exciting amalgamation of pieces that span sportswear and casualwear. 

With a strong combination of training and leisure, ONLY PLAY offers supreme functionality, great quality, and feminine details that are combined in a powerful mix of the latest fashion and sportswear trends. Technical specifications of the collection include benefits like removable and non-removable padding for necessary support, racerback styles to provide stability, adjustable straps and hook closures, functional pockets, and windproof breathable technology.

Designed to bring forth endless combinations to style your training, the range includes tops, tights, shorts, training bras, jackets, tank tops, and yoga mats. The collection aims to revive a thrill in everyday activities with a variety of whimsical and fun garments in flamboyant colors and comfortable silhouettes. The collection also comes in a variety of expressive & modern prints that are sure to brighten up your day and elevate your everyday style quotient.

Vineet Gautam, CEO and Country Head- BESTSELLER India said, “With the introduction of ONLY PLAY, we further extend the brand’s product offering by adding performance wear/ athleisure styles. This truly makes ONLY the one-stop shop for fashion-conscious modern millennial girls. The range stays true to ONLY’s design ethos with pop colors, functional designs, and comfortable styles. Internationally ONLY PLAY has been successful with positive customer feedback, repeat purchases, and business success. We are positive that ONLY PLAY will have a similar success story in India. “

Ideal for yoga sessions, grocery runs, comfort travel, or even a girls' night in, ONLY PLAY merges the best of performance and fashion, as each piece is extremely versatile and can seamlessly transition from outdoor to indoor activities.

Future Lifestyle Fashions Ltd reported a widening of its consolidated net loss to Rs 1,879.91 crore in the fourth quarter ended March 2022 due to the closure of stores and higher expenses. The company had posted a close net loss of Rs 149 crore in the January-March quarter a year ago, Future Lifestyle Fashions Ltd (FLFL) said in a regulatory filing.

Its revenue from operations during the quarter under review was down 27.04 percent to Rs 607.42 crore. It was at Rs 831.62 crore in the March quarter of FY21.

During the quarter, total expenses were higher at Rs 1,438.35 crore from Rs 984.05 crore in the year-ago period. The company said it incurred losses primarily due to "provision for diminution of investments, doubtful provision for receivables, the lower sales volumes, finance costs, and depreciation".

The exceptional items for the quarter and year ended March 2022 include provision for diminution of investments aggregating to Rs 480.64 crore and provision for impairment for inter-corporate deposits and interest receivables aggregating to Rs 282.51 crore.

Its current liabilities "exceeded its current assets (including assets held for sale)" by Rs 1,180.66 crores as of the year-end date. As of March 31, 2022, the company said 34 Central stores and 78 Brand Factory stores were non-operational.

"These stores have been contributing approximately 64 percent of total revenue from operations of the company for FY 2021," it said.

The result of FLFL and other listed entities of the debt-ridden Future Retail has been delayed due to the vacant slot of their respective board. FLFL along with those companies on May 25 had expressed its inability to convene a board meeting before May 30 to approve their financial results for the March quarter and FY22 on account of vacant positions on its boards.

As a result, FLFL informed it has been unable to service the obligations towards the repayment of principal amount on loans/working capital facilities availed by the company from the banks as agreed under the OTR (One-Time Restructuring) plans.

"Basis the same, the lead bank and State Bank of India have classified the company accounts in the system as Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) on May 31, 2022," it said.

Under the OTR arrangements, FLFL has debt servicing obligations aggregating to Rs 505.08 crore within the next 12 months, which comprises repayment of the principal amount of long-term debts amounting to Rs 360.01 crore and short-term borrowings of Rs 145.07 crore.

"The company would be taking necessary steps to further restructure its debts and fulfill other commitments as agreed with the lenders under the OTR. Meanwhile, the lenders have allowed the company to carry on its day-to-day operations under the Holding on Operations in the account, including monitoring and release of the operational payments under the said arrangement," it said.

FLFL has in-house retail chains Central and Brand Factory, Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs), and other Multi-Brand Outlets (MBOs of nearly a dozen apparel labels, including - Lee Copper, Champion, aLL, Indigo Nation, Giovani, John Miller, Scullers, Converse and Urbana in its portfolio.

For the financial year ended March 2022, FLFL's revenue from operations was at Rs 2,993.93 crore. FLFL was part of the 19 group companies operating in retail, wholesale, logistics, and warehousing segments, which were supposed to be transferred by Kishore Biyani-led Future Group to Reliance Retail as part of a 24,713 crore deal announced in August 2020.

The deal was called off by the billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd in April after it failed to get lenders' support of the respective companies. Following this, the Kishore Biyani-led retail empire is in deep financial trouble. Its flagship firm Future Retail Ltd is already facing an insolvency petition from a lender, filed a petition before the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal.

Solecraft is a homegrown sustainable footwear brand that recently launched the first-ever sweat-resistant charcoal shoes. These shoes are environmentally friendly and use only natural materials in their construction. Made with the best Japanese bamboo charcoal, premium Australian Merino wool, and plant-based recycled coffee grounds oil, this product was designed in ‘Milan’ and created in India.

Solecraft offers sustainable, incredibly comfortable, and stylish shoes, made from the finest natural materials the world has to offer. It is the first startup in the world to employ charcoal in shoes that are best for absorbing perspiration. The top technical organization for footwear accreditation, ‘SATRA’, has recognized the outsoles of Solecraft shoes. Its products wool joggers and runners can be worn for a variety of activities in daily life, such as running, working out, hiking, office, and casual wear that you can wear all day, in addition to being appropriate for all seasons.

Solecraft shoes are unisex, which makes them fun and gender inclusive. Its range of products includes bamboo grass loafers, wool charcoal loafers, wool charcoal joggers, and wool charcoal runners. These shoes are available in exciting colors that can be easily added to your everyday essentials as they are washable too. You can wear these without socks as well because the premium natural fabric makes them odor resistant.

When you buy Solecraft shoes, you are returning back to nature, as even the packaging is 100 percent eco-friendly. Shoes that are your and nature’s friend. You can also place bulk orders from their website as it is a perfect gift for your loved ones. And what makes it special is that it comes with an 8-day try and return policy, with a full refund, so customer satisfaction is never compromised.

Atul Mehta and Divya Mehta, the Co-founders of Solecraft, were motivated to design shoes for their father, an athlete who struggled to find the correct footwear and experienced foot pain. In discussing the same, they shared, "Solecraft is for everyone and covers all the prospects of daily life. It was created after extensive research to ensure that no one needs to experience pain as a result of uncomfortable shoes."
 

Arvind Fashions Limited (AFL), India’s leading casual and denim player, has declared its financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Revenue grew by 40 percent to Rs 920 crore compared to the pre-Covid level (Q1 FY20). This was led through sharp execution across retail channels witnessing ~25 percent LTL growth. It was also aided by robust performance in other channels including online and MBO which grew by 1.9x and 2.5x respectively over pre-Covid levels

Power brands' revenue witnessed a growth of 44 percent (vs. pre-Covid) with USPA and Tommy Hilfiger continuing their trajectory of double-digit EBITDA margins (pre-IndAS).

Record full price sell-thru’s across brands and lower discounts resulted in an increase in gross margins by 640 bps (Y-o-Y). EBITDA increased to Rs 94 crore; a growth of 52 percent over the pre-Covid level.

Commenting on the performance of the company, Shailesh Chaturvedi, MD & CEO said “It has been a great start to FY23 with strong consumer demand across channels and categories, resulting in record performance with highest ever Q1 sales and profitability. We expect this momentum to continue for the rest of the year leading to significant improvement in our return on capital employed (ROCE). Further, we will continue to invest behind omnichannel and retail capabilities to build stronger consumer engagement.”
 

Go Fashion (India) Limited, one of the leading women’s bottom-wear brands in India engaged in the development, design, sourcing, marketing, and retailing of a range of women’s bottom-wear products under the brand, ‘Go Colors’ announced its Unaudited Financial Results for the Quarter ended June 30, 2022.

The company has reported a net profit of Rs 24.43 crore in the first quarter ended June 30 of the current fiscal 2022-23 against the loss of Rs 18.99 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal 2021-22.

Total revenue from operations increased more than five-fold to Rs 165.19 crore in Q1 FY 23 as compared to Rs 30.99 crore in the same quarter last year.

Its total expenses stood at Rs 136.93 crore in the Apr-Jun quarter as against Rs 58.66 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal.

Commenting on the results, Gautam Saraogi, CEO, of Go Fashion (India) Limited said, “We have started FY23 with a very strong performance in the first quarter. Our Revenues stood at Rs 165 crore, the highest ever quarterly revenue at Go Fashion. EBITDA and PAT stood at Rs 53 crore and Rs 24 crore, respectively. Our volumes have also grown exponentially. This has been on the back of improved product portfolio by continually adding new products across all bottom wear categories.”

“We continue to invest in brand-building initiatives which will help us to gain visibility and also to focus and grow our online sales channels to benefit from evolving customer trends in our market. During the last quarter, we launched three new films on a PAN India platform for 6 weeks. Each of our films showcases the individual triumphs and journeys of women,” he further added.

The company has taken a new warehousing facility in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra of 12,177 sq. feet. This will help to cater faster and better to the western regions of the country.

In Q1 FY23, the company added 30 new stores and in line with the growth strategy to open more doors closer to the consumer, the company is pushing ahead with expansion and plans to expand its store footprint across geographies by adding around 120-130 new stores every year. We are also looking at omnichannel engagements for a seamless consumer experience, building on a technology-driven growth strategy to reach consumers across all cities.

 “We look forward to continuing our innovative and creative approach and launching more designs while providing more brand destinations for our consumers which will help us grow and gain market share in the coming years,” he stated.

Pantaloons, one of India’s most preferred fast fashion destinations among large retail format stores from the house of Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd., has completed 25 years in the Indian market.

Launched in Kolkata in the year 1997, with its first store at Gariahat, Pantaloons is a powerhouse of fashion, styling young consumers. Pantaloons offer apparel from exclusive labels as well as well-known brands that offer elegant and on-trend fashion. The collections cover a gamut of ready-to-wear western wear and ethnic wear for women, men, and kids for all occasions in addition to a wide range of accessories and home products including bed & bath and décor items.

Sangeeta Pendurkar, CEO, Pantaloons, Jaypore & Style Up, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd said, “Pantaloons is one of the most loved fashion retail brands of India. As we turn 25 years young, we express our gratitude to all our customers and partners who have supported us and made us a part of not only their wardrobes but also their lives. We would continue to make shopping a playful and engaging experience for our shoppers.”

Born from the sport with comfort at its core, adidas drops an all-new sportswear capsule. The collection is inspired by the way the next generation continues to turn tradition on its head with how they move through the world, opting for a fresh comfort-first mindset and rejecting old-world pressures.

To get closer to this mindset, adidas reached out to uncover more about the rise of the cozy fit. Nine in ten believe the clothes they wear impact how mentally comfortable they feel, and over three-quarters say they are more likely to thrive in multiple aspects of life when rooted in a true feeling of comfort. Inspired by these collective insights, the all-new capsule features a selection of versatile pieces that offer a minimalist aesthetic and cloud-like comfort, with several pieces also made in part with recycled materials. 

Each garment has a relaxed fit and is ideal for those looking to level up their everyday sports streetwear style whilst remaining cozy throughout the day. adidas’ sportswear capsule is built for next-level comfort both at home and on the streets with a full collection of casual, stylish fits for both men and women.

Speaking about the collection, Jo Aberg, Vice President of Design at adidas said, “Gone are the days where conforming to traditions is the norm. Instead, we are seeing the rise of a comfort-first mindset amongst the next generation and the consensus that living in this feeling is how they thrive. We also know that when it comes to self-confidence, being comfortable with who they are and what they wear has a huge impact on their lives. With this very much our inspiration, our new capsule fuses fresh looks with optimum comfort and fit and looks to serve the next generation as they drive culture forward and move through the world with purpose.”

The collection is available at adidas stores and online on adidas website.

Capital markets regulator Sebi has kept in "abeyance" the proposed initial share sale of ethnic wear fashion label Biba Fashion. 

The company, which is backed by Warburg Pincus and Faering Capital, had filed preliminary papers with Sebi on April 12 to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO).

Without disclosing the reason, Sebi said "issuance of observations (has been) kept in abeyance" with regard to the IPO of Biba Fashion, an update on the regulator's website showed. The issuance of observations by Sebi implies its go-ahead for an IPO. Sebi usually gives its observations on IPO papers in 30 days.

Going by the draft papers, the proposed IPO comprises fresh issuance of equity shares worth Rs 90 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of 2.77 crore equity shares by the promoter and existing investors.

As a part of the OFS, promoter Meena Bindra and private equity investors Warburg Pincus-backed Highdell Investment and Faering Capital India Evolving Fund are proposing to offload shares.

The company plans to use proceeds from the fresh issuance of equity shares towards debt payment and for general corporate purposes.

Launched in 1986, the company's flagship brand 'BIBA' is a 'category creator' in the women's Indian wear segment. The company develops, designs, sources, markets, and sells a wide portfolio of Indian wear for women and girls across multiple brands. It also offers consumers a range of products across jewelry, footwear, wallets, and fragrances.

JM Financial, Ambit, Equirus Capital, DAM Capital Advisors, and HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) are the book-running lead managers to the issue.