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FICCI to dress up fashion industry

G. Srinivasan

NEW DELHI, July 10

EVEN as it is fully immersed in assisting corporates in their interaction with the Government, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is turning the spotlight on fashions industry in a bid to boost this high-value export items and the image of Indian apparels abroad.

The country's premier chamber is all set to mount a fashions expo in the first week of December 2001 at Pragati Maidan here. It would be a composite international exhibition so that all segments of the industry get a footing to project their products for increasing the market base, informed sources told Business Line here.

In a bid to organise Fashions 2001-International Exhibition on Fashion Industry, FICCI has constituted an advisory body under the Chairmanship of Mr L.V. Saptharishi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and former Executive Director, National Inst itute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), in the National Capital.

Other members of the advisory body include Ms Shimul Mehta Vyas, Co-ordinator, National Institute of Design, Mr V.B. Parvatikar, Additional Director (Tech), Fashion Design Development Institute, Mr Lothar Klemm, Joint Director, Mr Atul Chaturvedi, Direct or-General, NIFT, and others.

At its first meeting, the advisory body discussed various issues pertaining to the first-ever fashion show to be organised by a chamber of commerce and industry.

It was felt that the efforts made so far for projecting the fashion industry have more or less been oriented towards selected designer's garments.

`Fashions 2001' should be broad-based and focus on business and market opportunities so that it could create a multiplier effect, it was felt.

The objective of the event should be clearly focused to provide for business opportunities in addition to developing fashions consciousness amongst the vast expanding consumer base by providing them all options for their fashions needs at one place and a t one time for increasing market base of participating companies.

It was also stated at the meeting that FICCI should use its brand image for mobilising participation of companies with established brands or upcoming brands covering the entire fashion industry.

The overseas promotion of the event may be based on `Advantage India' concept in terms of variety, ethnicity, manufacturing costs, Indian talent and availability of vast range of base material. This might help in establishing business linkages with globa l brands or corporates of repute.

Participating companies may be requested to lay special stress on design aspects whether in textiles, made-ups, jewellery, cosmetics, footwear and accessories as future demand pattern is likely to be dominated by designs.

Exclusive workshops/seminars would be held with focus on business opportunities, the World Trade Organistation (WTO) and its effect on the Indian fashion industry, creation of linkages with international brands and with overseas fashion institutions, hum an resources development for the fashion industry from the point of training and education imparted by extant bodies such as NIFT, NID and FDDI.

Finally, a five-year strategy plan to develop and position `Fashions 2001' as a brand for business promotion is also suggested.

The Chairman of the Advisory Committee stated at the first meeting that it is an excellent gesture by FICCI to hold an international expo at a time when the domestic fashion industry has grown in stature with the emergence of retailers.