Bangalore, 29th January 2025 – The 24th edition of India Fashion Forum (IFF), India’s largest and most prestigious fashion business intelligence event, kicked off with grandeur today at Sheraton Grand, Whitefield, Bengaluru. With the theme “India Fashion Collaboration: From Peers to Partners,” the event aims to unite the industry’s key players to foster collaboration and drive growth within India’s dynamic fashion landscape.
Padma Shri Kartikeya Vikram Sarabhai, Founder & Director of CEE and Chairman of Ambalal Sarabhai Enterprises, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. The event also witnessed the launch of “Sustainable Promises,” a thought-provoking book by Dr. Naresh Tyagi, Chairman of IFF Innovators Club & Chief Sustainability Officer, ABFRL, reflecting the industry’s commitment to sustainability.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vishak Kumar, CEO, Madura Fashion & Lifestyle and Chairman, India Fashion Forum 2025 said, “It is an exciting time for fashion in India because when it comes to the potential for multiplier growth, we have barely scratched the surface. This means that the best is yet to be created. The catalyst for this untapped potential lies in collaboration, innovation, and new partnership ideas. Let’s reimagine our peers as our partners and seize the immense opportunities ahead.”
Mr. Nikhil Behl, CEO, India Fashion Forum, said, “Every milestone we achieve, every challenge we tackle, and every partnership we nurtured brought us closer to reimagining the business of fashion as an ecosystem of care. For 24 years, IFF has been the annual meeting and networking destination for hundreds of fashion companies and thousands of professionals. In fact, we have often been described as India’s Fashion Network Mahakumbh! It’s easy to see why, as we kick off our 24th edition in 2025 with a powerful congregation of 700+ fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands, retailers, and business enablers. 2025 marks a turning point for the fashion industry. Building strong collaborations and alliances with value chain stakeholders who share similar goals and values will be critical to navigating a rapidly changing, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment. This collaborative approach will empower us to overcome challenges and seize opportunities, propelling the industry forward.”
Former Chairman of India Fashion Forum, Mr. Shailesh Chaturvedi, MD & CEO, Arvind Fashions Ltd said, “We live in very exciting times and for the fashion industry to grow, we need to innovate, differentiate and collaborate. There is enough and more business and growth available in this consumption journey in India, where we are still in the early days of consumption. But we must innovate and differentiate.”
Concurrent show CX Forum also kicked off in the second half with deep-diving discussions and roundtables on the transformative power of tech in redrawing retail models and consumer experience standards.
The 24th edition of India Fashion Forum (IFF) featured thought-provoking discussions on key industry challenges and opportunities. Experts in the Collaborate to Thrive session emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships to navigate shifting consumer behaviors, digital disruptions, and sustainability demands. Scaling Fashion Profitably explored balancing short-term profitability with long-term investments in innovation and customer experience. The Syncing Sales Cycles session addressed disruptions caused by prolonged sales and highlighted collaborative strategies to create a more sustainable retail calendar. Meanwhile, Global Insights Shaping Fashion Vision 2025 & Beyond provided valuable perspectives on industry trends, innovations, and strategies shaping the future.
Sessions also focused on evolving consumer trends and operational efficiencies. Unraveling the DNA of Next-Gen Fashion Consumers explored innovative business models catering to India’s rapidly changing consumer landscape. In Optimizing CapEx and OpEx for Sustainable Growth, industry leaders shared insights on resource allocation, cost management, and profitability strategies. Beyond the Runway: Design to Delivery Dynamics examined AI-powered logistics and backend innovations transforming shopping behavior. Finally, Cracking the Code for Tier 2 & 3 Markets shed light on the growing potential of emerging cities, with discussions on format innovations, pricing strategies, and localized consumer engagement.
Adding to the grandeur of the event, IFF 2025 honored outstanding women leaders in the fashion industry through the Women Icons in the Business of Fashion Awards, recognizing their contributions in shaping India’s fashion and retail landscape. Six dynamic women entrepreneurs were celebrated for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact:
- Richa Chaube Pai, Sr VP & Brand COO, Allen Solly
- Almas Nanda, Co-Founder & Director, Inc 5 Shoes
- Ayushi Gudwani, Founder & CEO, FS Life
- Nina Lekhi, Founder & CEO, Baggit
- Sharon Pais, Chief Business Officer, Myntra
- Sonali Lalvani, Founder & CEO, Toniq Retail Brands
These trailblazers have played a crucial role in driving innovation, fostering business growth, and elevating Indian fashion on a global scale, reinforcing the increasing influence of women in shaping the industry’s future.
The evening concluded with a mesmerizing showcase of style and innovation at the Evening of Fashion Titans and the India Brand Fashion Show. Renowned brands, including Titan – The Wedding Edit, Mohanlal Sons (Virasat Collection), Mia by Tanishq, Campus, Lycra, Angel & Rocket, and others, unveiled their latest collections and product innovations. These showcases not only highlighted cutting-edge trends but also underscored the evolving fashion landscape, setting the tone for a transformative year ahead.
References:
- India Fashion Forum 2025 Curtain Raiser: Redefining fashion retail. India Retailing
- India Fashion Forum 2025 Official Website.INDIA FASHION FORUM
- India Fashion Forum to kick off in Bengaluru on January 28. FashionNetwork India
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