From high-end brands to high street ones, India is emerging as a profitable market for international fashion labels. Exploring this "emerging and interesting market", now comes British fashion brand TOPSHOP, whose global design director Jacqui Markham is smitten with the country's rich diversity.
"India has a rich history, textiles, handicrafts and handwork...everything is so rich. The colours and techniques are so rich. As a designer, I'm amazed with the aura and feel that 'Oh my god, this is such a rich soil!'," Markhan told IANS in an interview here.
Markhan said the country is "turning out to be huge market for international brands".
"It's really an emerging and increasing market. People have the access to everything and they desire to get into that global trend. The country is massive and diverse and even the climate is so diverse. Everything is so diverse in india that it's lovely to see," she added.
The TOPSHOP official believes that the increasing exchange between the fashion world of east and west is helping in making the fashion industry rich and diverse globally.
"It has become more and more like a melting point, and everyone looks upto each other. It will get richer and richer in days to come. India is surely turning out to be incredible source of inspiration," she said.
TOPSHOP started its journey in 1964, and now has over 300 stores in the Britain alone. The brand ships to over 100 countries.
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In India, the brand has made its foray through e-commerce platform Jabong.com, along with another British brand TOPMAN.
Markham feels that digital medium is a wise way to reach different parts of a country as big as India.
"I think we look at every market in best way possible. Jabong is a perfect partner as they have a certain reach across India and that's what we are trying to achieve with the India launch," she said.
While many international brands in the past have tried to add some Indian element while making their India foray, TOPSHOP has chosen to be different.
"Brand aesthetic is our USP and we are not comprising on that while coming to India. We try to cater to every single global trend through our collection and as per the demand and appetite, we might increase it," she said, adding that it won't be right to call TOPSHOP just a high street luxury brand.
"We serve both high street retail at a nominal price and we also have designer brand. We cater to both segments and aren't confined to only one segment," she said.
Globally, TOPSHOP has collaborated with names like Christopher Kane and Kate Moss and now that the brand is in India, they are open to more associations as well as participation in fashion weeks.
"We are learning and we are open to any kind of opportunities," said Markhan, who added that working with Bollywood faces in the future can also be an "exciting" opportunity.
The brand's launch here saw the presence of a bevy of stars.
(The writer's trip is at the invitation of Jabong. Nivedita can be contacted at Nivedita.s@ians.in)