Kumar Bahukhandi
At the end of August, Moscow hosted the BRICS+ Fashion Summit – one of the most influential international platforms for emerging regions. India, a key member of the BRICS bloc and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, has increasingly recognized fashion as a major economic and cultural driver. India sent a large delegation to the Summit to showcase its fashion achievements, share insights, and strengthen cooperation with representatives from BRICS countries and beyond.
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Regional Session Asia at BRICS+ Fashion Summit
Sunil Sethi, Chairman of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) and a member of the prestigious BoF 500 list, reflected on the partnership, “The new edition of BRICS+ Fashion Summit stands as a testament to the vibrant and growing dialogue both between India and Russia and all the participating nations. This platform has proven essential for moving from dialogue to action – Indian delegation, led by FDCI, returns to Moscow for the third consecutive time – and each time we explore opportunities for mutual growth. We’ve already held several successful India-Russia designer exchanges and continue to discuss a united vision for the future of the industry at the Summit. These solidifying relationships are a powerful model for how the nations can jointly steer the future course of the fashion industry and shape a more diverse and resilient global fashion economy.”
Representing the education sector, Antonio Maurizio Grioli, Dean at Pearl Academy, took part in the Summit session and spoke about changes in India’s education system, “Ive been in India for the past 10 years and education has seen an important shift. When I first arrived in India, it used to follow a British system, but later the Indian Government decided to strengthen the value of national education. I was part of this new education policy. We created blocks, with 80 percent dedicated to knowledge about the specific program that the student will study, 10 percent focused on life skills, and the remaining 10 percent on technology. Another important aspect in India is craft. I see craft as something we should find a way to sustain and support.”
One of the key events at the Summit was the “Regional Session: Asia”, with representatives from India, Malaysia, and Indonesia discussing the development of the region’s fashion ecosystem, sustainable practices, and new international cooperation opportunities shaping Asia’s global presence. Nandini Bhalla, Editor-in-Chief of The Word Magazine, shared insights on India’s contemporary fashion market, “India is a very young market – 65% of our country is actually under 35 years of age. India is the fastest-growing fashion market at the moment. There are about 500 million social media users, which means that our direct-to-customer budget is very high. India is currently at a wonderful crossroads between East and West, where we love our craft and we love all of the beauty that we have brought to the world, yet we are not stuck in our own world.”
During Moscow Fashion Week, which ran alongside the Summit, acclaimed designers Shantnu and Nikhil Mehra presented their collection. The brand Shantnu & Nikhil is renowned for blending imperial style with modern luxury, and its new new collection Armoure combined 1930s glamour with Renaissance-inspired silhouettes – evening gowns with corset inserts, decorative peplums evoking royal hems, openwork knitting, ornamental hems, ruffles, textured capes, and sparkling fringe.
“Making our debut in Russia at such an important event, where key industry players come together, is crucial for us,” said Nikhil and Shantnu Mehra. “This opportunity will not only allow us to present our new collection but also lay the foundation for a long-term presence in the region.”
Pawan Sachedeva, the designer behind the New Delhi-based fashion house bearing his name, also showcased its latest collection and took part in the Summit’s Business Program. “I was participating in the BRICS+ Fashion Summit for the first time & I have high expectations in terms of cultural exchanges & increasing mutual influence in the apparel industry between the countries,” said Pawan Sachedeva. “My main aim is to center around creativity, functionality, and market relevance. Events like these serve as a powerful platform for cross-cultural exchange and international collaboration in the fashion industry.”
