Features

Fashion: Masters of mode

2 May 2017 by Business Traveller India
Canali

Canali

Founded as a family business by Giovanni and Giacomo Canali in 1934, Canali is known for introducing mechanised cutting machines in the fashion industry. Its flagship store in Milan, Italy laid the foundation of its legacy that expanded across the world. Renowned for its sophisticated fabric in men’s luxury, the 80-year old brand is loved by royalty and celebrities alike. Canali entered the Indian market in 2004 by launching its first store in Mumbai. It currently has standalone boutiques in Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata. All stores house the year’s latest collection including suits, denims, ties, pocket squares, shirts, cufflinks and other accessories. canali.com

Ermenegildo Zegna

Ermenegildo Zegna

Angelo Zegna’s youngest son Ermenegildo founded the Lanificio Zegna wool mill at the age of 18. He laid the foundation of a successful Italian garments’ brand that garnered a noteworthy reputation for its high quality fabrics for suits. By 1973, Zegna’s manufacturing expanded worldwide to Switzerland and Spain, as the brand went on to open stores across 16 other countries. Today, the over 100-year old Italian label’s legacy is known for its high-end fashion range for the modern man.  Zegna made its Indian debut in 1999 at Crossroads Mall in Mumbai. Its flagship store, however, opened in 2007 at The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai. Today it operates a total of five stores across Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. The Zegna stores in India carry the latest collections of rich suits, ties, clothing, inner wear, cufflinks, shoes  and pocket squares. zegna.us

Gucci

Gucci

Founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Italy, Gucci is the hallmark of premium Italian fashion. When he was an immigrant hotel employee in Paris, Guccio was fascinated with the luggage carried by upper class individuals. It motivated him to create urban leather goods upon his return to Florence in 1920, and in 1960, the double G logo with its iconic red and green stripes was formed. His modest shop soon garnered enough attention for him to expand to 76 Gucci stores across the world by 1997. Gucci entered India in 2007 by opening its first store in Trident, Mumbai. It currently operates its six stores in Mumbai, Delhi, NCR and Kolkata. The Mumbai and Delhi outlets retail a wide selection of handbags, sunglasses, ready-to-wear suits, streetwear, polos, jackets, sling bags, backpacks, shoes, pocket squares, scarves and cufflinks. Currently, the stores have been stocked with the latest Cruise 2017 collection. gucci.com

HermÈs

HermÈs

French brand Hermès continues its 175-year old legacy by making its mark as one of the most exclusive fashion houses in the world. The foundation of Hermès’ fashion heritage was laid within the four walls of a Parisian workshop. It was in 1837, when Thierry Hermès began specialising in making horse saddles and equestrian accessories. His work was soon appreciated by European royalty who began investing in bridles and harnesses made by him. The brand introduced its first handbag collection in the year 1922, taking the luxe industry by storm. Soon after, Hermès introduced scarves, silk ties and perfumes. By 1970, the label opened stores across Europe, the United States and Japan, expanding its global presence. The logo of Hermès, the Duc carriage with the horse resonates with its rather humble inception. Its trademark items are the “Kelly bag” — named after Princess Grace Kelly, and the “Birkin bag” — named after English actress, Jane Birkin. Hermès entered India in 2008 by launching a store at The Oberoi, New Delhi. In 2011, Hermès opened its flagship store in Mumbai at Horniman Circle. Following its rising popularity in Indian social circles, Hermès opened another temporary store in DLF Emporio Mall, Delhi last year. This shop will move to the upcoming DLF Chanakya in the first quarter of next year alongside other luxury brands. The Hermès stores in India retail latest collections of the brand including bracelets, small leather goods, pocket squares, ties, shoes, scarves, mufflers, belts and cufflinks. hermes.com

Jimmy Choo

Jimmy Choo

Known to be one of the most loved designers, Jimmy Choo has dazzled red carpets and fashion ramps since the ‘90s. Founded by the namesake fashion designer, Choo comes from a Malaysian family of shoemakers and now lives in London from where he operates his vogue empire. At the age of 11, the budding designer learnt the art of shoe-making from his father who was a cobbler. After years of following his passion, the man became an instant global phenomenon when Princess Diana of Wales strutted in Jimmy Choo shoes in 1990. By 1996, Jimmy Choo co-founded the brand with British Vogue’s then accessory editor, Tamara Mellon. Jimmy Choo as a brand has done remarkably well in the Indian market since its arrival here in 2009. The brand opened its first store in the luxury hub of India — New Delhi. Thereon, it has gained popularity amongst celebrities and socialites, thus encouraging the opening of two more stores in Bengaluru and Mumbai. The store in Mumbai offers a handcrafted collection of handbags, wallets, shoes, small accessories for women. Delhi’s Jimmy Choo showroom prides itself on men’s collections as well, including luggage, sling bags, backpacks, shoes, men’s bracelets, small leather goods, pocket squares, scarves, belts and cufflinks. jimmychoo.com

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

This classic French brand needs no introduction. Its rich antiquity dates back to 1854 in Rue Neuve des Capucines, Paris when Vuitton successfully mastered the craft of box and trunk making. Luggage created by LV embodied the classic Damier canvas print, which continues to dominate its collections across international runways. By 1913, Louis Vuitton reached the status of global acclamation and became one of the best travel-goods’ brands in the world. Its elegant monogram too has etched a mark in the universe of fashion. Around the 1940s, Louis Vuitton’s stylish trunks caught the fancy of Indian royal families who enjoyed travel and indulged in luxury. Later, with the luxe market in the country expanding at an exponential rate in 2003, Louis Vuitton made its much-awaited entrance into India by opening its first store in the capital. Currently the brand has three stores here — Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi. They retail updated collections of luggage, sling bags, backpacks, shoes and accessories including bracelets, small leather goods, pocket squares, scarves, belts, and cufflinks. louisvuitton.com

Salvatore Ferragamo

Salvatore Ferragamo

Salavatore Ferragamo came from a large Italian family where he made shoes for his little sisters as a child. His hobby soon translated into passion, fostering an iconic, luxury shoe label. The Ferragamo logo can be spotted from a mile away because of its unique design, the founder’s autograph. Today, its shoes, suits and belts make the rounds at red carpet events and are preferred by discerning fashion lovers. The “shoemaker for stars” was known for creations from materials like gold-kidskin, suede, and shaped slabs of cork collected by him during World War II. In 2008, Ferragamo launched its exclusive horology line. Ferragamo opened its premier Indian store in Trident, Mumbai in 2006. The second store is located in DLF Emporio in the capital. Both the Ferragamo stores stock the year’s men’s collection of accessories including bags, belts, ties, shoes, cufflinks and essential wardrobe wear. ferragamo.com

Netra Venkateshwaran

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