Latest news with #Jaypore
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
The art of making mannequins matter
Indian retail is experiencing a revolution, and it's happening right under our noses - or rather, right in front of our faces in every shop window across the country. Forget the days when mannequins were merely well-dressed scarecrows gathering dust; today's plastic protagonists are cultural chameleons, silent salespeople, and the unsung heroes of retail theatre. As the festive season unfolds like a colourful carpet across India, fashion brands are discovering that getting the mannequin memo right can transform window shoppers into wallet-openers faster than you can say "festival collection". This sentiment resonates across boardrooms from Mumbai to Bengaluru, where savvy leaders are reimagining how seasonal displays can capture both hearts and purchasing power - no small feat when your audience ranges from discerning aunties to Instagram-obsessed Gen Z fashionistas. The storytelling approach goes deeper for many brands. Manu Gupta, vice president & brand head, Jaypore, says, "Our mannequin displays are designed to narrate stories of Indian craftsmanship and cultural richness, tailored to the rhythm of the seasons." That includes regional customisation. "We treat our visual storytelling as an extension of local festivities. For instance, during Onam, our southern stores featured banana tree props. Each space is thoughtfully styled to feel rooted in its region because celebration, like craft, is never one-size-fits-all." This hyper-local strategy goes deeper than festival colours. Chetan Siyal, founding member & CMO, Snitch, notes how "Bengaluru responds more to minimal and experimental looks, whereas cities like Indore engage with bold, festive-forward expressions." It's rather like conducting a symphony orchestra where every city plays a different tune - somehow, it all needs to harmonise into a cohesive brand story that speaks to local sensibilities without losing national appeal. The approach is deeply strategic. Puneet Sewra, CMO, TCNS, Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail, reveals the cultural choreography behind their displays: "If you visit our Kerala stores right now, most mannequins are dressed in white and gold for Onam. Come Durga Puja season, our eastern stores will showcase red and white." This hyper-local strategy extends beyond festivals - even Independence Day gets the mannequin treatment with patriotic tricolour styling, proving that plastic people can be surprisingly patriotic. But not everyone's jumping on the localisation bandwagon. While Indian brands speak in regional dialects, international players prefer maintaining their accent, suggesting there's no one-size-fits-all approach to mannequin mastery. Debraj Sengupta, managing director marketing & sales, Victorinox India, takes a decidedly different tack: "We maintain a uniform global window display to ensure a seamless brand experience and reinforce the Swiss promise of quality." The business impact is measurable and robust. Anant Tanted, founder & CEO, The Indian Garage Co., reports significant sales boosts during their Onam and Eid displays in Kerala stores. "We observed that few brands were celebrating these events with such elaborate visual merchandising," he notes, proving that sometimes competitive advantage comes from simply showing up with bells on - quite literally, during festivals. Now, how is this silent styling translating to tangible business results? When asked, Deepak Aggarwal, managing director, Kazo, explains: "Seasonal mannequin styling acts in a silent manner, visually guiding customers and influencing purchase decisions," leading to higher basket values as "customers are more likely to buy full outfits or complementary pieces." It's retail psychology at its finest - the mannequin becomes the stylist you never knew you needed, silently suggesting combinations and inspiring complete looks rather than single-item purchases. "Our mannequins don't just wear sarees—they tell stories," explains Sujata Biswas, co-founder, Suta, highlighting how effective narrative-driven displays have become central to seasonal retail strategy . Technology is gradually entering this traditionally tactile space, bringing digital sophistication to analogue displays. Snitch integrates QR codes allowing customers to shop looks directly from mannequins to mobile carts. They're exploring NFC tags and motion-based displays too, creating more interactive shopping experiences . The future reveals trends that promise to make retail spaces even more immersive. Sengupta anticipates "visual merchandising becoming more immersive, sustainable and culturally attuned," with "tech-integrated elements—digital screens, motion sensors, and dynamic lighting." Meanwhile, Manjula Tiwari, chief executive officer, Cover Story, envisions "immersive storytelling—dynamic window displays, interactive digital elements, and sensorial in-store zones." The measurable impact extends beyond footfall into actual conversion metrics. Sewra observes that products displayed on mannequins consistently achieve higher sell-through rates - typically 15 to 20 per cent better than items displayed on hangers alone - particularly crucial for complex Indian wear where customers struggle to visualise the final look from hangers. After all, a lehenga on a hanger is just expensive fabric with potential; on a mannequin, it's a wedding guest's dream come true. These silent salespeople are proving that sometimes, actions - or in this case, poses - speak louder than words. The mannequin revolution is here, and it's dressed to impress.
Hindustan Times
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Is Prada a repeat offender in cultural appropriation? Jutti-gate follows Kolhapuri fiasco
The line between inspiration and template is apparently very, very thin. Elf-like pumps or juttis from Punjab? Prada yet again finds itself under fire in allegations of cultural appropriation(Photos: Instagram/Jaypore) Late last month, Prada debuted its Men's Spring Summer 2025 collection at the Deposito of the Fondazione Prada, Milan. While the whimsical and softly futuristic collection did turn heads, what stole the show, and in the worst way possible, were the luxury house's very own 'Kolhapuri chappals' making their runway debut. What's wrong with the Kolhapuri going global you ask? Nothing really, except that none of the western world would know it was the Kolhapuri walking the runway had it not been for the Indian diaspora's global outrage over the absolute lack of acknowledgement over the inspiration for the design. So much so that the matter reached court and an obscure team from Prada reached Kolhapur in Maharashtra, in an attempt to review manufacturing facilities, take samples and tour the city's retail market area. The controversy was only just waning when within a month on the it or happened again. The official Prada website now carries the listing for a pair of 'antiqued leather pumps' in a sandy tan brown — the standout detail on it looking an awful lot like Punjabi juttis. The frayed flap marking symmetry and the pointed tip of the shoe are all the pointers anyone needs. And people are honestly baffled. They're pump heels for sure but where does the 'antique' tag come from? Is it the centuries worth of history it holds, an enduring example of aesthetic Indian culture? Or is it just meant to add weight to the exotic tax? As per a PTI report published earlier this month, Prada had released a statement in the throes of the controversy, outlining how the much-contested 'Kolhapuris' were actually inspired by Indian handcrafted footwear. But they also made sure to assert how "the sandals featured in the men's 2026 fashion show are still at the design stage and none of the pieces worn by models on the ramp are confirmed to be commercialised".
Mint
20-06-2025
- Mint
Next vacation plan? A textile trail to explore historical weaves
Next Story Sujata Assomull Curated craft trails, immersive weaving and dyeing workshops offer travellers a deeper understanding of culture, heritage and slow luxury A weaver at work Gift this article This is the time of year when people look forward to travelling for leisure. While I am always more invested in all things fashion, my focus lately has shifted to more immersive travel. This is the time of year when people look forward to travelling for leisure. While I am always more invested in all things fashion, my focus lately has shifted to more immersive travel. In India, though, you don't have to choose between the two. The country's rich textile heritage allows you to combine your love for fashion with a meaningful travel experience. India makes 95% of handwoven textiles in the world. In other words, our weaving traditions are woven into the fabric of the Indian culture, offering journeys that are as enriching as they are beautiful. In the past, I have visited pashmina ateliers in Srinagar, Ajrakh printing centres in Jaisalmer, chikankari centres in Lucknow and sari weaving clusters in Kanchipuram—but those were usually quick detours during work trips or stolen moments on a holiday. Now, I want to go deeper. And it is easier than you might think. Homegrown boutique travel companies are now offering textile trails as part of their itineraries. One of them is Breakaway, founded by Shilpa Sharma, in 2011. Her textile trails span the country, from Gujarat and Rajasthan to Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Nagaland. 'Each region offers something distinct—whether it's the vibrancy of Ajrakh and bandhej, or the intricacy of weaving traditions tucked away in village clusters across the country," says Sharma, the co-founder of the crafts-focused brand Jaypore, and of Goa-based restaurant Mustard. Over the past few years, Sharma has observed a steady rise in interest for textile-focused travel. 'I think there's a larger cultural shift. We've seen that travellers are increasingly craving 'meaning', not just monuments. India's textile heritage offers a rich and tangible way to connect with memory, identity and place." Their trips typically last four to 10 days, making them easy to plan as long weekend getaways or shorter immersive escapes that don't require significant time commitments. For some locations, planning is necessary—Kashmir and Ladakh are best visited between May and September, while other regions are ideal in the cooler months between October and March. It's also worth noting that dyeing and printing activities slow down during the monsoon season. So, do keep seasonality in mind when you are planning a textile trail. Textile revivalist and curator Lavina Baldota is no stranger to the idea of textile trails. 'For me, these are generally study trips—to understand, evaluate and document," she says. While Baldota believes the interest in textile/loom tourism is on the rise, she points out that mainstream media, even travel-specific publications, aren't doing enough to give such experiences the coverage they deserve. 'Craft and textile tourism hold a lot of potential. Every year, there are enthusiasts who come to India specifically to explore textiles," she explains. Baldota says if more attention was given to how textile and travel are a natural fit—both for Indian and international visitors—it could become a powerful way to understand India's culture and heritage. The government could organise and promote such trips, and so could the fashion industry, Baldota suggests. A similar belief led former journalist and Kochi-based sociopreneur Ramesh Menon to launch Save the Loom, a movement born after the 2018 Kerala floods, which severely affected the weaving clusters around Kochi. An indigo dyeing workshop organised by One Zero Eight by Save the Loom 'The once-famous weaving town had faded from public memory as a centre of craft heritage," says Menon, the founder of One Zero Eight by Save the Loom, a concept store that collaborates with over 40 designers. 'I wished people had celebrated and preserved their traditional crafts—taking pride in showcasing them to the world. Just after the floods, an elderly couple flew in from Manhattan, New York. The wife, a hobby weaver, had read about our story and offered to volunteer. That moment made us realise we had an avenue to tell better stories," Menon says. From there, Menon began hosting regular programmes around weaving, ranging from three-hour workshops in handloom weaving and natural dyeing to one-day deep dives showcasing the entire process of yarn processing, dyeing, winding, warping, weaving, and visits to home weavers and women-led cooperatives. These evolved into bespoke travel experiences, culminating in seven- to 21-day immersive tours across states. 'Though our primary focus is weaving, we also include other traditional craft experiences, museum visits, and 'look-and-learn' modules," Menon says. 'Even watching a Kathakali make-up session can be part of the itinerary." What stands out to him is the diversity of travellers who sign up. 'There's growing interest from young Indians who want to experience and learn. On the international side, it's often 'silver tourists'—older travellers with a passion for art, design and craftsmanship," he says. 'We've had couples gift each other weaving workshops for anniversaries, friends gifting trips for birthdays, and professionals from completely different fields who simply want to understand the intricacies of Indian weaving," he explains. Menon believes the next step forward is for textile-driven fashion brands and retail stores to begin curating these kinds of journeys for their consumers. 'The fashion and retail industry can play a huge role. The 'Handmade in India' story is our biggest asset. Positioning it within the realm of high-end luxury—through loom tourism and by opening up ateliers and production units—will showcase our craftsmanship and ways of making," he explains. It can also help bring more depth, credibility and capital to India's growing influence in global fashion. 'At a time when the world seeks transparency and sustainability, when brands are being held accountable, and when we want to elevate traditional artisans globally, curating experiences around textile traditions is the most authentic way to claim our space in the luxury conversation," says Menon. Perhaps it is time the fashion industry started thinking of clothing not just as product but as a journey. Pairing craft with travel may well be the most powerful way to keep India's story, and its profound influence on global material culture alive and thriving. Dress Sense is a monthly column on the clothes we wear every day. Sujata Assomull is a journalist, author and mindful fashion advocate. Also read: Why this is the season to stop shopping Topics You May Be Interested In Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Hindu
Design finds from Chennai
Located on busy Chamiers Road in R.A. Puram, a red brick building houses three stores — Jaypore, Suvasa, and Bagh — and is a one-stop destination for all things decor. From ikat bedspreads to beautifully woven fruit covers, they offer locally made and environmentally friendly products. Here are six picks for the season: Jaypore Founded in 2012 and acquired by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited in 2019, this premium artisanal lifestyle brand recently opened its first store in Chennai, marking its debut in Tamil Nadu. Jaypore curates handcrafted products, sourced directly from artisans and craftsmen across India. They offer a selection spanning apparel, home décor, accessories, jewellery, and more. Storage unit The storage box, priced at ₹2,490, is made of mango wood and brass. Its handcrafted nature means each unit is slightly different, showcasing the artist's creativity. It is part of the Nimat collection and easy to maintain — just wipe it with a soft dry cloth for longevity. Dinnerware Inspired by the nature of Himachal Pradesh, the Ruhan collection offers a luxurious range of dinnerware, including platters and serveware. The collection, with its blend of stylised floral motifs and glimpses of the striking Himalayan Monal, starts at ₹1,590. Suvasa Founded in 2000 by Oona and Rajat Singh, Suvasa launched its new Chennai branch last year. Rooted in Jaipur and inspired by nature, its collections celebrate earthy palettes, tactile textures, and a design ethos that is both understated and refined. Seagrass basket The basket, hand painted with bright red poinsettias, is lightweight and earthy. Made from natural seagrass and cane, it's a multipurpose piece that can double up as an office tiffin bag or a classic picnic companion. It is priced at ₹1,550. Food and fruit covers Made by women artisans, the umbrella food cover is crafted from delicate net fabric and adorned with hand embroidery. It blends functionality with craftsmanship, and is priced at ₹2,100. The fruit cover, also crafted from net, is edged with colorful printed fabric, intricate beading, and hand embroidered French knot roses. Part of the collection for the past 10 years, it is priced at ₹350 per piece. Bagh Bagh by Seasons, a 20-year-old brand based in Vadodara, opened its Chennai branch six months ago. The store combines local printing techniques with natural fabrics to create a style that is uniquely indigenous. All motifs are designed by an in-house team of artists. Ikat cushion cover This cotton cushion cover is a go-to for anyone who loves Indian textiles. Available throughout the season, it comes pre-shrunk and should be hand-washed. The store also provides other kind of cushion covers such as silk block print and jute. Priced at ₹1,500 Bedspread set For a cosy home experience, this bedspread set is a must. Made from hand block printed cotton fabric, this cotton cushion cover is priced at ₹950, the quilt at ₹9,450, and the dohar (a traditional Indian blanket or comforter) at ₹6,350.
Fashion Network
02-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Jaypore launches 33rd India store in Chandigarh
Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd's artisanal lifestyle brand Jaypore has launched its 33rd exclusive brand outlet in India, marking its entry into the Chandigarh market. The new store is located in Sector 7C, a key retail destination in the city. "Punjab, we've arrived- with craft in our hands and gratitude in our hearts," announced Jaypore on Facebook. "Every motif holds memory, every weave carries the voice of a Karigar who learned from the ones before. Beyond these doors lies not a store, but a sanctum of skill, where heritage whispers and Karigari live on. Which story will you take back with you? Come discover yours." With this opening, Jaypore brings its curated selection of handcrafted apparel, silver jewellery, home décor, and accessories to Chandigarh's shoppers. The brand's collections are rooted in Indian craft traditions and highlight techniques such as Chikankari, Ajrakh, Ikat, and Jamdani, reimagined for modern consumers, according to its website. Jaypore's store design is conceptualised to reflect its ethos of culturally grounded elegance, providing a retail experience that blends heritage with contemporary appeal. The brand collaborates with over 70 craft clusters across the country, supporting artisans while offering customers a diverse selection of designs, In Fashion Business reported. The Chandigarh store is part of Jaypore's ongoing national expansion and reinforces its commitment to showcasing India's craft legacy through retail. As Jaypore continues to grow its offline footprint, the business announced that it seeks to connect a wider audience with India's artisanal traditions.
