There are many women leaders in India, a
country that had its first woman Prime Minister in 1966, where so many other
countries haven’t seen even one. In the luxury industry, there is even more
dominance of women. We list 5 such examples of inspiration
By: Soumya
Jain
The luxury industry is a tough market. The
product has to be exemplary, unique, handcrafted, and its rules for marketing
are also much more sophisticated and unique as compared to those of mass or
budget brands.
It’s no wonder then, that with their innate
love for design, style and hospitality, women have dominated luxury boardrooms
in India. Here are five women leaders in the Indian luxury industry, according to
Fortune India in 2018, who made headlines in luxury magazines in India for
various reasons.
1. Mira Kulkarni – Number 22 in Fortune India’s ‘Most Powerful
Women in Business’ list, Mira Kulkarni is Chairman and Managing Director at
Mountain Valley Springs. You would more popularly know her as the head of the
brand Forest Essentials. Who hasn’t fallen in love with her mogra incensed perfumes and mists?
Though the brand is widely covered in luxury magazines in India, you wouldn’t
have heard as much about Mrs. Kulkarni. She is a firm, strong individual.
2. Anita Dongre – Listed at number 24 in the same list by Fortune
India, Anita Dongre is pretty much a household name now. With her multiple
sub-brands, 300 stores worldwide, and love for elegant yet bright colored
designs, fashion enthusiasts love her creativity. A regular staple in fashion
magazines and blogs, Ms. Dongre is one of the biggest fashion brands to emerge
from India. Kudos!
3. Ritu Kumar – Although at number 37 in Fortune India’s list,
we think she could have been a little higher up. Having celebrated 50 years in
the Indian fashion industry, she is the original textile revivalist in India,
way before sustainability became a fad. Her loyalty to authentic weaves and
fabrics such as Benarasi textiles has been hailed as great importance in the
industry. Her designs are regularly featured in luxury magazines
in India, while she is also featured as a
representative of India and its textile heritage.
4. Priya Paul – Directly after Mrs. Kumar comes Priya Paul at
38 in Fortune India’s list. Chairperson of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, Mrs.
Paul is in expansion mode after a few quiet years. Heading one of the first
luxury boutique hotels chain in India, The Park hotels, Mrs. Paul has her
finger on the pulse of hospitality. Her business acumen is sharp. And she deserves
to be, again, higher up in the list.
5. Gauri Khan – A new entrant in the list, she has been placed
at number 42 by Fortune India. Mrs. Khan has proven that she is much more than
Shahrukh Khan’s wife. A design leader, Mrs. Khan is designing nurseries and
stores with as much gusto as party rooms. Her modern design and neutral
aesthetics have wowed the film fraternity and industrialists community in
India.
Here’s to girl power! And seeing more names of
women in the Indian luxury business!
Comments
Post a Comment