The usual hustle-bustle of Monday morning was broken by a message from Leela, a good friend… Kanval Dhillon (MD, K Dhillon & Co.) passed away on Sunday, 3rd May 2015, much before her time. I knew she was unwell, but that the end would come so soon was a shock… Even as we at Apparel Online were absorbing the news, the messages started pouring in…, it was as if everyone wanted to share the grief. Her old friends and associates from AMC, her vendors who are more like friends than business partners and her staff members who are thoroughly heart-broken… We have tried to add as many messages as possible… A true tribute to a lady who touched so many hearts in an industry which is heartless! From all of us, may her beautiful soul rest in peace…
With a heavy heart, we say Goodbye to Kanval… It was just couple of weeks back when she sent a message saying let’s meet… Alas, we never could, as just a day before we were to meet, she had to be hospitalised, this time never to return!
It is a sad day as I write this, my personal tribute to a lovely human being. She was always so very charming and gracious, a beautiful person with a noble soul. Always quietly involved in so many charities and social causes she supported.
In spite of battling a long illness, Kanval was always so remarkably positive about life. A great hostess, always welcoming friends to the warmth of her home, spreading joy and smiles in spite of the pain her illness was causing her.
Kanval was a highly respected professional in our industry and the industry will miss her. She was one person for whom one always heard the industry talking most respectfully for the fairness and integrity with which she ran her office KDC, and conducted her business so successfully till the very end.
For her friends, she was a true example of courage and dignity, spreading love and smiles all around her. RIP Kanval! It is time to say Goodbye to you, as you embark on a journey where we pray for eternal peace for you… We will miss you!
Leela Kanuga, Country Manager, Contempo
I have known Kanval since she was a young merchant at AMC. Over the years, we developed a deep mutual respect and she was one of the most professional, fair and ethical buyer of the trade. Both on the professional and personal front she was just wonderful, full of life human being that all admired and I truly feel her loss.
Sudhir Dhingra, CMD, Orient Craft
Ms. Dhillon was an Icon of the apparel industry… There are very few mentors like her and I am so fortunate, I was one of her many disciples. She was also a very dear friend, a soul mate with whom you could share your laughter and your sadness, without blinking an eyelid… She was always there for me. I am what I am today because of her mentoring and friendship… and I will take it to the grave. She has only gone away physically… She will remain with me forever in spirit.
Suman Malhotra, CMO, HOH Design and Sourcing
How does one articulate the loss of a 43-year long friendship? My beloved Kanval – loyal friend, trusted guide and unshakable anchor inspired me by her dedication to her work, her enormous courage in dealing with her illness/ pain all the while continuing to be the indefatigable force of nature that she always was. I will always remember you that way and you will remain cherished in my heart till the end of time. No words to describe my loss.
Devinder Singh, Country Manager, Charles Vögele
Ms. Dhillon was epitome of success in the apparel industry. She was and shall continue to remain a source of inspiration to young managers who aspire to become entrepreneur. After I left KDC in 2007, I am still not able to find a single organization which emulates the culture, management practices, and business ethics followed in KDC and harbour entrepreneurship. Her demise has created a gap in the apparel industry which is difficult to fill in.
Dinesh Arora, Sr. QC – CST and Lane Bryant
Miss Dhillon, a true task master, exceptionally professional and ethical… always believed in doing things the right way (a rarity in today’s day & age). I am fortunate to have had an opportunity to work and interact with her closely. Will miss you Kanval Aunty…
Amit Suresh Sethi, Director, Orient Fashions
She was larger than life, God fearing, loving and caring… Will always remember her for what she did for this industry and the people she touched/ trained. A tribute to her are the people who are doing so well in the industry who were trained by her…
Anant Sadana, CEO, Apparel United
Ms. Dhillon’s untimely demise has left us speechless. Thousands of people are born and thousands leave the face of earth every day. This is the circle of life. Persons such as Ms. Dhillon come on earth with a higher purpose. Not only she found a lot of success in her profession by sheer hard work and dedication, she touched innumerable lives and enriched each one of them in a profound way. Be it her employees, her vendors, business associates, etc… We are proud to be associated with such an amazing personality for the last 2 decades. Most people leave behind properties, bank balances, etc. but the legacy of hard work, honesty and integrity that she’s left behind is priceless. We will deeply miss a dear friend and a noble soul.
Bhupinder Ghai, Ghai Creations
“A word or group of few words cannot define the kind of human being she was. She was one of the rare creations of god”….
Ajay Nagpal, Ajay Murty Modes,
It is so unfortunate that someone with a golden heart had to leave all of us so soon. KD Madam’s incomparable experience and support has motivated us to reach new heights. She was our pillar of strength helping us out in time of need and never lost hope in us and for that we will always be thankful to her. We have shared some beautiful memories with her which we will treasure for the rest of our lives.
Akhil Mehra, Mehra Bandhu Fashions
Ms. Dhillon you will always be in our hearts and thoughts. Your ethics, principles and immense knowledge will continue to inspire us to work hard and will fulfil your dreams of taking KDC and Adrianna Papell to new heights.
Amit Arora, Aval Fashion House
I had the pleasure of knowing the indelible Ms. Dhillon for the last 24 years of my life. In fact she watched me flourish from a young naïve designer into a designer with many successes and professional triumphs under my belt. She has been an inspirational teacher, a mother, a friend, a romance advisor and an ambassador of goodwill for me since the day I met her. I spent many wonderful weeks under the care of her golden hand in India. I have had the honour of dining at her home and the absolute pleasure of meeting her parents. I will never forget meeting these incredible people or their miraculous daughter.
When I got married, 16 years ago, Kanval sent the hugest box to my home. I opened it to find a rug that she had seen me admiring at the local market. From that day, this rug is the first thing I put my feet on every morning and the last before I go to bed. I think of her often and hope that her soul is light in the knowledge that she was loved… with warmest condolences to all who knew her and loved her.
Marina Bresler, Designer
KD Madam’s presence was magical in the air. She was the pioneer of our lives; remain positive in life that’s what we were taught.
Shweta Aggarwal
There is a saying ‘NO ONE IS PERFECT’ but she was next to perfect… She will be always remembered as a LEGEND.
Sanchita Marwaha
Her charisma, larger than life personality and vivacity is something that will remain with me forever…
Bindu Kapurea
Her ‘Oh darling! You look smashing’ in her beautiful husky voice would just make my day. There cannot be anyone like her – vocabulary of an English professor and mind like a mathematician…
Puniya Jein (now with GAP)
We have lost an Icon of our garment industry. These lines are just so apt for her that I cannot help but quote –“Sometimes the strongest women are the ones who love beyond all faults, cry behind closed doors, and fights battles that nobody knows about.”
Gita Arora
KD Ma’am was a lady with a beautiful heart who always helped others, co-operated with them and motivated them to grow in their lives…
Rajiv Gupta
She was a lady with a strong, dynamic and vibrant personality… yet soft and playful at heart… Her immense knowledge and vision was an asset to our industry.
Sumeet
We will be eternally indebted to her for her abound benevolence, the values of hard work, sincerity and moral integrity, she inculcated in us, making us what we are today.
Parminder
Kanval Dhillon to me is the very epitome of discipline and commitment in all spheres of life whether personal or professional.
Gurjeet Kaur
Now KDC is my dream as KDC is her baby, KDC success is her success, so will devote all my strength and service to KDC.
Vasanti S.
Her eye for detailed precision for KDC was so evident that anybody can feel her affection for her company. I strongly believe that her vision, work ethics and matriculate work behaviour are still very much a part of KDC even if she is not present physically.
Isha Goyal
KD was the most disciplined and efficient person I have ever known… a perfectionist by nature.
Deepa Dubey
