Features

Today’s airports host a mix of fashion and lifestyle brands that cater to every budget and taste. According to Knight Frank India, the airport retail market could leap from US $1.4 billion in 2019 to nearly US $9.3 billion by 2030, a six-fold jump that signals just how central airports are becoming the country’s shopping story.

Despite years of industry discussion, sustainability in textiles has struggled to scale due to high costs, technical challenges and limited adoption. New efforts in textile recycling, circular fibres and traceable supply chains are beginning to reshape the sector. As global regulations tighten and brands face growing compliance pressure, sustainability is shifting from a marketing narrative to a structural requirement across the textile value chain.

In an exclusive conversation with Apparel Resources, former Executive Director of Gokaldas Exports, Dinesh J Hinduja shared his thoughts on the industry today and what the future could look like.

Sagrika Vir, Executive Director, Vardhman Textiles, in conversation with Apparel Resources, shares how she is positioning the fabric business for its next leap, with sharper customer focus, technical capability, and long-term competitiveness.

Apparel Resources spoke with Marc Abeles, Global Marketing Director, Mainetti, to understand how Mainetti’s new Chennai facility will benefit customers and how he sees the future of the hanger and packaging industry in India. He was particularly bullish on India’s retail growth due to rising consumption, manufacturing expansion, and increasing focus on sustainable packaging.

What connects these leaders is a clear sense of accountability... to teams, communities, and the systems they operate within. It informs everyday decisions as much as long-term strategy. From the ecosystems they nurture and the standards they uphold, to how success itself is measured. Their journeys also reflect the changing nature of leadership within the fashion supply chain. Today, influence is no longer defined only by titles or scale, but by the ability to build inclusive teams, drive responsible growth and create long-term value.

Under the leadership of COO Kalika Mehra, along with her sister Avinisha, VP, and their mother Renu Mehra, Chairperson, Active Clothing Co. Ltd. is on a strong growth path.

Tirupur-based leading knitted apparel exporter Eastman Exports Global Clothing Pvt Ltd. (EEGCPL) employs a workforce of nearly 20,000 people, out of which almost 60-65% are women.

On the occasion of Women’s Day, Deepa Kohli, CEO, Ravelheart India, advised aspiring women entrepreneurs to stay passionate, curious, and committed to continuous learning. Building a strong foundation through hands-on experience across sourcing and buying functions, she said, is essential.