The BRICS+ Fashion Summit business program features more than 200 speakers from all over the world. They are fashion industry professionals whoset the trends for its development in their relevant regions. We asked some of them to size up the Summit’s impact on BRICS+ emerging markets, to talk about fashion development trends in their countries and the contribution made by the textile and garment industry to their national economies.
The BRICS+ Fashion Summit is a valuable platform for professional engagement of fashion industry representatives from the BRICS countries and the new members of the group. Strengthening of partnerships among our countries pursues the BRICS members’ shared mission: comprehensive, collaborative management of challenges and issues through cooperation with a view to strengthening our place in the world.
Vulkan-A textile company has been supplying textiles from my factory in India and assisting with supplies from other factories for the almost 30 years I have lived and worked in Russia. This allows me personally to understand and monitor every stage of the manufacturing process and cater to any of my customers’ wishes. As the President of the Association for Development of Entrepreneurship and Support of Business Relations “Indian Business Council” and a foreigner who decided to devote his achievements to Russia, I am trying to give the Russian textile sector what it needs through Vulkan-A and to let Russia know what India is already good at. I value this alliance most specifically for its open dialogue and an earnest intent to help one another and command support. It is my strong belief that BRICS+ Fashion Summit 2024 will further this partnership.
India’s fashion industry is greatly different from its global counterparts in its focus on the individual, its desire to be trendy while preserving its cultural code. Few countries are as skillful in balancing the global and the local. India is very confident in following its unique style, which certainly draws the interest of all other countries. And I believe this approach to preserving culture through fashion is fundamentally important for every country.
India’s experience can not only inspire, but it can also be a sort of stumbling block for Russian designers in preserving the Russian cultural code. When it comes to cooperation, many fear competition, and all things new are always scary. Today we may see this in relation to AI and its use. But you should not be afraid or ashamed to turn to others for help and use outside resources if you know the way you are going. When you follow your star, nothing can divert you from your path.
