International buyers shop at LFW

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Courtesy UNI

Mumbai, Apr 3: Over 40 key international buyers along with nearly 150 domestic buyers visited the Lakme Fashion Week.

Among the international buyers were Lord and Taylor, Tracey Ross, Harvey Nicholas, Browns, browns, tracey ross and C K Tang Ltd, while the domestic buyers were Ensemble, Kimaya, Aza, Fuel, Shoppers Stop, Ebony and Amara among others.

''The clothes are not in tune with the look, otherwise I would buy them,'' said a representative of browns, while talking to media persons here on yesterday.

''I am going home with some money which is sad because buyers love to shop,'' he added.

Sangeeta from Milange said, ''The international market works very differently compared to national market. Relationships need to be built and strengthened. We need to learn the ethics of business and put our best foot forward. We have just taken a baby step. We should have a government body to regulate this.'' A Lord and Taylor representative said, ''India is very much in the limelight. It is the flavour of the month. Other countries are looking at you. But you must walk before you run. It has been an exciting week but there is a lot to learn from this Lakme Fashion Week, which concluded here on Saturday.

A representative from Browns said, ''We are looking for new talent, a designer with a total package. She can be Indian, Western or crossover. Everybody is asking why have we come here. I have liked a shirt here or a skirt there. Here we do not do the buying the retail stores do.'' He further said, ''The designers should know everything from sizing to fibre. For instance, if we like a product and ask for 4,000 units the designers will die. The product needs to be shipped.

That is why we need agents all around the world. It is a huge business.'' ''We do not bargain. We insist on quality. We get the same price as Milan or Paris. Sabyasachi has delivered to us twice and that speaks for itself,'' he explained.

They concluded by saying, ''It takes time to build bonds. It takes years for stores to invest and buy. The relationship cannot be built by a 15 minute walk on the ramp. India's future is extraordinary and you are making an impact on the world. You have talent. Nurture it.

From what we see there are two markets. One is national which is satisfying and the other is international which has a lot of potential.'' ''With globalisation, we see a lot of young talent in India like Rahul Mishra. Invest in him. Encourage him. The fashion industry is very young with a lot of potential. You come up with the goods, we will come up with the money. It is that simple,'' they added.