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Following are some of the excerpts of the views expressed by top honchos of leading global luxury brands at the recently concluded Mint Hindustan Times Luxury Conference 2008. Besides galaxy of world luxury brand leaders, the second annual conference organised by the media house, also attracted participation of experts and aspiring Indian counterparts.

• “Aspiration levels in India were very high and 48% Indians aspire (ref: Nielsen survey) to a GUCCI product. India will emerge as one of our key markets in the coming years. However, today it is still in a state of fantasy.”

  “Infrastructure remains a constraint. Unlike China, where GUCCI opens one store every 6 weeks, the company is far more cautious in India.”

  – Mark Lee, CEO, GUCCI.

  Gucci, which in India currently has two stores, is planning to add another two; one each in New Delhi and Bangalore, by end-2008.

• “India is an unknown jewel. I didn’t know India till I came to this country. India should focus on its own inherent strengths, like Ayurveda, which is becoming highly popular in the West. Luxury is not limited only to fashion.”– Carlo Rivetti, Chairman, Sportswear Company.
• “There is potential in India because of its craftsmanship and art. The colours and styles of India are in a perfect fit with those of Italy.”– Vittorio Missoni, Chairman, Missoni, and Vice Chairman, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (an association of luxury brand manufacturers).
• “Luxury is more about taste and not money. ITC is looking seriously at luxury retailing and large commercial spaces were earmarked for that purpose in all their new properties.”– Nakul Anand, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels.
• “India has shown us that a culture can maintain its culture and yet become a world superpower. We need to follow the Indian model and not try to impose or copy the Western one.”– Frank Zambrelli, President and Creative Director, Lieber.Lieber is ready to open its first store in India in the next few weeks. Zambrelli displayed a jewelled Ganesha that Lieber has specially designed for the launch of its India operations.
• “At the end of the day the Indian woman is very strong – she looks after her family, her in-laws, her children, her job, yet she manages to keep her feminity intact. She is determined on the one side, dedicated, on the other. She has total self confidence.”– Andrea Bonardi, Managing Director, La Perla.
• Many foreign designers and manufacturers are already outsourcing from India, mainly in the home furnishing area. Armani, for one, is going into the hotel business and has placed orders for over 70 products from India. Berkus has placed orders of over Rs 50 crores. To meet this demand JJ Vallaya is shortly launching home stores in select cities.– Sunil Sethi, CEO, Sunil Sethi Design Alliance.Source: India Press Release