These leaders, the driving forces behind India’s flourishing fashion and lifestyle sector, are not mythical figures but individuals who have honed their skills, overcome challenges and left an indelible mark on the industry. Join us as we unveil the stories of these trailblazers, their journeys from self-growth to guiding others, and the profound impact of their decisions on the pulse of the fashion realm. Welcome to a series that goes beyond the surface, uncovering the narratives of those who have weathered storms and emerged as true icons in the business of fashion.

This week, IMAGES Business of Fashion delves into the extraordinary life and achievements of Abhishek Bajpai, the CEO of Apparel Group India Pvt. Ltd.

Education
Abhishek Bajpai, CEO of Apparel Group India Pvt. Ltd., is a seasoned leader with a strategic edge, holding an MBA as a testament to his commitment to excellence in navigating the dynamic fashion industry.

Career History and Experience
Bajpai, with an extensive 23-year retail career, embarked on his journey at Liwa Enterprises in the UAE (2000-2008), progressing from Management Trainee to Retail Manager. Transitioning to Al Tayer Group (2008-2011) as Business Development Manager, he played a pivotal role in the company’s growth. Returning to Liwa Enterprises (2011-2015) as GM and COO, Bajpai continued to excel. Joining Apparel Group in the UAE as General Manager (2015-2018), he later assumed the role of Vice President at Apparel Group, India (2018-2021). Currently, as CEO since 2022, Bajpai steers the company’s vision and growth, showcasing a diverse and impactful career.

Current Roles and Responsibilities
In his capacity as the CEO, Bajpai assumes a pivotal role in overseeing the entire scope of the India business for Apparel Group. His key responsibilities encompass the meticulous management of profit and loss for the Apparel Group India business, underscoring his strategic prowess in navigating financial landscapes.

Bajpai spearheads strategic growth initiatives, leveraging his visionary leadership to propel the company forward. Additionally, he plays a central role in orchestrating seamless business operations, ensuring efficiency and cohesion across diverse facets. As a testament to his collaborative approach, Bajpai actively engages in partner management, fostering key relationships critical to the success and expansion of Apparel Group in the dynamic Indian market.

Strengths
Bajpai excels in business operations, driving seamless efficiency. His visionary leadership fuels brand growth through strategic initiatives, and he demonstrates a knack for talent management, fostering high-performing teams.

Aspirations in Life
Bajpai aspires to establish a high-performance organization that not only offers growth opportunities for teams but also fosters individual progression.

Game-Changing Retail Technologies
According to Bajpai, game-changing retail technologies include data-led personalization, and harnessing the power of customer insights. Additionally, the integration of OpenAI stands out as a transformative force, enhancing efficiency and innovation in retail operations. Bajpai recognizes the significance of the metaverse, foreseeing its potential impact on reshaping the retail landscape and customer experiences.

Skills That Helped Him Succeed
Bajpai attributes his success in the industry to a continuous desire to learn, and stay abreast of industry trends and innovations. His adeptness in talent management and growth is a hallmark skill, fostering the development of high-performing teams. Bajpai’s ability to cultivate a high-performance culture further underscores his proficiency in driving success in the dynamic landscape of the fashion industry.

Lessons Learned Over the Years
Over the years, Bajpai has gleaned invaluable lessons, emphasizing the importance of sustainable growth as a focal point. Recognizing that adept inventory management is pivotal to smooth business operations, Bajpai has learned to navigate the complexities of supply and demand. Furthermore, he underscores the profound impact of prioritizing customer experience, acknowledging its role in defining the longevity and success of any retail business. These insights reflect Bajpai’s strategic approach and adaptability in navigating the dynamic landscape of the industry.

Future of the Industry
According to Bajpai, the future of the retail industry lies in the continued growth of brands with omnichannel setups. He emphasizes that customer experience will be a pivotal differentiating factor for brands, underscoring its significance in shaping consumer preferences. Bajpai also highlights the critical role of talent, emphasizing that a skilled workforce is imperative for any retail business to sustain and thrive in the evolving market landscape.

Role Model in the Industry
Bajpai considers Martin Waters as his role model, drawing inspiration from Waters’ leadership and accomplishments in the industry.

Life Mantra
Bajpai’s life mantra is to surround himself with individuals who inspire and motivate him to strive for continuous improvement.

The transformative influence of these trailblazing women spans diverse domains, from advocating sustainability and shattering gender norms to reviving age-old textiles, designs, and techniques for the modern world; they are re-writing the narrative of fashion and are leaving an indelible mark in its world.

This week, IMAGES Business of Fashion looks deeper at the life and achievements of Shirin Mann, founder of NEEDLEDUST & SAND by Shirin.

About Shirin Mann
Shirin Mann, who originally came from Chandigarh, was a boarding school student. She later obtained her Master’s Degree in International Journalism from Cardiff University in Wales, United Kingdom. After returning to India, she embarked on her career as a crime journalist for an investigative newspaper based in Delhi NCR. Nevertheless, her profound interest in design ultimately inspired her to establish Needledust in 2014.

Career History and Experience
NEEDLEDUST originated from Shirin’s own wedding experience, as she wanted to break away from the conventional choice of pairing her wedding lehenga with stilettos. Dissatisfied with the available footwear options on the market, she embarked on the journey of designing her own juttis, sparking her passion for craftsmanship.

Her second venture, SAND, encapsulates the notion of honoring the uniqueness of women, where every silhouette is beautiful, every physique is noteworthy, and every woman is exceptional. SAND presents exquisitely crafted, opulent attire that challenges conventional limitations and embraces the individual beauty, physique, and size of each person. Despite its introduction during the challenging times of a pandemic, it has garnered a substantial outpouring of affection and backing.

Current Roles and Responsibilities
Shirin is responsible for guiding the company’s strategic course, establishing goals and objectives, and making pivotal business determinations. She is actively involved in product development, as well as in shaping the brand positioning and marketing strategies for both of her brands.

Strength:

• Innovation: Shirin displays a creative flair, consistently bringing imaginative concepts to life. She has a knack for crafting unique and aesthetically pleasing juttis, showcasing her creativity.
• Resilience: Shirin’s unyielding determination has been evident in her journey. Despite challenges and obstacles, she has remained resolute in achieving her vision, exemplifying a strong sense of determination.
• Guidance: As a leader, Shirin has effectively steered her brand to success. Her leadership skills are demonstrated through her ability to set a vision, lead her team, and make strategic decisions that have elevated NEEDLEDUST to prominence.

Weakness:

• Excessive Work Priority: She tends to place an overly high emphasis on work to the detriment of other aspects of life, occasionally neglecting a healthier work-life balance.
• Difficulty in Assertiveness: Shirin sometimes struggles to decline or set boundaries when necessary, which can lead to over-commitment or taking on more than she should.
• Wellness Neglect: She occasionally fails to devote as much attention to her well-being as she ideally should, potentially impacting her health and overall quality of life.

Aspirations
Her foremost goal is to nurture and advance the global presence of Needledust and SAND, with a particular focus on the expansion of their retail stores as these brands continue to flourish. After the recent inauguration of their store in Select City Walk, Saket, New Delhi, she is actively exploring opportunities for the next strategic location to establish a new Needledust store.

Game-Changing Retail Technologies

• Contactless Payments: These methods revolutionize retail with secure and swift transactions, prioritizing convenience and safety.
• Augmented Reality (AR): AR technology enriches the shopping experience by offering virtual previews of products, reducing returns and boosting online shopping confidence.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI-driven tools enhance customer service, optimize inventory management, and fine-tune marketing, increasing sales and satisfaction.

Skills That Helped Her Succeed

• A keen eye for aesthetics.
• Proficient trend forecasting capabilities.
• Effective communication skills.
• The capacity to adeptly navigate shifting market dynamics.

Lessons Learned Over the Years
Shirin Mann’s journey in the industry has imparted crucial lessons. She has come to appreciate the value of tenacity and viewing failures as opportunities for personal and professional growth. Moreover, Shirin has recognized the paramount importance of customer feedback, using it as a compass for innovation and continuous improvement to maintain a leading position in the market.

Role Models in the Industry
Shirin looks up to her mother as her life’s role model because she successfully managed the dual responsibilities of raising her and fulfilling her other life commitments.

Future of Fashion Retail
Shirin Mann’s perspective on the industry’s future is that it’s undergoing a substantial shift, primarily driven by changing customer preferences. The industry will place a strong emphasis on sustainability and delivering tailored experiences to customers. Those brands capable of adapting to these shifts will thrive in the market and secure a competitive advantage.

Changes Brought in the Industry
Shirin has instigated alterations by directing efforts towards broadening her brand’s range of products, entering fresh markets, and amplifying its online visibility through its website and social media platforms.

Life mantra
Shirin’s life motto is to “Believe in yourself and then go for it!”

The transformative influence of these trailblazing women spans across diverse domains, from advocating sustainability and shattering gender norms to reviving age-old textiles, designs, and techniques for the modern world; they are re-writing the narrative of fashion and are leaving an indelible mark in its world.

This week, IMAGES Business of Fashion takes a deeper look at the life and achievements of Manjula Tiwari, CEO and MD, of Cover Story Clothing Limited.

About Manjula Tiwari
Manjula Tiwari is a seasoned professional in the field of fashion and lifestyle. She started Cover Story Clothing Limited with a firm belief in the immense creative, manufacturing and management talent available in India, with the aim to build brands and experiences at par with global peers. Ancestry is an expression of Manjula’s love for Indian textiles and the immense pride she takes in Indian heritage and traditions

Education
> Post-graduate in Apparel Merchandising and Marketing from NIFT, Delhi

Career History and Experience
Held key leadership positions and built brands and retail businesses for almost 30 years. Having worked closely with international brands and e-commerce platforms during her tenure at Esprit, Benetton, Wills, Lee Cooper, and Jabong, she is a leader with a keen knowledge of the Indian consumer as well as global best practices.

Current Roles and Responsibilities
On her current roles and responsibilities, Manjula says, “My role is to lead growth for Cover Story and Ancestry and provide mentorship and leadership to make both brands salient in the premium lifestyle space in India.”

Strength:
> Curious and empathetic, which allows Manjula to get a pulse on the market.
> She enjoys looking at what the consumer wants as well as needs and is able to translate those insights into an end product that delights her target group.
> She loves leading a team and getting creative fresh ideas.

Weakness:
> Impatience – she aspires to achieve a lot to be able to stay ahead of the market curve.

Game-Changing Retail Technologies
> RFID
> Data Analytics
> Omnichannel

Skills That Helped Her Succeed
> Her love for products with good quality, longevity, and creative designs.
> Taking calculated risks and not being afraid of failures as she believes every action has a learning to derive from it.
> She keeps the customer at the heart of the process to authentically add value.

Future of Fashion Retail
> Data and technology will be harnessed for the benefit of decision making therefore cutting inventory waste and improving operating metrics.
> She believes consumers will opt for quality and longevity as the audience is becoming conscious of buying less but buying better quality, longer-lasting products.
> Brands will have to have an emotional connection with a story to tell for a compelling emotional connection.

Any role model in the industry
On the subject of role models, Manjula says, “Coco Chanel – as a women entrepreneur creating a fashion revolution that would influence every designer that came after her..”

Lessons learned over the years
On the subject of lessons learned over the years, Manjula says, “Don’t be afraid to follow your heart and believe in yourself. There will always be naysayers but if you truly know your consumers – you can make something that will uniquely solve their problems.”

Changes brought in the industry
Cover Story was launched, with her vision for the brand to help Indian women get access to the best of international trends and offer solutions that are suited to the physical and cultural context. Its popularity can be attributed to this customization of size sets and silhouettes that are specially designed for Indian women.

Life mantra
On the subject of life mantra, Manjula says, “Never give up.”