THE BUSINESS OF FASHION’S GLOBAL 500 LIST

The Business of Fashion (BoF), a daily resource for fashion creatives and executives in over 200 countries, has become an indispensable part of an industry insider’s morning routine. Its cult following is the result of truly global coverage, drawing on articles and think pieces from stylists, designers and entrepreneurs from across the world.

The BoF 500 is their definitive professional index of the people shaping the $2.4 trillion fashion industry, based on hundreds of nominations from current BoF 500 members, extensive data analysis and research. This year’s list is an ode to the changing face of fashion, with stalwarts like Manish Arora and Sabyasachi Mukherjee featuring alongside alternative labels like Pero or Bodice. Here, a closer look at our pioneers and innovators:

Images: Cecilia Morelli Parikh & Julie Leymarie

Fashion disruptors
Cecilia Morelli Parikh and Julie Leymarie, co-founders of Mumbai based multi-brand fashion and lifestyle chain of stores, Le Mill, made the list for bringing us their vision of a “pared-back European aesthetic”. Ruchika Sachdeva, creative director and founder of Bodice, the label which won the Woolmark prize for 2018, made it for giving us sustainable and minimalist choices. Rahul Mishra, the first designer to win the coveted Woolmark prize from India, is on everyone’s radar for his innovative use of traditional Indian handcrafts. Alternative label, Aneeth Arora’s Pero is a globally stocked brand that makes the designer a name to contend with.

Bollywood connection
With Sonam Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and stylist Anamika Shroff Adajania making the list, we know that Bollywood’s influence still trumps all. Priyanka was chosen for her appearance on the 2017 Met Gala red carpet; remember the iconic trench coat dress that went viral? Her turn in Hollywood and the Gap campaign have made her a household name internationally, and she’s truly living a fashion moment. As the face of L’Oreal and with much touted red carpet appearances at Cannes, Sonam’s inclusion is almost a foregone conclusion. Fashion director of Vogue, India, Anamika’s influence is noted for her choices as stylist to the stars, adding a new sheen to Bollywood’s design story.

Established names
Manish Arora, the first Indian designer to take the local aesthetic global, makes the list for his drama infused pieces and vivid use of colour. Anamika Khanna’s design sensibilities, marrying Indian traditional textiles with western silhouettes, puts her name on the list for the year. Investment from private equity firm General Atlantic, has brought Anita Dongre on the world stage, this year marking her debut with a store in New York. Bollywood costumer turned designer Manish Malhotra with record sales this year and new store opening in Delhi, cements his position as a fashion behemoth. Industry darling, Sabyasachi Mukherjee can hardly be ignored, especially with wedding season upon us! His influence on our choices has only grown with time; making BoF’s list is an added acknowledgement of this fashion juggernaut.

We close the list with Tina Tahiliani Parikh, executive director of Ensemble, leading stockist of most Indian labels, who makes the list for her entrepreneurial prowess in recalibrating the family-owned business.