Mumbai Event report

IFCCI Luxury Symposium 2025 – Second Edition

21 March 2025

IFCCI in partnership with Comité Colbert hosted the Luxury Symposium – Second Edition, on 21st March 2025, at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai.

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The Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI), in partnership with Comité Colbert hosted the IFCCI Luxury Symposium – Second Edition, on 21st March 2025, at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. This prestigious event brought together top luxury industry leaders to deliberate the future of luxury, craftsmanship, and India's growing influence on the global market.

The symposium welcomed luxury maisons, craft and design experts from leading luxury brands including Aneka, Burgundy Brand Collective, Bvlgari, Cartier, Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Courchevel Tourism, DLF, Ensemble, Experimenter, Jaipur Rugs, L’Oréal, Moët Hennessy, Sitara by Good Earth, Tata CLiQ Luxury, The Chankaya, Vikram Goyal Studio and many more.

Key addresses:

Ms. Bénédicte Epinay, President & CEO, Comité Colbert, reaffirmed the significance of craftsmanship in French luxury and India’s rising influence in global markets, with luxury purchases doubling to €272M in 2024. She highlighted India's strategic advantages, alternative growth engines, and opportunities for Indo-French collaboration in heritage and sustainability.

H.E. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, highlighted India’s evolution as a luxury hub, blending heritage, innovation, and sustainability. He reaffirmed Indo-French creative ties, the upcoming India-France Year of Innovation 2026, and IFCCI’s pivotal role in industry advocacy and business growth.

IFCCI felicitated Mr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Founder of Sabyasachi Couture, for his extraordinary journey of 25 years in luxury fashion. His unwavering commitment to Indian craftsmanship, heritage textiles, and global luxury design has positioned him as a visionary leader shaping the future of fashion. Through his deep-rooted understanding of tradition and innovation, Sabyasachi has redefined luxury, making it a celebration of culture, artistry, and legacy.

Highlights:

The event witnessed an engaging dialogue with Mr. Manish Malhotra, Leading Couturier and Costume Virtuoso, and Ms. Srimoyi Bhattacharya, Chairperson of the IFCCI Luxury Committee and Founder of Peepul Advisory who explored the synergy between fashion, cinema, and craftsmanship on a global scale. With over 35 years at the forefront of fashion and Indian film industry, Mr. Malhotra shared insights on the evolution from a costume designer to a multifaceted luxury brand.

A thought-provoking discussion featured Mr. Alexis MOUROT, CEO of Christian Louboutin, and Ms. Bénédicte Epinay, President & CEO, Comité Colbert, who shared insights on global luxury trends, the rise of bespoke craftsmanship in India, and the significance of brand equity. They also addressed human resource challenges and the role of committees in shaping industry solutions.

The symposium featured an inspiring conversation between Mr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Designer and Ms. Bandana Tewari, Director – Cultural Sustainability, Sitara- Good Earth, who discussed the evolving landscape of global luxury. Sabyasachi emphasized the importance of sustaining craftsmanship, empowering artisans, and blending heritage with innovation. He urged businesses to think beyond profits and focus on building a legacy of responsibility and cultural preservation.

Expert Insights & Industry Trends:

- Mr. Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC India shared a compelling address, stressing India’s demographic advantage, economic trajectory, and the growing footprint of Indian consumers in international luxury markets.

- Mr. Anurag Mathur, Partner, Bain & Company presented an exclusive report on the Indian outlook & evolution of the luxury landscape, offering strategic insights into market trends, growth projections, and consumer behavior.

Insightful Panel Discussions

The event covered a diverse range of topics from the artisanal luxury ecosystem to shifting affluence in consumer behaviour, immersive experiences in travel & hospitality, culture meets communication, luxury beauty & fragrances, and the evolving retail footprint.

Pre-Symposium Networking Cocktail

The IFCCI Luxury Committee, in collaboration with Experimenter, hosted an intimate evening of connection and conversation with its partners and speakers on the eve of the Symposium at the Experimenter Gallery.

Prateek Raja, Co-Founder of Experimenter, curated a special gathering to celebrate French artist Julien Segard and his solo exhibition, Dancing at the Edge of Memory.

Post Symposium - Exclusive Networking Cocktail

The IFCCI Luxury Committee and Chanakya Foundation organized an exclusive networking cocktail to celebrate the second edition of the IFCCI Luxury Symposium which was graciously hosted by Ms. Karishma Swali, Creative Director of Chanakya International and Founder of Chanakya School of Craft.

The IFCCI Luxury Symposium 2025 was a landmark event in shaping the future of Indo-French luxury collaborations. As India’s luxury sector continues to evolve, the symposium served as a vital catalyst for innovation, cross-border partnerships, and market expansion.

A heartful thank you to our phenomenal leadership team for orchestrating this extraordinary event: Ms. Srimoyi Bhattacharya (Chairperson IFCCI Luxury Committee & Founder Peepul Advisory), Ms. Swagata Bottero (Vice-Chair IFCCI Luxury Committee & India Affairs & Strategy Director Cartier International ), Mr. Anurag Tyagi (Vice-Chair IFCCI Luxury Committee & Country Manager Christian Dior Couture), Ms. Payal S. Kanwar (Director General, IFCCI), Ms. Shweta Pahuja (Regional Director-West, IFCCI), and Ms. Rishika Roy (Head – Committees & Partnerships, IFCCI).