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For the period April-November 2006, the UK’s share of silk imports from India showed nearly 2%, while the US market dipped by 2%. The dip in the US market seems primarily due to other fabrics and dress materials gaining precedence over silk. While exports to the US came down to 27.8% compared with 29.8% during the same period in the previous year, the UK market went up from 9.7% to 11.6%. On the revenue front, while the US declined from Rs 602.8 crore to Rs 575.38 crore, the UK went up from Rs 196.15 crore to Rs 239.34 crore.

It was during the period 2002-03 that the Indian silk exports witnessed a growth in the UK sector. Indian silk exporters contribute 17% to the UK’s silk imports after China at 14%. India meets almost 50% of UK’s silk fabric demand. Silk fabric exports to the UK increased to $31.42 million in 2005-06 from $20.26 million in 2003-04 and it is expected to increase by 15-20% in 2006-07. For the year 2006-07, the ministry of textile is targeting to export silk worth Rs 3,200 crore which would include readymade garments, carpets, wastes and fabrics.

Encouraged by the recent bulk orders received from UK and UAE, the exporters have high expectations to meet the above goal. Combined share of the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the Indian silk exports increased to 8.6% in the April-November 2006 period from 7.5% in the same period a year ago, while revenues from these countries also went up to Rs 176.56 crore from Rs 151.60 crore. The top five countries US, the UK, Italy, the UAE and Germany import Indian silk goods accounting for 27.8%, 11.6%, 6.7%, 5.9% and 5.7% respectively.

The British model Kate Moss unraveled her fashion range and hundreds of fans flocked to catch a glimpse of the much awaited launch. The 33 year model has carved herself a niche as a global style icon and has successfully promoted fashion trends like skinny jeans to sawn-off shorts. At Topshop’s central London flagship store, she came exquisitely donned in her new creations - a long red dress costing $471.

Topshop owner and billionaire Philip Green has paid Moss a staggering million ($A7.25 million) to impart a stellar tone to his business. The model was chaperoned around a small area of the store dedicated to her collection by Topshop owner Philip Green. The range consists of about 50 pieces including tight jeans, waistcoats and hot pants. The collection will be launched in 21 countries in the next two weeks. The collection will also be housed at the prestigious upmarket store Barney’s in the US. Green told Reuters, “Let’s see how it looks and get a couple of days under our belt”.

In an effort to avoid disorder and the associated pandemonium with such events, the queue of mainly teenaged girls and young women was allowed in only in small groups, given 20 minutes in the shop and limited to five items. The initial reaction of the customers was mixed. According to one customer Cindy Wirk, “I didn’t think it was all that good”. “The dresses were a bit mini and I’ve seen them everywhere else. “I didn’t think her shoe collection was very good.” However she did admit to be a “satisfied customer”. It was also noted that a leather jacket was displayed just for the pre-launch publicity and was not available for sale.

Melodie Parker, another customer remarked that the collection was best described as “disposable fashion”. Mary Durmond, a 26-year-old from France who queued for eight hours, praised Moss for “always dressing in the right thing”. Moss wore heavy black eye make up for the launch with her open hair long blonde hair. She elegantly posed with the mannequins in the store window for cameras outside. However, she did not speak to any reporters.

Moss is a celebrity model and hiring celebrities by the big names in the retail business is an added fillip for them. It helps them get an edge over their rivals amid the highly competitive fashion industry. Other celebrities include Madonna, who stars at H&M and will soon be followed at the Swedish chain by Kylie Minogue. Singer Lily Allen has also struck a deal with Britain’s New Look.

Moss has emerged unscathed and has made a graceful comeback after having been dropped by several fashion houses for allegedly snorting large quantities of cocaine. She was labeled as “Cocaine Kate” in 2005 and went to a rehab in the US. However, all this did not deter her to succeed and she went on to pick up many awards and prestigious projects as well as prominent magazine covers.

South Delhi will soon be the fashion hub for the fashionistas, retailers as well as garment manufacturers. South Delhi is slated to have its own fashion mart showcasing home décor, garments as well traditional khadi items. The decision has from the textile ministry and the project has been cleared by the Planning Commission. However, the project will take off once the Delhi Development Authority allots the land for the project.

The proposed site is expected to house production houses, design studios and research and development laboratories in a bid to showcase India’s handloom textiles and embroideries providing another fillip to the rich Indian traditional heritage. The focus would be high quality large scale production coupled with cost effective techniques.

The project would be enforced based on a public-private partnership model. The project is expected to reach completion by the year 2009 and will be at par with world class fashion destinations across the globe. A token provision of Rs. 1 crore has already been made by the Planning Commission.

In a bid to establish the Indian fashion brand on a global scale, the goal is to achieve $50 billion in exports by 2010. The strategy involves establishing prestigious fashion spots with a pan Indian presence. Similar projects would then be rolled out towards Mumbai, Tirupur and Bangalore.

In a proposal sent to the Planning Commission, the textile ministry had sought Rs 150 crore for the project. These fashion junctions would cater for retailers, shoppers, manufacturers and licensees, as well as for top fashion designers.