The fashion and beauty industry in India received a big boost when Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai won the Miss Universe and Miss World titles. Fashion in India has many years of tradition behind it. Every state has a unique costume, for instance.
We have a rich textile heritage which has earned the admiration of the West with Indian beauties winning world beauty pageants in quick succession in the 90s, the fashion industry received a new lease of life and acquired a global outlook. Now we have international events like India Fashion Week which showcase the best of Indian fashion to the world. Every year, the cream of Indian fashion designers also holds shows in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, etc.
It is no longer uncommon for Indian models to walk the ramps of world fashion capitals like Paris, Los Angeles and Milan. And names like Ritu Beri, Manish Malhotra, Ritu Kumar, Wendell Rode ricks, Tarun Tahiliani, etc. are now recognized in the global fashion arena which has for long been dominated by names like Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, Versace, Donna Karan and others. India is among the largest exporters of garments and fabrics. It is the second largest producer of silk and the third largest producer of cotton in the world. All this augurs well for its fashion industry.
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The beauty industry in India is a natural corollary of the fashion industry. Here too, we have a rich tradition, as Ayurvedic health and beauty treatments have been in use for over 2000 years. In the 15th century, the poet, Vallabhadeva, described the ‘solah shringar’ or the 16 decorations for a model Hindu wife. Grooming and cosmetics are the chief elements of the beauty industry.
Until the 80s, cosmetics were seen as luxuries. They were also taboo for unmarried women from good families. But once women began entering the workforce in large numbers, the taboo faded away as it was necessary for women to look good at the workplace. The influence of movies and television also played a part in changing attitudes. At present, India is one of the fastest growing markets for the beauty industry with sales growing at a robust rate of 18 to 20 percent annually.