Heimtextil India & Ambiente India Begins at Pragati Maidan

UNDERLINING INDIA'S dominant position in textiles and home furnishings, Textile Minister Smriti Irani unveiled the world’s largest cushion representing ‘Fabrics & Embroideries of India’ in New Delhi. This textile masterpiece called CushionKari was unveiled at the Heimtextil India and Ambiente India at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Over 180 companies from six countries including top home fashion players such as D‘décor, Welspun, Reliance, Raymond, AWKenox Steel, Flair Houseware, Organic Home (Stonemen Crafts), Lifestyles 360 Degree, Gomaads among others are showcasing season’s interior décor and home textile collections at this co-located platform. The three-day joint fairs organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India have brought together companies from India, Bangladesh, China, Korea, Nepal, and Thailand.

Addressing the industry at the inauguration, Minister Smriti Irani said, “India’s home textile business this year has contributed 12 per cent to the country’s overall shipments globally. The initiative, organised by Messe Frankfurt India, has witnessed a 30 per cent increase in exhibitors this year, which shows the capacity of Indian businesses to come up with new ventures as well as the appetite of the country’s consumers or buyers.”

Renowned retail buyers and purchase managers from top hospitality industry chains came to visit the fair. Hotel Purchase Managers’ Forum (HPMF) was associated with the event. Nitin Nagrale, Founder and General Secretary said, “we are continuously seeing new names coming up in the market.  This platform is giving a wonderful opportunity for the buyers and sellers to meet”. Sanjay Goyal, Vice President, HPMF North zone spoke about the importance of the event, “These types of platform are very essential to the Procurement Fraternity. Here, one gets to know what the new trends are, design which are coming up, and lot many things. This eventually helps up to grow more because the more you interact the more you get to know the business inside out.”

Some of the prominent industry players who marked their presence at the fair were: Shantmanu, (IAS) Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles; Jagdish Khandelwal, President, Home Textile Association (HTA); Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts; Olaf Schmidt, Vice President Textiles & Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH; Nicolette Naumann, Vice President, Ambiente; Raj Manek, Executive Director and Board Member of Messe Frankfurt Asia Holding Ltd; Sunil Sethi, President, Fashion Design Council of India and Lipika Sud, President, Guild of Designers and Artists.

India has taken long strides in home textiles space worldwide with the country emerging as the second largest supplier of home textile products only after China. Shift in the consumer’s lifestyle, influencing spends and retail growth is also impacting domestic consumption of home fashion and furnishing products. The co-located fairs which host more than 180 exhibitors target the entire chain of home fashion through its Dining, Living, Giving, and Furnishing segments.