Fashion brand GAS having its presence in 50 countries across the world, originated from a dream of a dynamic man, Claudio Grotto. The world renowned Italian label started way back in 70s gave a new definition to fashion by its distinctiveness.
Claudio Grotto was born in 1948 in Piovene Rocchette, a small town in the north-east of the Veneto region of Italy. It was his family, who ran a small haberdashery shop that introduced him to the fascinating world of fashion from a young age.
After he came of age and completed his military service, he started to follow, almost for fun, public relations and represented various bands, thus gaining first-hand knowledge of the music industry and getting to know some of the most popular musicians of the 1970s.
During this intense period he realized that young Italians, and even the domestic market, lack clothes that represented a differ
ent lifestyle, an alternative to the traditional way of life and way of dressing. So he started on his entrepreneurial adventure. First he took over the family haberdashery and started to sell a well-known denim brand. Through this experience he discovered all the secrets of the importance of quality materials and constructions and attention to detail. It’s during those early years that Claudio Grotto realized that the choice available in the denim market is still too restricted although demand is growing all the time.
So he came up with the idea of setting up his own, completely artisanal, workshop, where his energy and enthusiasm for denim could be expressed to the full. There he began to create one- off pieces and becomes familiar with the many trade secrets required to produce an apparel collection, as well as the business side of things.
Since that time, Claudio never looked back, now he is the Managing Director and Founding Chairman of Grotto Spa, the company that designs, produces and distributes in more than 50 countries apparel, footwear and accessory collections under the GAS label for men, women and children.
Recently, Claudio expanded his domain to Mumbai as GAS opens its new retail store in the city based on the concept GAS stores across the world represents. About its stepping in Mumbai, Claudio says, “Mumbai is one of the most dynamic fashion capitals of the world. With its young and forward thinking population, India is one of the most upcoming and strategic markets. With GAS, a premium lifestyle brand that offers essential, stylish and sensual fashion, we hope to address cosmopolitan consumers with a young mind set who seek the best in international fashion.”
Over the next three years, GAS is planning to open 10 more retail store in India besides four by the end of this year in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Ludhiana.
